Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
“I knew I could rely on you, Chloe. You’re always so loyal, are you not?”
Right. So loyal.
“You know everything I do is with your best interests in mind,” she replied. How she managed to keep a straight face while spouting that bullshit, she had no idea.
Her acting skills knew no bounds.
An hour and a half later, they drove up to one of the most beautiful buildings she’d ever seen.
This was the palace? It was magical. Like something out of a fairy tale.
“It’s gorgeous,” she whispered.
“Rather garish, if you ask me,” Jonathan said beside her, shooting her a look.
Drat.
She stiffened. She needed to be more careful.
Jonathan was in a mood because the only person to greet them as they’d disembarked the plane had been a driver.
He was going to sulk about that slight. She swallowed, not wanting to think about the temper tantrum that could develop at any moment.
The door opened on her side and a hand appeared.
It was attached to one of the most gorgeous men she’d ever seen. He had blond hair that was shorter at the sides and longer on top. He smiled down at her.
“Well, hello there, darlin’,” he drawled. “Welcome to Escana.”
“Are you the welcoming committee?” she asked, smiling without thinking.
“You know, I told the Princes they should make me the welcoming committee, but they didn’t go for the idea. I think it’s because I’m too charming. And handsome.” His eyes danced. It was clear he didn’t take himself too seriously.
A throat cleared loudly behind her.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
She’d forgotten about His Lordship.
This was going to go down like a lead balloon. She pulled into herself.
The blond-haired man’s gaze slid to Jonathan. Something unreadable filled his face. What was he thinking?
“You must be Lord Fothersam,” he said easily. “Names Huxley Coalsen the Third. I’m part of your security team while you’re here. But call me Hux.”
A security team?
“Now, if you would allow me to help you out?”
She peered up at him, realizing it would seem rude if she didn’t take his hand but he really should have opened Jonathan’s door first.
Well . . . not like she had much choice now. She slipped her hand into his, nearly gasping at the feel of his warm, slightly rough skin.
Holy. Heck.
Jonathan’s skin was as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Not that she made a habit of touching him . . . but sometimes these things were unavoidable.
But this guy . . . wow. Now she was imagining what it would feel like to have him touch her in other places.
Right. She had to stop. That would never happen. And the last thing she needed was for Jonathan to realize what she was thinking.
So as soon as she was out of the car, she let go of his hand quickly, moving away.
He shot her a querying look but turned to Jonathan as he got out.
“Lord Fothersam, nice to meet you.” He held out his hand and Jonathan shook it with a smile.
No one else would likely see the anger in his eyes.
“If you’d like to come this way, we just have a security briefing for you both before you meet Prince Kassim.”
“A security briefing,” Jonathan said. “I didn’t realize there would be so much red tape to get through, especially when our families are so close.”
Dear. Lord. He was close to losing it.
“Unfortunately, things have changed slightly, and we take any security threats seriously.”
“But surely I’m not considered a security threat. Or Chloe.”
“Just being cautious,” Hux said cheerfully, but there was a guarded look in his eyes. This man wasn’t all smiles and charm. “I’m sure you can understand that. It’s for your benefit as well as ours. We want to keep you all safe. That is always uppermost in Prince Kassim’s mind. Caleb, the head of his security team, makes all these calls for him.”
Oh, he was good. Very diplomatic.
“Please, follow me. Hopefully, you’ll find your suite here as good as what you’re used to in London.”
“I am sure it will be fine. This is as much about visiting with old friends as it is about business.”
And the bullshit continued.
“Your bags will be brought in, then screened by a member of my team,” Hux said.
“Screened?” Jonathan asked in a sharp voice.
Crap.
“That’s fine,” she said hastily. “We have nothing to hide.”
What about Amy the Alpaca?
Shit.
She bit at her lip. Surely, it wouldn’t be considered weird to carry around a stuffed toy. Lots of people did that, right?
Five-year-olds, not twenty-seven-year-olds.
“We’re just screening for explosives and drugs. Don’t worry. No one is going to paw through your undies.” He winked at her.
Oh dear Lord.
She had to fight hard not to blush.
“My . . . undies . . . quite.” Jonathan was barely holding back a sneer.
She watched his hand twitch.
Shit.
They followed Hux into the palace.
Jonathan grabbed her arm as Hux turned down a hallway. “Remember, you work for me. And I don’t pay you to flirt with the help.” He let go of her arm as quickly as he’d grabbed her.