Spy Girl (Spy Girl #1)

“Have you slept with Daniel?” he asks bluntly.

I hesitate, wondering if I should tell him the truth. Last time he asked, I simply said no comment. This could be a deal breaker.

I end up going with part of the truth.

“Yes. I slept with him the night we met. I honestly never expected to see him again.”

“But you haven’t slept with me?”

“Sleeping with you feels like more of a commitment. I like you. Daniel and I flirted and fell into bed. You have done that many times, I’m told, so you should know the difference between a thoughtless fling and something that feels more—important.”

“So you fancy me?”

“I think I do. Where are you? It’s quiet there.”

“In my chamber. I’ve had a full day of meetings.”

“Would you like some company?”

“Depends who would be coming.”

“Just me.”

“Will you spend the night at the palace tonight?”

“If you would like me to.”

“I would very much like you to.”

“What shall I wear?”

“Preferably nothing. Have you had dinner?”

“Not really.”

“Then we shall dine in my suite.”

“So I shouldn’t show up at the castle naked?”

He laughs. “It would save the guards from having to search you for weapons.”

“Lorenzo.”

“What, Lee?”

“I’m really glad you called.”





I’m pulling my car out of the garage when William Gallagher jumps out of the bushes by the gate and into my passenger seat.

“What are you doing?”

“Going for a ride with you. Where are you going? You look nice by the way.”

“Thank you. And not that it’s any of your business, but I’m going to the palace.”

“I really do work for the British government. We believe another attempt on the Prince’s life is imminent. He should cancel the Queen’s Ball.”

“He won’t. He said the Ball is bigger than one man.”

“You need to get him to change his mind.”

When I stop at the light, he gets out of the car and slips into the night.





The Prince and I have a lovely dinner, then he challenges me to a game of chess, so we sit across from each other at the table in his private study and start the match.

After a few moves, I take one of his pawns.

“Mierda,” he says, taking off his shirt and throwing it over to the couch.

“You have a scrumptious chest, so I’m not complaining, but why did you just take your shirt off? Are you hot?”

“Did I forget to mention that we’re playing strip chess?”

“I didn’t know there was such a thing.”

“Well, if there wasn’t, there is now.” He uses his rook to take my knight and then raises an eyebrow and smirks at me. All I have on is a dress and a pair of heels. I will be stripped in no time.

“Do you want to sleep with me?” I ask him, rather than removing my dress.

“I very much do.”

“And do you envision this as how our first time happens? Stripping because of a chess game?” I bite my lower lip. I’m really nervous that he’s going to tell me to leave. That he’s sick of waiting—something he’s not used to.

“I’m not sure,” he says tentatively.

“Lorenzo, there’s nothing I’d like more than to shove all these chess pieces off the board and have you do me right here on the table, but—” I run my hand through my hair. I’m struggling with this in a way that has nothing to do with my mission. My feelings for him have crossed the line, so I go with it and tell him how I feel. “It’s odd, really. I’m not at all against casual sex. I like it very much, and it’s something I enjoy participating in. It’s almost a sport in my mind. A game. But you—I don’t want you to be a game.” I look down. “If you want me to leave now, I understand.”

He grasps my hand. “I don’t want you to leave, Huntley.”

I look up into his eyes—eyes filled with love and caring that words have yet to confess—and know I’ll never be the kind of ruthless spy I’m supposed to be.





MISSION:DAY EIGHT





Our villa is crowded with people we met this week, and everyone is excited for the race today. Allie is in her element, acting as a hostess, which I appreciate. She’s really a sweet girl, and I can’t help but wish that we could stay friends.

She and Peter join the Prince and me at a table, and Peter tells us about the work he’s going to be doing for his father.

“One of the things our company does is go into war-torn areas and help the government rebuild. In the desert where sand, sun, and wind are plentiful, building concrete homes and harnessing sun and wind power is not only green, but cheap and efficient.”

“So, how are you going to help with that?” I ask.

“They built a few test towns years ago. We’re going back in to study their effectiveness.”