Page 15 of Princess Bride Swap

“This is very well written,” Beau said after a bit.

“I did the bulk of the work, though Alice smooths out my rough edges and we discuss anything that might be problematic. She wanted to be sure you had equal speaking time, so the audience gets the clear impression that this is a partnership. Of you and me. Of Divio and Lille.”

Beau nodded. “Yes, that certainly comes across.”

“Is there a problem?”

“No. Not at all. I’m just...” She shook her head. “It’s strange to talk of Lille as its heir. I still don’t feel like it, even though my father made it a reality.” Her eyebrows drew together, as if she was thinking through some great problem. “They left without saying goodbye.”

She hadn’t mentioned her parents’ quick departure, and he didn’t think she really cared for her parents. Certainly not the way he cared for his mother or had for his grandmother. “Does that bother you?”

“I didn’t think it did. It doesn’t, exactly.” She blew out a breath then fixed him with a smile he could tell was fake. “It doesn’t matter. I’m ready when you are.”

He wanted to poke more into that little flicker of vulnerability, but it didn’t matter. They had pressing things to deal with. How she felt about her parents was really immaterial to him and his life. So he pushed away the desire to get to know her better, and focused on what was required of him.

He indicated to Aldo and Alice that they were ready, and then they began. Alice had them run through the message a few times, assuring both Lyon and Beau she would be able to effortlessly edit the best amalgamation of takes.

But it didn’t matter how many times they ran through it, Beau was flawless. When Alice was satisfied, and Aldo was packing up, Lyon turned to his new bride.

“You were perfect. That was practically word for word.”

Her smile bloomed. “I told you I have an excellent memory. And I am not prone to exaggeration about my positive attributes, I assure you.”

“Perhaps you should exaggerate,” he said, and it made her laugh. A low, throaty sound that had his thoughts traveling...elsewhere. Until Alice approached.

“That was perfect. We’ll get to work right away and have it posted before the night is over. It will run on the local news program first thing in the morning.”

“Grazie, Alice.”

She curtseyed and then exited the library, leaving Lyon and Beau alone in the room. Cozy and firelit yet again, without a trace of video equipment. He found the strangest sensation of wanting to stay right here. Cozy and warm.

But it was getting late, and he would need to be up early in order to deal with the news response. He pushed himself to his feet, then held out a hand and helped Beau to hers.

Which had them standing close, toe-to-toe, really. She was short enough she had to tip her head back to meet his gaze.

He should have transferred her hand to his arm. He should have turned and led her to the door.

He counted the flecks of gold in her eyes instead. He let this strange, alluring sensation fill his lungs instead. No, he’d never allowed his reckless urges to win, but this was the first time he felt truly tested. They were alone in his favorite room in the castle, and the firelight made the skin of her shoulders gleam like gold treasure.

He wanted to know what they would feel like under his palms. What more than a brush of lips would feel like. He wanted, and he always denied wants this potent. It could lead nowhere good.

But she didn’t move. She watched him with those direct, changeable eyes. She kept her hand in his. If he wasn’t imagining it, she even leaned closer. Her breath was definitely coming quicker.

He should have handled this differently. He knew that, even as his mouth touched hers. They needed to approach this withsomedetachment.Somerules. Even if a physical relationship ended up being enjoyable, it needed to have boundaries.

Not stolen kisses in a dark library with only the fire in the hearth crackling. While there were much worse ways he could impinge his reputation, he didn’t want to be likeanyof the crown princes who’d come before.

Beau melted into him though, before he could pull away. Slowly. Centimeter by centimeter. Small and soft in his arms. He tried to think of the necessary boundaries, but instead the only thing he seemed to be able to do was taste her. Sharp and sweet and addicting, so that for too many moments he took and took and took without regard to anything else.

Because she felt like a secret, this woman in his arms. One he needed to get to the bottom of. A mystery to be solved.

There was something dark and thrilling underneath everything she held on the surface. It pulled at him, spoke to him, whispered desires he couldn’t indulge.

Couldn’t.

When he pulled back, she blinked her eyes open. Cloudy and seemingly all green in this dim lighting. Her cheeks were pink, and her lips wet. Her breathing coming in short pants.

Something dark and dangerous swirled within him. A want he was very careful to keep deep within where it wouldn’t get him into trouble.

---