Page 50 of The Heart of the King

His gaze flicked from her eyes down to her lips. How would she react if he kissed her?

Especially since they still hadn’t talked about his history.

Or her husband.

Maybe he needed to back off.

But as he stared at her lips even longer, he didn’t want to. He wanted to kiss his wife. It had been weeks since the last time he’d kissed her, but he could still remember the feel of his lips on hers.

And that was why he took a deep breath and...

...stepped back.

“I want to kiss you,” he told her. “But there are some conversations we need to have before we go any further than a kiss or two, and I’m afraid if I kiss you, we won’t want to stop, but we would need to.”

Jasmine nodded. “I understand. But we do need to have those conversations sometime soon. We can’t decide whether we’re fully committed to this relationship without being completely open and honest about everything.”

“We do, but let’s get through the treaty signing first.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Then we need to get away for a few days. I won’t be able to leave work behind completely, but maybe I can only work half days.”

She hugged her waist. “That sounds like a good idea.”

“I’ll have Stewart talk to Marie and get it figured out.” He bowed slightly. “Until tomorrow. Sleep well.”

David left without waiting for her response. These were going to be a long couple of weeks until they could get away together.

But somehow, he suspected it would make them stronger.

18

Getting dressed up was kind of fun. At least for Jazz, though she was supremely grateful she didn’t have to wear a tiara this time. Since they were going to be on the yacht, Jazz asked if it was the best idea to wear priceless heirlooms given the accident a year earlier.

David mentioned it to Esme and Benjamin, who quickly agreed. He didn’t say anything to Edward, but did talk to Astrid who was happy to oblige as well.

Jazz wore a cobalt blue gown while Zellie wore a silver one that was significantly shorter and fuller than the ones the women would wear. She also wore silver sparkly shoes with a strap across the top and an inch heel.

“Does it twirl well?” Jazz asked her after oo’ing and ah’ing over it.

Zellie spun in place, the skirt lifting some as she did. “I love it,” the girl gushed.

“I do, too.”

“Yours won’t do that.” Zellie tilted her head. “Why didn’t you wear a twirly dress?”

Jazz gave an exaggerated sigh. “Grown-ups don’t always get to wear twirly dresses.” Apparently they weren’t in fashion at the moment.

Hazel sighed. “That stinks.”

“It does,” Jazz agreed and held out a hand. “But it is time to go meet your brother.” She’d started referring to David that way more often. The muttered comments of “he’s not really my brother” had mostly ended after the curtsy practice.

David waited for them outside of Hazel’s room. He looked resplendent in his tuxedo.

She reached up and tweaked his tie. “You look fantastic.”

He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “You look amazing.” Something she couldn’t quite define lurked in his eyes. Attraction, definitely, but something more as well.

David broke the eye contact before she did, and turned to Hazel. He held out a hand.

Hesitantly, she took it.

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