Page 38 of Royal Player
He smiles warmly. “Invite me in.”
I step back, letting him inside.
He glances at my long robe and bare feet before meeting my eyes. “It’s over. I rescued you.”
I find myself smiling. I think he likes being a rescuing hero, and I’m surprised at how much I like it too. I’ve always taken care of things myself. “Thank you, Oscar. I so appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Do you think Charles will keep his mouth shut? He knows way too much.”
He shoves a hand in his hair. “My gut says he only cares about fast money. He doesn’t want to work too hard for it.”
“I hope you’re right.”
He gazes into my eyes in his assessing way, trying to read into my soul. I wait for him to lean down for a kiss, but he simply watches me. A shimmering heat pulls me in. I can’t help myself. I wrap my arms around his neck and press a kiss to his lips. His hands remain at his sides.
I kiss him again, daring to trace my tongue over his lower lip, and his mouth closes over mine, his tongue spearing into my mouth. Sparks fire over my skin. His arms close around me, pressing me flush against him. My body hums, my head swimming in pure desire. I’m swept away by a passion that consumes me.
He breaks the kiss and pulls my arms off him, stepping back. “No.”
“No?”
He jams a hand in his hair, his voice hoarse. “I rescued you so you could keep who you are. You’re a queen. That’s who you’re meant to be.”
“I don’t care about that right now. All I want is to be close to you.”
He backs away. “I’m going to get serious money soon. When I do, part of it goes to pay off your parents’ debt, part to pay off Charles, and the rest funds the casino on Villroy. I’m going to make you an equal partner with me and Adrian.”
My jaw drops. “What did you do? Did you sell some ancestral land? Some of your family’s heirloom jewelry?” I know he didn’t have that kind of cash on his own.
He scoffs. “The middle-of-the-pack prince doesn’t have ancestral land or heirloom jewelry.”
My throat chokes with emotion. I can’t believe all he’s done for me. “Oscar, thank you, really, but you can’t justgiveme part of the casino business. I haven’t earned my place.”
His gaze is tender. “I’m choosing to share partnership with you because I want to work with you. I like your enthusiasm for the project, your ideas, and what you bring to the table. And you need it to keep your family safe in the future.”
It’s exactly what I thought the investment would do for my family, but I never thought he’d just give it to me. “I can’t accept.”
“You have to, or it’s an insult to your rescuing prince.” He places a hand on his chest dramatically. “An insult to my honor. I may have to challenge you to a duel.”
I laugh a little. “Oh, Oscar.” I bow my head, humbled by his faith in me and his generosity. I vow to return that generosity tenfold in whatever way I can. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He closes the distance between us and smooths my hair back, his fingers grazing the side of my neck, drawing a shiver. I want to hug him, but first I need to know something very important.
“Please tell me where you got the money. If you had it all along, you didn’t need another investor for the casino.”
He pinches my chin. “I cashed in to rescue you. Don’t worry, it’s all legal and aboveboard.”
“Adrian will think you’re crazy to make me a partner,” I whisper, still floored by him and his grand gesture.
His gaze drops to my lips. “Maybe I am.”
My knees go weak, a low ache in my belly making me sway toward him.
He steps back, his gaze burning into mine, before turning and heading for the door.
