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“No,” I answered, hoping he wouldn’t stop.
“I hate that he did this to you,” he murmured.
When I leaned forward, my mouth close to his, he dropped his hand and leaned back.
“Excuse me.” He stood and walked toward the back of the plane, leaving me feeling bereft and mortified.
I put my head in my hands and turned my body so I was facing the plane’s window.
When the aircraft landed, I stood as soon as it came to a stop on the tarmac. I knew the Queen wanted me to go to America, but I simply couldn’t allow Cortez to accompany me. I’d call her and beg her to let me either stay in England or to travel to my mother’s on my own.
“Kensington, wait.” Cortez stepped in front of me and barred my exit.
“Please,” I implored. “Let me pass.”
He gently took my arm and moved me out of the way so Grinder could depart the plane. We waited there until the crew left as well.
“Kensington…I find myself…perhaps I’ve given you the wrong impression.”
My cheeks flamed. This was precisely the thing I wanted to avoid. “No. You did nothing of the sort. Please, may I get off the plane now?”
He didn’t budge. Instead, he cupped my cheek with his palm. “I find myself…” he repeated. “Unable to resist.” He brought his lips to mine and kissed me. It was softer, gentler, and far sexier than any other kiss I’d ever experienced. His tongue caressed my bottom lip, and I opened my mouth to him.
Oh, but this man could kiss. He angled his head, his tongue stroking mine, and my knees weakened. I never wanted him to stop, but he did.
“I’m—”
I put my fingers on his lips, knowing he was about to apologize, and I couldn’t bear it. I skirted around him and rushed down the steps, across the tarmac, and into the private terminal, hoping to be able to get to a phone to call my great-aunt. As I went through the second set of double doors, I immediately recognized several of the security agents who stood between me and the hallway leading to the public terminals.
“The other plane is right this way,” said Grinder, motioning for me to go ahead.
“I’ll just stop in the ladies’ first.”
“You may make use of the one on the plane.”
“Very well,” I muttered. “But I must hurry.”
He escorted me onto the plane and motioned toward the forward loo.
“I’m sorry, is there a stateroom?” This wasn’t my first ride on a private plane, let alone one like this. I recognized straight away how best to avoid further embarrassment by having to face Cortez.
“There is.”
I looked to my right and saw the man himself walking across the tarmac. “May I?”
“Of course.”
I shut the door behind me and locked it before going in to use the loo. It dawned on me then that Cortez had said he’d take care of getting my mobile. Or did he mean “a mobile.”
My handbag was also back in Konstantine’s hotel room along with my passport and credit cards. Dammit. What a headache it would be to replace all that, particularly from America. I flopped on the bed and rolled over, burying my face in the pillow. What a bloody mess my life was, all because I’d gone off with Konstantine von Habsburg on a stupid whim.
There was a rap at the door, but I didn’t answer until I heard Grinder’s voice. I opened it a crack. “Yes?”
“Here you are.” He handed me my bag.
“How did you…never mind.”
“Your clothes, the ones you brought to Budapest, are in the hold with your other luggage.”
