Page 49 of Falling for the King

Moments later she bypassed what she meant to wear and opened her suitcase grabbing a pair of jeans and a light blue cashmere jumper. Though warm and comfortable she’d never wear them in public nor usually in Xavier’s presence, but today was different. Despite the early hour she messaged her team who were scheduled to come to the retreat in a few hours, although she couldn’t see how, and told them to stay put. She knew there’d be a briefing about the headlines, the delay because of the weather but first she wanted to speak to Xavier. She took a deep shaky breath and texted him.

Where r u? We need to talk.

She held her breath and saw he was typing a response.

I’m outside, give me 10 and I’ll meet you in the main lounge.

Giving his message a thumbs up she dragged a brush through her hair and pulled it into a messy high bun, jamming her beanie over it. Grabbing her puffer jacket, scarf and gloves she spotted Xavier’s still-to-be-returned scarf. Hesitating she picked it up and pressed it against her face inhaling the faint traces of his scent until she dropped it like it burnt. Not helping.

Moving through the retreat she marvelled at the quietness now the storm had passed. Not sighting anyone she stepped through the main front door onto the portico. The cold ambushed her stinging her cheeks, her lips. She paused to admire the white covered landscape, the briskness of the air. Pulling up her waterproof hood she headed along the path that looked like it’d been recently cleared, that weaved around the building.

Turning a corner, she spotted Xavier further along. She stopped and her heart stilled then slammed back as she whooshed out a loaded breath. His back to her, legs braced in blue denim and black boots, his hands jammed into pockets of a dark hoodless jacket he looked into the surrounding trees.

She gulped.

He turned and a flash of something dark and hungry crossed his face that surely matched hers, for one moment she was transported back to last night. To what it had been like. Before his mask, the public one, crashed down and she noticed the exhaustion clinging to his features. Unfamiliar lines bracketed his mouth and she wanted to reach out and comfort him, find out what was troubling him and fix it, although she was pretty sure she knew the answer to that. Her.

With a jolt she noticed Frederick further up and heading towards her. Xavier’s lips moved, Frederick stopped and shot a concerned look at both of them and changed direction moving out of sight.

Removing his hands from his pockets and fisting them by his side, Xavier moved with jerky steps towards her. Her heart swelled with love, concern, lock-the-door lust before she belatedly moved forward to meet him.

A jumble of questions formed, none of them came out as he stopped before her.

Are you okay?

Have you had any sleep?

You haven’t guessed my secret, have you?

How will I ever be able to keep my hands off you?

He brushed a hand over his head.

‘We’re assessing to see if we can get out today.’ His eyes guarded like his manner, his voice low and gravelly raced down her spine sending a million chills with it, which was ridiculous. She wasn’t the one who’d been outside for ages.

‘And the answer?’

‘The road’s currently being checked for accessibility. I know you’ll want to leave as soon as possible. I’m doing everything I can to make that happen.’

She sucked in a breath and slowly released it. Of course, he’d want that. There was no way back from what occurred last night. She cared, of course she did, she didn’t want to stay here any longer than she needed but at this precise moment she was more concerned about him being outside in the elements looking cold, tired and all alone.

‘I get that. I never imagined you’d want this, for us to be stuck here together …’ She waved her hand around. Not giving him a chance to respond. ‘How long have you been out here? You look frozen.’

He opened his mouth, closed it and shrugged.

‘You’re going to catch your death. Come inside, get warm.’

He didn’t move.

‘We need to talk about … this.’ Last night, the photos, everything although it was the absolute last thing she wanted to do. He knew full well she wasn’t talking about the storm and she felt colour that had nothing to do with the cold explode across her cheeks.

His eyes flared. ‘Yes,’ he agreed and followed her to the front door in silence.

She watched as he unzipped his jacket throwing it over the back of the chair. Her mouth dried and she tried not to stare. His black jumper hinted at what lay underneath, a muscled chest she’d explored last night as his heart raced and skin quivered beneath her urgent fingers.

No! He shouldn’t, couldn’t keep affecting her like this.

‘Our conversation can wait while you take a shower, get warm, changed. I’ll wait for you in the lounge.’ She walked away not giving him a chance to respond before her reaction gave her away.