Page 28 of The Stolen Princess
When she couldn’t reach it, she dropped from her toes and stepped back, her expression indignant. “So just the salt then?”
Myka
How had Mykamanaged to run into Drake again? She wanted to be excited about seeing the extremely handsome man another time, but her role as the princess made her excitement impossible. It was one thing to sneak out of Tolsten House when no one knew who she was, but it was an entirely different thing to be recognized by someonetwice.That’s why she had pretended not to know him, but he couldn’t be fooled. Thank goodness Drake didn’t know she was the princess.
“Yes, I’ll take the salt, and do you have any of that toe fungus cream you mentioned last time?” His brown eyes danced with amusement. “I’m asking for a friend, of course.”
She gave him a tight smile. “I’m afraid we’re all out. But I can offer you the hemorrhoid medicine.”
He smiled wide. “Not necessary.”
She held out her hand. “That will be seven coins.”
“I thought you said the salt was six coins.”
Myka inclined her head. “You’re paying extra because you won’t give my hair tie back.”
“Okay.” He smiled, pulling out seven coins and slapping them on the table.
She handed him the salt. “Thanks for shopping with us. See you next time.”
“Next time,” Drake said. “That’s an excellent idea. I knew you liked me. Where can I meet you next time?”
Myka scoffed. “That’s not what I meant. I hope toneversee you again.” That wasn’t true. Myka would love to see Drake again, but it wasn’t possible. She was the princess. It’s not like she could ride off into the sunset with him.
He eyed her. Then he turned around and jumped up onto the end of the table using it as a seat. The medicine bottles jostled under his weight, threatening to tip over.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He glanced over his shoulder with a swaggering smile. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
“I don’t know,” she snapped. “That’s why I asked.”
“If you won’t agree to see me again, then I guess I will just have to hang out here.” He picked up the red medicine and held it out in front of him, talking to a group of women walking past the booth. “Can I interest you ladies in any hemorrhoid medicine?”
The women gave Drake a disgusted look and rushed off.
Myka walked around to the front of the booth. “You’re not staying. You’re scaring off the customers.”
“No, I think it is the hemorrhoid medicine that is scaring them off.”
“Leave!” she demanded.
“I will if you agree to meet me again.” His eyes challenged her.
She sucked in a deep breath. She could say that she would meet him again to get Drake to leave and then not show up. Or Myka could be completely irresponsible andactuallymeet him again. If she was going to have clandestine meetings with a man, someone like Drake was probably a good choice—someone who didn’t want a lasting relationship.
“Fine,” she huffed. “I’ll meet you again.”
His smile widened to an adorable degree, and he hopped off the table. “Good. How about next month when I pass through here again?”
Next month was perfect since she only went out of Tolsten House once a month.
“Sure,” she shrugged. “Meet me in the forest west of Rommel’s house. I’ll be there on the sixteenth, same as always.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Drake said, nodding.
“Sorry, that took so long,” Joett said behind them as she slid around the table, carrying the box of oils. Her eyes drifted to Drake and she smiled in her big way. “Can we help you, sir?”
