Page 8 of Tempted By the Princess

If I’d met Genny at a bar somewhere, I’d totally be interested in her. Well, maybe if she was a little older anyway. Our age gap was a problem, but the fact that she was a princess on the run was a much bigger issue. I couldn’t decide if she was nuts or just impulsive and immature. I’d worked hard to get drama out of my life. I didn’t need more drama now.

Sighing, I sat up and grabbed my phone, clicking over to the local news site. Fortunately there was no mention of a missing princess, which made me feel somewhat better. I wondered how long she could be in the wind before her family decided she was in trouble.

The best thing to do was make sure that Genny went on her way tomorrow. The longer she stayed, the worse things would be for both of us when they found her. And despite the fact that there was nothing in the news, I had no doubt her rich and powerful parents had people looking for her.

Unfortunately getting rid of my guest wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I woke up the next morning to the smell of bacon and coffee. At first I thought my sister had shown up, but to my surprise Genny was in the kitchen, still wearing what she’d had on last night, humming to herself as she cooked breakfast.

“What are you doing?” I asked, sounding grumpier than I meant to be.

She gave me a huge smile. “Making us breakfast. It’s the least I can do after you cooked last night.”

She could cook?

“I wouldn’t exactly call frozen pizza cooking,” I said wryly as I headed for the coffee pot and poured myself a cup. “Do you need any help?”

“Nah, I’m good. Drink your coffee while I finish up.”

It felt strange sitting in my own kitchen watching someone else cook. I’d never had a woman stay over before, at least not at this place. I didn’t date much, and when I did, I kept things pretty casual, always preferring to stay at their place instead of bringing them here to my sanctuary. I wasn’t opposed to having a serious relationship, but it was pretty rare for someone I was dating to interest me enough to consider it. The one time I’d gotten serious about someone it hadn’t worked out.

Genny came over with plates piled high with bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast. I dug out the butter and a jar of jam, then we settled across from each other and started eating our breakfast.

My eyes widened as I tasted the eggs. “Holy crap! These are the best eggs I’ve ever tasted. What did you do with them?”

“It’s a family secret.”

“Your family has a secret egg recipe?” I asked skeptically.

“Well, the cook we had when I was growing up had a secret egg recipe,” she admitted. “She taught me everything I know about cooking.”

“You are a surprise,” I mumbled as I shoveled more eggs into my mouth.

“What are your plans for today?” she asked.

I shrugged. “I’m off work today. I’ve gotta do laundry. Go grocery shopping. Clean the house. And I’ll probably paint for a while.”

“You’re painting your house?”

For some reason I felt a little bashful. “No, I paint. Pictures. As a hobby.”

I’d started using painting as a way to work through my emotions back when I was a teenager. I found it relaxing, almost meditative. But I just did it for fun.

Genny looked delighted. “You’re an artist?”

“A hobbyist,” I clarified.

“Can I see your work?”

“No.”

I would have bet my last dollar that her fancy condo was full of professional art. And that castle of her family’s was probably like a museum. Meanwhile my paintings were rough. Wild. Personal.

Genny gave me a pout that made me roll in my lips to keep from laughing. She was adorable. My gaze fixed on her lips for a few seconds longer than was technically polite before I looked away. I ate some more eggs, definitely not thinking about how much I wanted to kiss this woman.

“I’ll clean up since you cooked,” I said, my voice gravelly.

I stood up and reached across the table to grab her plate just as she stood up. Her right breast pressed against my arm, and we both froze for a few seconds before awkwardly pulling away.

“Hey Carrie?”