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)
He knew about that? How? She thought she’d hidden it well.
“I didn’t want her walking on her foot and hurting it more.”
“Wow, that’s so sweet, Hux,” Pippa said.
“That’s what they say about me . . . I’m the sweetest.”
Who said that about him? Who were these people? Why were they talking about her Hux like that?
Not yours.
But she’d like it if he was. In an alternate universe, she’d be with this man. She’d wake up smiling every morning and go to sleep giggling each night. And in between she’d let him take her for ice cream and tell her silly jokes.
But that wasn’t her reality. And she needed to get herself sorted.
So she’d embarrassed herself in front of the one person she wanted to impress.
Didn’t matter, right?
“Chloe? Are you okay?” Pippa asked.
Great. Now Princess Pippa was talking directly to her and she couldn’t move.
Turn around, Chloe.
“Uh, darlin’, you might want to talk now. I’m getting the vibe that Aleki thinks I kidnapped you or something. Or that I was forcing you to go get ice cream against your will.”
“You are forcing me to get ice cream. And you did kind of kidnap me.”
“For your own good. It doesn’t count if it’s for your own good.”
“I don’t know if that’s true,” the other woman said.
“Ms. Reed? Are you all right?” that same male voice asked.
Oh, crap.
She was going to have to face them all.
Taking a deep breath, she turned. She was aware that her cheeks had to be bright red. She took in Pippa then dropped her eyes.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” she whispered to Hux.
“Ahh, you’re supposed to tell Aleki that I didn’t kidnap you so he doesn’t kick my ass,” Hux whispered back.
“No. The Princess. Am I supposed to curtsy? Bow? What’s the protocol? Why was there no protocol in Judd’s two-hour lecture? Oh God! Unless there was. I kind of fell asleep with my eyes open half way through.”
“Ooh, you’re gonna be in trouble for that when I tell him,” Hux said.
“I’ll tell him that you carried me over your shoulder. Then you’re gonna be in trouble.”
“Pfft. Not afraid of Judd.”
“Shall I tell Owen?” she asked.
He gaped down at her. “You have a mean streak, don’t you? I like that. I like it a lot.”
Oh, dear Lord. Why was he staring at her like that? And why was she engaging in the banter? It wasn’t smart.
But she was starting to think that she wasn’t smart at all.
“You two are like an old married couple,” the dark-haired woman said. “It’s so cute.”
“It really is,” the Princess added.
How had she forgotten about them?
“Hi. I’m Alina, by the way.” The dark-haired woman smiled and waved. “This is Aleki, and the silent guy is Ian.”
“Chloe. I’m so sorry,” she said faintly.
“For what?” the Princess asked with a grin. “For Hux carrying you over his shoulder? Hux, you should’ve been carrying her bridal style. It’s easier on the tummy.”
“Totally,” Alina added. “And far more romantic.”
“Um, there’s nothing . . . we’re not . . . oh, dear Lord.” She could imagine Jonathan’s wrath if this got back to him.
Then again . . . he had asked her to keep these guys busy.
Which was easily done. But it sat like a lead balloon in her gut, making her feel queasy.
Could be from Hux carrying her, though.
“Thanks for the tips. I’ll remember that for next time,” Hux said.
“No!”
Everyone stared at her in surprise. Well, except for the big, blond guard. His gaze was moving around their surroundings, watching for a threat.
“Um, I . . . well . . .”
“Ms. Reed, are you okay?” Aleki asked. “Did Hux grab you without your permission?”
Hux stiffened but before he could say anything, she was shaking her head. As much as she should say yes, she knew she wouldn’t. Because she’d never want Hux to get in trouble.
“No, not at all. He had my permission.”
“To carry you over his shoulder?” Aleki asked.
“Yep! It’s all good. We were just having fun. Although it won’t be happening again, because we’re not, um, we’re not together or anything.”
“Hey now, I’m taking you on a date for ice cream,” Hux protested. “In some cultures that would be as good as an engagement ring.”
“What cultures would those be?” she asked.
“Plenty. I mean, it’s not as good as a goat. But I could get you one of those. I’ve always wanted a goat. I’ll call him goatie.”
“Original,” she said dryly.
“Well, I thought about calling him Judd. But I thought that would get confusing.”
“What about Grumpzilla?” she asked.
Hux grinned, his eyes dancing. “Why, little darlin’, is that what you call Judd in your head?”
Her eyes widened. What was she doing? It was official. She had lost her mind. Gone.
“No!”
“No one would blame you if you did,” the dark-haired man told her with a grin. “He’s totally a Grumpzilla.”