Page 51 of Royally Benevolent

“Well, let’s call it a night and resume this after a full dinner—an actual date if that’s a thing you’d like?”

“You want to take me out on a date?” Her tone surprised me.

“Yes, Odette. Very much.” I kissed her on the forehead. “But you’re too sweet. You deserve all of that.”

Odette flushed red again, the colour that escaped moments before returning to her cheeks.

“I adore you, Odette. I want to take you out if you want to go.”

“We’ll attractsomuch attention.”

“Nah,” I answered. “I have ways of getting around that. When we get back, I’ll show you.”

“Okay. I’m amenable to that.”

The smile on her face suggested she wasmorethan amenable to my plans.

30

INSTANT SWOON

ODETTE

“I’ll see you at the breakfast for private-public partnerships tomorrow?” Wyatt asked.

What was I going to say? He could have proposed almost anything, and I would have said yes. His taste still lingered on my lips. Vibrating with excitement, I only noddedyes. A small, almost bashful smile crossed his face. The lines around his eyes creased slightly—as they did when he was relaxed and happy. Wyatt wouldn’t throw a parade to announce his feelings, but he would be honest. He would tell the truth.

“Good.” Wyatt kissed my forehead and stepped back to depart. “Sleep well.”

A quiet “thanks” slipped through my lips.

I marvelled as he left the hotel suite, casually as he came. Grieg stood at the door, whining as it shut. Evenhemissed Wyatt already. I sat in the quiet, trying to deconstruct the reality of what transpired. My entire body tingled. I wanted him to do it again and again—and all over my body. I shuddered, thinking about how good it felt to have his hand on my breast. It was too soon and I was out of my depth.

But he didn’twantto do more? I wanted to doeverythingagainstevery fibre of good judgment left within me. What good did waiting much longer do?

Grieg returned, sniffing the food Wyatt brought. I decided to pivot and see what he’d brought me. A steak and potatoes. He had no idea I was a vegetarian. At least he’d tried. That was more than my ex would have done.

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. Astrid’s face popped up. I answered.

“How’s the conference? I haven’t heard more from you. Alex was sick, so I thought I’d bother youforher.”

I smiled, her voice settling me. “It’s good. I… I’m good. I just had dinner with the Vice President.”

Well, for a moment.

“Amazing. She’s got to be brilliant, yeah?”

“Totally! She was so cool. She’s a friend of Wyatt’s.”

“Oh, interesting. Anything happen there?”

I looked at Grieg. His ears pricked, encouraging me to spill.

“Well, he just kissed me. And then I kissedhim. And it… well, it spiralled but ended, and I’m so confused and…”

“And what?”

“Horny?”

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