Page 53 of The Reluctant Heir

Is he nervous? And why is the fact that he’s nervous so cute?

“I would like to see you tonight.” I chew on my bottom lip to stop my grin.

The more time I spend with him, the more I like him.

But it’s still not enough time to know if I want him as a life partner.

Damek loosens his grip on the steering wheel. With his right hand, he reaches over the center console and grasps my left hand in his. We stay like that for the rest of the drive.

When we pull up in front of my father’s estate, the sky is starting to slightly change colors. The sun really will be rising soon. I had no idea we stayed out so late. Damek gets out of the car and walks around to my side to open my door.

“Thank you,” I tell him, as he shuts the door behind me.

“You don’t have to thank me for doing what I’m supposed to do,” he says.

Damek Rune is quite the gentleman and I’m finding that chivalry is a very attractive quality in a man.

He holds my hand as he walks me to my front door and I wonder if he will try to kiss me. A few of the royals tried, but I didn’t let them. But with Damek, I wouldn’t mind kissing him. I wonder what his lips taste like.

“I had a really good time tonight,” Damek says when we reach the front door. “I’m glad you agreed to hang out again tonight.”

I nervously tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I had fun.”

“Even though it was cold?” he asks.

I nod. “Even then.”

The cold was completely worth spending time with him.

“Would it be presumptuous to kiss you on the first date?” Damek asks.

My heart races a little faster. “Only if it’s presumptuous that I want to kiss you, too.”

Damek doesn’t hesitate before his lips press against mine. It’s a soft kiss, not demanding or expecting anything.

And it’s the best first kiss I’ve ever had in my life.

My heart beats faster and my stomach muscles tighten. I could see myself falling so hard for this guy if given the chance.

He pulls back and looks into my eyes. I wonder what he’s thinking. Did he enjoy the kiss too?

“Is it okay if I call you when I get home?” Damek asks. “I want to talk to you before I go to sleep.”

I nod. “I’d like that.”

He grins. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I watch him turn and walk away. My heart beats entirely too fast and I know he’s able to hear it, but I don’t mind. I don’t want to hide what I’m feeling from Damek. I like him. A lot. And I’m excited to see where we go from here.

Damek stops when he gets to his vehicle and looks over at me. I know he’s not going to leave until I head inside. I wave at him and go inside. I watch from the window as he leaves.

The sound of a throat clearing has me turning away from the window. I jump at the sudden sound. When I turn around, Kaine is standing there, watching me.

“What are you still doing here?” I look at the time on my phone. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

“You were gone less than two hours for your last date. For this date, you were gone all night long,” Kaine complains.

I open my mouth, then close it.

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