Page 44 of King of Lies
“I know you don’t want me to mess you up, Hen, but I have to tell you that I like the look of my mother’s jewels on you so much I fear I may be moved to mess you up anyway if we don’t get a move on. Are you sure that Maeve detests buggered schedules and details as much as you think she does?”
“I’m sure,” I sigh because I’m pretty sure I want him to kiss me now too. “We better get a move on.”
It’s then that I freeze solid, hearing the faint shutter clicks of a camera. We both turn and look toward the photographer, having forgotten why we were out here to begin with.
“I have quite a few that are good, Your Highness,” he says. “But let’s get a few posed ones on the steps to be sure.”
“Aye,” Rhys says and suddenly he’s all business. I’m not sure who this man is beside me.
The photographer poses us on the stone steps, holding onto each other, standing, sitting, this way and that, all showcasing the ring in delicate ways.
Then, he has us walk hand in hand down a garden path. Again, Rhys talks to me, making me loosen up, and I forget that the photographer is there.
“That’s it,” he says. “I think I have everything you need.”
“Thank you,” Rhys says, leading me back to the stone steps.
“Perfect timing,” Maeve says. “Now you two have just enough time to change and get something to eat before the official announcement.”
Rhys stops me when I start to climb the stone steps. “Not so fast.”
“What?” I gasp as I stumble, and he continues to pull me back into his arms.
“Now I can mess you up,” he says, and I don’t have a chance to react before his mouth presses against mine and he licks against the seam of my lips, pushing them open to sweep into my mouth in a passionate kiss. It’s all I can do to close my eyes and hold on.
When he lets me go, I’m breathing heavy and so is he and I see my pink Pillow-talk lipstick smeared on his lips. I push up onto my toes so that I can reach his mouth and wipe the lipstick off with my thumb. He stares hungrily at me while I do it and then wraps his hand around my wrist when I move to pull away and presses his lips to the palm of my hand.
“All better,” I whisper.
“Much,” he growls.
“Oh my,” Maeve whispers, and I fear she’ll swoon.
“We best keep to Maeve’s schedule,” he says with a wink before taking my hand in his and leading me up the stairs.
Rhys walks me back to my rooms. The sitting room table is laid out with a beautiful lunch of salads topped with big pink salmon filets. I pull off my shoes and head to the table where he pulls a chair out for me.
We sit down and quietly eat together. I don’t ask him where he’s been for hours nor do I bring up my feelings about Maeve being the one to actually propose to me. This is comfortable. This is the Rhys that Iwantto be with.
Afterward, he tosses his napkin aside and says, “I wish I could stay, but your team will be about any moment and I doubt you want them to hear what you sound like when I make you come.”
“Umm …” I reply. “No.”
He smirks. “I didn’t think so. You’ve done well today.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll see you in a bit,” he says before kissing me again and leaving me to my rooms.
I head into my bedroom and slide off the blue dress, pulling on a pair of sweatpants and a zip up sweatshirt. The whole thing is fitted and comfortable, made of the softest material. Another item that was procured for me by stylists and not something that came from home with me.
I walk out in time to hear a knock at the door before the ladies walk back in. I climb back in the chair and she takes my hair and twist it into a delicate updo at the back of my head. She fixes my lipstick with a knowing smirk while the stylist moves around the room.
I climb from the chair and she hands me another hanger holding a dress. “You know the drill,” she says. “Everything is laid out for you.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome,” she says with a broad smile.
