The Millionaire's Royal Rescue
“Yes, ma’am. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Thank you, but I think Grayson and I are good.”
“Very well.” He looked at her like he wanted to say something else, but then he quietly backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Once he was gone, she breathed easier and unclenched her hands. “Do you think he suspects something? Or worse, do you think my uncle is suspicious?”
“Why? Because he asked if you needed anything?”
She nodded. Her mind raced with potential scenarios, none of them good.
“The only reason anyone would be suspicious is because you look like you’re ready to jump out of your skin. Relax,” Grayson said. “I’m serious. You look like you just stole the crown jewels.”
“Not me.” She sat down on the couch next to him. “I’d crack under the stress.”
“I don’t know about that. You seem to be doing fine with our secret investigation.”
“But that’s different. If this note proves to have something to do with my mother’s death, what we’re doing is about uncovering the truth about my past—a chance for my family to heal. I’m not out to hurt anyone. Unless you consider the killer being exposed and punished.”
“And for any of that to happen, we need to decode this note.” Grayson paused and gave her a serious look. “Are you going to be okay if this turns out to have absolutely nothing to do with your mother’s death?”
“I honestly have no expectations. Okay, that’s not exactly true. I’m starting to believe you. But whether the coded message has something to do with my mother’s death is questionable. And we won’t know unless we get back to work.”
“It’s getting late. Maybe we should pick this up in the morning.”
“About that...we can’t.” This time she avoided his gaze.
“And why would that be?”
“Because we have plans.”
“Oh, no. Not another chariot race. I refuse. I ache in places that I don’t think are supposed to hurt. You’ll have to find yourself another horse.”
Annabelle failed to suppress a laugh. “I promise it’s nothing like that.”
“Good. Then what plans would these be?”
“I promise no physical effort will be required, but I’m going to make you wait until tomorrow to find out the details.”
“Oh, no. I don’t think so.” His determined gaze met and held hers. “You have to tell me or else.”
She couldn’t stop smiling. “Or else what?”
He reached out and started tickling her. His long fingers were gentle, but they seemed to gravitate to all of her ticklish spots. Laughter peeled from her lips as she slid down on the couch. She tried shoving him away, but he was too strong for her.
And then suddenly she realized that he was practically on top of her. He smelled spicy and manly. And her hands were still gripping his shoulders that were rock hard with muscles.
Their gazes met and her heart leapt into her throat. Did he have any idea what he did to her body? Or how much she wanted to pick up kissing him where they’d left off before?
He stopped tickling her, as though he were reading her thoughts. Was it that obvious on her face how much she desired him? And in that moment, she wanted him touching her again, not tickling her, but caressing her. And she wanted his mouth pressed to hers.
Not about to let the moment slip away, she reached up and pulled his head down to hers. She claimed his lips with all the heat and passion that she’d kept locked up inside her. His lips moved over hers with a gentleness that surprised her. His approach was much smoother than her inexperienced clumsiness.
She slowed to his gentle, enticing pace. She found the slow kiss allowed her to enjoy the way he evoked the most delicious sensations within her. She could kiss him all night long. A moan swelled in the back of her throat and grew in intensity.
The note and its meaning slipped to the back of her mind. All that mattered right now was the man hovering over her. She’d never felt like this for a man before...ever. He was sweeter than the finest chocolate cake. And he was more addictive than her caramel coffee lattes.
She had no idea how much time had passed, nor did she care, when a cell phone buzzed. Annabelle knew nothing could be as important as this moment. And apparently Grayson agreed as he continued to kiss her. But the phone kept on buzzing.