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His gaze captures mine and holds it hostage for a long moment. “Have you really always wanted to or are you just saying that?”
“I’ve really always wanted to. My mother used to read me this bedtime story about a girl and the stars, and ever since, I don’t know, maybe it’s stupid, but I always wanted a telescope like the one she had in the story.”
He stares at me for another long moment before he dips his chin in a nod. “Who am I to deny you a lifelong dream becoming reality? Go ahead.”
“Really?” I squeak, and to my surprise, he chuckles. When he does, his eyes light up and the corners crinkle a little bit, his features transforming in a way that makes him look so innocent, like he’s still just a boy underneath the weight of the man he’s expected to be. I never thought I’d see him this way, but it’s a moment I know I’ll remember.
For some inexplicable reason, tears well in my eyes. He frowns, but then he turns and walks toward one of the shelves, swiping up a handkerchief and handing it over to me. “Are you all right?”
“I am. I think it’s all just getting to me, you know? This whole experience is so surreal, and my emotions have been all over the place. I swear I’m not usually like this.”
It’s nothing at all to do with the fact that my mother will never read that same book to Kevin now. That she’ll never read anything at all.
He flashes me an unexpectedly understanding smile. “We’ve all been a bit on edge. Come on, let’s take a look at the stars. It’ll help. It usually does for me.”
Nodding as I dab my eyes with his handkerchief, I ball it up in my hand and slide it into my back pocket when he motions for me to follow him. Once we’re at the telescope, he bends over to look at something through it, then he makes a few adjustments before lifting his head and smiling at me.
“Ursa Major,” he explains as I move forward to gaze at whatever he’s focused the telescope on. “It’s also known as the Big Bear. It’s a great place to start for stargazing. See?”
I feel it when he moves in behind me, leaning closer presumably to do something with the telescope, but I’ve completely forgotten what I’m supposed to be looking at. Suddenly enveloped by his scent and with his heat radiating into me, I lose focus on everything else. I can’t think. Can’t breathe.
When I pull back to get some space before I do something stupid like press my ass into him, I wind up with my face only inches away from his. Almost as if on instinct, my gaze drops to his lips.
Kaz’s eyes drop to my lips, too, and he leans in as if he can’t help himself. I want it so bad that a soft moan escapes me, but Kaz straightens up like a shot when he hears the sound. He stumbles back like he’s been slapped, then he rakes a hand through his dark hair and averts his gaze for a moment.
“Let me walk you back to your room,” he says. “We’ll have to be careful, though. If anyone sees us together, there will be whispers that I’m spending more time with you than with anyone else. That will only cause drama for the both of us.”
I nod, blinking rapidly as I try to gain control of my thoughts.What was I thinking? I can’t go around almost kissing the crown fucking prince.
Kaz looks at me again. Something about the set of his jaw makes me think he’s contemplating saying more, but then he decides against it and puts some distance between us. As promised, he walks me back to my room, but neither of us says a word along the way.
When we reach a familiar corridor that opens into the hallway with all the Omegas quarters, he stops in the shadows.
“This is as far as I go.”
He dips into a shallow bow before he spins around and strides back the way we came. I sigh, but I go into my chambers and try to put the whole encounter behind me.
Trouble is, twenty-two hours later at dinner, I still haven’t quite managed to stop thinking about his Royal Hotness or our almost kiss. Antonio frowns at me from across the table we’re sharing. “They’re still getting to you, huh?”
“Yep.”
He flashes me an apologetic smile. “That sucks. I’m sorry this is so hard for you. We’ve got enough going on without you having to worry about a heat pushing through the suppressants. Have you seen someone on the medical staff here yet?”
I shake my head. I don’t want to make a fuss. “No, but I will if it gets worse.”
“On the bright side, I may not have to worry about it much longer.”
Actually, that’s not true. Not for me, at least.
Since I already know I’ll be making it through to the next round, I also know I’ll need to deal with these issues for at least another couple of weeks, but Antonio doesn’t know that. He sighs, lifting his goblet of wine and taking a long sip as he nods.
“Are you worried there’s going to be a knock on your door later?” he asks. “I am. I was so nervous during my date with Wolf today that I called himmy Lard. He was cool about it, but still. They’re looking for someone who can handle the pressure of being part of the Royal Pack, and I’m not sure that’s me.”
“MyLard?” I laugh. “Don’t worry. I accidentally asked him if he looks more high-strung than he really is.”
Antonio’s brown eyes flare wide open before a bark of surprised laughter comes out of him. “How does one accidentally ask him something like that?”
“I don’t know. How does one accidentally call him my Pig Fat?” I tease. “He was cool about my thing, too, though. I don’t think he’s going to encourage the others to send you home because of it.”
