He clamped his jaw shut, his words choked off.
Sam didn’t know all the details about the prince’s story, but he did know the man was mourning the death of the woman he loved. And now Lucas saw his lover in his child.
Once more, Sam couldn’t imagine the emotions Lucas must be going through. What was it like to love a woman that strongly? Love wasn’t something Sam thought much about. With the demands of his career and the danger each mission entailed, he didn’t have the opportunity or the inclination for serious relationships.
At least, that was the excuse he’d always given himself. Except for that one time five years ago…
Without warning, an image rose in his memory. Long auburn hair, green eyes, the sound of laughter, the feel of skin sliding over sun-warmed skin. The image was so vivid, he could swear he caught her scent.
Gardenias. Passionate and feminine.
And fleeting.
Sam rubbed his face, trying to concentrate on his duty.
“I want to thank you and the hospital staff for your diligence.” King Marcus shook hands with each doctor. “My family and I are in your debt for your care of our newest member.”
Evidently the king didn’t need to wait for the test results to confirm what he saw, either. He had publicly recognized the baby as a Sebastiani. Queen Gwendolyn was at Lucas’s side, her elegant features lit in a grandmotherly smile as she cooed over her grandson.
“I’d also like to speak with the person who found him,” the king said. “I understand she was a Navy officer?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
At the soft voice from the shadows in the corner of the room, Sam’s mouth went dry. No, it wasn’t possible. He had just been thinking of her, so he must be imagining her voice. How could she be here? Why now?
A woman moved into the pool of light, her jogging shoes padding quietly on the tile floor. A pair of running shorts bared her long legs. A black T-shirt molded her breasts, and a gold chain with a tiny charm circled her throat. Her auburn hair was a short-cropped mass of finger-combed tufts.
It hadn’t been his imagination, Sam thought. Somehow, she really was here.
When had she cut her hair? When had she taken up jogging? Did she still cry over old movies? Did she ever think of him when she was alone at night and the sound of the waves were like sighs from the past?
Kate. His Kate. In the flesh, and close enough to smell.
And beautiful enough to make him want to forget the promise he’d made her five years ago.
Chapter 2
Kate couldn’t meet Sam’s gaze. Not yet. Not with this lump in her throat from the emotional scene she had just witnessed.
But oh, God, he was more handsome than ever. She’d studied him when he hadn’t known she was in the room. There were sun streaks in his brown hair. There were new lines around his amber eyes. His cheeks were leaner, his shoulders broader. His entire bearing radiated the mature confidence of a man who knew what he wanted and had the strength to get it.
He had once wanted her.
That’s over, Kate told herself. Don’t think about the past. Concentrate on your duty.
Despite her lack of uniform, Kate drew herself to attention and snapped up her hand in a salute. “Lieutenant Kate Mulvaney, Your Highness.”
As diplomatic as he was reputed to be, King Marcus ignored her dishevelled appearance and her lack of military attire as he returned her salute. “I gather you were jogging past and witnessed what happened?”
“Yes, sir. After I apprehended the suspect, I thought it best to guard the child until someone from the palace arrived. Admiral Howe, the base commander, agreed when I reported the situation to him. I’m at your service until you wish to relieve me.”
“I appreciate your quick thinking, Lieutenant.”
The baby was gurgling again, happy with the attention he was receiving from the queen and the prince. Montebellan royalty who just happened to be his grandmother and his father. Kate felt the gleeful sound grate across her nerves.
Standing guard over the baby had been difficult. Not because there had been any danger, but because she had wanted her involvement with all of this to be over an hour ago. Had she thought the baby stirred painful memories? That was nothing compared to what she’d felt when she’d seen Sam walk in the room.
Why couldn’t she have kept on running?
“I was happy to help, sir,” she replied.
“I hate to impose further, but I’d appreciate it if you could remain and answer a few questions for us.” The king nodded toward Sam. “This is Lieutenant Sam Coburn.”
Unable to postpone it any longer, Kate let her gaze meet Sam’s.
Oh, God. Five years had passed, but some things hadn’t changed. His golden brown gaze still had the power to make her knees weak.
She wanted to leap into his arms.
She wanted to curl into a ball and hide.
Duty, she reminded herself. Do your duty, just as you’ve always done.
“Yes,” she said. She was proud of the way her voice remained level though her pulse pounded in her ears. “Lieutenant Coburn and I have already met.”
“Excellent.” The king glanced at his son. Under the supervision of the doctors and the doting gaze of Queen Gwendolyn, Lucas was carefully lifting his child into his arms. A look of amazement softened his features.
Kate pressed her nails into her palms to keep herself steady. The emotions kept on coming. Seeing the prince cradle his infant so tenderly made her wonder what might have happened if Sam…
No. She wouldn’t go down that road. She wouldn’t let that thought form. She’d avoided it for five years. She could keep it at bay for another five minutes, couldn’t she?
“Since you two are already acquainted,” King Marcus continued, moving to join his family, “I’ll let Lieutenant Coburn fill you in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a grandson to get to know.”
And just like that, Kate found herself face-to-face with the one man she’d believed she’d never see again.
“Hello, Kate.”
His voice strummed over her raw nerves in a melody too haunting to forget. She’d always loved his voice. It didn’t belong here in the sterile efficiency of a hospital. It belonged on a moonlit beach, with the sound of the waves whispering over the sand and the rhythmic smack of naked skin on naked skin….
She tightened her fists, surprised her nails hadn’t yet drawn blood. Her gaze returned to his. “Hello, Sam.”
“You’re looking well.”
“You, too.”
He smiled. “I guess it would be kinda too corny to say long time no see.”
His smile deepened the new lines around his eyes and folded brackets beside his mouth and still made her stomach knot like that of a schoolgirl with her first crush.
Damn him, that hadn’t changed, either. “The king said you would have some questions for me.”
At her brisk tone, his smile dimmed. “That’s right.”
“All I did was recover the baby. I’m not sure I understand how that would involve a Navy SEAL.”
Sam tilted his head toward the door. “I’ll fill you in on the way to the security office.”
She started to move forward when she saw him lift his hand. He was going to touch her. She felt his intent as plainly as if he had spoken aloud.