Page 34 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“Oh, thank you,” Elena answered before she flicked her gaze back to Nate.

“Why don’t you two take a walk? Maddie and I can share a few cookies here,” Caroline suggested.

Elena noted the mischievous twinkle in her ladies’ maid’s eye as she offered her a sly smile. “Oh, that sounds lovely. Are you certain you’ll be okay, Maddie?”

“Sure. Mmm, these cookies are amazing!”

“There are plenty more where those came from. Would you like a glass of milk?” Caroline offered, buzzing around the kitchen.

“Shallwe?” Elena asked.

Nate wrapped his hand around hers and pulled her toward the door. Minutes later, they were back out under the starry sky, strolling hand in hand along the sidewalk.

“I had a wonderful evening,” she said. “Your sister is very nice.”

“Thank you for not making a big deal about her coming along.”

“Why would I? It’s quite nice that you take such good care of her. I’ll bet your parents are very pleased that she has such a wonderful older brother.”

His jaw tightened at the words, but he quickly replaced the taut expression with a wide smile. “I had a really nice time, too.”

He stopped at the corner, pulling her closer to him. “When can I see you again?”

“Name the day,” she said as she stared up at him.

He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Tomorrow. I can’t wait much longer than that.”

She grinned at him. “Tomorrow it is. Just let me know where to meet you.”

“How about if I pick you up here? We’ll do something…simple. Sorry, I can’t promise fancy.”

She crinkled her brow, wondering why he seemed so intent on apologizing ahead of time for their simple dates. She loved them. “There you go again, assuming fancy means good. Would you say our first two dates were fancy?”

He laughed. “No. Definitely not.”

“Hmm,” she said, her features playfully thoughtful, “yet I enjoyed them immensely. So that would suggest I don’t need any promises of fanciness.”

“I guess it would. Which is a good thing because I’m just an average guy.”

“Well, average guy Nathan, I like you just the way youare.” She leaned closer to him as she traced the edge of his collar.

A smile spread across his face. “I like you, too.”

Their lips met, locking together as warm emotions swirled within her. Elena pulled back and stared up at him, buzzing with excitement. “We probably should get back before Caroline stuffs Maddie full of biscuits.”

He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “Yeah.”

He gave her another peck before he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her back to her door.

They found Maddie and Caroline giggling together when they entered.

“Time to get home, Maddie,” Nate said.

“Aw, I was having fun,” the girl said with slumped shoulders.

Elena pulled her into a hug. “It was lovely to meet you, Maddie. I hope to see you again soon.”

“Wait, is it okay if I text you?” Maddie pulled her phone from her pocket. “You give good advice.”

---