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not your responsibility,” she argued.
    â€œYou are in my country. Therefore, you are my responsibility.”
    She stared at him for a long moment and shivered. His gaze lowered to her damp shirt stretched taut over her breasts, her nipples forming a tempting outline. He felt an immediate visceral response. Instinct urged him to rub her arms with his hands, to pull her against his body and make her warm. He clenched his hands into fists. Denial had been drilled into him since the day he was born, even more so when he’d come to understand the playboy image of his father and grandfather. When he’d come of age, many people had expected that he would follow in his father’s footsteps.
    Stefan had wanted more. He wanted the opportunity to change and improve his country. For that, he had to be taken seriously. He’d kept his affairs scrupulously private. His duty and the sins of his father had forced him to hold his libido in check. Right now, though, for the first time in a long time, he fought the urge to pull the mouthy American Eve Jackson into his arms and make love to her against any flat surface available.
    He reined in his surprising need. “I’ll walk you to your quarters,” he said.
    â€œOh, that’s so not necessary. I walk to my quarters by myself every night,” she said.
    â€œYou’re not dripping wet every night,” he said, extending his hand, determined to maintain control. “Come, now.”
    Eve rolled her eyes, but placed her cool hand in his. “Sheesh, did anyone ever tell you that you take this Highlyness thing a bit far?”
    â€œNo one except my sisters,” he said as he led the way to the staff quarters. He rarely walked this path. Nowthat he saw it, he decided it needed a few more lights. “How late do you usually stay at the stables?”
    She shrugged. “It depends. I usually grab a sandwich for dinner and head back around nine or ten.”
    â€œI’m not sure it’s best for you to be walking back to the staff quarters unescorted every night,” he said.
    â€œOh, give me a break. I’ve spent my life going anywhere I need to go unescorted. Besides, I’ll bet you didn’t tell your previous stable master that he shouldn’t be walking around the grounds unescorted.”
    â€œTrust me, he didn’t look at all like you. Plus, he never felt the necessity to work full-time let alone overtime. I prefer you leave the stables before dark for the next couple of nights. I’ll get motion lights installed.”
    â€œWe’ll see,” she muttered.
    He gave a double take. “We’ll see?” he echoed. “I just gave you a very reasonable order.”
    She sighed. “Do you really think you have criminals wandering around the palace grounds?”
    â€œI’ll admit it’s not likely, and the security here is as good as it gets without causing claustrophobia, but nothing is perfect. I will be more comfortable if you avoid walking alone at night until there’s more lighting.”
    â€œSo this is about your comfort and not mine?” she said.
    Damn, the woman was difficult, he thought. “Perhaps. You need to remember that you’re not just an employee. Because of your relationship with Tina, you’re also a friend of the family. We protect our friends.” He noticed her fighting a shiver and swore under his breath and rubbed her arms. “I shouldn’t be keeping you out in the cool air. Go inside and get warm.”
    Her gaze met his for a moment and he saw a shot of liquid heat flash through her eyes. He saw the possibilityof passion and felt it deep in his gut. She took a quick breath and her lips parted, drawing his attention. He wondered how that argumentative mouth would feel beneath his. He wondered how she would respond.
    For once, Stefan had finally met a woman who didn’t give a damn about his title or position. She had no interest in