“Pick your battles with her carefully. Trust me, there will be some. That’s her nature. She isn’t one who loses often, and when she does…there’s fallout, so plan accordingly.”
“I appreciate the warning.”
Kat would be better prepared when she met Queen Louise. The woman sounded…interesting. If not intimidating.
“What about my battles with you?” Kat asked, half-joking. “Should I pick and choose those, too?”
“No need with me. I enjoy our…skirmishes.”
He would. A part of her did, too.
Curiosity got the better of her. She had to ask. “Why is that?”
“I appreciate how much you seem to care about my sister.”
“She’s one of my closest friends.”
“Perhaps, but no one is as kind and selfless as you appear to be. Animal lover or not.” His tone was even, and his voice remained steady. “One of these days, I’ll find that chink in your armor and expose the real you underneath.”
Kat nearly laughed. He was as far off as a lost penguin ending up at the North Pole. What-you-see-is-what-you-get summed her up. But then again, Gill had never viewed her as anything other than his sister’s annoying, opinionated American friend.
Still, his belief that Kat had ulterior motives offended her. She’d done nothing to make him think that way other than be Sophie’s scapegoat. Kat had never hurt his sister. She wouldn’t do that. Ever.
Nor would she back down from a challenge.
She would prove him wrong. Not because she wanted an apology. This was for Sophie.
Kat stared down her nose like the prince had done with her. “What if you don’t find a chink?”
“I will. Like my mother, I always win.”
He was so full of himself. But that made him Gill. In a strange way, his confidence appealed to her even though he considered her the enemy.
“Give it your best shot, Your Serene Highness.” She used Sophie’s name for him. “The game is on.”
Gill’s rich laughter collided into her like a stolen kiss, unexpected and unwelcome, but not unattractive.
“Shakespeare must be rolling in his grave. The game is not on.” Gill stood, and the bed suddenly felt huge and cold. He towered over her. “The game is afoot.”
So what if the man was good looking with a heart-melting laugh?
He wasn’t nice.
“No matter which phrase you use, you’re going to find out just how wrong you are about me.” She didn’t appreciate his accusation. Nor would she surrender without a fight. “But you might learn something about your sister, and that will make thismêléetotally worthwhile.”
He stepped away from the bed. “Come, Maximillian.”
Max snuggled against her.
She gave him a kiss.
Kat didn’t have to look at Gill to know he was frustrated. She could hear his nostrils flare. Okay, not really, but the thought made her tired lips want to smile.
“Go with the prince,” Kat whispered in Max’s ear. “Tomorrow, we’ll play and I’ll give you more rubs.”
Max gave her another lick before jumping off the bed.
“What did you say to Maximillian?” Gill asked.
“Ask him,” she said and then smiled.
