Ruthless King

“You’re not eating much,” he said to her. “Do you not like it?”

“What? Oh no. I’m good. I’m not a big eater.”

Plus, she didn’t want to retain water. She had to get into a skimpy outfit tomorrow night.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Um, thank you for bringing this food.”

Next time, bring dessert. A can of whipped cream. Cherries. Chocolate sauce.

Make me dessert.

Okay. Enough. She had to get her mind off this.

“Can I get you a drink?” she asked abruptly, standing and moving to the fridge. “Um, beer? Cider?”

“Do you have beer and cider?” he asked.

Opening the fridge, she peered down at it. “It appears not.”

“Usually, people check what they have before they offer drinks,” he said, sounding amused.

“Sorry.” Urgh, she was acting like such an idiot. “I can offer milk, water, tea, and coffee.”

“I’ll take water. And tea after dinner.”

Crap. He was going to stay that long? She wasn’t sure that her poor body could take being so close to him that long.

Calm down.

When she returned with two glasses of water, she leaned over to put one down. But he reached up for it simultaneously, his fingers wrapping around hers. The glass slipped through her fingers, smashing onto the floor. Water and glass went everywhere.

“Oh shit! I’m so sorry! Stay there. I’ll clean it up.” She rushed toward the cupboard with the broom and pan, pulling them out.

What an idiot.

He touched her and it was like her body short-circuited. Turning, she banged straight into him, her nose hitting his chest. Tears filled her eyes.

“Ouch.”

“Are you all right, Jilly?”

All right? No, she was pretty sure that she wasn’t all right. Her nose was throbbing, there were tears in her eyes, and she’d made a mess everywhere.

Large hands wrapped around her waist, and suddenly, she was lifted into the air, before being sat on the kitchen counter. She’d dropped the broom and pan on the floor in shock.

What just happened?

Had he really carried her through the air like that?

“What are you doing? You shouldn’t just pick me up and carry me around.”

“Did I scare you?” He grasped hold of her chin, tilting her head back so his gray eyes could examine her. “I apologize.”

“You didn’t scare me.” Much. “But I’m too heavy for that.”

His eyes narrowed. “No.”