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A Royal Pain Prologue
PrologueHarper Gaines silenced her cellphone when it vibrated in her scrubs pocket before getting back to the lance corporal, whose leg she was currently bending. “Just like that. And out. Don’t forget to exhale.” She guided him through the exercise twice more before stepping back slightly to have him perform the rest himself. He was making great progress, and she was certain he’d be released from the VA Hospital for this particular injury in a matter of weeks.Her phone buzzed again, and she took it discreetly from her pants. Her eyes widened, and she smiled her pleasure as she brought it to her ear, turning slightly to shield her conversation while still allowing a view of the Marine’s form. “Tucker Carlton, I haven’t heard from you in months.”His voice sounded like he was standing right next to her, though he was probably still in Montrovia, where he was the royal family’s personal physician. “It’s been a madhouse since Bennet…Prince Bennet crashed his racecar. Did you hear about
A Royal Pain 1
Chapter OneMaybe that confidence had come too soon. She was forced to consider the idea as she gazed around her when stepping foot into the summer palace of the royal family, where they were currently in residence. It was luxurious beyond compare, and enough to really underscore to her how out-of-place she was with her Midwestern, middleclass upbringing when contrasted with her surroundings.Firming her shoulders, she reminded herself she was there for her expertise in physical therapy, and because she wasn’t afraid of a challenge. This might be outside her comfort zone, but she couldn’t let that hold her back.By the time she recognized a familiar face a few moments later, she was feeling more certain again. She walked forward to meet Tucker, who was beaming at her. His dark skin had gotten a couple of shades darker, and his curls, neatly cropped close to his head last time she’d seen him, had grown out into a two-inch high start of an Afro. He looked tired, but also fantastic.The
A Royal Pain 2
Chapter TwoBennet was disappointed all the way around. He barely knew any Americans, but he’d heard the women were independent, free with their sexuality, and easily impressed by his royal status. So far, the physical therapist failed to meet any of the three traits. She’d yielded far too easily when he insisted on ending the session for the day, her loose khaki trousers and pink blouse had done nothing to reveal the figure beneath, especially with those buttons all the way up to the neck, and she hadn’t seemed particularly impressed by him.It was hard to get a read on her, and he was afraid she wouldn’t be the distraction he had hoped for. The dragon lady from Belgium had been tough, but even she had eventually yielded and broken down in tears as she fled the castle. It had taken him two weeks to undermine her completely and break her resolve.The simpering miss from his own country had been a nice novelty for a short while, since she obeyed everything he said and clearly revered h
A Royal Pain 3
Chapter ThreeShe watched and waited for him to appear at the pool, having taken up a hiding place in the women’s dressing area. It was practically a five-star hotel in its own right, so it was no hardship to stretch out on a lounger and enjoy an iced guava juice until he came into sight.He wheeled out on his own, though Tucker was a few steps behind him. She frowned when she noted how tired her friend looked before her attention moved to Bennet. He was almost wearing a swimsuit. It was slightly more modest than the briefs he’d slept in and had the added advantage of being opaque when he transitioned from the chair to a chaise lounge with some assistance from Tucker.Harper finished her second juice and waited for him to relax. Ray-Bans soon shielded his eyes, and his body was visibly relaxed as he stretched on the chair. Once the sun had the opportunity to lull him into a nice little semi-doze, she made her move.Creeping out of the changing room, she caught Tucker’s glance as he lo
A Royal Pain 4
Chapter FourHeavy breathing woke her, and she immediately recognized it as a sound of pain. It was coming through the intercom system, and there was no question about the source. She slid from bed and didn’t worry about changing out of her sleep shorts and T-shirt as she slid her feet into slippers and rushed from her room to Bennet’s.She found him quickly, and in his bed, as expected. He was curled up into the fetal position as much as possible, and his face betrayed agony. Lines bracketing his mouth spoke volumes, and concern filled her. There was also a rush of tenderness she was unaccustomed to feeling for a patient, and she tried to push it aside as she moved closer to the bed. “What’s wrong?”Even as she asked, she realized he was having an attack of spasticity. His muscles were tensed, and his legs were stiff before him. Since he was lying on his side, it made it easy to get on the bed behind him and start rubbing his back in slow, deep circles. “Does that help?” Sometimes, i
A Royal Pain 5
Chapter Five“You aren’t breathing properly.” He was already winded after just ten minutes at the rowing machine. With his physique and general level of fitness, that shouldn’t have been the case, but he had been more sedentary since his injury, and today was the first day he actually seemed to make a full effort.He glared over his shoulder up at her. “I know how to breathe. That part’s not broken.”She put a hand on his when he would’ve begun using the machine again, stilling the motion. “Let’s go over some respiratory exercises before you try again.”His rolled eyes and huffy sigh left no doubt about his opinion, but he wheeled away from the machine to face her. Harper knelt down beside him, until they were roughly equal in height. She put her hand on his chest, ignoring the rapid fluttering in her own as she touched him. His skin was warm through his tank top, and she forced herself to focus on the rhythm of his chest instead of the feel of the muscles under her palm. “Breathe in
A Royal Pain 6
Chapter SixBennet was done with his physical therapy for the day, and she should probably just let it go, but she was confused why his stamina hadn’t yet improved. He wasn’t out of shape by any means, but she knew he could do better. He needed to do better to give his physical therapy his all.She’d almost brought up the discussion while he was working out that morning, but he’d been so focused on his goals that she hadn’t bothered. He’d been like that for the last three days, and their sessions had been textbook perfect. He was doing everything she asked of him, and while he was not hitting his goals, he was certainly making progress. She should’ve been flush with satisfaction, instead of vaguely discontented by the emptiness of the time she spent with him.How ridiculous was that? He was her patient, and it shouldn’t have affected her on an emotional level at all, other than hurting when he failed, or celebrating when he succeeded. That was second nature for her with all of her pat
A Royal Pain 7
Chapter SevenHaving won a hint of capitulation from her, Bennet was determined to abide by the terms of their agreement. During the mornings, he yielded to her direction and put forth as much effort as he could to achieve results as quickly as possible. As a result, seven days after their first liaison in his room, he managed to take three steps with the assistance of the treadmill, though without the weight-bearing equipment. He was flush with success, though stymied in a different area.Harper had clearly meant it when she said she didn’t have sex indiscriminately. They had spent hours together, and he was no closer to having her in his bed. It wasn’t as though he was forcing himself to go through the motions of getting to know her just so he could take her. He enjoyed the time they spent together pursuing a variety of activities, but he was frustrated by the lack of progress in a sensual direction.“Are you even listening?”Bennet blinked and looked down. They were in a quiet nook
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