Page 61 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“I see. And, uh, you are Nate Kingsley of the Sterling City Kingsleys. The ones involved in biotech?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Nate said, inching a little closer to Elena.

She smiled at him, sensing his apprehension. He was well aware that Eric was meant to be her husband, and he seemed determined to stop the man from claiming her.

“How interesting. And you met at a gala, I assume?” Eric flicked his gaze between the two of them.

“Actually, we met at a coffee shop. Nathan smashed into me and spilled my coffee all over me.”

“Oh, no,” Eric said with a laugh. “A happy accident, though, to run into a such a lovely woman.”

“Yes,” Nate answered. “I thought so.”

The dinner announcement broke up their terse conversation. The group proceeded to the dining room, taking their seats for their first dinner together. Elena found herself seated next to Eric, but kept apart from Nate.

She eyed him across the table, upset but unsurprised at the seating arrangement.

Conversation remained light through dinner, and the party broke up shortly after. Elena excused herself shortly after the Kingsleys, intent on seeking out Nate for a private discussion.

She hurried through the halls to his room, knocking as she fidgeted on her feet outside his door.

It opened a moment later, and she grinned. “Hello.”

“Hi,” he answered. “I’m glad you’re here. I really wanted to talk to you.”

“And I wanted to speak with you, too.” She stepped into his room, offering him a kiss.

“I’m glad. I feel like we haven’t had enough time together and…” He bit his lower lip and glanced at his feet.

“Yes?”

“I’m…a little…” He shifted his weight and shrugged. “Jealous and…nervous after meeting Prince Eric.”

She arched an eyebrow. Did he think she’d fallen for the hunky prince in the span of one tea? “Jealous?”

“He’s…very…princely,” Nate answered with a shrug. “And he’s perfect at everything. And he plays piano, and you did that duet. And then he sat with you at dinner. And you smiled a lot.”

“I smiled a lot with you, too.” She inched closer to him and slid her arms around his neck.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” He slipped his arms around her waist.

“I still smile a lot with you. You make me happy. And he is a lovely piano player. I’m certain we could be great friends. But I am not in love with him.”

He rubbed her arm, his lips tugging up at the corners a little. “So you’re still in love with me?”

“Madly,” she answered.

“Do you think your parents will come around to me? It kind of seems like they are pushing you to spend time with Eric.”

“I think they will, yes. I had a long conversation with my mother yesterday, and I am convinced they will see everything I see in you.”

“I’m not sure I see what you see in me,” Nate said with a laugh.

“Don’t you? Let me outline them. Youare…handsome, smart, brave, funny. And…you see beyond my crown. You fell in love with me as a person, not as a princess. I love all of those things about you and more.”

He puckered his lips, narrowing his eyes in amusement. “Prince Eric is pretty handsome.”

“Mmm, I hadn’t noticed,” she said as she stole a kiss from him. “There was a terribly handsome American across the table from me.”

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