Page 36 of Royal Fling
“Why?”
“Because they could be dangerous,” she said as if it went without saying.
“Why would they be dangerous?” I asked.
“Why wouldn’t they?”
“I’m pretty sure a robber doesn’t just go up to people’s houses and ring their bells,” I said.
“He would if he’s smart. That way, he’ll know if anyone’s inside or not.”
I didn’t like to admit it, but she had a valid point. Still, who would rob a house at three in the afternoon?
Someone smart, actually. Like Beth had said. It was less conspicuous robbing in the middle of the day than in the middle of the night.
With a sigh and an eye roll, I opened the door. The longer I waited, the more rationale I’d find with Beth’s delirious reasoning, and I needed it to stop.
It turned out it wasn’t a robber—naturally—but the person standing at the doorway equally surprised me.
“Au-August?” I stuttered. Why did I stutter? Oh, yeah, because he was a prince, and I was a… commoner, I guess? “What are you doing here?”
He looked from me to Beth and took his shades off.
“You left without saying goodbye,” he said in a tone that, had it not come from a prince, would sound whiny.
No, actually, it sounded whiny even if it came from a prince.
“You were busy,” I said.
“You said you’d wait for me.”
I bit my lip and stepped aside to let him through.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’ll… be heading home,” Beth said, ducking out.
Before I could protest, she closed the door to my face, leaving me in the hallway with His Royal Highness.
Shit. Get a grip, Luke.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Sure. Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
August tried to touch my cheek, but I flinched. The hurt in his face made me feel guilty that I was reacting so badly. But it wasn’t as if I could help myself.
“You’re panicked, aren’t you?”
He looked down at my chest and pursed his lips.
It was so strange having a person so tall, who appeared so confident at all times, look so small in front of me.
“Maybe a little bit,” I said.
Damn it, I couldn’t possibly resist this gorgeous man standing in front of me even knowing what I knew now.
“I should have said something. I know. I’m an idiot,” he said. Still not looking at me.
