Page 6 of Reluctantly Rogue

And now, twenty-seven years later, I’m sitting in that prince’s office, listening to him explain to me all of the reasons why I should go on a date with not one, but two, other men.

“He’s handsome, well-educated, wealthy, charming, interesting…” Torin frowns. “At least you seemed to find him interesting when you met him.”

I nod. “Of course I did. The things James is doing in green energy research and development are very interesting.”

Torin seems pleased with that. “And he’s very interested in you.”

Yes, Torin’s mentioned that. Three times now. Apparently, Dr. James Hill called Torin and asked for my personal contact information because he’d like to see me again. Personally.

We met several months ago in D.C. at an energy summit and then Torin invited him to Cara, our tiny, remote island in the North Atlantic, to further discuss a partnership between James’s company and our country. Cara doesn’t have much, but we do have a lot of wind and a lot of water, both of which are key in green energy production. Not to mention that there’s a lot less red tape here.

That all was that James seemed interested in. I had no idea he liked me as anything more than an advisor to the king.

Then again, I have no experience when it comes to men and flirting and dating.

I cast a glance in the direction of the other man in the room.

Torin’s bodyguard and best friend is sitting in another of the upholstered armchairs in front of the prince’s desk. He looks huge in the chair. He looks huge everywhere, honestly. He just is huge.

He’s six-four, broad and muscular, and his shoulders and arms stretch the black suit jacket he’s wearing enticingly. His dark hair and dark beard make him look even more formidable. As do the tattoos on his arms and shoulders. Not that I can see those right now. But I know they’re there. I can’tunknowa lot of things about Jonah. Like how his protectiveness makes me feel safe. And how easy he is to talk to. And how he sees things about me no one else ever does. And how funny he is when he lets you behind his walls. And how husky his voice gets when we’re standing only a few inches apart. And how his big, strong hands feel cupping my ass…

Even if not knowing all of those would make my life easier, I can’t stop knowing them.

He has one ankle propped on the opposite knee and his arms resting on the arms of the chair. I assume he’s trying to look relaxed. But he’s clearly not. His jaw is tight, his hands are gripping the padded chair arms, and he hasn’t said a word, or even made eye contact with me since we came into Torin’s office.

Of course, he hasn’t made eye contact with me all night. Or spoken a word directly to me.

He actually hasn’t spoken directly to me since the night just over a month ago when he pushed me up against the wall in the kitchen and kissed the hell out of me.

Which seems inordinately rude.

How dare he kiss me likethat, knowing everything he knows about me, and then act as if he can’t even stand to look at me?

So the kiss wasn’t good. What was he expecting? It was my first kiss. And heknew thatgoing in.

Yes, I’m thirty-one-years-old and I had my first kiss a month ago.

But I’ve beenengaged, for all intents and purposes, my entire life. Who would I have kissed?

Not the guy who is so intent onnotmarrying me that he’s actively trying to set me up on a date with another man who lives across an ocean, that’s for sure.

But Jonah knew that I wasn’t going to be good at kissing and he still kissed me. Or let me kiss him. Honestly, thirty-five days later I’m still fuzzy on who kissed who. He lowered his head, but we were definitely talking about it leading up to that point. I’d made it very clear what I wanted. He’s the only one I’ve ever confessed my never-been-kissed status to. HeknewI wanted him to kiss me. And if it was terrible, he could have at least given me some pointers after. That’s what a friend would have done. Maybe some “next time don’t act so freaking desperate” or something. Somethinghelpful. Instead of avoiding me as if I have a communicable disease.

Or as if he knows I’m falling in love with him, and he needs to shut that down immediately.

Obviously,I need to shut that down.

I’ve been working on it.

Him acting like a jackass is helping.

But he can’t know how I really feel about him.

Can he?

I’m notthateasy to read. I don’t think.

Besides, I’m intelligent. I completely understand our situation. It doesn’t matter that I’m in love with him. I’m engaged to his best friend. And loveless marriage or not, I can’t exactly get away with sneaking around on Torin. I’ll be the queen, for fuck’s sake.

---