Page 55 of The Prince Who Loved Me

And he was terrified. How did she know?

Because she knew him.

“God, I love you.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

She lifted her head from his shoulders. Desire flashed quick in her eyes before she lowered her lids, hiding her feelings. He felt her shudder. “I don’t know if I can be what you need.”

“You, Brandi.” The words came from low in his throat. “All I need is you.”

She shook her head. “I’m not for you, Sebastien.”

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”

She risked a quick glance upward, then shielded her eyes again. “I need time.”

He swallowed his arguments. He wasn’t going to join the group of men who didn’t take what she wanted into consideration. “Take what you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

***

Brandi ran her comb through her hair the next morning, gathering it up to slip into a ponytail. Wendy had asked her to work breakfast service this morning, and she couldn’t be late. That was the Old Brandi.

Not only was the New Brandi on time, but she was also combating nerves. Not for breakfast. For the possibilities of her future. With a red-haired prince. Who loved her.

Nick had been right. Sebastien was the best any man had to offer, so why was she hesitating? Leaving him last night had been torture, but she needed to get used to the idea. Taking thestep into lovers would change their friendship forever when he realized his mistake and changed his mind.

It was a mess, that’s what it was.

She tucked in her blue Fountenoy Hall polo shirt as she opened the door. One step out, and she nearly tripped on the brown-wrapped package that sat on the floor.

She picked it up by its string, then balanced it in her hands. Wow, it was heavy. Oh, these must be the business books she had ordered from the bookstore. The two minutes she had before being late were not enough time to start reading, so the package went on her bed for later.

She raced down the servants staircase, making it to the kitchen before her shift started. Though there was no one throwing a ticker tape parade at her success, she considered it a goal met. Especially since she had been up half the night, stopping herself from creeping downstairs and barging into Sebastien’s room, destroying the promises she made to herself.

“Good morning, sweetie.” Aunt Eulalee finished putting the eggs onto the serving tray. “This is ready for the dining room.”

For the next fifteen minutes, Brandi kept the steady stream of food flowing from the kitchen by rote, serving the guests gathered among the wooden tables. She glanced at the pictures of her ancestors lining the wall, tried to picture herself up there with Sebastien. Failed.

She checked the pass-through window each time she left the kitchen, but he hadn’t yet come down to eat. She relaxed enough to begin to breathe again.

Brandi turned to the swinging door as Sebastien’s voice carried into the kitchen. She paused, long enough for the door to come back and topple the eggs.

“Oh, crumbs.” Brandi stared at the shattered plate and scrambled remains decorating her shirt and the tiled floor.“Sorry, Aunt Eulalee. It just slipped out of my hand.”

“Better the eggs than the peach compote. Clean it up while I get started on a new batch.” Aunt Eulalee retrieved the cardboard tray from the refrigerator. “It’s no big deal, honey. That gravity is one tough bitch to beat.”

A snort of laughter broke through Brandi’s lips at the unexpected cursing. “And at least they weren’t raw.” She picked up the larger plate pieces.

“Any time you want to tell me what’s got you more scattered than hay in a hurricane, I’m here to listen.” Eulalee cracked an egg into a bowl next to the large, six-burner stove.

So much for thinking she was playing it cool. With her mom stealing her money and Sebastien’s kiss coupled with Nick telling her to call him, she hadn’t been able to string together a coherent thought other than Sebastien had kissed her. And she had kissed Sebastien. Had really kissed him, with barely controlled passion and everything about it was perfect.

She inched up to the window to spy on him. He lifted his head and looked directly at her. She was impressed with herself for not jumping back. Instead, she lifted her hand in a little half-wave.

And he smiled, making everything right in her world.

A longing like one she’d never experienced came over her.

“Warm milk is good for insomnia.” Eulalee cracked an egg in each hand and they fell into the bowl. “Liberally laced with whiskey.”