Page 28 of The Problem with Princes
We walk as discreetly as we can through the kitchens, but I feelthe hotel staff watching us. It’s weird and disconcerting. But not in the same way that it felt weird and disconcerting before. Although, before I never could confirm that someone was watching me. For all I know it was just my imagination.
One of the black Land Rovers from the coffee shop is parked in a distinctly marked no parking zone outside the kitchen doors. I point a thumb at the sign. “That doesn’t apply to you?”
He tilts his head and lifts one shoulder. “No. I need to be as close to an entrance as possible. Long walks to cars make for a greater security risk.”
I nod. It makes sense.
He opens the front door and I slide into the seat, expecting to see several large men inside the vehicle. But it is empty. “What? No security today?”
Tyrone chuckles as he closes my door and then hurries around to his side of the car. As he shuts his door, he reaches to adjust the rearview mirror. “They’re around, just sometimes more discreetly.” He jerks his thumb behind us, and I turn in my seat.
Sure enough, two silver SUVs are parked two cars back. Through the front windshields of the first car, I can see the hulking figures of four men, two in front and two in back. I feel my pulse slow down.
Tyrone looks over at me and nods in front of us. “Sander is in that car.” He puts his sunglasses on, but then tilts them down to look at me. “And a full sweep of the car has been conducted. You don’t need to worry about any brake lines today.” He smiles and I feel a security that I haven’t felt in a long time. Probably since I moved away from my parent’s house.
“I’m never without security, Grace. And it’s only gotten worse since the attempt on my life the other day.” Tyrone grips the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. I’m surprised Sander hasn’t set up a cot in my bedroom so he can watch me sleep.” His voice rings with aggravation.
I laugh, but it fades quickly. I would totally hate not ever being able to do something by myself. I reach over and squeeze his arm. “They just want you to be safe.” And then because I can feel the tension in the car and I hate it, I laugh again. “After dinner last night, I can only assume they know they may need to protect you from me.”
He doesn’t laugh, but his grip loosens, and he takes one hand off the wheel. He grabs my hand that had just dropped away from his arm and laces his fingers through mine. Whatever I may have thought about this relationship before, this feels more than just friendly. After a deep breath, he starts the car. “You haven’t already had breakfast, right?”
“Nope. And I’m starving.”
He taps the thumb of the hand on the steering wheel to the tune of the low playing music on the radio. But his other thumb rubs light circles on the side of my hand.
My body explodes in tingles and warmth. And my heart starts running that race again. I can barely keep my behind in the seat, I’m so jittery.
Does he do this with all the flavors of the week? Is this all part of a play book that he uses on every girl he dates? I want to think I’m special, but my brain won’t allow it. I’ve seen too many pictures of him on the internet.
I glance over and see his pulse visibly thumping in his neck. Turning quickly toward my window, I watch out as we pull away from the hotel. Could it be possible that he is feeling the same way I am?
The thought scares me. I mean, I’ve had boyfriends before. But this time is different. This time I’m slipping fast. And I don’t know how to stop it.
He glances over at me and smiles. I flick up the corners of my mouth but then turn back to look out the window. The flutters and tingles are in overdrive.
This can’t happen, I tell myself. I’m only here for another few days and then I’m returning to DC. And besides, he’s a player. This isn’t real. It’s just something he does. Maybe if I tell myself all these things enough, I’ll believe them.
ChapterTen
Tyrone is right.The breakfast is delicious. The five-star restaurant at the hotel I’m staying at doesn’t even compare to this little out of the way place. We have the restaurant completely to ourselves, which seems weird considering it is at the height of the breakfast rush. Not even Sander or his men eat while we are there.
Tyrone reaches for my hand, and I strategically pull them under the table on the pretext of placing my napkin in my lap. Then I just don’t bring them back up to the table, except to eat my food. I know I’m being me, but I can’t help it. This is all moving so fast.
If Texie wanted me to be someone else, perhaps she should have stayed and helped me be that person instead.
Tyrone helps me into the car and then slips behind the wheel, but he doesn’t push the ignition. “Did you not enjoy breakfast? You seemed quiet.” He scrunches up his brow, looking all broody and adorable.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “I’m just not a morning person. It takes me a bit to wake up fully. I’m sorry if I was poor company.”
He seems to think about that for a moment. “Why didn’t you just order some coffee?”
I give him a smirk. “I have an aversion to coffee.”
He looks confused for a moment, but then recognition dawns. “Ah, because of the mishap on the street? You’re never going to drink coffee again?”
I shrug. “I never drank it before, actually. I’ve never been a fan of the smell, so I’ve never had a desire to taste it.”
“You don’t ever drink it? Surely you’ll get over the dislike if you tastegoodcoffee. I can take you to a place where it is excellent.”
