Stealing Kisses With a King (Kings of Carolina #3)- Sylvie Stewart Page 0,53

and I even employed her breathing technique, slowing the surge of adrenaline through my body. What do you know? It actually worked.

It took another forty minutes to arrive, most of that spent with Alice trying to distract me with reminders from my schedule and questions about additional tasks for Victoria. She even attempted engaging me in a conversation about cars, bless her heart.

But I was feeling relatively confident by the time we stood listening to the speech given by the shelter’s director. Alice stood directly beside me as the director spoke about the need for vigilance, protection, and resources when it came to domestic violence and how the money from donors and the government had made this shelter possible.

Then she turned to me. “We are so pleased to welcome His Royal Highness, Prince Malcolm of Dunwall to say a few words and cut the ribbon.” A man appeared beside her, wielding a large pair of novelty shears as the gathered crowd of at least one hundred applauded.

The familiar pop of sweat beading on the surface of my skin began as all the saliva in my mouth disappeared, leaving my tongue and throat feeling like dry sandpaper. Alice discreetly moved her hand to grasp a few of my fingers and squeeze.

Her move had the desired effect, in that I finally stepped forward, but her subsequent gasp told me she clearly hadn’t expected me to pull her along with me by the arm. There was nothing for her to do but follow along at that point, so she did until we both came to a stop in front of the microphone stand.

I forced a swallow and breathed as she’d taught me. In through the nose, out through the mouth, expand the diaphragm. My mind repeated the mantra: You are not in danger. You are not in danger.

And then I opened my mouth and the words just came out. The first ones were more rough whisper than confident declaration, but I spoke. My remarks were done in less than a minute and I found myself holding the oversized shears and cutting the red ribbon with the encouragement of the cheering crowd.

I’d done it.

A glance at Alice showed her beaming smile directed at me, and I had to resist the urge to sweep her up in a hug.

We’d done it, not I. We.

It was beginning to seem there was nothing we couldn’t accomplish if we worked together, and that had my mind traveling in a most unfamiliar direction indeed.

Neither of us talked about it, but it was clear we both understood the inevitability of it. The second the door to my rooms closed behind us, I had her against it and my mouth descended on hers as her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me down to her.

“You’re too short,” I practically growled against her lips, and she pulled my hair in response. “Ow.”

“I prefer petite,” she panted.

“Whatever it is, it will eventually cause me scoliosis. Come here.” I bent my knees and wrapped both arms under her bottom before lifting her so our height was even. “That’s better.” I grinned at her and she went in for another kiss.

Her mouth was incredible. Hot, Soft. Wet. Sweet. I couldn’t get enough. And the little whimpering sounds she made; I could come from just hearing those alone. How had I ever seen her as anything but this sensual creature with her delicate fingers always searching and her breasts straining against me with a primal intent.

Her glasses dug into my brow bone and I swept them off her face to get closer.

“I need those to see, sir.”

I pulled my head back with an amused grin. “Did you just call me sir?”

Her eyes widened and I noted for the first time the tiny flecks of gold and green amongst the deep brown.

Her expression made me chuckle. “I think we can dispense with formality since your tongue was just in my mouth.” Not willing to allow her to get too far into her own head, I pressed my hips forward, knowing she could feel my hard-on—although our alignment wasn’t exactly perfect. I was willing to dedicate some time working on it.

This had the desired effect as she snapped out of it and we got back to the kissing. But patience has never been one of my virtues, so it wasn’t long before I had her legs wrapped around my waist and I was walking us to my bedroom, one hand out as I blindly made my way while