Page 12 of Falling for the King

Oh God.

‘No, no, I didn’t hit my head. I’m completely unhurt, Xavier.’

He didn’t move, except for the unsteady rise and fall of his chest.

In an effort to convey reassurance and comfort she reached out and cradled his jaw. He flinched but didn’t move away as his skin, hot and a little scratchy, met hers.

‘Honestly, I’m fine,’ she said fervently although she didn’t feel fine, witnessing his anguish was unbearable.

He closed his eyes and she felt some of the tension ease from his frame.

She’d never seen him like this, so unguarded. Free from observation she took in dark lashes resting flush against his skin and the unnatural sheen that sat across his chiselled features. Features too severe to ever be called beautiful, more aptly masculine, strong, compelling.

‘Are you?’ she asked her lips close to his, her heart wrenching at the thought of the pain he was in. ‘I’m sorry this has brought back such terrible memories for you,’ she continued softly.

His eyes snapped open staring into hers as she held her breath, her heart thudding. He blinked then jerked back onto his side of the seat like he’d been scorched.

Dragging a hand slowly down his face the king returned inch by inch, except for his pallor which hadn’t returned to normal. He snatched up the internal phone that flashed and beeped.

‘What the hell was that? Any injuries?’

A pause.

‘We’re both unharmed. How long?’

Another pause.

‘Yes, proceed. Keep me informed.’

The car began to move as he hung up and turned towards her.

‘A tree fell across the road. We’ll have to turn around and go an alternate route.’ His jaw ticked in an otherwise impassive face.

‘Has anyone been hurt?’

‘Not that’s currently known, they’re checking.’ Reaching for the back of his neck he massaged it roughly, then dropped his hand. ‘I apologise for my reaction, for making you … uncomfortable, I thought you’d been hurt,’ he said stiffly.

Uncomfortable. Was that what he thought?

‘There’s nothing to apologise for. Your reaction was understandable. I should’ve made the connection soon—.’

‘No. Don’t.’

‘I know how your wife died. This must be … painful for you.’

Silence. She didn’t think he’d answer as the distance between them grew, which had nothing to do with them sitting at opposite ends of the seat.

‘I wasn’t in the car with her.’ His lips barely moved but a whole world of pain and guilt was conveyed in those words.

‘But you found her.’ She could only imagine the horror of that. To find her on his private road and be unable to save her, which she knew as sure as the sun would rise tomorrow that he would’ve tried to. And although this had happened before Katerina had met Max she’d heard all about it, the whole world had.

His jaw twitched again.

‘Yes.’

She shuddered unable to prevent it, not at the storm that was in full force outside, but the one raging inside her. Feelings for him that clashed against the barriers she’d built to protect herself from ever being hurt again.

‘You’re still cold?’ He leant forward to pick up the phone.