Page 39 of Gotta Have Mistletoe

“I could show you,” I say, “if you visit again. We have some places where people harvest it. Not this fancy European kind, but...”

I stop talking. Of course, the king won’t visit Mistletoe Springs, Nevada again.

His gaze remains on me, and my hand is still under his, feeling the mistletoe.

Moonlight shines over his face in an interesting manner, and I want to kiss him. I want to pull his lips into mine and suck on them.

I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing.

Mere inches separate us, and my head whirls with the scent of Christmas and the handsome man in front of me.

“Who’s there?” A flashlight beams at us, and Erik steps away hastily.

I blink into the bright light.

“It’s only me, Sven,” Erik says.

“Oh. I was worried, Your Majesty. I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

“I was showing Mr. Garland around the castle.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Sven says apologetically, lowering the flashlight. “It’s after midnight and—”

“I’m sorry I worried you,” Erik says quickly. “We’re leaving.”

And with that, Erik and I leave the greenhouse, then say goodbye. I enter my bedroom, with its ridiculous high ceiling and ornate molding, but when I close my eyes, the only thing in my mind is Erik.

I would have kissed him back.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Erik

Glen peels off the top of a hard-boiled egg, and I smile at the way he bites his lower lip in concentration.

Olav interrupts our breakfast. “I have found some new cultural books for you to study, Mr. Garland.”

“Actually,” I tell Olav, “Glen will be busy today.”

“Busy?” Olav frowns.

“Yes. Glen, Anders, Max and I will go to the Christmas Market.”

Olav’s eyes round.

“Are you certain?” Olav asks finally.

“Yes, Olav.”

“But you never go to the Christmas market. You have the vendors send things to the castle, then you write letters back on royal stationery thanking them.”

“I feel it would be more efficient to actually go to the Christmas market stalls, rather than sending lengthy letters.”

Olav’s eyes narrow. “Did you lose your royal stamp again?”

“No!” My cheeks warm.

“Because it’s better to tell me now.”