Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(79)

Chills crawled up my spine. “No! For whom?”

Hara leaned in closer. “That’s a good question. I have no clue. Garr keeps their pasts very well hidden.”

I had been protected by trained killers? I didn’t know if I should feel flattered or concerned that Garrett had lost his damn mind.

“He always had an annoying sense to keep everyone safe. I blame our father for that,” Hara said, rolling her eyes.

“Was he always so—”

“Serious?” Hara filled in. “No, he was far from serious. He was fun. We used to get into a lot of trouble together. But everything changed when the first assassination attempt was made, and you were sent away. Edward ordered Garrett back to the castle, and he was put through rigorous training. It was as though Edward was making a personal bodyguard for George. I never doubted his love for my brother, but he is a King with responsibilities, and George was his heir. Garrett hardened; more focused on eliminating the enemy. I lost some of him; he never laughed anymore. I didn’t know him anymore.

“Until he came home from seeing you those years ago. He started to laugh a little; he had another reason to serve someone else over his brother and family. You sparked him back to life.”

You sparked him back to life.

“Do you not see it?” Hara asked. “Mama and I see it, the way he looks at you. He is utterly smitten. I think he’s in love with you.”

“Are you trying to make me blush?” I inquired critically. “Because it’s working.”

Hara looked back at the dance floor to locate her brother. “The brunette is Victoria Moreau. She is harmless.”

“I’m not worried,” I snorted.

Hara glanced at me for a brief second. “Just jealous,” Hara accused. Before I could defend myself, Isabella stepped into view with a gentleman at her side.

“There you are, Ava,” Isabella cheered, clasping her petite hands together. “I was looking for you earlier, dear. I want you to meet my nephew, Wyatt Dupont. He is my youngest sister’s son.”

Wyatt smiled widely, showing two dimples and perfectly straight teeth. He kissed my hand politely and held it for a moment. “It is very nice to finally meet you, Lady Barlow. I feel like I practically know you, through all Hara’s stories.” He released my hand and winked at Hara.

“I hope she only told the ones of me being well-behaved and ladylike,” I replied with a smile.

Hara scoffed, and Isabella laughed softly. My gaze fell on both of them, and I raised a brow. “What?”

“I love you, my dear, but you were far from well-behaved and too young and free-spirited to worry about proper manners.” Isabella chuckled. “Just like me.”

“I prefer strong-willed females,” Wyatt added. “They make for better conversation.” But his eyes implied something different; that they were better in bed.

“You couldn’t even handle a strong-willed female,” Hara argued. “You don’t like when people tell you that you’re wrong.”

Wyatt looked at me, nodding toward Hara. “Only when it’s her. She won’t stop talking until you agree.”

Hara crossed her arms. “That is a lie.”

Wyatt held out a hand to me. “Would you like to dance, so that my little cousin and I don’t start an argument?”

“Of course.” I took his hand as he led me off to an empty spot on the floor, reminding myself to be nice.

∞∞∞

I was in a very intense game of chess with Garrett. Both of us leaned over the table, studying the evenly-matched pieces on the board. We’d been playing for a good two hours, each of us carefully calculating our next move. Not only was it intense because he was a good player, but his fixed attention on me while it was my turn, heated every inch of my body. Thankfully, we were in a public study; one used by anyone in the palace.

He moved his bishop, his strong fingers purposely sliding slowly off the top of the game piece.

I needed a fan.

Maybe a bowl of cold water to dunk my head in.

“Your turn,” he rasped. I dared not look up at him for fear my cheeks would burn off my face.

I studied my next move and the possible consequences.

“How long are you going to take this time?”

My eyes shot up to me his. “Are you rushing me?”

“I am.”

“That isn’t part of the game, sir,” I remarked, trying my best not to smile.

“May I suggest an alternative then?”

“I don’t need your help.”

He leaned in closer to the table and his voice dropped an octave. “I’m aware of that. But I can think of other ways to use our skills.”

More heat prickled up my face, and he gave me a wolfish smile.

I needed that ice-cold water right now.

Trying to break the hot, sexual tension, I moved my pawn a space. I didn’t even know if it would be taken; I couldn’t focus on anything else but him sitting right in front of me. He reached for my hand before I moved it away from the board and intertwined his fingers with mine.

“How about we call a stalemate?” He rubbed his thumb on the inside of my palm.

“I—I never give up on a game,” I stammered, watching his fingers.

“Then I give up,” he stated, leaning over to plant small, warm kisses on my hand. Flutters started in my stomach, and I tried to keep from trembling.