Page 30 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

He rested a hand on her arm. “You could bring her here.”

She stopped and turned to him. He could see she was actually considering his offer. Hope flared like the white-hot flames of Tarshish. Would she consider it?

Then she shook her head. And his hope was doused with the coldest waters of the English moors.

She finally finished her call and, before she said anything, she rolled into his arms and pressed her face up against his chest. “Jackson has been hanging around. He must have seen I’m out of the country. I’m scared.”

Rhett held her close and rubbed his hands up and down her back. “Should I send a security team?”

She squeezed him around the middle. “No. But thank you. We have our own security. It’s just that they haven’t been going to school with her. More than anything, she wants a normal life. I just don’t think that’s possible for her. I thought it would be, but now…”

She tipped her head back so she could look into his face. “I’ve done all I can from here.” Her expression grew sad, wistful. Then she pointed back toward the large wooden swing. “I stopped here because I noticed something behind me.”

Rhett looked over her head at the swing. “Ah yes.”

“I wondered if I could have the first swing.”

His grin widened. “Absolutely. Can I do an underdog?”

“If you dare!” She snorted. “If you can.” She took off running. When she reached the swing, she grabbed both ropes and jumped on. Her weak efforts to get herself moving on that huge swing made him laugh. “You hardly fit.” She took up less than half of the huge board that was fastened between two of the thickest ropes they’d been able to find. “But I’m going to get you moving, never fear.”

He moved behind her and took a run, holding onto the ropes. She shot forward, her toes pointing toward heaven. And her laugh eased all the tightness in his chest.

He pushed her again and again, running forward and dashing out underneath her legs as the swing rose into the air.

The world quieted. Somehow they were young again, and he wanted nothing more than to spend the early evening chasing fireflies.

He pushed her until the worry lines around her eyes melted into serene peace, until his arms ached. Then he backed away, her swing soaring out to the sky, and watched as she leapt from her spot, her arms and legs flailing in circles. She landed on both feet and thrust her hands up in victory.

He clapped furiously. “Bravo, bravo!” He joined her, ready to scoop her up and cradle her in his arms.

“Thank you.” She reached forward and rested her hands on his forearms, facing him. “I needed that more than anything, I think.”

“Anything?”

She swallowed.

“Because this swing reminds me of something.”

“Oh, does it?” Her eyes turned mischievous as she stepped closer.

“It does.” He tipped his head down, brushing his mouth against hers, waiting. He was so close to having Emily back in his life, so close to the happiness he thought he’d never know again. He knew many obstacles stood in their way, but he was not going to make the same mistakes he made last time. He would figure out a way for them to exist together as leaders, to handle the publicity issues in his country, and to deal well with his cabinet, the ministry, and the press.

The same issues had come up last time, and he’d lost her. He vowed not to let that happen again. As he studied the lashes spread out below her closed eyelids, he knew he could be patient. He could wait, because he would never again push her from his life.

She smiled, her closed eyes crinkling at the edges, and then she lifted up on her toes to meet his lips. This time his kisses were soft, brief, and filled with as much promise as he could manage.

Her eyes were misty, welcoming, and the soft, dreamy look of just having been kissed filled them. He tapped her nose. “I think I like you most just like this.”

“Do you now? Asking to be kissed?”

“Is that what this is? Then yes. Because you know my namesake once said, ‘You should be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how.’ ”

“Why, Rhett, I do believe you care.”

He laughed at their overused joke, and he took her hand as they headed for the stables.

10

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