CHAPTER FOUR
Three months earlier, afternoon
ELSIEMARCHEDTOthe imposing gates, carrying her pride and her mandolin. Who did he think he was, demanding she appear at the palace at two p.m. on the dot? All Don’t be late... Don’t disappoint...
The King, duh.
When he’d walked up to their table at the café this morning Elsie should’ve stood and curtseyed but she’d been unable to. Literally unable to. Her legs had become wet noodles. She’d been so unprepared—even though she’d seen his photos, of course. You couldn’t live on Silvabon and not know the super-popular King’s face. He was like a deity who could do no wrong and the population were all stupid proud of him. Her boss had been giddy with excitement when he’d learned Amalia was now a regular customer and he’d instructed Elsie to take extra special care of her.
Of course, Elsie took care of her. But Amalia’s relationship to King Felipe wasn’t why.
Only in meeting him today she’d discovered he had the deepest, dreamiest brown eyes. Tall, lean, so handsome she’d been unable to stop herself staring. But there was more than physical beauty. He’d compelled every ounce of her attention and the way he’d assessed her had made her feel as if she were the only person on the planet.
No. She couldn’t be that foolish. To develop a crush on the one king she’d ever met? The world’s most popular one? Especially when she’d then seen that the guy was a bossy, overprotective control freak.
Only that was a little harsh too, wasn’t it? Because she’d caught a glimpse of human beneath his stuffy layers. He cared about Amalia. The girl had been loyal, careful not to betray her stepbrother by complaining overtly to Elsie, and Elsie respected her for that. But Amalia was obviously grieving, clearly lonely and lost in a new place, knowing almost no one—least of all her stepbrother, apparently. But it seemed Felipe was worried about her. So, of course, he made demands. And doubtless he got his way in everything. It was his normal.
But she didn’t expect him to be there waiting for her inside the palace gatehouse.
‘Security needs to process you.’ His gaze lingered on her mandolin case.
She battled the disappointment that he’d not directly looked into her eyes. When he had earlier she’d felt a surge of energy—something hot and strong that had given her the courage to gaze right back at him. And in doing so, she’d simply taken in more. He’d been like a personal charger—a bolt of vitality that could easily become addictive. But that was so fanciful, so impossible, she had to rebel against her own wayward imagination.
‘Are you security this afternoon?’ she asked shortly.
In his black trousers and white shirt he’d almost fit the part—except the fabric was too fine, too perfectly tailored to his body.
‘Apparently so. Supervising.’
Supervising no one. They were alone. But the palace had more security machines than any international airport. Now he met her cool look with a challenge in his eyes and took the mandolin case from her.
She clenched her empty fist as she felt that surge inside. ‘Do you want fingerprints and a DNA sample?’ she asked. ‘Haven’t you done a full background check already?’Her heart thudded. Surely he had.
His gaze narrowed slightly. ‘Maybe we’ll get onto that later.’
‘If you think I’m a danger, why are you letting me in the door?’
‘I don’t necessarily think you’re a danger.’
‘Are you worried I’ll be a bad influence on her?’ She shook her head. ‘Because Amalia is an independent thinker.’
‘I’m aware. Believe it or not, I want to encourage that. I don’t have a problem if she stands up to me.’
Elsie couldn’t help a sceptical laugh.
He shot her a look. ‘You think I would have a problem with that?’
‘I think you’re used to getting your own way. Everybody does what you tell them to.’
‘Judging me so soon on so little?’ He suddenly smiled. ‘You’re right, of course. But it’s the birthright, I can’t help it.’
Elsie was too stunned to reply—his smile? Heart-stopping. Another glimpse of the human hiding within the perfection.
‘Tell me,’ he invited. ‘In what way might I think you’ll be a bad influence on her?’
She shrugged, mainly to cover her inner trembling at his smile. ‘Too many earrings?’
He studied them and she regretted the silly joke because he took too long and his focus was too intent. Her neck felt exposed and vulnerable and suddenly hot and she shivered at the imaginary kiss she saw in his eyes...