Page 29 of Impossible Heir for the King

‘Since I was two.’ Fourteenyears. She’d lost her best friend overnight. ‘I’ve not had contact with him since he’s left.’ She turned back to the pastry that had rested long enough. ‘I’m sure he’s fine. He would have picked up work easily, he was very talented. I don’t know why he put up with my father for as long as he did.’

But she felt heartsick about it. If it hadn’t been for her he would still have had that job.

‘It wasn’t your fault, Maia. Your father took advantage of you both and Stefan would have known that. Maybe you’re why he stayed as long as he did.’

She blinked rapidly. ‘It’s in the past.’

‘Doesn’t mean it doesn’t still hurt, sometimes.’

She glanced at him—his own pain hurt him too.

‘That’s his knife, right?’ Niko asked huskily. ‘That’s why it’s your favourite. It’s old. It’s been well cared for.’

She nodded. He’d given it to her the day he’d had to leave.

The atmosphere thickened with tension. She felt her emotional control slipping. She did not cry. And she wasn’t going to now.

‘I need to get this into the oven.’ She fussed over the pastry dough that had barely rested long enough.

‘Of course.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I’m going to do some work.’

An hour later Maia finished cleaning up in the kitchen. She tore a piece of fresh croissant but it didn’t satisfy the hunger gnawing her insides. Hot and restless she went to her room and changed into the yellow bikini and released her hair. But at the pool she found Niko already in there. He’d been floating on his back but when she walked out he splashed and stood, watching her approach. He didn’t smile. He didn’t speak.

Somewhat intimidated, Maia glanced around in case she’d missed something but the only thing new was paperwork on the table nearest the water. Well, she wasn’t interested in reading any of his private royal documents or anything. She turned back and caught his attention roving over her body. She should’ve wrapped her towel around herself. His frown deepened the nearer she got to the water.

‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

‘Might be best if you run away again, Maia.’

She stopped at the edge of the pool. ‘Why?’

A muttered growl beneath his breath. ‘Because I amtryingto behave but I need some space from you in order to get myself back under control.’

‘Space from me?’ She glanced down.

He rolled his eyes. ‘Yes, Maia. From you. From you and your midnight eyes and bountiful breasts and stunning hair that smells so delicious.’

She gaped, feeling her body respond to the astonishing compliments. But she didn’t believe him. ‘You’re struggling with the loss of your lifestyle.’

His eyebrows shot up.

‘It’s okay.’ She paddled her toe in the water. ‘I’m actuallynotjudging. I get it. You’re young and fit. You weren’t ready to settle down and you were living life and having fun. So you’re used to indulging your appetite and of course it’s going to take some...processing that you now can’t.’

‘I can’t?’ he echoed blandly. ‘Is that what it is?’ He waded closer to her. ‘You’reyoung and fit. But you’renotliving life and having fun. You’veneverindulged your appetite and don’t try to tell me you don’t have one.’

Her smile twisted. ‘I’m not a king though, am I?’

‘Are you saying people are only interested in being with me because of my status?’

She laughed. ‘Sure. Yeah. That’s definitely it.’

He shook his head. ‘You can’t think of any other reasons why they might want to be with me?’

She shook her head.

‘No?’ He rested his hands on the edge of the pool and looked up at her, laughter in his smouldering eyes. ‘Not any? Cutting me down to size again, Maia?’

‘It’s impossible. You’re too arrogant,’ she muttered.

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