Page 16 of Royal Affair
His nostrils flared. "I'm doing my job."
"So if I told you Frederick was the best kisser I've ever known," I said, trailing my finger across the table between us, watching his eyes track the movement, "that would be completely irrelevant to you? Professionally speaking."
A dangerous smile curved his lips, not reaching his eyes. "Princess, I couldn't care less about your romantic history."
"Then why," I leaned forward, dropping my voice to a whisper, "are you holding that pen so tightly I'm afraid it might snap?"
He glanced down at his white-knuckled grip, then deliberately set the pen down. "Your safety is my only concern."
"And if I told you I was planning on picking up where Frederick and I left off?" I pressed, heart racing at my boldness. "Safety wouldn't be your first concern then, would it?"
"You're baiting me," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shards of ice down my spine.
"Is it working?" I countered.
His jaw clenched, a vein pulsed at his temple. "My job is to keep you safe." He leaned closer, the flecks of silver in his stormy eyes catching my attention. "Even from yourself."
"And if I don't want to be safe?" I breathed, watching something wild and possessive flash across his face before he forced it back.
"That's not your choice to make." His voice was ice, but his eyes were fire. "And for the record, I doubt Frederick is half the man you remember."
"Oh? And who would be better? You?" I threw back, my heart thundering.
His smile was slow, predatory. "I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to." I held his gaze, the tension between us so thick I could barely breathe. "Tell me, Mr. Banks, have you ever broken protocol before?"
"Not once," he said, but his eyes said something else entirely.
Something flickered in his eyes—perhaps the memory of his duty, his career, everything he stood to lose.
"Would you? For the right reason?" I asked, my voice barely audible, the question hanging between us like a challenge.
His grip on my chair tightened, his knuckles going white, before he suddenly released it and straightened slowly, adjusting his tie with fingers that weren't quite steady. The professional mask was firmly back in place, but I'd seen the crack underneath—the flash of hunger, of possessiveness that he couldn't quite hide.
"There is no right reason to compromise your safety, Princess." But his voice lacked its usual conviction.
"What about your sanity?" I whispered, watching something wild flicker in his eyes before he forced it back under control.
He stepped away, putting distance between us, but the air still crackled with everything we hadn't said. He glanced at his closed laptop, his jaw tightening as I realised I'd made him abandon protocol completely. "Go back to your books, Your Highness. This conversation is over."
I knew I was playing with fire—testing a man already on edge from protecting me against genuine threats.
My rational mind screamed warnings about protocol, about the destruction of his career if anyone discovered his feelings,and about the impossible situation we were walking into. But my heart was already several steps ahead, and there was no turning back now.
But we both knew it wasn't over. If anything, it was just beginning.
Chapter Nine
Evangeline
But the conversation wasn't over—not in my mind. For the rest of that evening, I replayed every charged moment, every unguarded look. What would have happened if I'd pushed further? If I'd asked him directly about the way he'd looked at me?
The next few days passed in a strange sort of dance. James maintained his professional distance during the day, but I caught him watching me when he thought I wasn't looking. And I—well, I manufactured reasons to be near him.
Today, we were back in the library basement for my usual study session. He was so close to me, his body radiating a raw energy that nearly made my knees buckle. I finally lifted my head to meet his hard gaze, his jaw set like stone. In that moment, with tension crackling between us, I saw James in a completely different light. I swallowed hard, wanting to say something, to argue, but my mind went blank. His scent was intoxicating, spicy and masculine, and I found myself speculating how his lips would feel against mine.
"Miss Evangeline, you were searching for this book earlier. I found it here," someone suddenly interrupted us. I took a deep breath, I hadn't realised I was holding, and James stepped back, the professional mask sliding seamlessly into place.
