Secrets of a Prince (The Princes of New Sargasso #3) - Carol Moncado Page 0,18

safe.

That had to be why she’d slept so well.

Knowing her father didn’t have a clue where she was had to be a big part of it, but the rest?

Minnie had a feeling it was because the man sitting next to her, feelings of love or not, had promised to protect her for as long as their marriage lasted.

Between the two, and the prayers she’d prayed without ceasing, she’d finally found some rest.

Once they got past the initial awkwardness, Joss thought the evening went fine. There was enough nonperishable food in the apartment to make spaghetti for dinner. Not his usual first choice, but quick and easy.

He managed to keep his irrational annoyance under control when Minnie dripped sauce on the shirt she’d borrowed. She had no way of knowing it was his absolute favorite shirt ever.

“Shoot!” She picked up her napkin and blotted at the spot. “I did see a washer and dryer here, didn’t I?”

“There’s a laundry closet in the hallway,” he confirmed. “There should be some stain stuff in there, too.”

Minnie pushed back from the table and stood up. “I’m going to get it soaking so it doesn’t set. I’ll have to borrow another shirt though.”

Joss followed her toward the bedroom. “Let me find one for you.” Maybe one of his old ones he didn’t care about.

He found a clean but faded New Ancora t-shirt then left to let her change.

Ten minutes later, he was already at the table as she returned, though she hadn’t started the washing machine.

“I’m letting the shirt soak,” she told him as she sat down. “I ran cold water through the back of it so it wouldn’t stain further. I’ll work on it some more after dinner.”

“Thanks. It’s one of my favorites.”

“Explains why it was on top then. It’s my favorite picture of Prince Joshua of Odzoo, too.”

“This is kind of my Trilunium fanboy hideout. I have a few shirts and things at home, but most of it’s here,” he admitted.

“It seems kind of like a waste to leave it all here. You never get to wear any of it.”

He leaned a bit closer. “There’s been a few times when my official diary said I was out of town on holiday when I really just came here and spent a few days relaxing.”

“So those photos of you body boarding on the coast were photoshopped? Or really your brother?”

He could tell she was hiding a smile by focusing on her dinner. “No, those were real. Sometimes I come here. Other times I go where I’m expected to be. That’s where the pictures come from.”

Dinner conversation remained light, but before it was too late, Joss needed to leave. “I’m supposed to talk to my mum about the ball this weekend. Final fitting for my new tuxedo or something.”

A look of sadness swept across her face before being replaced with a neutral mask. “I suppose I won’t be able to attend the ball or the wedding.”

He hadn’t thought about that and told her so.

“I hadn’t either.” She sighed and shrugged. “I suppose it’s better to miss them than still be living with my father and doing his bidding.”

“That’s a good way to look at it.” Joss squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry you’ll miss it, though.”

She gave him a tremulous smile. “It’ll be fine.”

He squeezed her hand and stood. “I’ll help clean up, and then I’ve got to go.”

Minnie shook her head. “Go on. I’ll take care of it. It’ll give me something to do.”

“Are you certain?”

She nodded.

He carried his plate into the kitchen and set it in the sink anyway. “Thank you.”

As he walked to the door, Minnie followed him.

“Thank you for coming to see me tonight.”

With one hand on the knob, he turned back to her. “I said I would. I’ll always do my best to keep that promise.”

“I know.”

“I’ll try to be back tomorrow for a bit, but I can’t promise.” He turned the knob. “Someone is keeping an eye on this apartment at all times, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Thank you.”

“See you later. Have a good night.” With that, he smiled at her and left.

As he walked to his car, the whole thing bothered him. Legally, technically, Minnie was his wife. But he hadn’t kissed her, had barely touched her.

When he had, he felt the spark that had led to more after the release party and again on New Year’s.

But he hadn’t seriously considered acting on it, not even a little bit.

Joss didn’t know what to do with that. Once back in