Page 15

“In front of the fireplace, downstairs in my living room,” he said, his gaze never dropping. “Follow me.”
Anywhere.
She walked behind him, staring at his hard back as he went. Every step he took, the muscles flexed and played, making her fingers even itchier to touch him. To see what all those muscles would feel like under her fingertips. To have so much power leashed beneath her would be heady. Addicting. Fun. And she could really use some fun in her life.
She didn’t even really know what fun was, but she instinctively knew that he did. That he could show her a good time, and then some more. She wanted to collect.
When he turned left at the bottom of the stairs, he led her into a sitting room with a light blue couch, a matching loveseat, a table, and a gas fireplace—which was on. On the table sat a glass of red wine, waiting for her. He’d also set out some cheese for her. It was such a domestic scene that it gave her pause.
He was a surprise, in more ways than one.
“Thank you,” she said again, sitting down on the edge of the sofa and adjusting her robe over her legs properly. “This is delightful.”
He watched her with amusement in his eyes. “Ever the prim princess.”
“Why do insist on doing that?” she asked, picking up the wine with a forced calm. “Must you throw my title around as if it’s this awful disease I have? I’m no different than you, despite my status. I’m simply human.”
He walked out without replying. And she watched him go, unable to believe the man could be so rude…and yet so attractive, all at the same time. She should report him for his insolence. Demand a replacement. But she didn’t want to.
So, she didn’t.
She took a big gulp of wine, ignoring the fact that she’d barely had a bite to eat at dinner. Princesses didn’t really eat a full meal when in plain sight—they ate in the privacy of their own homes. That way there was no risk of being caught on camera with something as undignified as food in your mouth. Or worse? On your face. She took another big sip, eyeing the cheese. She was starving.
Princesses don’t shove food in their faces.
“Oh, just eat it already,” Gordon said from the door. He relaxed against the frame, his arms crossed and a frown on his handsome face. As per the usual, ever since he realized it was her in that hallway. “You’re obviously hungry.”
“I just ate,” she protested.
“Bull. You pushed food around your plate.” He shoved off the wall and stalked across the room. “You didn’t eat a damn thing. Let me guess?” He mimicked her voice. “‘Princesses don’t eat in public.’”
“Princesses don’t eat in public,” she agreed. “Not copious amounts of food, anyway.”
“You’re not in public.”
“I’m not alone, either.” She stared back at him, her grip on the wine glass so tight she couldn’t believe it didn’t snap. And she’d drank it all, too. How had that happened so fast? She never drank like this. Princesses don’t over imbibe. “You’re here.”
“Who am I that I matter?” He sat down beside her, too close for comfort, and plucked her glass out of her hand. “I promise you that I won’t take a picture of you with cheese dripping down your chin, and sell it to People.”
She laughed. “I never insinuated you would. But—”
He shoved a piece of cheese into her mouth, making her choke on her own words…not to mention the cheese. She chewed quickly, glowering at him the whole time.
“What?” He poured her another glass of wine, his shoulders trembling
with laughter as he did so. “You looked hungry. It’s my duty to make sure you’re safe, dry, alive, satisfied, and fed. It’s in my contract.”
She swallowed. “Actually, you only have to keep me safe. I’ve got other people for the rest of that.”
“I’m sure you do, but they’re not here with us.” He handed her another full glass of wine, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Tell me. Do you brush your own hair, or does someone do it for you?”
“Depends on my mood,” she retorted. Though, most of the time her stylist did it. “Do you brush your own hair?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. I dress myself, too.”
“I can tell,” she shot back.
He threw his head back and let out a full-bellied laugh. It did weird things to her insides. Namely…her lady parts. “Are you insulting my style, Princess?”