Stealing Kisses With a King (Kings of Carolina #3)- Sylvie Stewart Page 0,49

Princess—”

“That’s not the point,” he cut me off.

“Then what is the point, sir? The only mentions of it online said you were dehydrated from a hectic schedule and you’d be right as rain tomorrow.” I patted his bicep and wondered if I should fetch him some water.

“I still don’t understand how they came to that conclusion,” he muttered from under his arm.

I did, but I wasn’t breathing a word of it. Thank God Prince Leo had been there to do damage control. I’d wanted to hug him when he explained how he’d put off any suspicions with his quick thinking.

“All that matters is your secret is still safe and we still have two weeks to work on it before the coronation.”

He lifted his arm again, only to run both hands down his face until his fingers caught on his chin. “But I have half a dozen engagements before that.”

My eyes met his. “We’ll figure it out. I still have loads of ideas to try.”

His nose wrinkled. “They’re not going to involve that bergamot shite, are they?”

I smiled at the image of Malcolm swatting the air almost violently when I’d spritzed the calming scent in his direction upon my arrival in his quarters half an hour earlier. “No. You’ve made yourself perfectly clear on that one. You can try lavender, but you’ll have to do that on your own. I’m allergic.”

“Pity. I was so looking forward to it.”

I frowned, despite my relief at his return to his natural sarcastic state. “Don’t dismiss it out of hand. Lavender has been known for centuries to have a calming effect. I’d use it myself if I could.”

For some reason, this made him lift his head and frown at me. “Wait. Are you allergic to all flowers or just lavender?”

“Most, why?”

His eyes widened. “Because I showed up to your flat with a bouquet of death, that’s why. No wonder you slammed the door in my face.”

I cringed slightly at the memory. “I didn’t slam it. I closed it swiftly,” I lied.

But he didn’t dispute me, instead asking, “How did I not know this about you?”

There was no stopping the bit of warmth from spreading in my chest at his question. “I’m sure there’s a lot you don’t know about me, sir.” And it was true, as well as perfectly appropriate. I’d always been his employee, not his girlfriend, regardless of how I wished things were. It was my job to know everything about him, not the other way around.

“Like what?” He wasn’t letting it go, causing the warmth to continue spreading.

“We really should get back to work.” God, I was such a coward.

“No. Tell me. I want to know everything.” He settled his head back down as if preparing himself for a bedtime story.

I watched him, my mind going back to that kernel of suspicion and hope that perhaps he was attempting to win me over in more than just a professional sense. If he really wanted me to share private things about myself, I needed to know the reason. “Why?”

He shrugged almost carelessly. “I don’t know.” Then he noted my responding impatient sigh. “What?”

I bit my lip, unsure if I could do this. “It’s just… all the gifts, the thoughtful things…” My hands gestured awkwardly in the air. “The cannoli and the riding and the coriander.”

A smile settled in place. “So you got my gifts. I’m pleased you liked them.”

I wanted to kiss him and strangle him. “I loved them. I just… why did you send them? Why did you do any of those things for me?” Why did you come all the way to America to fetch me? I wanted to ask.

“Can’t I just do something nice?” He appeared almost amused.

“Of course. I’m sorry, sir.” What was I doing? He was just being considerate and here I was picking everything apart. “I’m really grateful that you thought of me.” Time to set aside these ridiculous notions once and for all.

His expression lost its amusement and switched to sincere. “I think of you quite a lot, Alice.”

My back straightened and my eyes went wide. “See—there it is again!”

He laughed and dropped a hand to my arm, causing my skin to warm immediately. “There what is again?”

Then I completely lost my mind, shifting my position and bending at the waist until my lips hovered an inch above his. There I waited, eyes closed as I felt his warm breath on my lips. If he pushed up to meet me, I’d know I was right. But