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Why did he have to be so devastatingly handsome and make her pulse race out of control? They’d been friends since they were young teens. She shouldn’t continually react this strongly to him.
His scars gave him an edge of danger. Especially with the intense look in his blue eyes. That look usually meant he was going to kiss her until she couldn’t stand on her own two feet, which didn’t help her racing heart’s intense thrumming.
Every cell was lit up and on fire for him as he leaned in and said roughly, “I’m Captain Favor’s replacement.”
It wasn’t anything awe-inspiring, but the way he looked at her made her feel like he was claiming her.
“I guess the crown prince will do for my escort back to the wedding dinner.” She tried to smile, but it was shaky. She needed to stay incognito. When she’d seen the place cards and realized hers would say ‘Prime Minister Henry Shule,’ she’d escaped into the bathroom to figure out how to proceed. It was one thing to have Ray knowing she was here in her dad’s place, but an entire table of people she may or may not know having questions about why she’d returned and where her dad was overwhelmed her. She wasn’t prepared to evade their questions, and she didn’t want to lie outright.
She’d been unsure if she could hide in plain sight while gaining Tristan’s attention. Of course he had noticed her, followed her, and was here for her. She wanted to confide everything to him, but she didn’t dare. He and his father were probably struggling to trust her dad, and Tristan would have to put his family and his country first.
She had to put her mum and dad first.
He smiled slightly and his eyes swept over her. Then he swept her hat off her head and her glasses off her face.
Jennifer let out a small gasp of surprise as her hair splayed down her back.
Tristan’s smile grew, and he whispered huskily, “Ah, there you are. Why cover up those gorgeous deep-brown eyes and golden-brown curls?”
He rested his hand on the door frame by her head and leaned so close his body brushed against hers, sending off sparks of warmth throughout her body. His distinctive scent, the depth of warm cedar intermingling with the spice of mint, made every nerve tingle.
“Why the disguise, Little Red Riding Hood?”
She smiled at the silly nickname he’d given her when they were preteens. Her gaze was drawn to his perfectly intriguing lips. She’d missed the touch of those lips horribly and knew the power they had over her. Power to make her quiver, go weak-kneed, kiss him for far too long, and forget all her worries and pains.
If only she could indulge in such bliss right now.
“T …” Her own voice came out too husky and full of longing.
Tristan’s gaze sharpened and filled with desire. He pressed against her, gently cradling her jaw with his palm. His thumb traced along her lower lip.
Jennifer panted, but the oxygen in the room seemed to have disappeared. She was faint, out of breath, and far too affected by him. It had been too long. Without Tristan, she’d been a fish without water, flopping around and knowing she’d shrivel and die.
She clung to his arm to steady herself, which was silly as she was already leaning against the doorjamb for support. The muscles in his biceps were flexed in a lovely show of hard work and dedication to good health and all things appealing in a man. In her man. If only he could be her man again.
“Your biceps are incredible,” she whispered.
“All the better to hold you with, my dear.”
She laughed, though him holding her was far from a joke. It was beautiful. “Somebody’s been busy in their exclusive home gym,” she tried to tease. “Wasting away the hours because you were pining for me?”
He smiled, but it flickered and was gone. “You know I have. I have little spare time, Jenn, but every free moment has been spent missing you.”
Was that true? What about all the pictures she’d seen online with other women? What about him getting engaged to Macey Clifton only four months after she’d left? She’d studied the beautiful Macey cuddled close to Ray at the wedding. Despite the lingering jealousy and anger Jennifer felt, Macey appeared sweet and very in love with Ray. What had happened? Had it broken Tristan’s heart when Macey had chosen Ray over him?
She didn’t want to think about any of that right now. Her brain was a mess and her body needed him close. She slid her arms around his neck and tugged his head down. She was going to kiss him, and nobody and nothing could pull them apart again.
Footsteps came down the hallway. A throat cleared.
Tristan sheltered her with his larger body, glancing over his shoulder at whoever had dared interrupt their reconnection kiss. It would’ve been an insanely good one, too.
“Pardon me, Prince Tristan.” The young man’s voice had laughter in it. “But the king is waiting on you to pray and start dinner.”
“Forgive me. I’ll be right there.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The footsteps retreated.
