Page 21 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

Her body shook gently with silent amusement. “It’s a little early to ask something like that. Let’s just live in the moment and enjoy it for a sec.”

“So, it’s something to enjoy?”

She sighed.

“I just don’t want to miss a chance to communicate. I think that’s how I let us drift apart before.”

“That’s interesting. I thought it was because, all of a sudden, the crown was the most important thing in your life.”

“What?”

“Right—like when you said, ‘I have to put the crown first right now. You’re not royal. I don’t expect you to understand, but that’s where I’m at. If you can’t accept that, then we can’t be.’ ”

He whistled, astounded at his past self and her memory. “Did I say that?”

“You did, but I suppose it was merited. I was young. I wanted to be number one in your life.”

“As you deserved to be.” He leaned back against the cold stone of the cave and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you every day how much you meant to me.” He swallowed. “Honestly, I don’t even know if new-king-me understood how important you were.”

“New-king-you. As opposed to old-king-you?”

“Seasoned. Cured.”

“Mmm. Like a good beef.”

“Yes, or old wine. Better with age.”

“I hope that’s true, because the younger you was pretty great.”

“Give me a chance to prove it.” He leaned forward, twisting sideways to be able to look into her eyes.

She seemed wary as she searched his face, but her eyes changed, and he saw the trust he was looking for.

“I know I can be stubborn, focused completely on the most urgent task to the exclusion of all else, but right now, you are my most urgent task.”

She reached a hand up to the side of his face and pressed her lips to his once, slowly, agonizingly slowly, then pulled away. “No.” The hurt in her eyes about killed him.

“No?”

“We can’t.”

“What? Why not?”

She shook her head. “Do we have to get into this? There are so many reasons, I’m not sure where to begin. Can’t we just pretend everything’s okay for a little longer?”

“Um, no. I’m falling for you here. The more I kiss you, the greater pain I’m causing myself.”

“Fair enough—I suppose I’m doing the same thing. We can talk about it. But I’m not looking for counter-arguments. If you want to hear what’s going on in my head, I’ll tell you, but you have to just listen. Can you do that—just for today?”

He tried to argue, tried to shake his head, but he could tell she was serious, so he nodded.

He held his breath. This was the most open he’d ever expected her to be. He’d be daft not to grab hold of the moment and listen. Too bad he couldn’t take notes.

“Reason one: Lily. She has a great thing with my parents. And I don’t want to uproot her.”

He almost spoke, but he bit his tongue and resisted.

“Thank you for humoring me. Second thing: my work. And your crown. And the issues I care about, and your crown. Did I mention the crown? Because taking on a relationship with you—no matter how pleasant in private—also has a very public, very controlling, side, and I lose myself in it.”

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