The King and the Kindergarten Teacher (The Rebel Royals 1)

“You could start a cruise line from Spain or France,” said Esme.

Esme looked up to see Leo cock his head at her words. He stood at the curtained barrier between the common class and the royal line. Unlike his brother, Leo did not come across into their territory.

After a tight smile and nod at Esme, he turned his attention to his daughter. “Buckle up, Sweet Pea. We’re about to land.”

And with that, he turned and took his seat in the back. His head went down to look over papers. He only looked up to talk to Giles. He did not look in Esme’s direction again.

As they moved closer to the landing field, the castle disappeared from view. Esme’s heart ached to see the structure up close, to experience the magic she’d seen from afar in real life. She settled back into her seat and waited to have her feet on the ground once more.

The landing was as smooth as

the flight. Once the unbuckle your seatbelt sign came on, Esme bolted out of her seat, eager to see this extraordinary world with her own eyes. But first, she had to win the battle of her oversized suitcases.

She managed to free her first piece. But the second case was determined to stay on the plane. Though she hadn’t heard the sound of his steps, she felt his presence before he made himself known. Before he asked, Esme stepped aside to allow Leo to hand down her luggage.

He handled the task with ease. When he was done, and the wheels of her luggage were on the floor, he didn’t look up at her. He turned as though to leave.

“Your homeland looks beautiful from the sky,” she said to his back. “I can’t wait to see it on foot.”

He gave her a polite nod. His gaze was fixed on her shoulder and not her face.

Esme had seen this scene play out in countless romantic comedies. The hero was doing everything he could to put distance between himself and the woman who was clearly right for him. Esme just needed him to look into her eyes again. Then he’d see the truth of the matter. He’d see the thing.

“I don’t suppose you have time to show us around?”

“No.” He fixed the cuff links on his shirt. “I’m afraid I don’t have time today.”

“Oh. Of course. Perhaps I’ll see you later at dinner?”

He shook his head, now adjusting his watch. “There’s much to do before the gala.”

“I’m sorry.” Now she looked down. She was losing this battle, and she was out of ideas. “I’m on vacation, but you’re back to work.”

He’d stopped fiddling with his watch. His fingers were still, but he wasn’t moving forward. Esme chanced a glance up and their gazes connected. Only for a second, but that was all it took. The spark reignited, burning brighter than before.

Leo gulped, but just like before he couldn’t swallow that look of desire past his Adam’s apple. He cursed under his breath and took a step toward her. “This may look like a fairytale to you, but it’s my real life.”

There was a note of desperation in his voice when he spoke to her. A pleading in his gaze for her to understand. She did understand.

She understood that the feelings she was certain he was developing for her were inconvenient. She understood that he was increasingly powerless to do anything about them as they grew. She understood all of this because she felt the same way.

She didn’t say any of that. She didn’t need to. She knew that it was as clear to him as it was to her. She simply had no plans to resist it.

“If I don’t see much of you over the next few days … I hope you enjoy your time here in my homeland.”

He inclined his head. He turned on his heel. And then he was gone.

“Ah, you don’t want him to show you around,” said Alex. “He’ll take you to the state house to see where our laws are made, or to the mint where our money is printed, possibly even some battlefields. All boring things.”

“Not for a teacher,” said Esme.

Alex grimaced, as though he’d forgotten Esme’s profession. “Well, then you definitely need an expert on the fun things to do in Cordoba. Please allow me to be your guide.”

“May I come too, Uncle Alex?” asked Penelope.

“Of course,” he said. “It’s high time you study the fine art of royal recreation.”

“Are you sure,” said Esme. “We don’t want to take you off your schedule or be a bother.”