to be so familiar.”
“Enough of that nonsense, too. I am no one’s king. Call me Robin. To be honest, I hate being reminded of who I once was, but I’ve put up with it because Elswood has always insisted it’s proper. Mrs. Baton, too.” He snorted. “Proper can go to Hades.”
It occurred to him that maybe, if Theodora stopped referring to him as sire and your lordship, she’d think of them as equals.
He’d like that very much.
Her distressed expression turned to amusement, and she laughed. The sound intoxicated him so much he leaned in and kissed her. Gently at first, but she tasted so good and her lips were so soft that his need for her increased, and his mouth grew insistent.
He wanted more of this woman. But then, hadn’t some part of him known that the moment he’d laid eyes on her?
Her startled gasp broke them apart. He backed up, realizing just how bold and brash his actions had been. “I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t mean to—no, that’s a lie. I did mean to kiss you. But I shouldn’t have. I’m not sure what made me think that was acceptable. I promise it has nothing to do with you being my companion. It’s just that you laughed, and you looked so beautiful that I lost my head, and…”
She wasn’t saying anything. Just staring at him. Eyes sparkling, lips still parted. Perfect for more kissing.
He wasn’t going to do that, unfortunately. “Are you all right?”
“You kissed me.”
He nodded. “I did. I claim that fully. But you didn’t answer my question. Are you all right?” He was starting to wonder.
“I don’t know. I feel…tingly all over.”
He raised one brow. He felt a little tingly himself. “I think that’s pretty standard. If it’s a good kiss, anyway. You have been kissed before, haven’t you?”
Her fingers went to her mouth. “Not like that,” she breathed out. Then her eyes widened, and she looked at him. “What did you do? Did you use magic? Or release some kind of incantation?”
He held his hands up. “I promise I just kissed you.”
She put her hands to her face. “Then why do I feel like this?”
“Like what?”
“Like I might faint. And I’m not the least bit hungry. For food.” Her mouth scrunched up. “Oh no. This isn’t good. This isn’t good at all.”
Chapter Fourteen
It wasn’t good because Theo liked him. Her body, traitor that it was, wanted more of his mouth on hers. Where was that coming from? And why?
Had Amelia done something? She was a witch, after all, and clearly a very powerful one if her magic created this town. Plus, she’d told Theo to be kind to Robin. And to help him have fun. How kind did Amelia expect her to be? And what sort of fun did she think Robin needed to have? And why didn’t the idea of fun with him repulse her?
“Why isn’t it good?” Robin asked.
She couldn’t very well tell him that she didn’t want to like him. That went against the whole point of being his companion. And it would hurt his feelings, something she unfortunately cared about. Plus, she didn’t want to lie to him. She did like him. She just didn’t want to like him in the kind of way that caused her insides to turn to jelly.
Because of all that, she remained as tongue-tied as if he were still kissing her.
A look of understanding crossed Robin’s face. “You’re not single, are you?” He turned away before she could answer. “Of course you aren’t. How foolish I am to think a woman with your wit and beauty would have no love interest at home?”
“No,” she whispered.
He turned back to her, shaking his head. “I knew it. Why I ever thought otherwise, I don’t know. I’m sure half the kingdom has made a bid for your hand.”
Not hardly. She had a suspicion she wasn’t going to be able to hide her reputation from him for much longer. She swallowed and spoke softly. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Whoever your special someone is, I hope they know how lucky they are.” He frowned as if her words had just registered. “What?”
“I am single.” She stared at her shoes. They’d seen better days. Like most of her wardrobe. “I don’t have anyone. I spend all my time looking after my father and working.”
That was all true. Just not the full story, but he didn’t really need to know the rest of it, did he?
“You are a remarkable woman,