Page 29 of Scandal Queen

“Well neither have I, quite like this.” I stared back around the room. I kind of wanted one like that myself. “It’s very kind of you.”

“No, it’s my pleasure. I’m kind of hoping you’ll decide to stay here forever.”

“Here? Always?”

“Well and Greystone.” I thought with longing of his perfectly proportioned Guildford private residence.

Daisy ventured out of the French doors and I twisted quickly in his arms, slipping my hands around the back of his neck and lowering his head down to mine. I pressed my lips to his, greedy and determined. “Thank you.”

“You are very welcome.” His low rumble made my insides liquify.

“And Nana has a room?” I arched an eyebrow. I loved my nana very much, but I didn’t know if I wanted her staying in the room down from me. He chuckled, his lips pressing against mine.

“No, it’s just so she can have a Nana nap when she’s here.”

“I heard that!” The woman herself called.

“You’ve achieved a lot in what, three days?” I stared at him, searching his gaze.

“About that. You forget I’m a prince. I can do everything.”

My head shook slowly. “Apart from control that ego.”

“That’s what I’ve got you for.”

He pulled out of my embrace, his expression dropping a little bit. “Nana, will you be okay for a few hours?”

My stomach plummeted, but I tried not to let it show.

“We’ll just spend some time with the advisors.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed tight. “My family will want to see us too.”

I swallowed hard. His family… they’d never approve of me. I brought bad headlines and disgrace.

“Of course.” Nana nodded.

“And then when we get home, we will have a family dinner, yes?” Oliver turned on his brilliant smile and Nana stared at him for a moment. Speechless.

“Okay, let’s do this.” Oliver sounded like he was trying to rally a failing sports team… oh God, I was the failing team.

Nana gave me a thumbs up; utterly inappropriate.

“Can I get changed first?”

Oliver’s gaze drifted over me. “You’re fine.”

“I’m wearing jeans and a hoodie.”

“So? Just be yourself, Leia. There is little point pretending to be anything other than who you are.”

I sucked my teeth and tried to think of a suitable response. When I came up blank I just shrugged.

His fingers grabbed mine, weaving them together. “The grounds are free for everyone to use, but keep an eye on Daisy, the journey has probably exhausted her.”

He said all my words; again.

Nana nodded almost dumbly, but then she turned her gaze to me and shot me a broad wink. “Told you he was a keeper.”

He laughed, his ego no doubt inflating to the size of the entire universe. “That’s what I keep telling her.”