With that, he pulls my stunned ass to our next spot.

It doesn’t take long for me to become enraptured with our surroundings. Every inch of the Palace is made of ice, including the ceiling. It’s like stepping into a medieval cave. Either I’m dreaming or I’ve transported into the movieFrozen.

Beautiful sculptures made by artists are brilliantly displayed, while a few are natural ice sculptures.

By the time we finish half an hour later, I’m starving and I tell Kingston as much. I’m gazing at our earlier pictures, smiling when I realize that in most of them, Kingston is peering at me instead of the camera.

I’m lost and swooning at this insane man who is all mine when I hear a grumbled whisper pass by, complaining about how annoying the restaurant is. For what, I’ve no idea.

Confused, I look up and I’m shocked when I indeed catch tourists turning around from the restaurant’s door.

“Do they usually close early?” I question Kingston.

“No clue.”

We reach the hostess and I listen cluelessly as Kingston asks her something in German. I’m ready to turn around, but instead the lovely girl opens the door and welcomes us in.

The fuck?

I can feel the crowd’s intrigued gaze digging into our backs.

Yanking Kingston’s arm, I whisper in his ear, “What’s happening?” I gasp and squint my eyes. “Did you bribe them?”

Wait. I’m being silly.

They obviously must not have a chef here. So why are they allowing us in?

“Did you see me pass her cash?” Kingston retorts smartly. Pulling me in front of him, he pats my ass while dropping his voice into a command, “Just follow her.”

He shouldn’t be allowed to use that tone in public.

Or I’ll have to carry around an extra set of panties everywhere I go with him.

However, all my musings turn to dust as we wander deeper. It has wide panoramic windows, giving a stunning view of the Alps we saw earlier. Yet, none of it compares to the romantic table set in the middle. It is decorated with a red tablecloth and fresh flowers in a vase.

My heart races, my hands flying to my mouth as I gasp behind my fingers. “Kingston.”

Nobody but us is standing here.

He did this?

“Surprise, darling.” He lowers my hands and guides me to our table like a gentleman. I stay speechless, still processing as he pulls out my chair and helps me sit. “A proper date for my woman like she deserves.” Instead of straightening, he whispers teasingly in my ear, “I won’t let you run away this time.”

CHAPTER – 25

Twinkle

“How?” It’s the first thing that pops out of my mouth after I find my voice.

Kingston, who is sitting across me, smirks devilishly. “Do you like it?”

“You shocked me into silence, King,” I tease back before softening my voice. “I love it. You have a way of making me feel special. Like I’m the only girl in the world.”

“You are to me.”

I stare at him intently. Nothing but truthfulness and longing brightens his eyes. “You say that now when it’s all new…” I trail off, hating how my insecurities are popping up and ruining the mood.

“And I’ll say it for as long as I live, for as long as you’ll let me,” he finishes, erasing my doubts. Resting his palm over my balled fist, he confesses in a raw murmur, “I haven’t hidden my feelings for you, Twinkle. You’ve always known about my intentions, about how deeply I desire and ache for you.”