Page 34 of Falling for the King

‘What did Edgar say this morning?’ she asked.

‘Nothing of any importance other than being quick to tell me he’d spent the night with Erica, the singer.’

‘So obviously not too heartbroken at my rejection,’ she said with a heavy dose of sarcasm. ‘He appears to have made a quick recovery. Although of course his heart was never involved.’

‘No,’ he agreed. Definitely other parts which he wasn’t going to think about because it made him want to smash things.

‘Now the question is whether I should remain here, on the tour.’

He opened his mouth to disagree but then quickly thought better of it. It was her decision. He’d never given her the option.

‘Do you want to leave?’

She stilled. ‘Are you going to give me a choice?’

Chapter 11

She watched him trying valiantly to keep her expression neutral afraid of what he might see otherwise. As soon as she’d arrived at the station she’d automatically searched and found him even as she’d been surrounded by people like he had. Taller, straighter, more compelling than anyone else. The man she loved. Terrified everyone would hear the thunderous beat of her heart, the hitch of her breath, she’d put herself on autopilot and made her way over to him. Despite all instincts imploring her to run as fast and as hard as she could away from the rejection, heartbreak and devastation that would ensue if he ever guessed her secret. Which made no sense of her equally compelling urge to run as fast and as hard as she could into his arms and never let him go.

When he’d tripped and she’d felt the force of his strong body jammed against hers she’d forgotten the onlookers, forgotten everything but him. Then on the back of the train it’d been overwhelming standing next to him pretending everything was all right.

She chewed her bottom lip. Something would need to change, she couldn’t do another two weeks, a lifetime of this. There was no time to readjust nor lick her wounds in private just a never-ending cycle of time spent with Xavier.

He opened his mouth then jammed it shut, the muscles in his neck bunching as his shoulders stiffened. In horrid fascination she watched him wage what seemed like an internal struggle.

‘Yes. I wanted you here to send a clear message to Edgar that you’re Maynetian and part of this family. That sentiment hasn’t changed but in hindsight I should’ve talked it through with you first.’

For a shocked moment she kept quiet processing his words. ‘Thank you, and I should have insisted. We’ve both learned something.’

‘It wasn’t the only reason I wanted you to come along. You’re able to, first-hand, promote your university program and tour parts of the country you haven’t done so before. I know I didn’t give you a choice but now I am, delayed as it is. What do you want? To continue or leave?’

‘What about the itinerary?’

‘It’s not ideal but it can be amended again.’

‘You’d do that?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you want me to leave?’ she asked observing him closely.

‘You’re an enormous asset to this tour but this time it needs to be your decision.’ His voice deepened conviction colouring his words.

She gnawed her lip. One part of her wanted to leave so that sanity returned but the other … wanted to stay. She couldn’t keep running, she’d have to get used to this, push past this.

‘I’m going to stay.’

‘You certain?’

‘One hundred percent.’

‘Great. I’m … going to make a hot chocolate like my grandmother used to. Or would you prefer a tea?’

What? Why?

‘Hot chocolate would be good but don’t let me hold you up.’ She felt compelled to say even though he was already halfway across the carriage heading back to the bar.

‘We have two hours before our first stop. Any paperwork can wait.’ It was the most un-Xavier thing she could imagine him saying. Shrugging out of his jacket he tossed it across the back of the lounge and moved behind the bar opening and closing cupboards as he placed utensils on the bench and assembled ingredients. With his back to her she tracked the muscles stretching under his white shirt as he reached up and her mouth ran dry. She could blame her tiredness for her reaction but she knew it wouldn’t be true. Instead, she checked out the carriage taking note of it for the first time in an attempt to focus on something other than him.