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“You’re a very good dancer,” I say with a laugh.

He winks at me and grins. “I still have some good dance moves. So, how are you enjoying your time here in our nation?”

“I love it here,” I admit because it’s the truth. “My classes are going well at the university. And I’ve been able to travel a bit. Although, I haven’t seen all of Norddale yet.”

“You’ll love our summer home, then,” he says, reminding me of his offer.

“I’m excited to see it.”

“The estate is beautiful,” he starts but is cut off by a tap on my arm.

I expect it to be Prince August, but I’m surprised by an old friend, Terrance Rollin.

“Your Majesty, may I cut in?” he asks, bowing his head. I do my best to refrain from eye-rolling. Terrance is the son of a very famous singer. He is a world-famous pianist. Because of his celebrity status, he is always invited to everything, and I mean everything. So, him being here isn’t surprising at all. He’s super funny, and I thoroughly enjoy his company.

“Of course, Mr. Rollin. I hope you are enjoying yourself,” the king says as he steps away, allowing Terrance to sweep me across the dance floor.

“We should bail on this party. I hear there’s a rockin’ party at this club downtown,” he whispers in my ear. I pinch his arm.

“Ouch,” he says. “What’s that for?”

“You are being rude, Mr. Rollin,” I reply, emphasizing the last word.

He grins, showing off his perfect white teeth. Terrance’s smile is infectious, and I grin back at him.

“Damn it, fine, but I need to stay for a while. I’m an ‘honored’ guest, you know,” I say smugly, rubbing in my status.

Terrance rolls his eyes. “Honored my ass, KK,” he says. The sound of his nickname for me warms my heart. Terrance is a good guy. I might even consider dating him one day if he ever grows up…which is going to be like never, if I have to guess.

I feel the wall of heat behind me before the tap on my arm. Prince August. I can smell his cologne and a scent that is distinctly him. My head turns toward him of its own volition.

“My turn,” he says in a low voice, his breath caressing my ear.

“Your Highness,” Terrance replies as he bows and steps back to allow Prince August to take me in his arms. I get a final wink from Terrance before he disappears into the crowd.

“Back so soon, Your Highness?” I ask him as I look up into eyes that are so intense, they take my breath away.

He spins around and leans into my ear. “I don’t like to share,” he whispers.

I have no idea how to respond to that. Zero fucking clue. So, I do what I always do when I’m unsure. I mimic.

“You don’t like to share?” I repeat as a question.

“I think you heard me, Kathryn,” he says in a low gravelly voice.

August

I feel her shiver in my arms at the words I’ve said. I’m not sure when I became this barbarian, but when I saw her tonight, I knew I had to make her mine. The fact that Terrance fucking Rollin thinks he can have my date only makes my caveman tendencies deepen. Terrance is Chris’s friend, and he is a bit of a self-obsessed asshole, albeit a fun one, but an asshole, nonetheless.

I know it’s juvenile of me, but it’s my party, well, my family’s party, and she’s my date. I twirl Kate around the floor before leading her off the dance floor when Terrance grabs Gwen. Motherfucker. He knows about my hook-up with Gwen.

I decide to take matters into my own hands.

“Let me show you around the grounds,” I say to Kate as I lead her out the doors into the garden. The evening air is brisk as I tuck her arm in mine, and we begin to walk the path.

“Cold?” I ask her when I see chill bumps form on her arm.

“A little,” she admits. I may be an asshole, but I’m also a gentleman. I take off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders. She pulls it around herself. She looks adorable in it. I realize just how small she is because she’s dwarfed by it.