Page 101 of Royal Reluctance

I reach out for her hand. “Go home,” I instruct Reggie. “And stay clear of Fenella’s place when you’re drinking, especially if there’s a McKibbon there. I seem to recall they’re not very fond of you.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Reggie grumbles, but he starts down the street with a bit of a rolling gait.

“Think he’ll make it home okay?” I wonder.

“I really don’t care right now.” Hettie turns to me and clutches the front of my shirt with both hands. “You just offered my brother a job.”

“I did. I should have done it a long time ago. I wish I’d done it a long time ago.”

“You didn’t have a job to offer him.”

I give her a look. “I’m a prince, in case you didn’t notice,” I say drily. “I could have found him a job. Might have made it easier for you.”

“Bo…” She burrows her hands into more of my shirt and I’m sure it’s only because she’s cold. There’s not enough material in that dress to keep her warm, since it’s basically a tiny shirt that covers her bum.

I like the way it covers her bum. I like everything about it. So instead of bundling her back inside the club, I wrap my arms around her to share my heat.

Hettie tips her head back to look at me, her hands folded against my chest. “Why?”

There’s no other answer. “Because I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

She bites her lips to keep from smiling, but her hazel eyes are shining. “Okay.”

“Even if you don’t want to be with me—”

“I ended things with Timothy.”

All the air rushes out of my lungs. I actually feel light-headed. “Are you sure?” I mutter.

She looks incredulous and I get the hint that it wasn’t the reaction she was hoping for. “Pretty sure.”

“But why? I thought Tema was happy in Victoria.” I don’t know why I’m arguing, why I’m trying to get her to justify anything when all I want to do is pick her up and swing her around and then kiss her so thoroughly, like she’s never been kissed before.

“I think she’ll be happier here. I know I will.” I open my mouth, but before I can say anything, Hettie gives me a mock glare. “And don’t you dare ask why again. You should know why—I love you, Bo Erickson, and I never stopped. Never could and I think—”

I stop her then, and give Hettie the reaction I really hope she wanted.

Pressing my lips against hers, I give everything I’ve got into kissing her. I kiss her as her lips warm and part under mine. I kiss her as her body molds against mine and her arms wind around mywaist and the people in line for the club start to cheer. I kiss her with eight years of pent up want and need and love.

And then I lift Hettie off her feet in those sexy shoes and spin her around until she laughs.

Then I kiss her again, slowly this time, like we’ve got all the time in the world. Because, maybe, we do.

There’s no way Timothy has ever kissed her like that.

37

Hettie

Ileave Tema atthe castle the next day.

After Bo and I—I’m not sure what to call it except to say I think we’re back together—we went back into the club and it was a great night. We danced, and danced some more, and Fenella brought out a bottle of champagne because apparently everyone saw us kissing and because Abigail cheered as much as the strangers in the line outside.

I felt every glass of that champagne when I woke up this morning, but I was too happy to care.

Magnus says he cleared his morning to hang out with Tema, but I still leave Mrs. Theissen in charge. The normally austere woman has a ready smile plus a twinkle in her eye whenever she sees Tema, so I decide my daughter is in good hands.

And Bo will take over after his therapy appointment.

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