Page 55 of The Wrong Royal
“I’ll get your breakfast,” a waiter said before hurrying away.
Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and toast were delivered along with a bowl of fresh fruit and, of course, coffee.
“Fish for breakfast?” Theo asked.
I laughed. “We’re a Scandinavian country. We eat fish for every meal except dessert.”
Theo chuckled and took a bite of his eggs. I watched him for a moment, admiring his sharp jawline and the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. I wondered what it would be like to wake up to him every morning, to have him by my side as I ruled our kingdom.
But then the fear crept in again, suffocating me. I couldn’t let myself get too attached, not when there were so many dangers lurking around us.
“This is good,” he said, nodding. “I like it.”
We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then walked around the boat. I felt silly reciting facts about whales and a few about dolphins.
As we walked, I felt the tension between us. There was nothing to be done about it. He could choose to accept things or walk away.
Theo put his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I could feel the warmth of his body against mine, and my heart skipped a beat.
“I know you’re afraid,” he said softly. “But I think you owe it to yourself to give this a chance.”
I smiled. I wished I could throw caution to the wind. “I think we’re heading back to shore,” I said.
He nodded. “I’m going to go downstairs.”
I watched him walk away and didn’t try to stop him. The trip back to shore was nothing like the adventure out. I stood alone at the rail, which was a glimpse into the future I was charting out for myself. I was going to sit on the throne alone. Rule alone. Be alone. I would have a ring on my finger, but that was the extent of my marriage.
Theo was waiting down below once we pulled up to the dock. We walked to the car together with him opening the door for me.
The ride back to the estate was quiet. I tried to think of something witty to say. Something that would break the tension. Unfortunately, I was fresh out of funny things to say.
Theo walked me to my door. His easy smile and the crinkles at the corners of his eyes were so natural, I could tell he smiled a lot. He wasn’t worried about having a stiff upper lip or getting wrinkles.
“Emilie, I had a great time today. Thank you for sharing part of your world with me.”
I shrugged, downplaying the significance of the day. “It’s not that serious,” I replied, my words lacking the conviction I had hoped for.
He smiled, shaking his head like he was giving up on me. He took a step closer, his eyes locked with mine. “Regardless, it meant a lot to me. I did have a good time with you.”
Before I could respond, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek. The contact sent a shiver down my spine, and as he pulled away, his eyes held a depth of emotion that left me feeling breathless.
I had thought he might kiss me. I wanted him to kiss me again.
Instead, he turned and walked away, his steps leading him to the house where he was staying. I watched him go, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. Theo had a way of driving me crazy, in both good and bad ways. He challenged my carefully constructed walls and made me question everything I had ever believed about duty and love.
I stepped inside, the memories of the day still in my mind. I couldn’t deny the connection that had grown between Theo and me, a connection that seemed to defy all logic and reason. It was as if fate had brought us together, two people from different worlds, each with our own baggage and insecurities.
As I settled into my quiet house, the weight of the day’s events pressing on me, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for us. I touched my cheek on the spot where he kissed me, leaving me with a sense of longing and uncertainty that I couldn’t ignore.
“Uh oh,” Astrid said as she came into the room. “I know that look.”
“What look?”
“Your cheeks are flushed.”
“I’ve been out on the boat,” I said, shrugging nonchalantly. “It was a cold breeze.”
“No, that’s not what it is. Did you have a nice time?”