Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
“Hmm. I think it’s both.” He winked down at her.
It was almost impossible to be mad at him. Especially when he looked at her like that. His eyes were swimming with humor and a smile twitched at his lips.
Then she made herself turn to look at the people he was talking to.
And she had never had the desire to murder someone more than she had to kill him right then.
Because standing there, flanked by two handsome men was Pippa.
The Pippa.
The woman she’d wanted to meet for so long. Was here. In front of her. In the flesh.
“You saw my ass!” she cried. Then she placed her hands over her face. This was it. This was the moment she died of embarrassment.
“If only the world was a kinder place, then a hole in the ground would open up and swallow me down,” she cried.
“Whoa, darlin’, you okay? You kind of sound like you’re losing it, there.”
“Losing it? Losing it?” She gave a laugh and even she could hear the hysteria. “Of course I’m losing it! Princess Pippa is standing right there. Right there.” She pointed without looking. “I’ve been wanting to meet her and then, the first time I do, all she has is a view of my bottom!”
There was silence and her horror grew. Even though he was the cause of her complete and utter meltdown, she found herself turning into Hux and burying her face in his chest.
She didn’t even hesitate, which shocked her since she wasn’t used to initiating touch with anyone.
To her surprise, his arms instantly came around her. She’d be lying if she said that she hadn’t half-expected him to stand there in horror. Or worse yet, push her away. But he held her tight. Almost as though he thought she was shattering.
Was this seriously what was going to do it? Because she’d often imagined the day she might finally crack.
And she didn’t think that this would be what would send her over the edge.
God, his hug was nice though. Her body wanted more.
“Darlin’ there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a really cute bottom.”
Seriously? Was he for real right now?
There was a combined groan from behind her.
“I can’t believe you just said that, Hux,” one of the men said.
“Hey, what are you trying to say?” Hux asked. “It is a cute butt. And I’ll take on anyone who says otherwise.”
“Why isn’t the ground opening up? Why are my prayers never answered?” Chloe asked.
A light hand touched her back, making her jump.
“Sorry,” Pippa said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Oh shit. That was Princess Pippa’s voice. Oh shit, I said shit in front of her. Is there a punishment for that?”
“I’ll make you a deal. You stop calling me Princess Pippa and I’ll ignore the fact you said shit.”
She snuck a quick look at the Princess before turning back to Hux’s chest. “You said shit too. Are Princesses allowed to do that?”
“Only the super cool ones,” Pippa replied with a grin.
“What should I call you? Your majesty? Your highness?”
“How about that red-headed chick that fell in love with four princes.”
“Seems like a mouthful, but okay.”
Pippa chuckled. “I like you. What’s your name?”
She liked her? She really liked her?
“How doesn’t she think that I’m a complete dork?” she muttered.
“You are not a dork, Chloe,” Hux growled at her. “Do not say things like that. Or you’ll find yourself in trouble.”
Whoops. She’d said that out loud.
And what kind of trouble?
“Wow, Hux, I’ve never seen you like this,” the dark-haired man said. He had a gorgeous tattoo on one arm. “Didn’t know you had it in you, man. Wait . . . you said Chloe? Ms. Reed? His Lordship’s personal assistant? That’s who you’re cradling against your chest like a baby?”
Oh shit. She had to move. This man knew who she was. He knew who Jonathan was.
Move, Chloe.
But it was so nice to be held. And she felt so safe with Hux. Despite the fact that he’d laughed at her when she’d thought he wanted sex with her. She really didn’t want to look properly at Princess Pippa. That meant that this whole humiliating experience was real.
And she’d see her face.
And not her butt.
“Yep, that’s her.”
“Do you want to explain what’s going on?” the man with the tattoo asked.
“We’re going for ice cream,” Hux said. “She hasn’t had ice cream in over twenty years. It’s a crime. The woman needs ice cream.”
What she needed was not to have met the princess for the first time while she was ass up and head down over Hux’s shoulder.
“You’re taking Lord Fothersam’s assistant for ice cream?” the dark-haired man asked, sounding almost hesitant.
The other guy seemed like the strong, silent type.
“Yep. It was an ice cream emergency.”
“And you were carrying her over your shoulder because . . .”
“It was an ice cream emergency. Plus, she has a sore leg.”