CheckMate

Chapter Seven

Princess Francesca’s POV

I had to take ten minutes to myself after my run in with Griff. The fact that he thinks he can order me around and tell me what to do has my blood boiling, but I can’t fight with him right now. There are more important things to worry about. I take a deep breath as I head out into the courtyard to meet Gabriel and instantly my worries melt away when I see him standing there by the small table that has been set up in the middle of the courtyard.

He flashes me that sincere smile and I can’t help but eagerly return it.

“You beat me here…” I laugh gently, coming to stop in front of him.

He grins in return and hands me a pink flower which I take from him with a beaming smile.

“It’s amazing what a man can achieve with the right motivation,” he replies calmly.

Damn he’s charming.

I move to take a seat but before I can, he quickly moves around the table to pull my chair out for me.

“Princess…” he says in a low voice that sends tingles straight through me in an instant.

“Thank you Gabriel. Please call me Chesca though.” I smile as he sits down.

He takes the seat across from me and nods in agreement.

“Okay then… Chesca it is.” he winks, smiling widely to reveal his perfect teeth.

“Thanks for joining me today.” I say, suddenly grateful for Jules and her intervention earlier on.

“Thanks for the invite… I thought I might need to make a royal appointment to see you again.” he jokes, leaning his strong forearms on the table.

I can’t help it when my eyes automatically drink him in.

“Yes, I’m sorry about last night. Birthdays are never my own, I’m afraid. I spend most of the day playing politics or thanking strangers for gracing me with their presence.” I grin.

He shakes his head nonchalantly.

“It’s fine. It was a pleasure to watch you work actually… I’m only sorry we didn’t get to finish our conversation on the balcony.” he says, leaning forward just a little.

I lean my elbow on the table and rest my chin in my hand as I look back at him knowingly.

“It was a very pleasant conversation, I must admit.” I reply cheekily.

“Very… I liked the direction it was heading.”

I fix my eyes on him carefully and he looks back intently.

“You are a smooth talker, Alpha… or is it Commander?”

“It’s whatever the f**k you want it to be.” he smirks.

Just then, a troupe of servers emerge from the palace carrying with them platters of food and drink.

I glance over my shoulder to watch their timely arrival.

“Your Highness, shall we serve lunch or leave the food here for you.” a young man asks politely.

“Uhh… no please, we can serve ourselves. Just leave it here.” I reply kindly.

He smiles at me brightly and nods before setting down the shining silver tray in his hands. I watch in horror as the small table around us fills up with a peculiar mixture of food.

What the f**k?

Oysters.

Watermelon.

Chocolate covered strawberries.

Champagne.

I cringe inwardly as Gabriel looks over the items with vested interest.

“Excuse me… what happened to the chef’s usual lunch menu?” I ask the poor server, who looks at me blankly.

“Sorry, Your Highness. Your lady, Miss Woods, said that you requested these foods specifically.”

My mouth drops open slightly and it seems that Gabriel can’t hold in his amusement any longer.

“Fantastic choices, Princess.” he says with a grin as I shoot him a look over the table. “That will be all thanks.” he nods as the army of servers who back away a few feet to give us some privacy.

“Gabriel I didn’t…”

“I know,” he shrugs, picking up a strawberry and biting into it. “It seems like Jules wants to start something here today.” he states in amusement, raising his eyebrow at me.

“Yeah that sounds like Jules.” I smile, following his lead with the strawberry.

He watches me as I take a bite, before lifting my finger to wipe a stray drip across my lip.

“She may have been onto something.” he says in a low voice, adjusting his seating position just a little.

Goddess is he turned on? The thought makes me giddy just thinking about it.

He lifts the bottle of champagne and pours us both a glass.

“A toast?” he asks curiously.

“Go ahead.” I answer, holding my glass up in preparation.

“To finding your soulmate.”

My stomach twists a little at his words. Soulmates. It seems like such a heavy word for two people who have only just met less than twenty-four hours ago. But then, I guess that is what the universe has deemed us to be.

I raise my glass with his and take a drink.

“Are you okay?” he asks me with concern, clearly taking in my distracted appearance.

“Sure.” I reply, shaking it off as best I can.

I watch as his eyes circulate the mixture of guards and servers who are standing to attention all around the courtyard, waiting to attend to our needs.

“Life in the palace…” he says quietly, looking at me intently.

“It’s like living in a fishbowl sometimes.” I state truthfully, looking all around us.

“You mean… you would like to leave here some day?” he asks with interest.

Of course he would ask this. It’s the same thing that’s been on my mind to even though I’ve tried not to think that far ahead.

“I- I can’t leave my people. It’s just-“

He shakes his head quickly.

“No…forget I asked.” he says calmly. “That’s a third or fourth date kind of conversation. Surely.” he smiles. “Although, I’m no expert, as you know so maybe I’m wrong.“

I can’t help but laugh at his sweetness.

“What do you think about going for a walk? Can you go as far as the woods?” he asks. “I won’t take you over the palace boundary.”

“I don’t see why not.” I answer, quickly finishing off the glass of champagne in my hand.

His eyes widen.

“Okay… I like your style.” he comments, tossing back his own glass quickly.

He stands up from his chair and puts his hand out to take mine.

As my eyes meet his, a pang of sheer delight hits me, which is only intensified when we touch.

His large hand grips mine with both strength and tenderness. The winning combination that seems to sum up the man that stands in front of me right now.

I laugh as he tugs me off eagerly towards the maze of hedges and those perfectly preened rose bushes.

“I forgot my flower!” I state, stopping in my tracks to lean back and grab it from the table.

“I have to admit something… I did steal it from the garden. You know you have like a million of them, right?”

“Well, I want this one.” I smile, looking down at its pretty pink petals.

He takes it from my hand and I look up at him as he takes a step towards me.

The closeness of our bodies has me feeling the same familiar feelings I had last night.

The pull is so damn strong that I have to take a deep breath to collect myself.

He places the flower in my hair above my ear delicately before gently lifting my chin so that my gaze meets his.

“Beautiful.” his low voice whispers as his eyebrows knit together.

Goddess.

I blink more than any f*****g sane person should.

“Come on.” he laughs, pulling me by my hand.

I follow his lead willingly, enjoying the feeling of the gentle sparks that tickle my fingertips ever so softly.

Suddenly, two King’s Guards appear in front of us to block our path into the gardens.

“Your Highness, our orders are that you have not to leave the courtyard.” one of them states, a nervous tinge clinging to his voice as his eyes dart towards a now stoic Gabriel.

“What? Who’s orders?” I utter the words before I properly have a chance to think it through.

Urgg. s**t.

“Commander Griffin. Your Highness.”

“No… I will not be told where I can and can not go in my own home.” I state, letting go of Gabriel’s hand to step towards the guard.

“Please move.”

Despite my orders, neither of them budge.

“With respect, Princess. We answer to the Commander.”

It is then that Gabriel, who has been observing silently, takes a calm step forward.

He looks between both guards with a cold expression on his face.

It’s so far removed from the man that I’ve spent the past few minutes flirting with and reminds me of the look that he had in his eyes last night on the balcony with Griff.

“You should do as your Princess commands and step out of our way.” he says with a quiet yet dominating tone of voice.

Both men stare straight at him. The nervous energy permeates the air around us.

“But Commander Gri-“

“And who do you think you should obey? Commander Griffin, who is not here? or me? Who is standing right in front of you… ordering you to stand down.” he states plainly, taking a step forward towards the main guard.

“Commander I-“

“Commander Knight to you, soldier.” Gabriel interrupts, his voice turning sharp and authoritative in an instant.

And with that, the guard gulps carefully, dropping his eyes in submission as he stands to the side to let us through.

Gabriel stares at them both seriously before taking my hand in his once again.

I let him lead me off out of sight into the maze of tall hedges, but it’s clear that his jovial playfulness has now all but gone.

He stops in his tracks and lets go of me, backing me up against the branches that proceed to poke my back.

“Gabriel, what-“

“You know what it is that I need to know, Chesca.” he says seriously, his eyes looking down into mine.

My chest heaves as his powerful aura settles over me, but I don’t let it intimidate me. Instead, I push myself forward against him proudly.

“Ask what you need to ask,” I say firmly.

“What is going on with you and Griff? Is he your lover?” he asks outright.

I scoff at the suggestion and shake my head.

“An ex- boyfriend? What is he to you?”

“Gabriel… I’m not involved with him romantically and I never have been in any way shape or form.” I answer truthfully. “We grew up together. Him, Jules and I were best friends. He’s also been my personal body guard for a while.”

“Chesca, you’re not stupid. You can see he thinks of you as more than a friend.”

I nod my head.

“Jules seems to think he has feelings for me. I asked him once and he said he didn’t, but Gabriel, even if he did, I don’t see him that way and I’ve made that clear to him.” I say sincerely. “That is the truth.”

His expression softens a little as he listens and he looks away quickly.

“Sorry, I pushed you on it.” he states, taking a step away from me and running his hand over his face.

I shake my head quickly.

“It’s fine… I would have had the same questions if I were you. I'll tell him to back off.”

He grins slightly as he looks back at me.

“You are understanding.”

“Well, this jealousy thing is new to me too. I mean, Jules said you were attractive and suddenly I wanted to bite her head off.” I smile in return.

“Hang on a minute… Jules finds me attractive?” he asks suggestively, the cheeky grin highlighting his handsome features once again.

“Oh don’t you even dare…” I warn him playfully as he leans in towards me.

We both laugh gently as our eyes find each other’s again.

“What would you say if I told you that all I’ve thought about all night and day is how much I want to kiss you again?” he asks, leaning into my neck slowly.

I close my eyes as his breath touches my skin, making my hair stand on end.

“I’d say… that I felt the same way.”

His lips graze against my shoulder. My heart races in my chest and my breath quickens. He picks up his hands to trail his fingertips gently down my bare arms. The action causes me to shiver against him. His large chest presses against me. His teasing hands find mine.

He lifts them up and takes a step away from me.

I watch him silently as his blue eyes hold me hostage.

He tugs the shirt off of his body dropping it to the floor.

Shit.

I bite my bottom lip as he reaches for his T-shirt, pulling it off his body in one fell swoop.

My eyes instantaneously drink him in. Every defined muscle and contour has my desire for him climbing further and further.

He smirks slightly as he takes in my nervous yet horny as f**k state.

He kicks off his shoes and I glance quickly around us to make sure that we are still alone.

Goddess… we can’t do this here! Here in the damn palace gardens, but somehow I can’t bring myself to stop him.

So I watch on as he reaches for his belt, looking at me as he loosens it and pushes his jeans down over his thick muscular thighs.

Oh my f*****g Goddess.

My breath catches in my throat, I inadvertently squeeze my thighs together to relieve some of the delicious pressure that is now building between my legs.

He takes a step towards me and lifts his hand to rest it against my cheek.

“Are you unwell Princess? You look a little flushed.” he grins, running his thumb over my lip.

I can’t take it anymore, I’m about ready to burst and at this point I couldn’t care less if the entire King’s Guard is watching.

I tiptoe up to land a kiss on his lips but he pulls back slightly.

His bright blue eyes burning into mine.

“Not here, Princess. Come on. Let’s meet this wolf of yours. Orion won’t wait much longer.” he winks, striding off away from me, leaving me to stand there watching on like a helpless, love-sick teenager.

Damn, this man knows how to get under my skin.

I smile to myself as I drop the straps off my dress, letting it fall to the ground around my feet.

I glance down at my lace bra and panties in approval.

Thank Goddess I had the foresight to wear a matching set today…

“Don’t you want see-“

“No.” he interrupts loudly.

I furrow my brows at the back of his head as he continues to walk away.

“There’s no way in hell I could trust myself, Princess.”

I smile as I kick off my heels and follow on after him.