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“You swear you’re all right?” he asked, his voice betraying him with a huskiness he needed to get under control. Her health, her safety, all of her, meant the world to him. How was he supposed to keep his promise to not pursue her when he was supposed to stick by her side, keep her safe, and ‘pretend’ to be a couple? It was a line he had no idea how to walk.
“Of course I am.” She sounded impertinent and brave. His Fearless Princess for certain. “I’m scheming …” She paused and winked.
Mason’s heart felt like it flipped over. Scheming? To get him alone? To kiss for hours? He couldn’t do that. Kissing would definitely break his promise to the general.
“Of course you are,” he teased. “The Fearless Princess is first and foremost the master of brilliant schemes.”
“And proud of it.”
“I’m not sureproudis the term we should use right now.”
“Always proud.” She cuddled deeper into him, and his body lit on fire. “I believe we should block out a couple more hours at the Arenas Spa tonight.”
Mason smiled and did a check around them. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary or worrisome, he focused back on her beautiful face. As far as Kiera’s schemes went, it was a mild one. “While I fancy the vision of you in that swimsuit…” She beamed at him, and his heart seemed to beat only for her. How could he convince everyone, most especially General August, that he would never trifle with this woman’s feelings? He would only spend his life trying to make her happy. “You are going to be lazy and take it easy for a while.”
“Be lazy? Take it easy?” She pushed out a long-suffering breath. “I have no idea what those phrases mean.”
“That is the truth.” He grinned at her. Then he forced himself to search the room again. Everything looked calm and safe, and his men were watching over them. Poor Josiah was trying to not stare at them as he sat at their table waiting for Sarah to return.
“Truly.” Kiera drew his attention easily back to her. She bit at the side of her bottom lip, and his pulse took off. He knew those lips against his would change his world. “I don’t care what we do, Mace … as long as we’re together.”
“Kiera …” He swallowed and tried to catch his breath. What was she doing to him? He shook his head, but it didn’t clear.
“I can’t forget something you said when I was lying on my back in the snow.” She blinked prettily up at him.
“What was that?” Had he revealed how deeply he wanted to be with her? Was he breaking his vow to General August now, as he had her in the crook of his arm and had just told her he ‘fancied the vision of her in her swimsuit?’
Mason was flirting with her, and he knew it. He’d flirted with a lot of women, but the cute lines, the looks, and the teasing had never meant to him what it meant now.
He was a mess where Kiera was concerned. His Fearless Princess.
No. Not his.
Augustine’s princess. General August’s little sister. The beauty who was off limits to him and who he’d promised never to pursue. Curses! She was the only woman for him. He’d been blindsided by her, and he never wanted to go back to meaningless dates with impressive women who weren’t his perfect match.
How could he be falling in love with the one woman who was off limits?
The best path he could see right now was to somehow get through this mission without revealing he’d fallen for her and ‘pursuing her’ like he’d promised her brother not to do. They had to get her back to the castle, then he could meet with the general. He would have to humble himself in front of the toughest man he knew and admit he’d had no clue what he was committing to … was that truly only yesterday? He’d beg the general for his blessing, while promising, swearing the general could thrash and torture him if Mason messed up. That he would never trifle with Kiera or break her heart.
Would General August believe him? Curse his track record of serial dating. He’d thought it was fun and innocent, but now he’d messed up his own reputation.
If he somehow survived the general, he’d have to go meet with the king and get his blessing. Did he need to meet with each of her princely and overprotective brothers? He was definitely the ‘poor fool’ he’d laughingly pitied who wanted to date and someday soon love the princess.
Mason swallowed hard. Dating Kiera would be a risky and overwhelming venture, and somehow that fit her personality to a T.
Kiera gently touched his hand, and his heart lifted. Every hard thing he might have to do to prove he was the man for her and would never hurt her was more than worth it. She was all things exciting, alluring, and ideal to him. Whatever hoop he had to jump through or dangerous task he had to perform to prove he was committed to Kiera … he would do.
Someone was approaching. It was Sarah. Mason’s soldier senses prickled, and he focused in on her. She walked unsteadily to their table. Josiah immediately stood and took her elbow. Her face was white, and her lips looked blood red against her usually tan skin.
A quick scan of the rest of the restaurant revealed nothing amiss.
“Sarah?” Kiera questioned.
“Can we go back to the house?” she whispered so quietly Mason had to strain to hear her.
“Is everything all right?” Mason questioned, ushering Kiera to her feet and standing next to her.
Sarah glanced around, clutching her hands together. Her shoulders trembled. It was obvious she was distraught about something. What had happened in the bathroom? Mason’s eyes darted around again, but he saw nothing nefarious.
