Page 15 of Royal Shark
“Never thought you were.”
He signals to a waitress, who rushes over to him. She’s caught in the Adrian testosterone force field, or maybe she recognizes him. The last bachelor prince of Villroy. His older brothers are all married now.
I glance over at him, and he gives me a small smile that warms me so much I have to look away. I’m not used to this intensity of feeling. Adrian was my first kiss, and I’m so glad. It wasperfection. My kisses after him were sloppy, wet, too soft, too hard. Horribly imperfect. And when I got older, when I was pickier about who I kissed, they were just there. The gateway to the main event. I enjoy sex, but once it’s done, I’m done.
A few minutes later, we’re shown to a square dark wood table for two in a private back corner. His guard hovers near the entrance to the space.
Adrian pulls out my chair for me and tucks it in as I sit. I remember this, the gentleman manners. They teach that up at the palace. Even at twelve, he would open doors for us girls. I never gave much thought to him being a prince until we got older. When we met at eight years old, he was just the annoying sidekick to my awesome new friend Silvia. I was so thrilled to find her on the beach one day because Chloe was a one-year-old bore. In fact, that first summer I thought Adrian was gross because he ran around the beach with sand stuck to him and never cared enough to wash it off. He always got sand all over our towels and chairs. Plus, he stuffed sandwiches in his mouth and chewed with big chipmunk cheeks.Boys! Eww!How things change.
I need to keep this thing with Adrian light. No expectations, just a friendly visit. It was easier with Silvia. She happily chattered on about the books she’s working on for the children’s publisher, where she works. Adrian is more reserved, which makes me want to fill the silence, but I have to be careful not to share too much. I can’t let myself get close enough to be hurt when he leaves.
“How long are you in town for?” I ask once he takes his seat across from me.
“Until Thursday,” he says. “The weekend is busy for the casino.”
“Ah, quick visit. Too bad. My game runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, so you’ll just miss the second game.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow, then.” He leans across the table. “I’ll play poorly, and they’ll be thrilled to see the chips piling up.”
I flush with heat just because he leaned close. He’s just so impossibly sexy.Cool it!I busy myself putting my napkin in my lap. “The guys don’t like people they don’t know.”
“You can vouch for me. Besides, at least one of them must have heard of me. My family’s been getting a lot of press lately between the day spa and my casino.” He taps his chest with both hands. “I’m a prince, you know.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, I know. I just don’t think—”
“Bet you’re too chicken to invite me to your game.”
My hackles rise. “I’m not chicken.” Then I realize what he’s done, appealing to my inner twelve-year-old. “Nice try.”
He smirks.
The waitress arrives, telling us about the specials and asking what we’d like to drink.
“You want to share a bottle of wine?” he asks.
Oh boy. That would be bad. I can be very loosey-goosey when I drink too much. “I’ll stick to water. Get whatever you want.”
“We’ll both have water,” he says.
Once she leaves, Adrian studies me. Maybe he also finds it strange to see me as a full-grown woman. I doubt he’s seen any pictures of me on the internet over the years except for the distant fuzzy profile pic I posted on social media when I set it up years ago. This really is his first time seeing me.
He places his hand facedown on the table in front of me. “Okay, cards on the table. Silvia’s worried about your game, and I told her I’d check it out. I’m not going to ruin it or end it. I’m just going to check it out and tell Silvia there’s nothing to worry about.”
I let out a breath. I’m glad he’s being straightforward with me, so I do the same. “Thereisnothing to worry about. You can tell her that right away.”
“I need to see for myself.”
I speak through my teeth. “I appreciate your concern, but you don’t get to play overprotective he-man friend here. You don’t know me well enough to have any authority over me.” I lift a finger. “Notthat I’d ever letyou have authority over me. I’ve been taking care of myself just fine for years, so chill. Everything’s great.”
He chuckles. “He-man friend. That’s a new one.”
I bite back a smile. “Glad you like it.”
“I’m very chill.” He gives me a charming smile, his eyes twinkling. “Come on, there’s always room at a game for me. People know my rep as a card shark. The good players want to say they bested me. If you have any decent players, I’ll let them win.”
“You’re willing to lose? Youhateto lose. You’re as competitive as I am.”
His hazel eyes are direct, intent on mine. “I’ve learned sometimes other things are more important.”
