Page 143 of American Royalty

Without a word she gathered the voluminous fabric of her gown in one hand and hurried down the dais steps.

“Dani—”

She heard him behind her, but she didn’t stop. She could feel the tears welling. She couldn’t save Rhonda’s gorgeous work from being marred, but she’d be damned if she started its ruination here.

There was no way she’d climb that giant staircase in time. Scanning the large space, she saw a door near the platform where the orchestra played. She had no idea where it led, but it had to be better than this.

“Dani? Hey!” Liam grabbed her hand. “What’s going on?”

“I’m fine. I just need a minute.”

“You’re not fine. Wait, where are you going?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” she said, pulling away from him.

She moved quickly, avoiding people when possible, muttering apologies and nonsensical excuses when she couldn’t. That door was her lifeline. She just needed to get to it.

When she finally reached it, she walked into a small storage closet. Not the most luxurious of accommodations, but it was empty and that was her only requirement. She closed the door behind her and locked it, cloaking herself in darkness. She reached on the nearby wall for a light switch and, finding one, turned it on to see chairs, covered in the same red and gold fabric as the seating and the throne, stacked inside, along with a few tables and antique decor pieces.

She dropped into a vacant chair and pressed fingers to her forehead. What had she been thinking?

She hadn’t been. She’d been caught up in hormones and feelings. Everyone knew a relationship between her and Jay would neverwork. The two of them were the only ones who thought they’d had a chance.

A knock sounded. “Dani?”

“Go away!”

“No,” Jameson said, his voice tense even through the door.

“Look, I just need some time to get myself together. I haven’t forgotten what I’m supposed to do. I’ll be there in a second.”

“I don’t give a damn about what you’re supposed to do. I want to talk about what happened.”

“There’s nothing more to say to each other. The queen was right.”

“No, she wasn’t.” The handle jiggled again. “Dani, people are already staring. If you don’t open this door right now, I’ll call a page over to go find the key. Which will alert any number of people to what’s going on.”

He would. She heard it in his voice. He’d morphed into the professor, the one she hadn’t talked to in weeks although it felt like months.

Relenting, she rose and unlocked the door. Jameson stood there, pissed off, and sexier than any man had a right to be.

“Why did you run from me?”

“I didn’t,” she said, bristling at being called out for her mad dash.

“Yes, you did.” He entered the space farther, making it seem smaller than it was.

“What does it matter? You heard her. Your grandmother made it clear how she feels about a relationship between you and me.”Not Jameson. Not this family. I won’t allow it.“I refuse to be anywhere I’m not wanted. Never again.”

“Iwant you. And she can’t tell me who I can be with. Or love. She doesn’t run my life.”

“Who are you trying to kid? Me? Or yourself? That woman runsher children’s lives, your life, this whole fucking country. But not me. I didn’t sign up for this! I’m outta here.”

“Dammit, Dani,” he said, pulling her close and crushing his mouth to hers.

She opened up and the kiss immediately deepened. Their tongues tangled, rasping against one another, and she moaned, curving her hands around his broad shoulders, shivering at the raw male strength flexing against her palms. He smelled incredible and tasted even better. Never experience this again? It was unthinkable. She didn’t want to leave his arms. She couldn’t imagine ever tiring of his kisses.

But they did have to breathe.