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She listened then growled in frustration.
“Then tell him this: The answer is no. I don’t agree to the list he sent. I won’t do it.”
She hung up the call then tossed the phone to the sofa, and for a moment, stared at it with an expression of disgust. That melted when her focus lifted to me.
My chest inflated on an inhale. “I take it that’s about the work you’ve been given next week?”
“You know about that?”
“Only that Riss is in planning mode to cover it.” I didn’t add that I wouldn’t be here to guard her. We both knew it.
Alex heaved a sigh. “My cousin’s private secretary arranged a whole new set of engagements.”
“Without asking? That’s underhanded.”
“It is, isn’t it? I’m not being dramatic?”
I left my position at the wall and crossed to join her on the rug in front of the sofas. “He’s not your boss. You’re not under contract with him. Every commitment he makes on your behalf is a conversation he owes ye first.”
“Yes, but it’s complicated because this is my family. As far back as I can remember, we had to do certain public appearances, like at Christmas or the king’s birthday. There was never any question about it. The date would be confirmed, we’d be informed of our roles, and we’d show up.”
I gestured to her phone. “This is nothing like that. And either way, ye don’t have to do any of it. Ye said last night that it isn’t fun.”
Those brown eyes met mine, curiosity in their depths. “I said a lot of things last night. You did, as well.”
The room seemed to close in around me, narrowing so it was just me and Alex in a tight pocket of space. I welcomed the pressure. This was exactly where I wanted to be. This was also the point where I should apologise. I tried to force the words.
“What I said was far from appropriate.”
Her gaze clung to mine. “Pretty sure I started it.”
“I should’ve finished it.”
“Why?”
My gaze slid to her lips. That forbidden conversation had happened with her in her bed, or maybe on the sofa next to us. My name on her tongue. Her hand between her legs. “I’m under contract to protect ye. It’s against the rules.”
Alex took a little breath, her cheeks pinkening, and her eyes going hazy. “Got your phone on you?”
I dove my eyebrows together but produced the device from my pocket.
“Set a five-minute countdown.”
I did as she asked. “Why?”
“Because until then, you’re fired.”
Those brown eyes of hers practically begged me, and I dropped my gaze to her lips.
This was the worst fucking idea and everything I needed. I chucked the phone and slid my hand to the back of her head. Dropping my mouth to her, I kissed the lass I’d dreamed about for years.
Our lips met, and lightning struck while the world faded.
Alex pushed up on her toes and kissed me back, her soft whimper of need sending me hurtling down a pathway of noreturn with desperation clawing at me to get her closer. There was nothing timid to our touch. We clashed. Heat and need and lust swamped me. I’d wanted this so badly. To understand the shape of her lips under mine. To satisfy the constant draw I had to her. We were a ticking timebomb, and I had no choice but to set light to the fuse.
Fuck, did the princess taste good.
Alex pressed tight to me and wound her arms around my neck. On instinct, I grazed down to palm her thighs and lift her so her legs twined around my waist. Then I backed her to the wall, the kiss never breaking but our bodies almost as close as we could get them with our clothes still on.