Page 103 of Tabloid Princess

“I’m fine. Go, enjoy your weekend.”

We disconnected the call and I picked up the mugs, turning to go to the lounge.

“Who was that?” Daisy asked as she pulled a brick out of Oliver’s hands and put it where she wanted it.

He watched me from under his dark lashes.

“It was Molly. She wanted to know if we’d like to go to the park.”

Daisy moved so fast she almost kicked over the castle. “I’d love to go to the park.”

“Ah, sweetie. We can’t do that today because Oliver is visiting us. Do you remember?”

She thought for a moment while Oliver watched us. “And no one can see us together?” she said.

“For now.” My answer was stiff. This was a pretty big secret to ask a six-year-old to keep.

“Well, if you want to go to the park, I might know one that we could visit,” Oliver added.

Daisy’s face lit. “Today?”

“Sure, why not? We’d have to drive though. Is that okay?” His question was for me.

“Yeah, I guess.” I narrowed my gaze a little. “I thought parks were on your list of things you can’t do?”

His lips curved at the edges, an eyebrow lifting. “I told you. I’m reworking the list.”

“Daisy, why don’t you go and find your trainers? I think they are under your bed.”

“But I want to wear my princess shoes.” Her bottom lip dropped. “Mummy, you know swirly dresses need sparkly shoes.”

“They do.” I nodded seriously. “But parks need trainers.”

“Actually, Daisy. Do you have some wellington boots you could bring?”

Daisy and I both turned in unison to the window where the bright dry spell, although cooler, still continued.

“I’ve got a friend at the park I’d like to introduce you to.” That was all he needed to say. She leapt from the floor and dashed up the stairs to her room where we could hear her stomping around through the thin floorboards.

The moment she was out of the room his fingers found mine.

Electric and intense.

“I think my Lego skills have earned me a kiss.” He tugged me gently, pulling me across the carpet.

“That castle is nowhere near complete.”

The reaction of my body seemed almost dangerous. “I’ll take a payment of half now, half when it’s done.”

He shifted his firm body next to mine. In the back of my head a voice screamed that the prince and I were laying on my shabby lounge carpet.

But his fingers skimmed up my throat, his thumb passing along my jaw, and all logical thought evaporated.

I met his kiss with a greedy need of my own, my body warmed at the feel of his pressed tight against mine.

Fire burned me up, his fingers lifted into my hair, his tongue darting with a furious flick into the recess of my mouth.

Desperate to feel him, I pushed myself even closer and he groaned as I rotated my hips.