Page 29 of A Queen and HER Bad Boy
That same dangerous passion flared in his eyes, the kind that made her think of lightning storms and midnight confessions. His gaze dropped to her lips for just a heartbeat too long before meeting her eyes again. “No,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper, rough with something that sounded like regret. “Definitely not.”
But the way he watched her—like he was remembering every second of that kiss in vivid detail—made her feel like he was kissing her all over again.
Chapter Eight
Friday, November 29th DAY 8
—About a day of stewing—
BrisreachedaroundAchillesto get to her toothbrush at the vanity.
“I got it.” He handed it carefully to her and went right back to flossing his teeth. Someone didn’t get the memo that they weren’t touching. And he might as well be directing that lecture at himself. He couldn’t keep back from her lately… only when he’d physically distanced himself.
He sighed inwardly. How much longer could he take? His self-discipline was wearing thin after too many days of fighting the worst of his nature.
How long had they been married? More than a week? And who was he kidding? This had been going on for years. Keeping his best friend’s little sister at arm’s length had been a lifelong battle. And he was expected to keep at it when she was his wife? The fates weren’t playing fair anymore.
She leaned over the sink, his rugby shirt swinging against her legs. She’d thrown a hoodie over it this time, but she’d definitely stolen his shirt for her own. The sight of her drowning in his clothes still drove him crazy. “Didn’t you get some new nighties with that shopping spree of yours?”
And why did he sound so testy? He was even annoying himself.
She shrugged, like she wasn’t aware that his sanity hinged on her answer. “These are soft, and I like them.”
So did he. Too much. And he liked her in the morning without all that makeup she thought she needed too. She looked… cute, like backwoods-adorable with her hair pulled into a messy ponytail and sleep still softening her features. He found himselfimagining tugging that elastic band free and playing with the dark strands.
What would it be like if they were just a normal couple, in a normal place, without the weight of a kingdom pressing down on them?
And she’d caught him staring. Again! Her lips puckered in irritation. She was still mad about him dripping pool water all over their bathroom floor this morning. “Are you glaring at me?” he asked. He hated when they were fighting—well, real fighting. He enjoyed the fake stuff. “It’s not even eight o’clock yet.”
“Eight?” Her eyes ran to her watch, and she talked around her toothbrush. “We can’t be late to the reception this afternoon. The Marquess of Pedasus will be there to evaluate our… suitability.”
Her words became completely garbled as his attention wandered back to how he’d caught her rehearsing elaborate curtsies in the mirror late into the night. He’d even heard a whispered, “My Lord.” Of course, the second she’d spotted him watching, shegraciouslyinvited him to practice his brooding scowls when she was through.
He chuckled aloud, and she tilted her head, looking offended. Great! He must’ve laughed at something serious she’d just said.
Dahh! He needed more sleep.
After swimming laps until his shoulders screamed, he’d attacked the weights next and had pushed himself to failure before he’d trusted himself to crawl back to his couch a little past four in the morning.
“By the way… I paid for that shopping spree myself!” She waved her toothbrush at him. “I don’t depend on Deedeelicious or anybody else for my income!”
Was she still harping on about that? He’d moved on from that viral video… well, mostly, when that kiss wasn’t replayingthrough his thoughts on repeat like a kid rewatching the same Disney princess movie until the parents hid the remote.
He nodded like she hadn’t just given him whiplash with her change of subject. “Okay, you convinced me—we won’t bring Deedeelicious here to raise money. We’ll think of something else to fund your wardrobe…”
And why couldn’t he stop teasing her? He knew she was sensitive about her spending. His self-control was hitting new lows. Her eyes widened, and she swung away. With difficulty, he kept his gaze from drifting to her glittery green toenail polish. Okay, idiot… quit melting every time you think of her giving up her stupid designer shoes!
And was he staring again? What a fool. Utter fool. He turned away, although seeing himself in the mirror was a lot less interesting than taking in this new fairy-like creature that Bris had suddenly become.
She spit out her toothpaste in the sink. “I don’t need anybody’s money! I have plenty of it.”
His hackles rose at the haughty tone. “Is that so? Little Princess Prissy Poo’s got truckloads of money.” He gave her and his “borrowed” Rugby shirt a pointed look, taking in how the oversized jersey hung past her hips. “Doesn’t stop you from stealing my clothes.”
“Oh, you want your shirt back?” She’d reached the breaking point.
“No!” He turned quickly with a bark of nervous laughter.Be strong!He lifted his phone to his ear to order breakfast.
Peder was quick to answer. “Good morning, Your Royal Highness. What’s on the menu today?”
