Page 31 of Royal Hottie
My throat gets tight, and I swallow hard. Even turning me down, he does it for noble reasons. I know I shouldn’t give him a pass on his well-deserved reputation, but it’s really hard not to when he’s being so honest and forthright. He’s not taking advantage, he’s protecting my feelings. “Maybe I wasn’t looking for a relationship.”
He draws me close. “You’d regret it. I know that much about you.”
I can’t let it go. “Maybe I just wanted a little fun for the short time I have here. Once I get home, I’ll be busy with my new business. I really want to hit the ground running so I can afford my own place. I’ve been living with my parents since I lost my job. Soon I’ll have a baby sister, and my parents need my room.”
He pulls back to meet my eyes. “A baby sister? That’s quite an age gap.”
“I know. She’s a miracle. We’re all so excited, and I don’t want to miss out on a thing. She’s the sister I’ve always wanted.” I take a deep breath. “So maybe just for tonight—”
“Our paths likely won’t cross again, and I don’t want to hurt you.”
My voice comes out small. “So just one date?”
He looks over my shoulder. “We can spend time together during your stay. As friends.”
I can’t keep the frustration from my voice. “You’ve been more than friendly tonight.”
“I can’t seem to help myself, but I know the right thing to do.” He puts some space between us, finally meeting my eyes. “I want to be a good memory for you.”
I let out an exaggerated sigh. “You really are a prince.”
He laughs and pulls me into a hug. “I suppose so.” He pulls back and holds me by the shoulders. “Still want to go on that date with me?”
I force a smile, my eyes hot. “Paris? Duh. Of course I want to go to Paris.”
He resumes the dance. “Good.”
“So do I get a goodnight kiss on this date?”
He hesitates. “Sure.”
“Second base?”
He pulls back enough to look at me. “Oh, Ruby, you’re on a slippery slope, I’m afraid.”
“Don’t be scared. I’ll be gentle.”
He smirks. “That’s my line.”
We dance in silence, our bodies close, heated, drawn together despite the line he’s drawn. I don’t think I can resist the temptation that is Phillip. He’s turned into my dream prince, and I don’t want to miss out. The fact that I leave in a week makes it urgent that I have him while I still can.
I go up on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, “What if I told you, no matter what, there would only be good memories. That I would treasure our time together and know it for what it was, a temporary thing.”
He stills, and hope soars within me. And then he drops his arms from me and steps back. “It wouldn’t be that simple.”
“Why not? We could agree ahead of time.”
We stare at each other, the short distance between us feeling like a giant chasm that can never be crossed.
Lucas appears at my side. “Hey, big spender, I heard it was you who won Phillip. How about a dance? Or are you two still dancing?” He looks at Phillip standing a distance away.
“Go ahead,” Phillip says and heads to the bar.
I go cold.
Lucas takes my hand and leads me in a waltz. He’s a good dancer and leaves a polite distance. Yet I can’t enjoy myself, can’t take my eyes off Phillip at the bar. The women have gathered around him and he’s chatting with them. How can he deny us? What if what we have—our intense attraction, our warm friendship—is not so easy to find again? What if it’s unique and this is a chance of a lifetime? Am I really just going to let him go? Would that be the smart thing to do, or a foolish mistake?
“He likes you,” Lucas says as if he could read my mind. Or maybe I’m just that obvious with my longing looks at his brother.
