Page 140 of Guarded King

If she thinks I can leave it at that, she’s underestimating the effect she has on me. I pull her to me and deepen the kiss, letting her sweetness wash over me, filling all the spaces inside me I hadn’t even realized were empty.

Is this it? Is this how Cole and Tate felt when they met Delilah and Violet? Did they experience this bone deep rightness? This burning need to keep their woman close, to protect her, to give her the world? Is this what I should have felt with Katherine but never did?

Too soon, voices outside force us apart. Even with the risk of being discovered, it takes me a moment to let go of her.

“We’ll have to leave soon for the interview,” she says breathlessly.

With a nod, I take a step back.

Smiling softly, she turns toward the door.

“Chloe.”

She stops and turns. The words I want to say to her burn the tip of my tongue, pressing against my ribs. But I don’t know how to set them free.

I shove my hands into my pockets, shoulders tense with what I’m leaving unsaid. “Nothing. I’ll come and get you when it’s time to go.”

Her eyes trace over my features, then she’s gone, slipping through the door.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

CHLOE

When I step into the kitchen, I find Carol and Dad at the table, each with a cup of tea.

Dad is grinning, and Carol is chattering, but when they notice me, a light blush stains Carol’s cheeks.

I stop in my tracks, my heart tripping over itself. Is there something going on between them?

And if so, is that a good thing or a bad thing? I like Carol, and I want Dad to be happy, but how does that work when she’s being paid to care for him?

The moment the thought enters my mind, I chastise myself for being so hypocritical. It’s working between Roman and me. There’s no reason that it can’t work for them. If that’s even what’s going on.

Carol stands, a little flustered. “I better finish making dinner. Your dad felt like spaghetti Bolognese today. Does that sound good to you?”

I give her a small smile. “That sounds amazing. Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

“How was work, love?” Dad asks as Carol bustles around in our small kitchen.

I sit in the chair she just vacated and exhale. “It was good. Busy.”

I spent the afternoon watching Roman handle hisForbesinterview with complete composure. His responses to the interviewer’s questions were measured and articulate. He discussed his strategic vision for the King Group, including the proposed integration of EcoTech, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability and ethical leadership.

When probed about his father, he briefly acknowledged the challenges of overcoming that legacy without going into too much detail. Then made it clear just how determined he is to direct the company away from past controversies and toward the future.

As he spoke about his plans to drive the industry toward greener practices, I was filled with a swift rush of pride. Roman isn’t just a CEO, he’s a visionary. He’s carving a new path in a field full of pitfalls. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Yet, as he talked, I could feel the weight he carries, could sense his father’s looming shadow. My understanding of what’s at stake for him grew clearer, and so did my concern.

He’s brilliant and driven, but his responsibilities and goals are always on his mind. Watching him, I realized for the first time just how complicated his world—and exactly how much of himself he’s pouring into steering the King Group in a new direction.

“That tyrant of a boss planning to whisk you away to a foreign country again any time soon?” Dad interrupts my thoughts.

I smile and shake my head, even as my chest starts to burn with the truth I’m holding back. “I’ve already told you; my first impression was wrong.”

Chuckling, he lifts his teacup to his mouth with only a little wobble. “I suppose any man who takes time out of his scheduleto accompany his assistant’s dad to the doctor and whisks her away to the Louvre can’t be that bad.”

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