Her Royal Protege - Desert Rose Series

"I'm no knight in shining armor either, if that's your next question."

She studied him through her glasses, and then said softly, "I don't suppose you are."

"No prince. No knight. No duke. No nothing." The amusement was back. "Can I help you with anything else, my lady?"

She raised her chin a notch. "I don't think so." She primly smoothed another wrinkle from her skirt. Now what? If he wasn't Luciano Daniel Hansen, then who was? All of her careful research pointed to this man. Just the thought of the greedy, ruthless Vanderbilts, who'd wrought pain and suffering on her family for so many years, caused her stomach to spasm. She couldn't let them inherit the throne. She owed it to her father—God rest his soul—to keep the monarchy out their hands. And she owed it to Jack. No, she owed it to Androvia. She would go to her grave protecting the crown.

"Well, my lady," Luke drawled again, "if there's nothing else I can do for you, then I better get a move on. Us peasants have to work for a living." He shrugged out of his leather jacket, revealing a white muscle shirt stretched taught across rock hard abs.

"Thank you for your time," Jada said automatically, slightly mesmerized by his tanned biceps.

He turned away from her once again, then walked toward one of the Harleys parked in the front of the building. He laid the jacket on the seat and leaned down to check the tire.

That's when she saw it. The tattoo darkening his left shoulder. It wasn't especially huge or noticeable, but it was there nonetheless.

"Good heavens!" she exclaimed without thinking. She crunched over the gravel to get a better look. A shield with a two-headed lion, facing opposite directions, above two crossed swords. Blood rushed into her ears, leaving her slightly light-headed.

Luke turned back toward her. Swearing softly, he took three quick strides then reached for her just as she swayed

Strong arms encircled her waist, hauling her toward him. She could feel his heart beating rhythmically against his chest. The scent of spice and light musk consumed her senses. She swayed once more. His arm tightened around her, giving her strength. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered if he noticed her hips were a couple of inches too wide. She had been meaning to try that new diet she had read about, but…

Closing her eyes to regain control of her equilibrium and her crazy racing thoughts, she rested her head against his chest. His heartbeat increased in rhythm and speed. The lulling thump, thump, thump calmed her brittle nerves. Some.

"Lady, are you okay?" he asked gruffly, his breath gently stirring her hair.

She nodded into his shirt. What was wrong with her? He must think she has gone over the deep end this time for sure. She splayed her hands across his chest, still clutching the envelope, and took an unsteady step backward. He slowly released his hold on her waist as she steadied herself.

"Your tattoo," she whispered hoarsely.

"What about it? You have something against tattoos, too?"

She shook her head vehemently, the roaring sound in her head minimizing somewhat. "Where did you get it?"