Page 49 of A Royal Mistake

“You know,” Evie said, whispering conspiratorially. “About sex.”

Sweet Jesus. Why did they have to be so… American?

Her cheeks burned, and she prayed the floor would swallow her up, but as usual, there was no relief to be found. “I know all about the birds and the bees, thank you very much.”

Lena nodded, but the corners of her lips quivered. “And when are you going to tell Their Majesties about this little business trip?”

“I’ll tell them when the time is right,” she said with more confidence than she felt.

Lena and Evie exchanged another look and this time it was Evie who spoke. “So, basically never?”

Pippa groaned and let her head fall back against the chaise. She was so screwed.

If she was smart, she’d forget all about Henry’s kisses and focus on Stanley International. In a single night, he’d turned her world upside down. She’d gone from fantasizing about kissing Henry to actually kissing Henry, and now she couldn’t stop reliving the moment in her head.

And the reality? So much better than the fantasy.

She needed to get her shit together and put Henry out of her mind. He’d said himself he had no interest in living in the spotlight, and she basically had one shining on her twenty-four seven. Even if he was interested in a relationship—which he wasn’t since VDRI was his entire life—it would never work out.

The problem was, her body hadn’t gotten the message. She couldn’t stop thinking about the press of his lips on hers, the sweep of his tongue against her own, or the way he’d held onto her like he was never letting go.

The bigger problem?

She didn’t want to forget. She wanted to remember every touch, every kiss, every scorching moment. And she wanted to do it again.

* * *

Henry glancedsidelong at his brother and increased his pace, feet pounding over the gravel-covered garden trails. Dom wasn’t much of a runner, but he’d taken to joining Henry’s morning runs, and Henry had taken to running him ragged. And why not? He should get some benefit from being the youngest. Besides, Dom’s presence was surely a testament to the fact that he was bored as hell cooped up at the Valerian palace.

“Have,” Dom huffed, struggling for breath. “You. Told.” Puff. “Her.” Puff. “Yet?”

“Told who what?” he asked, though he knew damn well who and what Dom was talking about.

“Don’t play dumb,” Dom panted, shooting him a withering glare.

He shrugged and said nothing. If Dom wanted to have this conversation, he was going to have to work for it.

Dom slowed his pace and Henry eventually followed suit, taking pity on his brother. Sweat dripped down his brow and his cheeks were as flushed as Henry had ever seen them. So, yeah, it was slow down or leave his brother in the dust.

Which would no doubt spur more inflated court rumors.

He could already picture the headline:Suitor Showdown in Palace Gardens.

“I’m starting to think our father sent the wrong son to vie for The Princess Royal’s hand.” Dom smirked, but whether he was pleased with himself for busting Henry’s balls or the reprieve in their workout was anyone’s guess. “Keep it up and Liechtenstein might just get a Valerian match yet.”

“Don’t believe everything you read in the papers,” he bit out, using the hem of his t-shirt to mop his sweat-slick forehead.

“Oh, believe me, I don’t.” Dom was quiet for a beat, seemingly concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. It was a beautiful morning. A cool breeze blew across the gardens and the sun warmed their skin without frying them to a crisp. The heatwave had finally broken, and tempers around the palace seemed to improve in direct proportion to the cooler climate. “I’m serious, Henry. Have you told her your true name yet?”

“No.” It was a foolish move. He knew it in his gut, but after last night, he wasn’t prepared to risk his identity. He’d worked too hard to build a quiet life for himself and he would not throw it all away on a what-ifscenario. “And I have no intention of telling her, so keep your mouth shut.”

“Word of advice?” Dom said, not waiting for a response. “You’re playing with fire.”

Henry snorted. “You should talk.”

Dom had enjoyed more than his fair share of ill-advised affairs. He was hardly in a position to lecture anyone. Even if just this once, he might actually be right.

Not that those words would ever pass Henry’s lips.