Page 43 of Gotta Have Mistletoe
I want to kiss him, I realize. I thought last night that he was going to kiss me.
And maybe if his bodyguard hadn’t appeared, he would have.
“We could kiss,” I whisper. “If you want.”
He inhales sharply and lifts his head. “I-I don’t want to force you.”
I gaze at his face. The cold has turned his cheeks a pretty pink shade, and I long to capture his lips with my own. “You wouldn’t be forcing me.”
His eyes widen, and my organs topple. I’ve said too much. I’m breaking our plan. He’s going to have to tell me that cowboys and royals don’t mix and...
“Very well,” he says.
“Very well?” My heartbeat quickens.
He nods, then I draw him toward me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
King Erik
Glen’s eyes soften, and I think my heart might fly from my chest.
He cups my face with reverence.
It’s going to happen.
After all these years, I’m going to be kissed by a man.
Just like I dreamed of when I was younger.
And I’m going to be kissed by Glen. His cowboy hat tilts, and I stare at his dark curls and his wide, kind eyes, and the way stubble shadows his chiseled features.
Will I feel them when we kiss? He leans closer to me, and I close my eyes, happy he’s taking charge.
Glen moves his lips against mine, sucking on them, and I can absolutely feel the masculine texture of his cheeks. I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my chest against his sturdy, wide one. He moves his hands to my waist, and the next thing I know, I’m being dipped back, back, back.
Shutters click, and the world explodes in yellow.
His mouth is on mine the whole time, and his lips and tongue capture my mouth more forcefully than I’ve ever been kissed before.
Glen rights me, and I’m bemused and breathless, as we stare at the still-flashing cameras.
Paparazzi lower their cameras, and for some reason, their smiles fade. I figure out the reason once Sven swaggers forward, dark shades in place, black suit impeccable.
“This way, Your Majesty,” Sven says.
Glen and I kissed.
These pictures will be at every grocery checkout lane in Europe.
My security team ushers us back to the castle, and Glen is quiet the whole way.
Gunnhild and Olav greet us inside.
“Those pictures were wonderful, Your Majesty!” Gunnhild exclaims when we enter the castle. “I’m so happy.”
Olav is similarly enthusiastic once Gunnhild leaves. “Those pictures were brilliant. I’m glad that you and Mr. Garland found each other.”
