Page 57 of A Royal Mistake
“I’m sorry.” She lay a hand on his arm, trying to ignore the way his biceps tensed at her touch. Henry wasn’t bulky, but his arms were strong and lean. She remembered as much from their kiss. The kiss they had yet to discuss.
“Don’t apologize,” he said, pushing off the bar. His dark eyes searched hers. For what, she didn’t know. “You’re not responsible for your brother’s actions any more than I’m responsible for mine.” He paused and reached for her, but at the last second, he changed course and raked a hand through his hair. Disappointment hummed through her veins. “At least I’ve been able to do some good here, helping you with Stanley International.”
It was true. Over the last three weeks, he’d gone above and beyond to share what he’d learned from running his own NGO. She believed in VDRI, but even more so, she believed in Henry. He was sweet and charming and he had the biggest damn heart of anyone she’d ever met. He’d been burning the candle at both ends to help ensure she was prepared to launch Stanley International when he could have just as easily gone through the motions. And despite the long hours—and the bevvy of suitors trailing her every move—he hadn’t complained once.
The man was practically a saint.
A sexy saint.
“Don’t worry. Liam will come around.” She smiled, determined to put his mind at ease. “If he doesn’t, I’ll talk to him when we get back from Liechtenstein. You have my word.”
“Thank you.”
“A deal’s a deal.” And theirs would soon end.
“Von der Recke! Join us for a game of water polo,” Christian called. “We need another player to even up the teams.”
Henry shook his head and shrugged. “No suit. One of you will just have to sub out.”
The guys grumbled and booed Henry’s lack of swim trunks.
“Nonsense. We’ve got extras in the pool house.” She turned to Christian. “He’ll be ready in ten minutes.”
There was a raucous cheer from the pool. What was it with men and competitive sports? The way they were carrying on, one might’ve thought she’d agreed to go skinny dipping with them.
Pippa had never cared much for water polo. For all its popularity, it was a brutal sport. She’d heard all kinds of horror stories from guys getting their armpit hair ripped out to being punched and kicked under water.
It was downright dangerous.
She glanced at Henry. “You can swim, can’t you?”
He chuckled, low and deep, the sound going straight to her ovaries. “Yes, Pippa, I can swim.”
She sighed with relief. “Good, because I so don’t need an article inThe Daily Scoopabout one of my men drowning in the pool.”
“One of your men?” He lifted a brow and the corner of his mouth quivered.
“You know what I mean.” Heat crept up the back of her neck and she gestured to the pool. “Now, come on. We need to get you changed or they’ll have you playing in your trousers.”
“Not bloody likely,” he said, falling into step with her.
They slipped around the hedges to the side entrance of the pool house. The small space was dimly lit and rather stuffy, but she ignored her discomfort, showing Henry to the cupboard where the extra suits were stored. He quickly selected one and disappeared into the changing room.
Three minutes later, Henry stepped out wearing a snug pair of black spandex shorts that were only slightly more modest than Prince Gabriel’s red speedo, the fabric straining against his thick thighs.
Sweet Jesus.
Her temperature spiked.
“What do you think?” He spread his arms wide so she could look her fill.
And look she did.
Henry had a deep golden tan from his morning runs in the garden. She already knew that because once—okay, more than once—she’d watched him from her bedroom window. But her vantage point at the window hadn’t prepared her for the smattering of dark hair on his chest. Or the sculpted pecs he’d been hiding under his running shirts. And it certainly hadn’t prepared her for the rock-hard abs that ended in a pronounced V, disappearing into his barely-there trunks.
Whether his body had been chiseled from hours in the gym or physical labor, she couldn’t say, but it sure was nice to look at.
It would be even better to touch.