Page 52 of The Forbidden
Rolling my eyes, I sigh. There’s no point being vague. Harrison will get it out of me one way or another. “His name is Fredrik. He’s a- a,” I stammer, feeling flustered. “He’s a prince.”
“A prince?” Harrison asks slowly, shock and a hint of suspicion lacing his voice.
“Yeah. A prince.” I groan. “Don’t be weird, Harrison. I’m going for dinner with a man. He’s taking me to Rodrigo Central Park. It’s a normal thing for a nineteen-year-old woman to do.”
“I’m not being weird,” he rushes to tell me. “I just…” he trails off, sighing. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Have fun, Anais. But remember, if he makes you feel uncomfortable at any point, call me. I’ll come get you.”
I chuckle. “Thank you, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Offer still stands,” he shoots back, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Now enjoy your date, be safe. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, brother,” I sing song before ending the call.
Not long after, the cab pulls up to the restaurant. Doubt creeps in and nerves flutter low in my stomach as I stare up at the building. I’m not entirely sure I am doing the right thing by having dinner with him. It’s cruel to give someone false hope, especially when you know for certain nothing will ever come of it. Minutes pass as I wrestle with the idea of telling the cab driver to take me back to my apartment. I get ready to do just that, when a little voice in my head whispers, once more, that it might just be the push Evan needs. Before I can change my mind, I pay the driver, then push the door open. With a deep inhale, I walk into the restaurant without another second of hesitation.
At the hostess stand I give Fredrik’s name. The stunning woman smiles, before quickly leading me to a private dining room, guarded by two men in black suits. Security. One of them takes my name, and then without another word, he opens the door and ushers me inside.
As soon as Fredrik’s gaze lands on me, his eyes light up, a wide smile curving his full lips. “Anais,” he greets warmly, rising from his chair and closing the distance between us. He takes my hand, leaning in and pressing a kiss to one cheek then the other. “You look beautiful,” he murmurs, stepping back to look at me. His gaze roams all over my body, taking in the long red dress. “Even more stunning than I remembered.” He grins. I feel nothing. No spark. No hint of arousal. My shoulders sag.
One look from Evan – even if it’s laced with disdain – sets me on fire.
Disappointment slithers through me, but I push it aside. I will not let Evan ruin this for me. I also need to stop comparing every man I meet to the one who’s made it clear, on many occasions, he doesn’t want me.
“You also look very handsome, Prince Fredrik.” I say, feeling a little unsure. Do I curtsy? Bow? What’s the protocol when having dinner with a prince. He smiles, and something settles inside of me as my eyes rake over him. In navy dress pants, a white shirt, and black loafers he looks like every woman’s wet dream.
Every woman but me, that is.
He smirks. “You don’t have to refer to me as a Prince every time you address me. My friends call me Fred.” He frowns. “Or Freddy.”
My cheeks heat. “Oh. Well, you look very handsome,Freddy.”
His grin is wide. Triumphant. He clears his throat before pulling out a chair. Hot breath hits my ear, and I shiver. “Take a seat, Anais. I’m just going to release my security. I’ll be right back.”
Freddy pulls the door open, murmuring some words to the men outside. He tells them he’ll message when he’s ready to leave, and for them to wait in the car or go back to the hotel. He speaks to them with respect, which I take as a good sign.
Within minutes he’s back at the table, taking a seat opposite me. His gaze locks with mine, soft but filled with interest, and a smile tugs at his lips as he lifts the bottle of wine and pours me a glass. “I’m aware that you’re underage, but in my country, it’s legal to consume alcohol at eighteen.”
I arch a brow. “How do you know I’m underage? I never told you how old I am.”
His smirk is full of confidence as he winks. “I’ve done my research.”
Lifting the glass of Rosé, I laugh. “I don’t know whether to be flattered or concerned.”
“Definitely flattered.” He shoots back, lifting his own glass and raising it in cheers. “Here’s to a lovely dinner with the most beautiful woman in the city.”
I cock my head, smirking. “Charming and a prince. You really are the full package.”
“I like to think so.”
Taking a slow sip of the wine, I let the crisp notes hit my taste buds before placing my glass on the table and meeting his gaze. “So, Freddy, tell me why you stalked me for dinner, when I’m pretty sure you could have any woman in the world?”
Freddy laughs before sobering. His interested brown eyes lock on mine, intense, and searching. “There’s something about you, Anais,” he murmurs. “Something… refreshing. I knew it when you showed me that beautiful necklace and I know it now while you sit across from me.”
My cheeks heat, and I want to look away, but I force myself to hold his gaze. Clearing my throat, I say. “Speaking of that necklace, did you manage to add it to your collection?”
Sighing, Freddy leans back in his chair, a hint of disappointment flickering in his eyes as he shakes his head. “Unfortunately, I did not. I offered well over the market value and Mr. Maxwell still refused to sell it to me.”
My pulse spikes just hearing the name.
