Page 26 of Tall, Royal and Grumpy

“I thought you said you were getting real food. That’s not real food,” she said, wriggling her bottom on the counter.

My jaw locked and I stabbed my thumb so hard into one tangerine that juice was pooling around it, and I was entirely sure I had orange peel under my blunt nail, deep enough that my thumb was going to hurt in the morning. That was my deserved punishment for ogling at her inappropriately.

I viciously tore off the skin, taking my frustration at myself out on the innocent piece of fruit. “How so?” I grumbled.

It was easier to keep my stare away from her legs once she started talking. She spoke so much and at times so fast, as much with her mouth as she did with her hands and eyes.

And shit. Because it was cute.

Chapter Nine

ESMERALDA

Esmeralda

He’s a gentleman!!! Kai is an absolute ADORABLE gentleman!!!

Esmeralda

He’s perfect!!!

Esmeralda

I love him!!!

Mariyah

Gmorning to u too

Mariyah

And I thought we had already established he was but k…

Mariyah

And slow down!! There are steps to seduction! No jumping straight to I love u!

Mariyah

Now tell me what happened

* * *

“You have a beautiful voice, Princess,” Pierre purred.

I faltered mid-sentence as a furious blush struck my face but tried to carry on reading from the book in my hands like he hadn’t said anything.

“Paired with your accent…damn. I could listen to you all day.”

My cheeks ached with how hard I was smiling. “Then stop talking and listen.”

“But I like talking to you too.”

“Pierre,” I warned playfully, looking up from the page.

“Okay, all right, I’ll shut my mouth,” he said with a chuckle and slumped his shoulder against the shelves with his arms crossed over his chest, stretching the fabric of his thin, black V-neck jumper.

After a morning conference celebrating the special achievements of some of Neves citizens from all seven states, and a private tea and cakes session after lunch in Chaukham Palace with all the royals, the reigning monarchs had left in a number of cars to head into the city for their annual walkabout.

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