Page 20 of Bride By Coronation

I swallow, not understanding what this king and queen talk is all about, and just stop myself from turning my head to touch my lips to his.

He circles his fingers around my throat, barely applying pressure, and a whimper flies out of me. He groans, then holds my head so I can't avoid his gaze.

The world stops moving. Time freezes, as do I, unable to tear my stare away from his.

In a firm tone, he claims, "I'm having lunch with a friend. And you?"

"Work lunch," I mutter.

His gaze drifts to my lips, then back to my eyes. He adds, "It was nice seeing you, Fiona. Have a good lunch." He studies me another moment, then releases me and steps back.

I gape as I watch him disappear through the door. When I exit the bathroom, neither he nor Valentina are anywhere to be seen.

4

Kirill

"What was she doing here?" Valentina frets once we get into my car.

"Work lunch," I state.

Worry floods her expression. "If the Omni finds out I've spoken to her without permission, I'll never get a bid for a seat at the table!"

I sigh. "That's not happening."

"I've worked for years!" she cries out.

I turn and put my hands on her shoulders. "Valentina, listen to me closely. Nothing is happening. You'll eventually get a bid."

"You know the rules! If they find out?—"

"You did nothing wrong. I will take full responsibility for this occurrence should there be any consequences. You have my word as king," I assure her.

She lowers her voice. "Kirill, I have to get a seat."

"You will. Now, don't think twice about this," I order,then sit back against the leather seat, staring out the window, trying to cool the hot blood flowing through my veins.

What is it about her?

Why doesn't she seem scared of me?

She didn't cringe when she saw me.

Valentina tears me out of my thoughts, asking, "She knows nothing, right?"

"No," I answer, continuing to look out the window.

"So how does she know you? She knew your name," Valentina points out.

"I randomly met her at a club when she was out with Zara. She ran into me," I admit, fighting a smile as I remember the night she literally ran into me.

"When?"

"Over a year ago. Then, a week ago, we bumped into each other at the coffee shop near Sean and Zara's place," I confess.

"Randomly?"

"Yeah," I affirm, wishing I could get Fiona's face out of my mind so my erection would completely disappear.

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