Best not to let herself go down that heartbreaking path.
Side by side, one tucked under another, the puppies nursed. A few made little noises that broke the silence.
He laughed. “Cute, but they’re hungry little devils.”
They had one desire—to nurse. If one fell off a nipple, an alarm might as well sound because they would not be quiet about not getting fed. “That’s what puppies like to do.”
He smoothed back stray strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail. “Well done tonight.”
She heard the pride in his voice. Pride for her. His touch was a caress that sent shivers through her. “Thank you.”
The only deliveries she saw these days were the ones with complications. To watch the process happen naturally, as intended with healthy puppies, filled her with both amazement and relief.
“You’re an excellent assistant,” she said.
He met her gaze. His green eyes were soft. Adoring. “We work well together. Make a good team.”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Yes, we do.”
His expression turned serious expression. “So what do we do about this?”
“About the puppies?”
“About us.”
Us. Kat liked the sound of that. A pipe dream, but still…
Her heart rate accelerated. She had no idea what to say. She had no experience with this type of complicated relationship.
“It doesn’t make sense to cause problems with your mother when I’m leaving in a few days,” she said finally as reality closed in.
The rehearsal was tomorrow. The wedding was next, followed by Christmas Eve and then Christmas. She flew out the next morning. Going back to America. To her apartment, her job, and her friends. Her life. A life that didn’t—couldn’t—include him.
“I’m not in the habit of wanting to kiss my female friends.”
“Me, either.” She gave a small laugh. “Male ones, that is.”
He leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. “I keep wanting to do that.”
“Me, too.”
He blew out a breath. “Do we have to put a name to whatever this is between us? Can’t we just be together, enjoy each other until it’s time for you to leave? I don’t want to worry about what anyone else thinks.”
“Yes, but…” Kat was torn. Whatever was between them—even if it turned serious—could go nowhere. She remembered what he’d told her about his mother. If they made the most of Kat’s remaining time here, there might be consequences. “You could be left to deal with the fallout.”
“I can handle my mother. The time together will be worth it.”
But would memories be enough for Kat? She didn’t know. But maybe having those was better than nothing.
She took a breath. “So we’ll spend time together…”
“Like this. More than friends, but not a fling. Something in between.” He laced his fingers with hers and squeezed. “Of course, no blatant PDA. That’s frowned upon no matter what the situation if you’re a royal.”
That made her laugh.
“We’ll be subtle,” he added.
She nodded, even though she had a feeling her emotions wouldn’t be so easy to turn on and off when she said goodbye and returned home.
