Chapter's song: Believer by Luke Cristopher (love this song, and I kind of feel like this is for all of you :) )

It's barely daylight but I can't sleep.

How can I?

Mark's even breathing tickles my back. My eyes are wide as I look around the room. It's all a mess. Our clothes are scattered everywhere, and despite the erratic thumps of my heart, my lips tug up.

I don't know what I was thinking. Well, more like I didn't think at all.

Mark's kisses had a secondary effect of making my brain numb. He's a really good kisser, but that won't ever leave my lips. His ego is huge as it is, there's no need to add more to it.

And I wanted this. Like, too bad.

A sigh leaves my lips.

Whatever the hell this is.

I'm not sure what will Mark say when he wakes up. Or if we're going to repeat this. Or why he seemed adamant not to sleep with me when we were in Australia.

I exhale again.

This seems too complicated.

A soft yet gentle touch traces my arm. "Are you up?" Mark asks in a whisper. I smile and press my lips. "I know you're up and probably thinking that last night was a mistake or something."

Frowning, I pull the sheet closer to my chest and turn to him. "What?"

Mark's eyes are deep as he looks at me. "This wasn't a mistake, Kate."

I blink. "Why do you keep saying that?"

Slowly, Mark's lips curve up in a smile. "So, you're not over thinking this?"

"Well, now you're making me give this a second thought."

He chuckles. "Well, we can make it simple: I want you, and you want me. Let's date."

I burst out laughing. "Oh my God, Mark! You're incredibly conceited! How can you be so sure that I want you?"

"You were screaming my name last night, Kate." His words sober me up.

"I was not!" My cheeks feel on fire as it's his time to laugh.

"Okay, okay. You didn't scream, but you did say my name and it was sexy as hell..." his gaze darkens and I know he 's eager to do it all over again. He leans closer to give me a kiss, but I place one hand on his chest. His very well defined chest.

"Mark, you don't date."

He stares at me for the longest of moments. My stomach churns, and not in a good way.

"I don't, but I want to date you." I'm touching my neck as he adds, "I'm not Emily and Scott, Kate. We're not keeping this a secret. If you want to be with me, you're with me all the way."

My mouth suddenly feels extremely dry. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"Very."

I bring a thumb to my mouth, and I start nibbling on it. My heart starts to race once more. Mark smiles and pulls me closer to him. He kisses me on the forehead before saying, "Think it through, Kate. I know it's a huge commitment, considering all that it implies. I'll leave you to it, and I don't want to pressure you, so I'm going to stand up, get my clothes, and leave you to think it through." He moves away after stroking my cheek. His eyes are bluer than usual as he does as he said. He picks up his clothes and starts dressing as I stare at him like a total moron.

I want to tell him to stop. To come back to bed with me, but he's right.

It's either all or nothing.

And if I thought I was in trouble, my heart swells as he finishes dressing himself.

The fact that he's letting me choose and how firmly he seems about it all, makes me fall for him ten times harder.

And yet, I don't say anything, because I know I'm in love with him, but I do want to think it all before I say anything that I might repent later.

Completely dressed, he walks to me. He gives me one of those boyish smiles before leaning over and kissing me softly, nibbling my bottom lip in the process. "Just a heads-up, gorgeous," he says as he pulls away, "I'm stubborn as hell, and when I want something, I'll do anything to get it."

A smile plays in my face. "Is that a warning?"

Mark chuckles. "It's more like a promise." He visibly swallows hard before he walks away. 

Bloody hell!

I have to make an extraordinary effort to walk away and not take her in that very second again. She had never looked as beautiful as in that moment, tangled up in that white sheet, with her hair a bit messy and her lips plumped from last night's shenanigans.

Yet, I meant what I said.

I want her all the way. There are not ifs here. I want Kate to be my girlfriend. Hell, I want to marry her, eventually. If she does want me.

I also know that dating a Prince might be a pain in the ass since you have to deal with the press all the freaking time, but I meant what I said at the end. I won't give up, not when I know that Kate might feel the same for me.

I'm smiling like an idiot as I leave her building.

Fucking hell. I'm totally whipped.

We don't talk that night. Or the next.

Mark's giving me space to think it through. However, he did send me a beautiful bouquet of exotic flowers to my house. The faint scent reaches my nostrils as I walk inside my apartment. I walk to the table in the living room and smile as I read his card for the gazillionth time:

Thinking of you.

I tap the card against my lips as my smile widens.

My answer is pretty evident, but I'm trying not to tell him yet, because I love feeling like I have the upper hand. Also, I hope he's as anxious as I was in Broome. Half, at least.

A song starts to play from my phone. Smiling, I slid my finger to answer the call.

"Have you called him?" I don't know who's more eager about it all, Emily or me.

"Not yet."

Emily chuckles. "I didn't know this evil side of you, Kate!"

"Yeah, well, I'm enjoying it while it lasts." I pause. "Have you seen him?"

"Yup. He stopped by the house today. Thank God. Marianne was being impossible. I swear I have no idea how I'll deal with another baby in the house."

I roll my eyes. Emily complains about her pregnancy, but we both know she's elated to have another baby.

"And?"

She bursts out laughing. "I'm so not telling you!"

I groan. "Come on, don't be like that! What did he say? Did he ask about me?"

"This is totally backfiring on you, you know?"

I do know. It sucks. 

I suck. 

I should be stronger. But the fact that he doesn't asks about me makes my heart feel tight.

"Oh."

"For like, the first five minutes!"

My lips curve up before I shake my head. "You're the worst friend ever."

"I think it's so cute how neither of you stops talking about the other!"

My heart flutters as I lean back. The smile on my lips fades as I exhale.

"Em, how did you deal with it all?"

I hear Marianne babbling on the other side. "There's no magic recipe for this, Kate. Paparazzi suck, big time. But you get used to it. Just remember not to Google yourself or read about how awful was your dress last Sunday at the polo game."

I chuckle. "So, it's a walk in the park, huh?"

"Your life will never be the same," she added more seriously, "but dating a Royal has its perks. Like, when they take you out to Australia, or rent a whole restaurant for you..."

"Yeah, well, if I'm honest, I'm still stuck in the whole you're life will never be the same, Em."

My friend sighs. "That's why you have to be completely certain that this is what you want, Kate."

"I know." Her toddler starts crying and I know it's time to end the call. "Sorry," Emily apologizes. "Marianne has been crying so much lately."

"Don't worry, I understand, go check up on your daughter."

"Ok. Thank you. And Kate? Whatever you decide, I'll always support and respect your decision, okay?"

I smile again. "I know. Love you, girl."

"Same! Bye!" she adds hurriedly before ending the call.

A soft sigh leaves my lips as I stare at the flowers again.

Do I want to change my life for Mark?

What if it doesn't work out in the end?

It would be easier for Mark, but I'd be the one with who'd suffer more.

The press, the fact that he could be everywhere and anywhere...

What if I'm not enough to keep him interested?

My heart feels tight for a moment before I reach out for the card once more.

I read it again and a ray of hope builds up within me.

Yeah, but what if it does work out?

I bit my lip.

My cellphone feels heavy in my hand.

I find Mark's contact and my finger lingers over his name.

Flashes of the night we spend together fill my mind. He was incredibly romantic and tender with me. I smile goofily.

Oh hell.

The thumps of my heart are loud as I dial Mark's number. Two beeps sound before I hear his voice, "Kate?"

"Okay."

It's all I say.

It's all I need to say. 

Yet,  I know this very moment has just changed my life forever. 

Guys, you're more than amazing. I love you very much. 

Also, Prince with Benefits game will come out very soon!! if you're following me on Instagram, you've already seen a bit :)