She'd always noticed him when he popped up in the Most Eligible Royals categories at the end of each year, but it had been a surface attraction only. Noticing he was a attractive in a purely abstract sort of way.
Nothing she ever expected to have the opportunity to act on in real life.
Of course, she'd never expected to wake up in bed with him, either.
The next swipe of her thumb found her being a little more bold and ran lightly over his lips.
"You know if you keep doing that, I just might have to kiss you."
Startled, she started to pull away but Frederick’s hand held hers in place.
He still hadn't opened his eyes. "It feels nice."
Elise could feel the small smile play about the corners of his mouth.
"I don't get a lot of physical contact with people. Handshakes here and there, the occasional hug from a close family member or child at an event, but very seldom do I have a chance to do something so simple as just have contact with someone for more than a few seconds at a time."
"Not even girlfriends?" She'd never heard anything about his dating life or looked into it, but he wasn't on those most eligible lists because he could whistle.
He snorted.
Actually snorted.
"Do you know how hard it is to date when you're the monarch? Where exactly am I supposed to meet someone? I don't go to the grocery store. I'm not in any clubs or civic groups, except as a patron. When I do have a chance to talk to women, they're usually as awestruck and giggly as preteens. Even if I did find someone I wanted to date, how? Entrances and exits from the palace grounds are closely monitored by the media. A date at a local bistro would garner all kinds of unwanted attention and ruin the whole thing. Have a date stay at the palace for any period of time could be deemedtoo longand all sorts of scandalous articles would be written."
"I never thought about it that way." She'd never really thought about it at all.
"It can't be that much different for you. You're an international television and movie star. You must get recognized constantly." His fingers shifted until they curved around her palm.
"It can be a challenge, but not as difficult as it seems it would be for you. There are a number of restaurants and other options where it's possible to slip in and out of a side door or to use a back room where no one even knows you were there until you release a photo of your own."
He turned his head just enough to press a kiss to the inside of her wrist.
Elise felt her breath catch in her throat.
Though he still hadn't opened his eyes, somehow they seemed to close even further as his head tipped down, and he sighed. "I shouldn't have done that. I'm still not quite fully awake, and it's been a long time since I've had a private moment with someone. Those things are no excuse, and you have my deepest apologies."
But he still didn't let go of her hand or move it away from the side of his face.
"You have nothing to apologize for." Her own words were barely more than a whisper.
Elise found the urge to kiss him increasing.
Did she dare?
Could he throw her in the dungeon if she did? Solitary confinement for life for being so bold as to kiss the king?
In his bed.
On his airplane.
While he held her hand and hadn't moved away from her.
Refusing to give herself time to talk herself out of it, Elise made the decision.
They were close enough that it only took a small movement.
And she kissed him.
