Page 77 of Trapped with the Undercover Prince

“We are.”

“Do you usually celebrate that much whenever you gain a possible citizen?”

“I can’t speak for anyone else, but no.” His gaze heated. “For myself, I’m hoping to talk you into staying in the country for longer than the end of this week.”

The way he said it, sultry and hopeful, made her stomach drop like a stone. Still, she managed to sound casual when she asked, “Oh, how much longer?”

He took in a breath and considered her question for a moment. “I was thinking of forty or fifty years...minimum.”

Damn it.

“Zar, there are some things you need to know—” she began.

“No, there aren’t,” he interrupted. “I already know everything I need to know about you.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yup.”

“Nope.”

When he just smiled and handed her a plate of the most delicious-looking salad she’d ever seen, she nearly threw it back at his face.

“Okay, let’s discover how well you know me.”

He gestured at the table, and they sat.

In between bites, she asked, “Which side of the bed do I sleep on?”

He snorted. “You don’t pick a side; you face plant like a starfish.”

“I do not.”

“Do too.”

Okay, he might be right about that.

“Have I ever been married?”

“Anna, Jean Paul ran a background check on you, remember? Your cancer diagnosis surprised him, you know and he’s not an easy man to do that to.” He tilted his head. “Are you cancer-free?”

“Yes, I had surgery, and they got it all. I go in on a regular basis for screening, though.” She sucked in a breath. Now was the time to explain it all. “Zar, about my cancer—”

“It doesn’t bother me,” he said before she could finish. “In fact, I’m proud of you. Your inner strength is so damned sexy.” The heat was back in his eyes.

Damn it, would he ever let her finish.

“I can’t marry you.”

The words fell like a bomb into the room, laying waste to the smile on Zar’s face.

He raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t actually ask.”

“No, but you liked the idea of the press thinking you did. And then when you found out I was someone your family would accept, you got so damned excited. It was written all over your face.”

He held himself so very still, his face carefully blank except for his eyes. There were fine lines radiating pain from all around his eyes.

“Do you have a secret husband?”

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