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 wouldn’t tell him that though.” Princess Pippa’s eyes were wide, but there was a smile twitching at her lips.
“No. I won’t tell him. It . . . I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Princess Pippa.”
“Please, I’m not a princess. Not yet and I’m not sure I’ll ever be used to it. I’m just Pippa.”
She wasn’t just anything. But as Pippa held out her hand, Chloe shook it reverently. She felt like she was meeting some famous movie star. Only it was better.
“Hello,” she managed to say. What was wrong with her?
“You’re staying at the palace, is that right?” Pippa asked.
Hux moved away, talking to Aleki quietly, and she felt the urge to get closer to him. As though she couldn’t stand being too far apart.
Get it together.
“Yes.”
Dear Lord. Why couldn’t she string more than one word together at a time? She took a surreptitious step toward Hux. Why had he left her alone?
Obviously, she shouldn’t be left on her own with a Princess. Madness.
“You’re Lord Fothersam’s assistant?” Alina asked. “So you live in the UK?”
“Uh-huh. London.”
Alina smiled at her. “I’m from London.”
“Oh.”
This was terrible. Even Ian was now staring at her in shock. Well, just a brief look before his gaze moved away again. He seemed awfully vigilant.
But when you were guarding two potential Princesses then you had to be on your toes.
“It’s good you’re so vigilant,” she blurted out to him.
Dear. Lord.
She couldn’t talk to either of the women in more than one or two word answers, but here she was praising him for being good at his job.
Like he cares what you think?
“Uh, thank you?” His gaze moved over her again, looking like he was assessing her.
Probably trying to work out her straight jacket size.
Suddenly, Hux was beside her. She glanced up in surprise to find him glaring at Ian.
That was weird. Did he not like him?
“We better get going if you want to make your appointments,” Aleki said.
“Oh yes. We need to leave. It was so nice to meet you, Chloe.” Pippa smiled. “Are you coming to the fair on Wednesday evening?”
“No.”
Dear Lord, Chloe. Say more than one word.
“They’re opening the fair one day early, especially for us. Kassim doesn’t want us there when it’s too busy so it’s just for the palace staff and us. Would you like to come too?”
“Yes.” She didn’t care what Jonathan said about the fair. She was going.
“Great! His Lordship is welcome too, of course. See you then.”
The two women waved as they walked away with their guards. She watched them until they disappeared. And then her legs practically gave out.
“Whoa, little darlin’, easy there.” Hux placed his arm around her to support her.
“I just met Princess Pippa.”
He let out a chuckle. “You sure did.”
Wonder filled her. “She’s amazing.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty nice.”
“Pretty nice? She’s just not pretty nice. She’s beautiful. And kind.”
“Funny, I didn’t pick you to go all gaga over her. She’s just a person.”
“She’s not just a person.” She glared up at him. “And her first meeting with me was a close up of my ass.” She smacked his chest with her hand. “Hux! How could you?”
“Hey! I didn’t know we were going to see them. I probably wouldn’t have done that if I had . . . Aleki was ready to ream my ass. And he’s the easygoing one in Alpha Team! Actually, I lie . . . I still would have done it.”
“Hux! She was talking to my butt!”
“Pretty sure she wasn’t talking to your butt. She was talking to you. It’s just that all she could really see was your butt.” He started walking and she fell in beside him.
“How is that any better?”
“Well, it’s a really cute butt.”
“Hux! Oh no! This is terrible. I could barely string more than one word together when I was talking to her.”
“Yeah, I noticed that.”
“Everyone noticed. How humiliating. I can’t see her again. She must think I’m an idiot.” She shrunk in on herself. She hated the idea of people laughing at her. “I’m not going to the fair. That’s for sure. Can you let her know?”
“No.”
“No, what?”
He paused and turned her toward him.
“Look at me.”
Her eyes widened at his stern tone. He looked really unhappy.
With her.
A knot tightened in her stomach.
“No, I won’t tell her that because you’re going.”
“I can’t go! I just completely humiliated myself in front of her.”
“No, you didn’t. And even if you did then who cares?”
“I care!” She cared far too much. She wished she didn’t. But it was an overwhelming fear constantly eating away at her.
Laughter.
Taunts.
A shudder worked its way through her.
“Whoa, back you come to me, little darlin’.” Warm hands cupped her face, surprising her.
This is Hux. He won’t hurt you.
“What?” She stared up at him, confused.
“You know, I think that every time you go off into your head like that I’m just going to have to do something to bring you back.”