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“Where would be my enjoyment in that, I ask you?” His gaze was smoky hot on her, but his voice was that lilting tease she’d missed. She loved the husky tone as well, but his charming accent was just as appealing and as familiar as her own voice.
“I’ll show you enjoyment,” Kiera said to him, then her eyes widened and his did as well. Had that been too forward? Well, she only had three and a half days to show him they could still tease, but it was also now time to flirt, connect, and fall in love like she’d dreamed of for years.
“Skiing enjoyment?” he covered smoothly for her. “It will be delightful to exhibit my skiing prowess. The Fearless Little Princess will never be able to keep up with her brave bodyguard.”
The man behind him chuckled.
“We’ll see who won’t be able to keep with whom, my brave bodyguard.” Drat; he was still calling her ‘little.’
Sarah leaned into her side, obviously ready for a formal introduction.
Kiera knew an opportunity when she saw one.
She wrapped her right hand around Mason’s left. He startled, and she was temporarily thrown off as well. His hand was so large and manly and warm. A connection arced between them. Yes!
She squeezed his hand and edged closer. “Mason … I mean,CaptainMason Henson. This is my dearest friend from Vermont, Sarah Anderson.”
Mason dipped his head to Sarah, not moving his hand from Kiera’s grasp. “Miss Anderson. It is a pleasure to have you with us in Augustine.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Sarah said, her dark eyes lit up. “Please call me Sarah.”
Mason smiled, but his gaze flitted to Kiera. He turned slightly to indicate to his men, and Kiera felt she should release her grip on him.
Bosh.
“Princess Kiera August, Miss Sarah Anderson. Allow me to introduce Lieutenant Braxton Mueller, Sergeant Josiah Naples, and Private Daniel Silva.”
Kiera of course knew Lieutenant Mueller, a massive, too serious but kind guard in his mid-thirties who’d guarded her half her life. She hadn’t met Sergeant Naples or Private Silva, both young and handsome. Maybe Sarah could distract them while Kiera focused on Mason.
As per the idea she had Chad to thank for, she and Mason, and Sarah and one of these guards, were supposed to appear as ‘couples’ on a weekend skiing getaway. Something about dissuading her stalker. She regularly had stalkers and didn’t get too fussed about a new one, but the couple idea with Mason was fabulous.
The guards bowed to her and nodded to Sarah, strong but silent types. Not Mason. He was strong but verbose and hilarious.
“Thank you for being willing to watch over us on our skiing adventure,” she said to the men.
“It is an honor, Princess Kiera,” Sergeant Naples said, his hazel eyes sweeping appreciatively over her. She’d seen that look thousands of times.
Mason flashed him a glance, possibly a warning. Was it her imagination or was he slightly annoyed? “We’ll see if it remains an ‘honor’ when she skunks you on the mountain, Sergeant.”
The sergeant’s brows lifted. “Are you an accomplished skier, Princess Kiera?”
“Yes sir, I am.” She winked at Mason and his smile grew even warmer. “I’ve never met a man besides my brother Derek who could keep up.”
“Challenge accepted, Fearless Princess,” Mason said in a husky growl that shot anticipation clear through her. His blue gaze was full of challenge and something else. Hehadfinally noticed her.
Then she recognized another positive development. He’d dropped the ‘little’ from her title.
Kiera pulled the side of her bottom lip between her teeth, trying to hide a squeal of excitement. She’d do a standing back flip or run up the wall and do an aerial if she wasn’t wearing this bothersome dress.
Mason’s gaze trailed to her lips, lingered there for half a beat, then lifted to her eyes again.
Challenge accepted?
“The challenges have only begun, Captain,” she fired back at him.
His gaze held hers. She wasn’t certain what challenges she’d throw at him, but the ideas would come. And every opportunity would draw them closer together.
She grinned.
