Page 108 of Just Between Us

With a laugh, he set Lee down and gave him a playful shove.

Royal’s gaze slowly sliced across the crowd. When he found me, his features grew impossibly brighter. My fingertips teased the hoop attached to the gold necklace at my throat as I moved the ring back and forth. A low thrum moved through me as I smiled at him.

Only he and I knew the real function of the necklace, and I delighted in the sick thrill of something that was just between us.

In a slow saunter, Royal made his way toward me. I steadied my face, attempting to look unimpressed.

He let out a low whistle. “In that dress, you could make the devil nervous.”

My belly tickled with excitement, but as he stood in front of me, I lifted my eyebrow. “Oh, can I help you?”

Royal’s tongue slid across his lower lip as his gaze raked over me. “I think you have a good idea of how you can help me later. But right now ...” Royal crouched and slid his large palms up my crossed legs to the hemline of my dress. “I want to take you for a walk.”

That wasn’t at all what I was expecting. “A walk?”

He stood and held out his hand. “No more questions. Let’s go, Precious.”

He was up to something, I could tell. Intrigued, I slipped my hand into his. My mid-length skirt tumbled as I stood, and his appreciative glance made my heart flutter. I tucked myself into his side and let him guide me through the crowd. I paused when I saw my mother and father laughing with Red Sullivan andBug. My mother was dressed in a pale sage-green pantsuit with sensible beige heels. My father, dressed in a navy suit, looked a bit more gray at his temples than I remembered, but he was carrying the conversation with the charm and ease I’d always admired about him.

Curiosity and affection drew me forward. My steps slowed, and my mom caught my eye.

I pulled her into a hug. “What are you doing here?”

I looked between my parents and hugged Dad too.

“We just got here.” Mom used her champagne glass to gently salute Royal. “Royal invited us. We’re honored to celebrate your mother.”

Royal gave my mother a soft smile and nod before holding his hand out to my dad. “Sir. Thank you for coming.”

My father smiled at Royal in a way that made my insides go soft. “We wouldn’t miss today for the world.”

“Where are you two running off?” My mother’s voice sounded strange as it rose higher.

I narrowed my eyes at her.What was she up to?

“We’re going to take a quick stroll around the lake. I’ll have her back in no time.” Royal smiled at my mother, and I swear I could hear the woman swoon.

Royal guided me away from the group, and we skirted the crowd, making our way into the blueberry fields. We stopped when he realized my heels were sinking into the earth with every step.

I used his muscled arm to steady myself as I slipped off my high heels. He gestured toward my shoes, and I passed them to him. “Thank you.”

He looked down at me and winked. “You know I like taking care of you.”

We walked in silence as I soaked up the sunshine and let the gentle breeze lift my hair and cool my skin. Royal’s attentionfloated over to the southern section of the farm. It wasn’t visible, but in the distance, his mother peacefully rested.

I squeezed his hand and rested my head against his biceps as we walked. He led me away from the crowd, and we wound across the grass pathways through the farm. My heels swung from the fingertips of his other hand. The grass was soft beneath my feet, and for the first time in my life I was grounded.

Connected.

I exhaled a deep, contented sigh. “Today was a good day.”

Royal looked down at me. “Every day with you is a good day.”

I blushed and gently pushed against his shoulder.

Up ahead a small pond came into view. The sun shimmered off its smooth surface. In the distance the band was barely audible, the music floating across the blueberry bushes.

As we approached the pond, a small circular table with champagne and two chairs became visible.

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