Page 27 of Palace of Betrayal

“Are you on your way in or out?”

The King angled toward his son, asking him the question, giving Bebe a moment to study the dynamic between the two men. Affection was as clear as day on the King’s face as he waited for his son to answer.

“We’ve come from the Marina.”

“Ah, wonderful. You can have lunch with me in my private quarters.”

Bebe saw Leo clench his back teeth, his jaw going rigid and knew he was about to try and wriggle out of it. This was a good opportunity for her to get a read on the King though and, God willing, clear his name. She hated that there was now doubt in Leo’s mind about his father’s innocence. She’d considered keeping quiet, but secrets led to people dying in her experience and she had no intention of letting Leo die.

“That would be lovely, León.”

She squeezed his arm, where he’d looped it, taking her fingers and wrapping them around his forearm in a gesture that made his feelings for her clear. A spear of regret shot through her as she wished for just a moment that it was real. That he did indeed crave her touch in such a natural and intuitive way. Leo smiled, his eyes warming, tiny lines around his eyes crinkling and it felt like this was real, like they were the only two people in the room.

“It seems, my darling, that I can’t deny you anything.”

She knew it was a ruse, a lie, but when he looked at her like he was and called her darling, it was all too easy to forget that this was fake and that she wasn’t his anything. The thought made her ridiculously sad, regret like a knot in her chest.

“Then that’s settled. I’ll see you at one in my quarters.”

She turned her eyes to King Alfred as he pivoted on his heel, his three-piece suit immaculate and walked away, his shoulders straight, head high.

“I can’t believe you got us into that. You do realise he’ll have the wedding planned by the time we get to dessert, don’t you?”

Bebe smirked as she leaned into his arm, resting her head for a second, a smile teasing her mouth. “There’s dessert?”

Leo shook his head, a bemused grin on his face as he opened his apartment door, holding a hand for her to precede him. “You do realise that you’re completely crazy, don’t you?”

He hooked his hands around her waist drawing her close, so she had to look up at him to reply. “Crazy for you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yep.” She let her mouth pop on the ‘p’ and hated the giddy feeling that was making her body ache for him. If this were real, she’d throw herself head long into this feeling, but it wasn’t, and she wished so hard that she was a woman worthy of him.

“I’ve never met anyone like you. Beautiful, sexy, clever, confident with a heart as big as those gorgeous eyes.”

“Did you just say I have bug eyes?” Bebe twitched her nose trying not to laugh, because her emotions were shot, and it could easily turn to tears.

“What? No. Stop twisting my words, you minx.”

“Now, I’m a minx. Prince León, I may call off our imaginary wedding if you keep insulting me.”

Leo placed a hand over his heart and feigned heartbreak. “Please, I beg you, don’t do that. You know my heart only beats for you.”

Bebe rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

She went to pull away, but he snatched her arm, dragging her back and bending his head to capture her lips.

Her breath left her lungs at his hot kiss, the earthy male scent of Leo mixed with the aftershave he wore making her dizzy. His hand gripped the back of her neck as he guided her head to the side so he could deepen the kiss. Bebe wrapped her arms around his neck, moulding her body closer, feeling the hardness of his cock against her belly. His teeth tugged at her bottom lip, and he growled as her nails bit into his neck.

“I need you.”

“Your father,” she reminded him as he palmed her ass, grinding his cock against her clit, making her gasp.

“Fuck my father.”

Bebe pulled her head away so she could get some normal brain function working, his hands and mouth a distraction to her mental ability to think. “We can’t just ignore the King’s invitation.”

“He’s my father, and I’m due a rebellious phase.”