Page 22 of Back to Claim His Crown
‘In this instance I’m willing to make an exception.’
On the surface he seemed as cool as ever but something in his eyes compelled her closer. He stood so still—half in shadow, half out of the doorway, his back to the hinge. She realised he was ready to escape if he needed to. He was constantly alert to his surroundings yet he was also attentive to her and she just couldn’t drag her gaze from him.
‘Then thank you,’ she muttered. ‘I’d like to help.’
She could do this—quite well, she thought. And she wanted to, for herself and for him. But now neither of them moved and she realised he was staring at her mouth and she could almostfeelit...
‘Actually, there is one more thing you can do for me,’ he said slowly.
‘Yes?’
‘Have dinner with me each night while you’re here.’
She almost fell over.
‘I won’t disturb you with my incessant chatter?’
‘Disturb?’ His unscarred eyebrow quirked up. ‘No. You’re a good distraction.’
So she was his light relief? Her senses sharpened. She’d achieved what she’d set out to do. Only now she wanted more.
‘And I realise I need to brush up on mymanners,’ he added.
‘By practising on me?’ Something deep inside melted and tightened at the same time. She’d told him off for his manners in the cathedral. It had been a tiny moment but he clearly remembered it. He clearly was needling her about it now, under the guise of fake politeness. His ice-blue eyes were almost dancing and she couldn’t possibly refuse him.
‘Of course I would be delighted to dine with you each evening,’ she replied primly. ‘I’m so glad to have found a small way in which I can repay your generosity. I promise I’ll do my very best to distract you, Your Highness.’
‘Your very best?’ He seemed to consider it and find it lacking. ‘What if I wanted you to do your veryworst?’
That frisson between them shimmered.
‘That wouldn’t be good manners, though, would it?’ she breathed.
‘I thought you were done trying to be a perfect princess.’
CHAPTER SEVEN
LUCIAN’SINSISTENCETHATshe dine with him each night was a rare moment of frippery that he shouldn’t have indulged in. Since when did he want companionship at meal times or any other? But he was curious about her—she was a puzzle he didn’t need yet couldn’t seem to put down.
Dressed in the same long black skirt and black turtleneck, she’d become an elusive shadow about the place. He’d heard her chattering to Victor from down the corridor earlier today and had felt oddly as if he were missing out on something. And as she’d demanded sanctuary from him, he reasoned dinner wasn’t too much of a price for her to pay. Plus it was a complete change of pace in his otherwise incessant schedule of high-level meetings and decision-making. It was meaningless and unimportant. And he did want to spare her from being hounded by the press and whatever else she was avoiding while she sorted herself out. A couple of days more would do no harm.
Yet she shot him such a contrary look when he walked into the dining room the next night that he had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop his smile. His feelings on seeing her were equally mixed. He could just hide it better.
‘Distract me, Princess.’ He took the chair opposite hers. The one that afforded him a view of the door and windows. Though aside from the usual initial room scan he focused on neither. He gazed directly at her.
‘Are we not here to brush up on your manners?’ she enquired.
‘Not tonight.’
He’d been staving off a dull headache all day, having to exert too much patience and concentration. But just looking at her restored some energy. That black outfit hid what he knew were sweet curves. Her blonde hair was in a low ponytail and she wore no make-up so her cheeks flushed. Every time she smiled her eyes sparkled. Every time she challenged him she seemed to glow. He just wanted a few moments by her fire. Yes, he was weak, but it was only dinner. Just the smallest respite.
She cocked her head. ‘Shall I tell you about the miseries of my life for your entertainment?’
He sank more comfortably into his seat and drawled, ‘Go on then.’
‘You were witness to number one, of course.’
‘I’ve been relegated to witness now? Not chief instigator of the wedding jilting?’
