Page 9 of His Runaway Princess

Followed a few months later by a lavish wedding fit for a future queen.

The kind Amalia always thought she would have, that she wanted.

Now she wasn’t certain.

They reached the outside restaurant dining area where the rest of their group already waited.

A small bench with just enough room for the two of them remained open. Ryker stood to the side and let her slide in first.

Entertainers from the region performed and a local chef explained the different parts of the meal.

The whole time, Amalia found herself way too aware of Ryker just inches away. Their hands and arms brushed repeatedly. She even found their legs touching from time to time. The thrill that went through her each time disconcerted Amalia.

“Did you not like it?” Ryker’s quiet voice caught her attention as he pointed his fork toward her plate.

She forced herself to smile rather than focus on the distraction he continued to cause. “It’s delicious. I’m not certain I would be able to finish all of it and whatever is to come.”

“And you want to leave plenty of room for the rest of the meal?”

With a nod, she used her fork to spear another bite.

“And dessert?”

She didn’t have to look at him to hear the twinkle in his eye. Not quite an accurate statement, of course, but true nonetheless.

“Definitely dessert,” she told him. She’d loved every Ravenzarian dessert she’d ever had.

“Good plan.”

By the time they came to take the plates away, she’d finished a reasonable portion of the meal.

More entertainers came out after the tables had been cleared. By the time the staff served dessert nearly an hour later, Ryker had relaxed and put his arm around the top of the bench behind her. It caused her to both relax and tense up at the same time.

Something about him did both to her.

Especially when she remembered how uncomfortable the couch had been.

And that she’d at least offer to let him share the large bed in the other room with her. Amalia suspected he’d try to decline.

Walking back to their room, Ryker took her hand. “I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable,” he told her softly. “I think it’s best the others believe we are what we say we are, though.”

She didn’t say anything, but didn’t try to drop his hand either.

Once the door closed behind them, he let go.

“Do you want to watch the rest of the movie?” Amalia headed straight for the couch, unwilling to let Ryker take it even for watching telly, not after he seemed to have put his own life on hold to make sure she had a good time in Ravenzario - and protecting her from the drunk guy.

He pointed to the other room with a thumb over his shoulder. “Do you want to change into something more comfortable first? Joggers maybe?”

She’d bought a couple of those along with some cozy feeling shirts and a couple of pajama outfits. Well, Ryker had purchased them for her.

As she changed, it struck her. He hadn’t questioned her lack of funds. No questions about why she didn’t have any cards she could use. Hadn’t asked her for any identification when they registered for the tour. Nothing of that nature.

She had identification and cards with her, but no desire to use them. Not until she deemed it time to return to her daily life. It would be too simple for security to find her.

By the time she returned from changing in the bathroom, Ryker had changed as well.

And he’d taken a seat on the couch, his legs stretched out onto the ottoman in the middle of the sitting area.

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