Page 20 of The Promised Prince
“About all of it!” But Trev was already starting to laugh. “You’ll be the most beautiful lady in Albion, dressed in mud.”
He could see that she wanted to stay mad at him as she turned her face from his laughter and bit her lip, but slowly his efforts softened her anger until she looked at him again. Still, an edge of annoyance masked her expression, and a clip of sarcasm tainted her words. “I bet you wouldn’t even want to be seen with me.”
He raised his eyebrows in jest. “Only stolen moments in dark corners. I have a reputation to uphold.” At this, Renna scoffed and tried to turn away, but Trev grabbed her shoulders again. “However, I might be able to squeeze you in for a dance. As long as you don’t embarrass me with your dance moves.”
She half-smiled and half rolled her eyes at his insult.
“I can’t believe you are going to Albion.” He shook his head, unable to hold back his smile. He wanted to tell her who he was but decided it would be more fun to surprise her at the palace.
“Is that going to be a problem?” Renna glared. “Do you have a girlfriend back in Albion I have to avoid or something?”
“A girlfriend? No.” He cocked his eyebrow. “Is there a boyfriend somewhere waiting for you?” he asked.
Or a fiancé?
He was dying to hear her answer.
“No.” She shook her head quickly as if the thought were absurd. “Most men keep their distance from me.”
Good.
“But you,” she continued, her voice overly dramatic, “I’m sure you’re very popular among the ladies.”
“Oh, that’s just because I don’t look down their dresses when they curtsy.”
Renna threw her head back with laughter. “Wow. I can’t believe you just said that.”
“It’s true. Other men need to hide it better.”
“So you’re saying you do look, but you just hide it better?”
“Absolutely not! I’m a gentleman through and through.” He winked at her.
Her smile grew bigger, and he knew she wasn’t mad anymore. “You’re annoying,” she said, eyeing him.
“And funny?” he pressed.
She bit back a smile. “No. Just annoying.”
Trev couldn’t believe it. He was relaxed for the first time in years; Renna had suddenly rearranged all the stresses inside him and created space for carefree moments like this.
Knowing who she was changed everything. It was fate—the attraction and the inexplicable pull toward her.
They were meant for each other.
Renna
Renna decided toforgive him for confusing her with the help. Especially since the intense look was back in his eyes. The look he’d had when they were lying in the grass. The look that made Renna feel likesomethingwas about to happen.
His hand swept across her hair as his fingers pushed it behind her ear. His intimate touch made her nervous in a good way. Every single nerve in her body came alive, keenly aware of his fingers on her skin. She looked up to find him already watching her, his blue eyes burning brightly. Yesterday morning, she didn’t even know he existed. Today, all she could think about was how much she didn’t want to lose him.
“You are quickly becoming my favorite person.” He spoke quietly, his words somewhere between a normal voice and a whisper.
Renna swallowed back the butterflies rising in her stomach. “You must not know that many people.”
Trev smiled—the full smile that Renna was beginning to love. He stepped closer. “What would you do if I kissed you right now?”
Her heart tripled in speed as her eyes met his. “I would probably wonder if I’m doing it right.”
