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‘I sense you might be trouble,’ he teased.
‘I think you might be right.’ She smiled as his lips met hers. Every cell in her body started reacting. It had been too long—even though it was only a few days. She moved her hand up to behind his head, letting her fingers run through his thick dark hair. He tasted of coffee, strawberries and apples—all the things they’d eaten today—but it was his smell that enticed her more. She couldn’t place it, too many pheromones—or maybe that was exactly what it was, maybe they were more of a match than he thought and his pheromones were hooking her in. She didn’t care. All she cared about was this moment. Her body melded to his. She was already tired and somehow leaning against him made her instincts soar.
She didn’t even notice when the elevator doors slid open.
What she did notice was someone clearing their throat. Loudly.
They sprang apart and Philippe stiffened. ‘Luka.’ He nodded to the dark-suited man at the door. ‘You’re looking for me?’
The man started talking in a low voice, his eyes darting over to Arissa and giving her the most dismissive of glances. She was instantly uncomfortable. She waited a few seconds then slid out of the elevator before the doors closed again and started walking down the corridor, praying she was heading in the right direction.
Her heart was thrumming against her chest, part from the reaction to Philippe and part from the adrenaline coursing through her body in annoyance.
She turned a corner and sighed in relief as she recognised the corridor, finding her room quickly and closing the door behind her. She took off her jacket and shoes and flung herself down on the bed. Her head was spinning.
Last time she’d kissed him he was just Philippe, the doctor who was helping at the clinic. This time she’d kissed Prince Philippe of Corinez. Did it feel different? Her heart told her no, but her brain couldn’t quite decide.
And as she closed her eyes, she still wasn’t quite sure.
* * *
There was a thud. She twitched. A few seconds later there was another. This time she was more awake. She blinked and sat up in bed. What was that?
She’d fallen asleep fully clothed. The room was almost dark, the only light filtering in from outside. She shook her head and stood up. What time was it?
There was yet another thud. This time she located the sound and watched as snow slid down the window.
Really?
She looked out of the window and almost laughed when she realised what had been green grass earlier was now completely covered with snow. It wasn’t particularly heavy, so whoever was throwing snowballs must be taking their time to scrounge up enough snow.
She shook her head and opened the old-fashioned window, listening to it creak and hoping it wasn’t going to land on the hard slabs below. Five minutes in a palace and she might wreck the place.
Another snowball sailed directly past her ear, this one landing on the carpet in the room. ‘Hey!’ she shouted, turning around to try and pick up the snow. She scattered the snow back out of the window and leaned out, trying to catch a glimpse of who was outside. Turned out she was looking too far away.
Philippe was directly under her window, dressed in a navy-blue jacket. He had a mischievous look on his face.
‘Hey, sleepyhead. Want to go for a walk?’
She leaned her elbows on the window ledge. ‘I thought you said I was trouble,’ she teased.
‘Maybe I like trouble.’ He was grinning up at her. He held out his hands and spun around. ‘Let me show you the gardens while they’re dusted with snow. It never usually comes this far down the mountain this time of year. By morning, I guarantee it will all be gone.’
She shook her head. ‘Snow, in the middle of summer. It’s definitely weird.’
‘Come on.’ He waved her down. ‘Grab a jacket and some boots and let’s go.’
It only took a few moments to get ready. She threw on a whole new set of clothes: new jeans, a green top, a pair of boots and the only thicker jacket she’d brought with her. She laughed as she zipped it. It was navy blue. They’d look like a matching pair.
She made her way down the stairs and out into the cold night air. Philippe had moved nearer the door and was standing waiting for her. ‘What time is it?’ she asked. She hadn’t even had a chance to look at the clock. It felt as if she’d slept for ever. She wrinkled her nose. ‘Did I miss dinner?’ she asked as she stared up at the black night sky.
