inches from hers as he looked over her shoulder. “What do you think?”
“Everything you do is lovely,” he said, and she turned to him. His eyes were hungry as he placed a warm hand on her bare shoulder.
Heat seized her senses, drowning out her care for propriety. A longing pulsed deep in her core as she leaned into this man with whom she had so little in common.
His lips crushed hers, his fingers found their way into her hair. She ignored the warning signals that sounded in her brain and let herself be swept into the moment. His tongue flicked against her lips, and Clem’s toes curled.
Edward drew her body close, and she melted into him until there was no empty space between them. When he pulled his face back and looked at her with hooded eyes, she felt a fire on her lips, a need for him to put it out with kisses.
“Clem,” he said, his voice raspy with desire. “We’re good together.”
She raised her eyebrows at this strange comment. It reminded her of how different they were. How could two opposites be good together?
An image of the new and improved mantle crossed her mind, its artistry made perfect by the contrast of its materials. Old and new. Opposites—but beautifully compatible.
Instead of replying to Edward, she leaned into him for another kiss.
Maybe this prince knew something she didn’t. Time would tell. But for the next few minutes, she didn’t want to worry about it. In the near-dark corridor where no one could see them or judge them for breaking the rules, she let herself smolder under his lips.
For a moment that lasted as long as a kiss, neither past nor future mattered but only now. And only him.
7
The road ahead rose and fell, winding around the rolling hills that Edward was proud to call a part of his family’s great kingdom. He was usually in the capital and rarely got the chance to take excursions into the Sovalon countryside but when his brother Marcus called that morning, inviting him to look at an old mill that he said was “ideal for redevelopment,” Edward was glad for a day away from the castle. With Clem managing things, work was getting done on time. She was still insistent on doing things her own way, which made him nervous, but it looked like they were on schedule and closing in on a grand finish. It wouldn’t be much longer now until the castle was finished. This was the perfect time to find another project. Maybe this time it would be something more his speed—a condo community.
Today was Lance’s day off, and Edward was glad for the opportunity to drive his own car and be alone with Clem for a change.
“Thanks for agreeing to let me tag along,” she said.
“Sure.” He eased into the brake as they approached a large curve in the road. “You like old mills?” he asked.
“When I was getting my master’s in architecture, I did a big project on the aesthetic value of old mills in modern society.”
Edward groaned inwardly. “Of course you did.”
Clem laughed. “Don’t sound so excited,” she said.
“Just remember, Clem, we’re not here on a restoration mission. This is a redevelopment opportunity.”
“Whatever you say, Edward.”
He snuck a glance at her out of the corner of his eye and noticed a half-smile on her lips. As usual, she was dressed casually in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt that hugged her curves. He was reminded of the way those curves slid perfectly against his body a few days ago when they’d shared a secret kiss. Since then, she’d been acting as if everything was business as usual. Did she regret kissing him? Had it meant anything to her?
He pushed his worries over Clem’s feelings to the side as he turned down a gravel road toward the mill. Stretched out on either side of the car was unending meadow, dotted with purple and yellow wildflowers. Ahead, the mill rose into view, a red oasis in a sea of green.
“Wow.” Clem’s face lit up as she exited the car. “This place is just about perfect.”
“Perfect for redevelopment!” Marcus said, as he approached Clem and Edward. He shook his older brother’s hand and introduced himself to Clem. “I’m the younger, more exciting brother.” He flashed a bright white smile.
“Is this place a gold mine or what?” Marcus said to Edward. “Clean, rich land; a pond. Residents love a pond, right?”
Edward laughed. Condo communities that were located near water features did