Page 23 of Prince She Shouldn’t Crave (Royal House of Halrovia #2)

‘No. Not ashamed…’ Though they’d never really said anything much.

Were they embarrassed? It was a reasonable explanation for why they didn’t want him studying.

Then there was the question of why they’d wanted his diagnosis buried so deeply.

Deeply enough to give a manipulative, untrustworthy man a position of advisor of state, to keep his daughter quiet.

‘They believed I should establish myself in my role, show I could “do the job”, so to speak. Then it became something we never really talked about.’

‘It’s something you could talk about now. People would relate. Don’t you see?’

‘It doesn’t seem relevant…’ He had trouble understanding what difference it would make.

That was in the past. Behind him. He’d found ways of adapting.

Moving forwards. He still did everything expected of him.

He had no limitations. He’d proven it hadn’t affected him at all.

There wasn’t any reason to say anything any more.

‘Gabe, is this why you’re always holding back from people? Accused by the press of being “proper”. Because you’re afraid people will find out the truth?’

The comment hit straight to the heart of him. She left no prisoners.

‘I’m not afraid.’ He’d reorganised his life around his dyslexia, had reading aids when he needed them. These things made life easier, for him and his staff. There was no part of the job that was beyond him, no impact on his role. Telling everyone now…at the mere thought, pressure in his chest grew.

Yet Lena wasn’t judging him. She looked at him, not with pity, but with softness and concern.

All he saw was care and understanding, not disapproval.

What he would have given to see that expression on his parents’ faces when he’d received his diagnosis.

He hadn’t realised for how long he’d craved simple compassion and acceptance.

Here it was being shown to him by this beautiful, insightful woman.

That increasingly relentless pressure in his chest began to ease.

‘Telling everyone might help other people. Those subjects who are just like you.’

Her words jolted him back into the harshness of reality. How would he even begin to admit what he’d kept quiet for so many years?

‘Imagine the charities you could support,’ she said.

Before her marriage, his sister Ana’s favoured charity was one for child and adult literacy.

He’d never stopped to question whether she chose it as silent support for him.

It hadn’t crossed his mind. When she’d left to marry, her royal Halrovian patronages had fallen vacant.

They’d need to be redistributed. Perhaps he could talk to his parents about it?

Show them it made sense. It was something to think about.

But for now, all he wanted to think about was Lena. Sitting up in bed, hair an unruly tousle after their night of lovemaking. Mascara smudged under her eyes. Making them look smoky, sultry. Her lips a deep cherry red, well kissed.

If he’d been sensible, he would have called the kitchens to make coffee, then let her go.

She’d called it the evening before. One night.

Yet, seeing her in his bed, Gabriel knew he didn’t want this to stop.

Last night had been like nothing he’d ever experienced.

The passion. The need. Sex with anyone else was a distant, faded memory next to her.

He knew there were ground rules for this sort of thing.

Lena didn’t come from this world. She mightn’t understand that if this went on there could be no hint of anything between them.

That nothing about their situation could be considered normal.

It wasn’t fair to her, yet he didn’t want to give her up.

Not yet. He was sure they’d burn out eventually.

Once they’d glutted on each other’s bodies.

They’d both become bored of each other, and it would end. But for now…

As if she knew he was staring at her, contemplating their short-term future, Lena looked up at him. ‘What?’

Something must have shown on his face. ‘I’ve been thinking.’

‘Indeed.’ The corner of her mouth kicked up. She’d sounded so much like him in that moment. The same imperious tone he knew he could inject into his voice. Often did, deliberately. Of course, she knew it too. ‘Are you going to suggest some wardrobe changes for me that I might reject?’

There was that gentle teasing again. He enjoyed it, how natural she was. How he’d come to believe that she saw him. Not for what he was, but for who.

‘Wardrobe? I’d have you permanently naked if I could.’ He growled at the crime of ever putting clothes on her magnificent body.

‘I don’t know how I’d get anything done.’

‘You wouldn’t. But that’s not what I want to discuss. This. Us. I don’t want to let it go. Not yet…’ he said, wondering how he could canvass the rest. ‘However—’

‘It needs to be kept private.’

He wasn’t sure whether she was reciting what she’d assumed he was going to tell her or setting her own rules. Whatever the reason, relief flooded over him that they were both on the same page.

‘I want to protect you. From any claims that you’re doing this to further your career, which I know you’re not, because the results speak for themselves. Also, from the press. They can be cruel to me, never to you.’

‘I know they’d flay someone like me alive.’

Someone like her? He wasn’t sure what that meant and he didn’t like that she was okay with thinking that she was in some way less.

‘I don’t want you mobbed whenever you’re out.’

‘You’re the story, Gabriel. I’ve never wanted the limelight.’

He didn’t really want it either. ‘Sadly it comes with being me. If I weren’t a prince—’

‘You’d be an international football player, and still famous.’

She showed such uncompromising faith in him. When had he ever had that before? ‘Perhaps.’

Lena chewed on her lower lip, a look of uncertainty there. He wanted to kiss it away. ‘How would it even work? I can’t just stroll up to your apartments. People would get suspicious.’

‘I have a way. Trust me. No one will know. Your reputation will be safe.’

‘Don’t keep me waiting.’

He smiled. She was going to agree? His heart pumped hard and fast. His desire once again roaring to life with a need like he’d never experienced before.

Luckily, he’d texted his staff the night before, arranging a later start than usual.

He could make love to her again before she had to go back to her room.

Go back to pretending, till the next time at least.

‘If I promise we won’t be found out, will you agree?’

‘Yes,’ she said with a little smile. ‘Yes, I will.’

He wanted to grab her, kiss her senseless, but he also liked the game they played. The fun. The banter. All part of the seduction.

‘So,’ he said, intent on changing the subject so they wouldn’t have to waste any more time. ‘His Royal Hotness?’

‘You forget. Hashtag His Royal Hotness. Hashtag thirst-trap,’ she replied.

‘Do you think I’m hot?’

As the sun began to hint over the horizon, a pretty blush crept up her chest. Higher. Her ears turning a soft shade of pink.

‘If the hashtag fits.’ A teasing smile crept onto her face. ‘There was another one. Bend it like Gabriel. What does that mean?’

‘It’s a football term. I can show you what it means later, but do you know what I’d like to do now?’

‘No, Your Hotness—I mean, Highness.’

He loved the irreverence in her tone.

‘I’d like to bend you over the bed. Make love to you till you scream as the sun rises.’

Lena squealed, giggling as he wrestled her into delicious submission. Covering her with his body.

‘Let me show you just how hot I am,’ he growled into her ear as she relaxed underneath him. Arms curling round his neck. Threading into his hair as Lena smiled at him.

‘I look forward to you living up to the promise of your online reputation.’