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“That was beautiful,” she said, smiling. “Now allow me to complete you, as our lips finally meet in beautiful ecstasy.”
Mason didn’t smile in return. He gently grasped her arms and pulled them away from his neck. They were still close, but it was obvious she wasn’t getting kissed in this moment. “Kiera, I can’t kiss you. I’ve already crossed boundaries I shouldn’t have.”
She wanted to command him to kiss her, but that would be all kinds of wrong.
“What boundaries? Why can’t you kiss me?” she asked, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer. What if he had a girlfriend, or could never see Kiera as anything but a responsibility, a security assignment, the young princess? He’d said ‘how deeply’ he felt about her. That reassured her at this hard moment.
Footsteps came up the stairs and into the front entry. Mason released her arms and stepped back.
Josiah walked through the great room, took in their position and the obvious tension, and murmured, “Forgive me.”
“No,” Mason said. “You’re doing exactly as you should.” He took Kiera’s hand in his. Even that simple connection made her heart race and gave her hope that they had a chance. “I’ll escort the princess to her room.”
Kiera fell into step with him. They walked past Josiah, into the foyer, and up the stairs. When they were in the upstairs hallway, she said in a tight voice, “If you think you’re going to escort me to my room and walk away without giving me any answers, you have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
Mason chuckled. It eased some of the tension between them, but not enough. He squeezed her hand. “Oh, believe me, my Fearless Princess. I know exactly who I’m dealing with.”
“Do youwantto deal with me?” she asked as they reached her door. She didn’t believe in beating around the bush.
Mason released her hand and rubbed at his jaw. “I do. I absolutely do, but …”
“You can’t?”
“Not right now.” He looked over her face, begging her to understand.
“Because you’re in charge of my security?” she asked. That made sense, but if they were in her room and safe and secure, why couldn’t he let down his guard? She only had a few weeks home, and she wanted to make certain she didn’t leave Augustine without securing his heart and being brave enough to reveal how long and thoroughly she loved him.
“Partially.” He lifted his hands.
“Not good enough.” She grabbed her door handle and shoved the door open. “You’re coming in here with me, no interruptions from your men, and you’re telling me what this rubbish is about.”
Mason swallowed and then nodded.
Kiera hurried into her room and heard him follow. She turned on the gas fireplace and a lamp and then she turned to face him.
It was dim in the room, but not dim enough. She could clearly see the angst in his blue eyes and the slight bowing of his shoulders. The weight of the world obviously weighing him down. Mason always stood strong and straight. What was going on?
Fear churned in her gut.
His reason could be anything, and she feared she was about to get blindsided. The biggest fear was if his reason meant they could never be together. In her mind, there was nothing they couldn’t overcome together.
But did he feel the same?
ChapterTen
Kiera studied Mason,wringing her hands together, and praying they could talk through whatever obstacle stood between them.
Mason straightened his shoulders and clenched his hands at his sides. She could feel the tension rising between them again. He was going to tell her, and she feared it would not be good.
“Yesterday,” he began, then shook his head. “I can’t believe it was only yesterday. So much has changed.”
She let him stew. What had changed? They’d grown closer. That was a positive thing. Whatever he was about to tell her, though, would not be positive. She was sure of it.
“When General August called me into his office and assigned me to guard you for your ski weekend …”
She nodded. Was this the time to tell him she’d schemed that up?
“I had no idea … that you were … that you are now ….” He gestured up and down her body.
