It was deep and hot and something about it was deliciously authoritative.
It was also over far too quickly.
Katie resurfaced to hear Lily calling her name.
“Katie, we’re going to be late.”
“Yeah,” echoed Seraphine.
Katie put her fingertips to her lips.
That had just happened.
It. Had. Just. Happened.
Armin stared down at her, eyes aflame.
“I’ll—we’ll see you later,” she said, and turned to go before she burst into flames herself.
Oh, it had been such a bad idea. It had been so bad, to admit that she wanted to kiss him, to actually kiss him, and then…
It had been so bad. But it felt so good.
7
The girls were finishing breakfast when Armin came into the dining room, a big smile on his face. He was….
Whistling.
Katie couldn’t help herself. She stared.
“Good morning, Prince Armin,” she said from her spot at the table. “It’s a beautiful day.”
“It is a beautiful day.” Armin kissed the girls on the top of their heads, then went to stand casually at the floor-to-ceiling windows that let light flood into the dining room. “Which is why I think it’s time for a holiday.”
Katie watched him, stifling a laugh. It was gorgeous out—the sun played over the new and carefully tended grass on the lawns—but it had been beautiful for a week straight. Spring was gradually turning to early summer. That alone had never made Armin want to take a day off. She didn’t know he was capable.
“A holiday?” chirped Lily. “To where?”
“Yes, to where?” Katie echoed. Armin turned around to face them. Katie had never seen him look so excited about anything. “I’m so curious to know what’s made this day so beautiful.”
“Isn’t the weather enough? Along with my beautiful girls.” The way he said it made Katie feel like he’d included her, and that sent a jolt of heat down her spine.
“It might be, but I sense something else is up.” She winked at Seraphine.
“Yes, what is up?” Seraphine echoed, looking quite proud of herself.
“If you must know,” Armin said with a little sigh, “your press release worked.”
He might as well have lit off a full fireworks show. Katie wanted to jump up and down, but she maintained her composure. “Well, of course,” she said, but she couldn’t stop the giant smile from spreading over her face.
“It worked better than I could have imagined,” Armin said. “The original investors are recommitted to the project. And a handful of new ones have come out of the woodwork.” He stuck his hands in his pockets, looking between all of them. “On top of that, I’ve found some…unexpected free time in my schedule. I want to take you on a getaway.” He met Katie’s eyes. “All of you.”
The girls cheered and clapped, and Katie wanted to join in.
There was only one hitch.
“When?”