Page 31 of The Rejected King
“Everything okay, Miss Dutson?”
Emree smoothed her dress. “Yes, thank you.”
The king’s lips moved upward, then he turned and continued to walk ahead.
“Can you tell us about Patrice Kenson?” the newswriter asked. “You seemed quite taken with her tonight.”
“Miss Kenson and I have been friends since we were children. If I seemed taken by her tonight, it was only because we wanted to catch up on old times.”
“So you have that kind ofhistorywith her that you just referred to?” There was a glimmer in Mr. Linsky’s eyes like he had uncovered a juicy bit of information.
King Davin waved his hand at the newswriter. “That’s it for tonight.” He nodded at one of his guards. “Please, escort Mr. Linsky out.” He turned to Emree. “Miss Dutson, may I speak with you?”
Emree nodded, scrambling forward into his suite. They needed to talk about who King Davin wanted to choose for his three activities tomorrow. Her eyes moved slowly around the room, taking in the luxury of the space. Emree had grown up at High Ruler Kemp’s estate. She was used to the finery that the ruling class had deemed essential for themselves, but the castle was even more extravagant than the Kemps’ estate.
The king’s suite was split into two different sides. In the center was a stone fireplace with a thick, walnut mantel that wrapped all the way around it. The fireplace divided the room like a pillar holding up the high ceilings. In front of one side of the fireplace were two plush, navy-blue couches. Behind the couches was a dining table with six chairs and a small kitchenette with snacks and drinks lining the countertop. On the other side of the fireplace was the king’s large bed. An enormous amount of white puffy pillows were scattered on top of the white comforter. A single cozy, navy blanket was folded across the mattress, contrasting the white sheets, and at the foot of the bed was a long yellow bench. Directly in front of her, the room’s exterior walls were lined with three sets of French doors that led out to a large balcony.
The clicking sound of a door shutting behind her caused Emree to turn around. Davin smiled at her, and all of a sudden, her skin was on fire. She was in the king’s room.
Alone.
This entire situation felt like déjà vu.
Her alone with Davin—
WAIT.
When had Emree started calling himjustDavin?
That had to stop. Immediately.
She shook her head.
KingDavin walked around the fireplace to the side that Emree considered the suite’s bedroom side. She stayed put, her feet cemented to the living room side. She glanced at his bed, remembering all too well what it felt like to cuddle up against him. She closed her eyes, willing the memory away. It wasn’t like she’d told her mind to think about cuddling with the king. Her thoughts tormented her all on their own.
This was fine.
She was fine.
Emree was a professional. She wondered how many times she had repeated that mantra since she had gotten the job. Whatever the number, it was too many.
She would get in and get out. She was on a mission for three names. That’s all she needed, then she could run out of the king’s bedroom and never look back.
“Who would you like to take on your one-on-one activities tomorrow?” she asked, looking for her notebook in her bag.
The king shrugged out of his suit jacket and threw it on his bed. Next, he undid his tie.
Emree’s mouth went dry. Did he plan to completely undress? If so, she was not hanging around for that. Luckily, he kept his shirt on and walked over to the dresser, where he removed his crown and placed it on a little stand obviously made for that very purpose. He raised his hands and raked them through his hair. Emree tilted her head slowly, taking in his every move, noting how attractive he looked with his fingers combing through his loose brown waves.
She blinked, waving a hand in front of her face, trying to divert her attention.
The king turned around, catching the end of her waves. He gave her a questioning look.
Emree swallowed, pointing to the air. “There was a fly.” She coughed. “You should really get that checked out.”
King Davin smiled. “Miss Dutson, would you sit down? You’re making me nervous.”
Shewas makinghimnervous?
