Page 14 of Hiding out with a Royal Billionaire

At last Brooks paused. Skye looked up, trying not to look as hopeful as she felt.

“So, the gala.” His eyes sparkled with adventure, and she didn’t know how she’d ever resisted a single idea he’d ever had.

“It’s tonight.” She licked her lips, trying to wet her suddenly parched throat.

His hand fell down, covering hers. Then he picked up her palm, running his thumb over the top of her skin. “I was wondering if you’d go, with me.”

She waited, trying to decipher what he was asking.

“As my date.” His gaze captured hers, his eyes intense, seeing into her thoughts, and suddenly she hoped he knew she was suddenly fascinated with the slow motion of his thumb on her skin, that she hadn’t been able to quell the tingles that raced up her arm.

She searched his face, knew she would like nothing more. So she smiled. “As your date?”

“Sure, you know that thing you do with other guys. I want you to do with me.”

She moved closer without even thinking. “How do you know what I do with other guys?”

His cheeks colored and she wondered if he really did know what she did with other guys. “It doesn’t matter. Scratch that. Yes, Brooks. I’d love to go tonight as your date.” Her smile grew. I’ll wear blue and those one shoes you like.”

“There’s a pair of shoes I like?”

“Yes, you mention them every time I wear them. The silver, with the one heel.” She demonstrated on her foot.

“Oh right. I do like those.” He grinned. “That’s funny.”

She shrugged. “What?”

“You know what I like better than I do.”

“This will be fun.”

He shifted his body so that he was leaning closer, his face much closer to hers than she ever remembered it being. “We always have fun. I hope to take it a step past just fun.”

At his words, thrills raced to her core, and she didn’t know what to say. All words and most thoughts had left. The only thought remaining was that Brooks’ dark eyes had specks of gold and that they were particularly lovely when staring straight into her own. “Are you gonna slide down the rope? To come get me?” She laughed. It just came out.

But Brooks seemed grateful for a lessening of the tension. At least he laughed with her. “No, I’ll be at your door at seven.”

“I’ll be ready.” But was she ready? A real date with Brooks.

6

Brooks eyed himself critically. He was ready for the gala. But was he ready for his date? His heart hammered more than if he were on a mission with the team. He’d been to countless galas with Skye. He’d been to this very gala every year since her family had started holding it. He’d danced with her a hundred times. But today was different. And he knew it. He cringed. And not just because he was doing it to protect her. A part of him wanted to see where this could go. Possibly. In the future. There’d been some unexplained and unexplored tension between them. He knew she felt it. He felt it. But now might not be the best time to go down this path. He grinned, satisfied with his appearance. Then again, it might be the perfect time. Skye was incredible. He’d always thought whoever married her would be one of the luckiest men alive. Why couldn’t it be him?

Marriage? No. He was just seeing where some added depth to their relationship would take them. He wasn’t pursuing marriage. He frowned. But where else could something like this go? They either saw it through to the end cause it worked or they were doomed to X status and he never wanted to think of Skye as an X. She was first and foremost, his best friend. Who better never find out their first date was because his team wanted him to keep a close eye on her.

His team. Was it time to step away from the special ops team he’d created? Lucan was the only Prince who knew anything about it. Brooks had started clandestine rescue missions right after his military training. There was just so much wrong in their part of the world, trafficking being the most disturbing, and he vowed to do his part. “Not on his watch.” Had become a sort of mantra for him. But watching Skye become involved had changed his perception. If he settled down, particularly with Skye, as a future ruler of her country, his focus would need to shift.

Lucan married a queen. Brooks would have to ask how that was going for him. If Lucan spoke to him again. He hadn’t reached out, not even on the secure channels and Brooks knew they would need to converse. He wondered what Lucan knew.

He collected his things and walked down the stairs leading to Skye’s room. He needed to set all of this business aside and just enjoy his best friend.

As a date.

His pace picked up. He was excited, and he planned to show off a little bit. Could he impress the woman who had everything? Who could marry anyone? He rotated his shoulders. She wouldn’t know what hit her.

Her door opened before he reached it and out stepped Skye like he’d never seen before. She dazzled from head to toe.

His foot stumbled, and his mouth froze. He wasn’t sure even if he smiled. Her hair piled off the top of her head, leaving her gorgeous neck bare and welcoming. Her figure flowed with her dress that shimmered to the floor. She held herself well. Confidence exuded every part of her, and Brooks felt an entirely new sensation around Brooks. He was suddenly unsure.

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