Page 30 of Defying the Crown
Someone cleared their throat nearby - probably the barista - but I couldn't bring myself to care. Harald's lips curved into a smile against mine, and I felt myself grinning too, both of us probably looking like lovesick teenagers in the middle of this coffee shop.
When we finally broke apart, Harald rested his forehead against mine, his breath warm on my face. Those blue eyes of his were dark with emotion, making my knees weak all over again. We stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, neither of us willing to be the first to step away.
Chapter 13
Harald
Someone cleared their throat – loudly and with the kind of pointed emphasis that suggested they'd been doing it for a while. I reluctantly pulled back from Daniel, still feeling breathless from the kiss, though our hands found each other immediately, fingers intertwining. My royal etiquette training definitely hadn't covered what to do after kissing a gorgeous man senseless in an American coffee shop.
A barista was aggressively wiping the same spot on the counter, failing spectacularly at pretending not to stare. Someone in the back of the café let out a wolf whistle, followed by scattered applause. An elderly woman in the corner shot us an enthusiastic thumbs up over her crossword puzzle, mouthing what looked suspiciously like "Get it!"
I tried not to wince as I caught sight of my security detail strategically positioned around the café – Erik by the novelty mug display, his face flushed crimson as he pretended to be fascinated by a cup that read "Bean Me Up Scotty," Agent Andersen attempting to blend in while reading yesterday's newspaper upside down, and Agent Larsen somehow making the simple act of stirring coffee look suspicious. Daniel, thankfully, seemed completely oblivious to their presence.
"So," Daniel said, his smile bright enough to power several small countries, "I usually at leastmake the guy buy me dinner before putting on a show like that."
I felt my own face heat up, but couldn't stop grinning. "Well, I do owe you a cappuccino that's probably gone cold by now."
Daniel scrunched up his nose, the expression making my heart skip. "After three cups while waiting for you, I'm pretty sure I can feel colors. But..." He grabbed my hand, his fingers sliding between mine. The warmth of his touch sent electricity through my arm. "How about I show you around instead? The city's gorgeous this time of day."
My security detail shifted in my peripheral vision. Erik's face tightened with concern – walking meant exposure, unpredictable variables, risk. But Daniel's eyes sparkled with such genuine excitement that the words tumbled out before I could stop them.
"Lead the way."
We pushed through the café's door into the crisp autumn air. The bustle of New York wrapped around us – car horns, fragments of conversation, music spilling from shop doorways. So different from the formal stillness of palace corridors.
"Fair warning," Daniel squeezed my hand, "I'm a terrible tour guide. I mostly know where the best food trucks are and which subway stations to avoid after midnight."
"That sounds perfect actually." I found myself matching his easy smile. The weight of crown and country felt lighter here, walking hand-in-hand down a crowded sidewalk where no one looked twice at us. Just another couple out for a stroll.
"Really? Because I was thinking we could start with Central Park. It's not far, and there's this spot by the lake that's..." He trailed off, tugging me closer as a cyclist whizzed past. "Sorry, these bike messengers are basically urban cowboys."
I laughed, allowing myself to be pulled against his side. Behind us, I knew Erik and the security team were maintaining their discrete distance, but for once I didn't care. Daniel's enthusiasm was infectious, his hand warm in mine, and New York stretched before us full of possibilities.
The autumn breeze ruffled Daniel's dark hair as we walked, and I found myself mesmerized by how the sunlight caught the subtle auburn highlights. His hand remained firmly clasped in mine, our fingers interlocked as if they'd always belonged that way. Each block we passed revealed another layer of the city – street vendors hawking roasted nuts, tourists wielding selfie sticks, locals speed-walking with determination.
"That bodega has the best coffee in Manhattan, I swear." Daniel pointed with his free hand. "And see that pizza place? They're open until 4 AM. Saved my life during some rough nights."
The casual way he shared pieces of his world made my chest tighten. No ceremony, no carefully crafted statements – just honest stories told with an open heart. Back home, every word I spoke carried the weight of centuries of protocol. Here, walking these bustling streets with Daniel, I felt that weight lifting.
"You okay?" Daniel's thumb brushed across my knuckles. "You got quiet for a second there."
"More than okay." I squeezed his hand. "It's just... nice. Being here with you."
A taxi blared its horn as we crossed the street, making me jump. Daniel laughed and pulled me closer, his shoulder bumping mine. "Don't worry, that's just how New Yorkers say hello."
The edges of Central Park came into view ahead – a green oasis rising above the concrete and glass. Daniel's eyes lit up as he pointed out different landmarks, his enthusiasm infectious. I found myself studying his profile, the way his whole face transformed when he smiled, how he gestured expressively with his free hand while never letting go of mine.
"You're staring," he said, catching my eye with a grin.
"Can you blame me?" The words slipped out before I could stop them, but Daniel's resulting blush was worth any breach of royal decorum.
We passed under the park's stone archway, leaving the city's chaos behind. The path ahead wound through trees dressed in red and gold, and for the first time in years, I felt truly present in the moment – not Prince Harald, not the future king, just a man walking hand-in-hand with someone who made his heart race.
The peaceful atmosphere of our walk shattered when I caught movement from the corner of my eye. A woman in a bright yellow coat stood frozen on the path ahead, her iPhone raised and pointed directly at us. Her eyes narrowed with the kind of scrutiny that made my stomach drop – the look of someone trying to place a familiar face.
"Wait, aren't you—"
"Let's check out the lake this way." I tugged Daniel's hand, steering us down a side path before she could finish her sentence. My pulse hammered in my throat. "I bet the view is better from the south side."
