Page 82 of A Royal Mistake

Then what? Was he supposed to just let her go? Watch her walk right out of his life?

Scheisse.

He was running out of time. Time to tell her how he felt. Time to tell her the truth. Time to figure out how they could make this work long term because she’d changed him and he couldn’t go back to the way things were before. Before she’d come crashing into his life with her snarky insults and brilliant smile and that giant heart she kept so well hidden beneath her prim and proper royal facade.

No, what he needed to do was man up and tell Pippa the truth. He just needed to wait for the right time. Surely, she’d understand why he’d waited to tell her. Her own life was riddled with people who wanted to use her to their own advantage, and she was certainly no fan of the press.

Pippa will understand. Once you tell her the truth.

“Quite the little firecracker, this one,” Herr Neumann said, pointing to Pippa. “Better keep an eye on her or she’ll poach all of your patrons.”

She feigned indignation and tapped the shipping tycoon lightly on the arm. “I’ll do no such thing. A proper lady would only take half.”

Herr Neumann threw his head back and laughed. Several people turned to stare at them, but Henry just gave a good-natured smile. How the hell had he gotten so lucky? He’d never met a more incredible woman in all his life.

Conversations moved on to politics and climate change, and he was spared any further talk of Pippa putting VDRI under. A final round of coffee was served, and he took his black, needing the caffeine to help him power through. Pippa had fallen quiet, not saying much as the dessert course dragged on.

“Ready to call it a night?” he asked, leaning over to whisper in her ear. It had been a long, draining evening. Fundraisers were critical to VDRI’s mission, but he wasn’t used to being on—or peopling, as his assistant called it—for such extended periods of time. Thank Christ he only had to host events like this a few times a year, because they sucked the energy out of him. “I need to give final remarks and say a few quick goodbyes, but I can walk you back to your room first.”

Pippa pulled back, giving him a long look. She lowered her lashes, and he watched, transfixed, as they brushed her cheeks. When she looked back up at him, she seemed to reach a decision.

“No, I’ll wait for you.”

He touched her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I don’t mind. If you’re tired and want—”

“I’m not tired, Henry.” She turned her head so that her lips brushed his ear. “Iwantto go back to your place. Iwantto spend the night with you.”

He stiffened.

Was she saying what he thought she was saying?

No. She couldn’t mean sex. Could she?

Below the table, her fingers brushed his cock.

Holy shit. Pippa was touching his cock. In a room full of people. And she wanted to have sex with him.

Tonight.

He glanced around, but no one was paying attention to them. A table of ten and only two of them knew what was happening below the table cloth.

Then his eyes fell on the empty wineglass before Pippa.

“I’m not sure this is the right time.”Christ. He wanted nothing more than to be the man Pippa trusted enough to give her virginity to, but she had to be sober and clear headed.

And he had to tell her the truth about his family.

If she trusted him enough to give herself over completely, surely she could see past the titles, to recognize that he wasn’t like the others, that his life experiences had shaped him differently. He didn’t need a political bargaining chip. And he didn’t view her as a shiny crown jewel to be displayed on a shelf and pulled out for special occasions. All he wanted was for her to be happy. To follow her dreams. To be who and whatshewanted.

Pippa’s gaze followed his. “I’ve only had two drinks tonight, Henry. I’m sober, if that’s your concern.”

Were they really talking about this? Right here? Right now?

His cock hardened. Oh, yes. It was definitely happening.

Pippa wanted to have sex. With him. Would she still want him once she learned the truth? Once she learned that he’d misled her about his identity?

“I want this.” Her breath came hard and fast as she stroked his cock. “I want you.”