A Princess in Theory (Reluctant Royals #1)(59)

“So you’re pawning me off to some strange man for money?” Ledi asked in a low voice. “There’s a term for that you know.”

Dr. Taketami leaned in close and whispered, “Is this guy a stalker or something? If so, I’ll get security. If not, the deans would really appreciate you fulfilling this request. The governmental cuts have hit the program hard. They’re unprecedented and without donations, we’re in some real trouble.”

Ledi glared at Thabiso. His chin was raised haughtily in the air, but his gaze was nervous?

Dr. Taketami continued. “And, if you take a minute to talk to him, he may have the solution to your practicum problem.”

“I’ve already found a replacement field study since the university left me in the lurch,” Ledi shot back, but then remembered the theatrics of the night before. Was Dr. Okri still interested in working with her after the scene she’d been a part of? People had undoubtedly started gossiping before she even left the room. Was that internship still even on the table?

She glared at Thabiso and Dr. Taketami stepped in front of her.

“I don’t know what you found, but the probability of it being as useful to your career as this is doubtful. And I’m not just saying that to get you to do what I want. This could be huge, for both you and the program.”

Ledi narrowed her gaze and crossed her arms over her chest. She hated that her career was being used as an enticement, but she was curious now and Dr. Taketami knew it. The woman looked back and forth between the Ledi and Thabiso. “Shall I leave you to it, then?”

“Sure,” Ledi said. “If you have Brian do my data processing, as well as the saccing.”

Dr. Taketami grinned. “He’ll do it and he’ll like it. Stop by my office when the tour is over.” With that she hustled off.

Ledi dropped her gaze to Thabiso’s shoes, then remembered that she’d done nothing wrong and met his gaze. A tremor ran through her when she did, and she desperately wished it was only disgust. She hated that she remembered how his hands felt brushing against her most sensitive skin, how lush his mouth felt against hers. She hated how he was looking at her, with that damned Disney-fied, wide-eyed innocence. Like he hadn’t somehow wiggled his way into her life and exploded it from the inside. She’d thought he might be a virus from the moment she’d seen him, and she’d been right—she just hadn’t realized how fast-acting he’d be.

“So this is the equipment for the vermin murder you mentioned the other day?” He asked the question as if he was entitled to reminisce after what he’d done. An angry flush spread over her skin.

“What are you doing here? You think throwing your money around will make things all better, Prince?” she asked. She’d said she’d do the tour, not that she’d kiss his ass.

He laughed, a deep rich sound that insinuated itself under her clothing and pressed up against her skin. Ledi steeled herself against the sensation.

“Even I know there are some things money can’t buy,” he said, and now that she looked at him she could see the regret in his eyes. “But you have to know that I was going to tell you—”

“No. You paid for an informational session, not for the chance to worm your way back into my life.”

Thabiso leaned back as if evading a blow. “I understand that I’ve ruined everything, but do you not think you deserve an explanation?”

Ledi rolled her eyes.

“Explanations are for people who care, and I’m not in that cohort. I don’t need you,” she said. “I don’t need anyone.”

The words had always been the truth before, but they felt like a lie now, one that tripped clumsily to the ground and drew everyone’s pitying stares.

“I wish I could say the same,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“This is the lab,” Ledi said in a flat tone, spreading her hands out like a lethargic museum guide. She refused to listen to any more of his lies, especially when it was so tempting to believe them. “Science stuff happens. Kind of like magic, but with more paperwork.”

“I don’t want a tour, Naledi,” Thabiso said quietly.

“Here are the high-powered microscopes,” she said with a wave of her arm. “When you look into them you can see the tiniest details of a life-form. Nothing hides from that Zeiss lens. It’s really too bad there isn’t one for screening men like you.”

She hadn’t meant to say that, but seeing him in front of her and not hating his guts as much as she should have was upsetting.

“Naledi.” His fingertips brushed her arm and she stepped away from the sensation that webbed over her skin. She refused to look up at him, but she could smell the familiar scent of him. The scent of happiness. Her throat went rough. If he made her cry in the lab, she would at the very least pretend to infect him with anthrax.

“I’m not engaged,” he said. “If nothing else, you must know that. That was a misunderstanding—there is no one else.”

Ledi didn’t acknowledge the relief that perfused her, rushing through her veins, making visible just how foolish she was. There was no reason to give him the benefit of the doubt except for the fact that he was there in front of her instead of swimming in a pool of money or whatever it was princes did in their spare time. It didn’t change anything though.