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Elizabeth’s cheeks turned a light shade of red, and Palmer’s heart raced in her chest.

“I’d like to be comfortable for dinner. This dress and these shoes aren’t that. Would you mind giving me a moment?”

“Sure,” Palmer said, sitting down on the sofa.

Elizabeth disappeared into her bedroom but left one of the double doors open. Palmer stared at the wall, trying hard not to look in that direction.

“Palmer, would you mind?” Elizabeth asked.

“Huh?” Palmer asked back, turning that direction but keeping her eyes closed in case Elizabeth wasn’t fully dressed.

“I can’t reach the zipper. Normally, I’d have someone come in and–”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve got it,” Palmer interjected, stood, and moved into the bedroom.

Elizabeth was facing a full-length mirror. She’d already kicked off her shoes, leaving her barefoot. Palmer slid up behind her, and their eyes met as Palmer reached for and then pulled down Elizabeth’s zipper to where it ended at the small of her back. Palmer swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She wanted to touch the skin she’d just revealed so badly, it hurt not to, but she’d never do that; not to this woman. Elizabeth’s skin looked so soft. Palmer’s lips ached to kiss down her back, slide the dress off her shoulders, and nibble on every inch of skin she revealed as she did.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth spoke, but her voice was different than a moment ago, softer somehow.

“No problem,” Palmer replied, forcing herself to step back.

When Elizabeth didn’t wait for Palmer to leave the room to step out of her dress after it fell to the floor, Palmer looked away.

“I’m going to wait out there,” she said, turning to go.

“Okay. I’ll be right out,” Elizabeth replied, but her tone sounded almost disappointed.

No, that had to be wishful thinking, too. She needed to get a grip. Elizabeth needed help getting out of her dress. Palmer was just right there. That was all. God, maybe she should go back to the hotel. Staying at Elizabeth’s house, amongst her personal things, was making Palmer crazy.

“I’m ready,” Elizabeth said a few minutes later after she emerged from her bedroom wearing a pair of jeans and a light-blue sweater that only brought out her eyes and made Palmer want to stare into them all night long.

“Lead the way,” Palmer replied, motioning toward the door.

???

“You have a bowling alley in the palace?” Palmer said an hour and a half later after they’d finished dinner and ended their tour here.

“We do. It was my mother’s idea, actually. This space used to be storage, but she had four children that couldn’t always just go outside and play with other kids. She didn’t want us to play video games or watch TV, either, so there’s a court outside where we could play a variety of things, and she had this built for the winters. There’s also a small putting green next door. My father used that mostly, but he taught my brothers how to golf as well.”

“Not you?”

“I wasn’t interested. Neither was Victoria, but we bowled together a lot. It would be boys versus girls most of the time.” Elizabeth chuckled. “I haven’t been down here in a few years, though. We all grew up. Martin and Lyla moved into Desmond Manor when they got married. Alex and Teagan moved into their house. I moved into mine. Victoria was at university.”

“Do you want to bowl now?” Palmer asked.

“I should warn you; I’m quite good.”

“Well, you had a bowling alley in your house; I’d expect you to be better than me. I’ve only bowled maybe ten times in my life.”

“Really?”

“I wasn’t very good, so I didn’t go much.” Palmer shrugged a shoulder.

“Would you like me to teach you some tips and tricks?” Elizabeth asked, smiling.

“If you have any,” Palmer replied.

“Oh, I have tons.”