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“Oh …” He swallowed. He really shouldn’t invite her in. They could chat in the hallway. “Of course.”
She brushed past him, leaving a sweet smell he couldn’t have identified but knew he favored. He allowed himself a deep inhale.
Favored? That scent was the nectar of paradise.
Mason did the opposite of what he should … stepped in and shut the door behind him. Leaning against the door for support, or maybe so he wouldn’t rush to her and pick her up in his arms like he had when he’d leaped into the cold plunge, he felt weaker than he ever had in his life.
Kiera hadn’t gone far into the room. Not nearly far enough for him not to smell her and want her and know he could touch her at any time. If he could dump his conscience in the garbage.
She turned to him and held out her phone. He straightened away from the door and took it. Their fingers brushed and set off a reaction into his heart.
Curses! He was a tough and hilarious captain in the Augustine military. He’d dated dozens of beautiful women—hundreds—but he’d never had a reaction like that from his fingers to his heart. He couldn’t have reactions in his heart—especially with the woman who was off limits. How hard would his usually serious friend Levi laugh at him right now?
The phone was already open to the text. He glanced at it.
You’re mine, beautiful princess. I alone will possess you. Or you’ll die.
Ice filled his stomach.
“Kiera!” His eyes darted to hers. What he read in her gaze made him even more concerned. “Is this something you’ve seen before?”
She shrugged. “They don’t usually threaten to kill me.”
“What do they threaten?”
“They just want me.” She paused and crinkled her nose. “You know, in gross ways. It’s fine. I’m used to it.”
“Kiera.” Mason held up the phone, every muscle in his body tightening. He was certain far too many men ‘wanted her in gross ways,’ and if she didn’t respond to their liking, some idiots threatened or stalked her. “This is not fine, and you should not have to be used to it.”
She smiled softly. “I’m fine, Mace. I have four guards around me at all times. I send the numbers and texts to Ray and a contact of Jensen’s in the American police, then I block the number. Sometimes Ray or the police track the stalker down, but most of the time the men are smart enough that the messages are from burner phones and untraceable.”
Mason gripped the phone tightly in his hand. “How do they get your number?”
“Who knows? Maybe from somebody I date or somebody I exchange homework assignments with. Maybe they write my number on the wall of the boys’ bathrooms. I don’t know. Ray trades my number out far too often. It’s a pain. But the notes aren’t always texts. Sometimes I get hand-written notes, typed notes, mailed notes, flowers or gifts, stuff like that.”
She held out her hand. He wasn’t certain what for. Did she want to hold his hand? Then her eyes fell to the phone in his hand. He felt instantly silly.
“I’m sorry you have to deal with this.” He handed over the phone. “I promise we will keep you safe.”
“Thank you. None of them have ever tried to hurt me. They only want my attention.”
“I imagine they do.” His jaw clenched. “It’s still got to be annoying to have all those daft boys after you.”
“Part of being a well-known princess. I’m sure Princess Belle of the Hidden Kingdom could relate.”
No other princess could compare to her.
“Is it taxing being so desirable?” He’d meant it as a semi-tease, but he honestly wondered how she dealt with all of this and maintained such a delightful attitude.
“You tell me.” A challenge flashed in her eyes.
“I can’t complain about all the women flocking to me.” He raised his hands, hoping to appear teasing and desirable. What had she heard about his ‘serial dating’?
“Flocking?” She stepped close to him. His heart took off at a gallop. “It must be so rough on you.”
“What can I say?” He tried to smirk, but he was pretty sure he failed. He wanted her to back him into the door, arch up, and kiss him. “I’m a desirable commodity.”
“Do you think you’ll ever settle down, Captain Henson?”
