The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(106)

“Your Highness.” He comes to a stop beside me on the stairs, his smile wide. “A few days’ getaway was just what I needed.”

“That’s what I told Haydon,” I say on a smile. “It must have been a terrible shock, losing your father.”

His hands slip into the pockets of his brown trousers, his eyes definitely glazed. “A terrible shock.”

“How is Sabina?”

“Okay. The funeral is expected to be held late next week.”

“Of course, I’ll be there to pay my respects.”

“Very kind of you, ma’am. I know Haydon will appreciate the support.”

I hide my flinch and nod my head mildly, looking past him when Davenport appears at the top of the stairs. This flinch, I cannot hide.

“Ah, Davenport, how wonderful to see you, old chap,” David gushes, starting back up the stairs. “Will you be joining us this morning?”

Davenport’s expression doesn’t change from the usual straight-faced one. “I will be accompanying the King, yes.”

“Very good.” David gives him a firm slap on the shoulder, jolting the major’s usually steady frame. Although his expression doesn’t crack. “The King is in his office?”

“He doesn’t wish to be disturbed,” Davenport says flatly, his eyes casting over to me questioning.

I quickly glance away, avoiding his curious stare like the plague. But in avoiding Davenport, I find Sir Don. Oh God, they’re all out in force today.

“Ah, Sir Don,” David says. “Alfred doesn’t wish to be disturbed.”

“Your Highness,” Sir Don grunts as he passes, being polite and rude all at once.

“I suggest we wait for His Majesty at the paddocks,” Davenport calls to his back. “The Land Rovers are ready along with the other members of the party.”

“The King wishes to see me.” Sir Don doesn’t look back, and I cast a look to Davenport, who looks equally surprised. If the King summons someone, it is Davenport who delivers the summons. But not now. Was it Sir Don on the end of my father’s tirade? “Sampson, you as well,” Sir Don barks, getting David’s feet moving quickly.

David’s smile is wide, almost over exaggerated. He looks way too happy for a man who recently lost his father. And why isn’t Davenport going? What’s going on?

I don’t ponder my questions for too long. “Enjoy your day,” I say, departing quickly. I don’t want to think about why they’ve been summoned.

The paddocks. Everyone is waiting at the paddocks. I hurry my steps, hoping to make it there before Davenport, even if only to say a quick hello to Josh. And maybe to tell him how sorry I am that he has to spend all day with my father and his army. And not just my father, but my angry father.

I take a shortcut and scurry down the pathway at the rear of the estate, passing gardener after gardener, all armed with tiny clippers, primping the perfect box plants that do not need primping.

When I make it to the paddocks, I hear roars of laughter. I spot Senator Jameson, but not Josh. I text him to ask where he is. Perhaps he’s jumped ship, deciding that no woman is worth enduring this hardship for. Then I get his response and cast that thought aside.

Putting on my bulletproof vest.

I roll my eyes, but seriously wonder if that is a sensible idea.

I’m at the paddocks and you are not here.

I’m taking a leak.

I laugh to myself, my fingers working fast across the screen of my phone.

Nice. Which loo are you in?

His reply is quick.

Loo? What the fuck is a loo?

I snort unattractively at my phone.

A toilet!

Oh. Just inside the blue door off the small courtyard. I’m alone ;-)

He’s taking a leak. He’s winking at me via text message. “So uncouth,” I say around a huge grin, heading for that blue door. I don’t get a chance to knock on the wood. The door opens, Josh seizes my wrist, and I am yanked into the bathroom on a startled yelp.

“What took you so long?” he asks before attacking my mouth, not giving me a chance to answer him. And I’m in heaven again. Pure, blissful, beautiful heaven. His tongue is firm but slow, his hands gentle but possessive, as they grip my hair. His body hard, but melding perfectly into mine. He growls, noises that can’t be mistaken for anything less than animalistic. We are lost in each other, in the passion, in the chemistry that sizzles so wildly between us. “I’m locked and loaded in more ways than one now.” His mumbled words are delivered around his kiss, his hips rolling into my tummy. A wonderful beat drops to between my legs, my veins hot in an instant.

“Aren’t you just?” I reach down to his groin and feel his condition, hard and ready. “We should make use of this.”

“Like it was ever up for debate.” I’m pushed against the door, his hand creeping around the back of my knee and pulling my thigh up to his hip. My dress is around my waist in the blink of an eye, my knickers to the side soon after. My breathing becomes pants, and though I know this is so very risky, there is nothing I can do to stop it. Neither do I want to.

“Hurry,” I demand, helping him with the fly of his trousers. My order is fueled only by my desperation for him. Always desperate. My hand gets a dash of contact with his arousal, the tip with pre-cum skimming my skin easily.