Page 63 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“Really, I do. You went to the States. You met Mr. Kingsley. He seemed a fine man. And we had only met when we were children.”

She smiled at him and nodded.

Eric took a step closer to her, reaching to caress her cheek. “There is only one issue.”

“What?” she asked.

“I want you.” He pressed closer as she furrowed her brows. “I want you as my wife. We are perfectly matched. And I intend to win you, Elena. Whatever it takes. You will forget who Nate Kingsley is.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist before he planted a kiss on her lips as she stood stunned.

CHAPTER 14

NATE

Nate’s heel squeaked against the hardwood floor of his bedroom as he spun on it, his mind swirling with questions and conflicting emotions as he retreated across the room. He rubbed his lips with his thumb, his brows furrowing. After his conversation with Elena the previous night, he’d tossed and turned.

Several times, he’d picked up his phone to text Elena but decided against it. With her big day today, he didn’t want to disturb her rest with his family problems. Nor did he want her second guessing her decision to bring him over.

He couldn’t even figure out how to solve a problem in his own family. How in the world could anyone see him as a king consort?

With a sigh, he twisted around to wander in the other direction. How could he tell Stephen what he’d seen? Would his brother even accept the information or merely dismiss it?

Still, he couldn’t deny what he’d seen. Chloe locking lips with Prince Julian.

He shook his head. He’d known exactly what she was from the moment he’d caught her with his brother. But Stephen had been convinced that she loved him and had merely been too afraid to tell Nate she didn’t want to marry him.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “That was a lie,” he murmured.

His fingers curled into fists as the vivid memory of that moment burned through his mind. Had it not happened, though, he may never have been at the coffee shop to meet Elena.

The thought curled the corner of his lips. It had been the best moment of his life. Now, he had to hang on to it.

The warm feeling in his chest replaced his anxiety, and he strode to his nightstand to grab his phone. His thumbs flew across the keyboard before finally hitting send.Hey, I know you probably have a busy morning but I really need to talk.

He stared at the message, a pang of doubt building in his stomach until a bubble appeared next to Elena’s picture, indicating her impending response.I always have time for you, love. Shall I make the trek over or do you prefer text?

He chewed his lower lip. He’d never say no to seeing her.If you have time, I would love to see you.

She answered that she’d be right over, and he clicked off his display.

He resumed his pacing as he waited for her to arrive. After a few moments, he crossed to the door and pulled it open, glancing into the hall.

Elena appeared at the corner of the hall, a grin lighting her features as she strode toward him. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” he said softly, greeting her with a kissthat held both longing and uncertainty. “Sorry to send up the smoke signal for help.”

“It’s perfectly fine. Has something happened? Is it Isabelle?”

He shook his head as he led her into his bedroom. “No. It’s the problem with Chloe. I was up most of the night trying to figure out how to handle this.”

She cupped his face in her hand. “Aw, darling. Why don’t you try to get some rest now before the parade?”

“I can’t,” he said with a shake of his head. “And I didn’t call you here to complain about how tired I am. I just…can’t come up with a good way to attack this problem.”

“Have you given any more thought to telling your mother and father?”

He sucked in a breath, wrapping his hand around hers. “Yes. And I’m not sure about that, either.”

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