Charlotte & Nate (Royals of Valleria #4) Read Free Page B

her, and a very becoming shade of pink tinged her cheeks.
     
    “Yes, I’m very sorry. Were you waiting for me?”
     
    “I was waiting for you.” The answer was as much of a surprise to him as it was to Charlotte, who had momentarily stopped twisting her hands around the hem of her white chef’s jacket. He had to admit that the loose-fitting white was not flattering on her, but she still looked damn sexy.
     
    “Are you here to fire me?”
     
    “If I was?” He didn’t like the look of wariness or defeat in her eyes, an expression he had rarely seen on her. Still, he had to remind himself he was a prince, and his father would not be happy with him if he knew Nate was attracted to one of the palace staff. Nate stepped closer, and was pleased when she held her ground. “If I was going to fire you, what would you do?”
     
    “I’d ask if I could make the replacement cake first.”
     
    Nate smiled, which turned into a full laugh. “That’s just the sort of answer I expected from you, Charlotte.”
     
    “Charlie. My name is Charlie.”
     
    “It’s Charlotte,” he said in a low voice as he stalked closer. He saw her breath catch and her small, plump lips part slightly. Was she reacting to a prince or to him? He wish he knew.
     
    “I, um, prefer Charlie, Your Highness.”
     
    “And I prefer Nate. Doesn’t mean people call me that.” He was barely a foot away from her. He could smell the soft floral scent of her shampoo, the clean scent of her recent shower and damp hair. Her eyes drifted to his hair, which he knew must look a mess; he hadn’t been able to get all the cake out of it during his brief wash.
     
    “Are you here to fire me?” she blurted out.
     
    Despite the fact that he shouldn’t, that it would reveal too much of himself, he lifted his hand to Charlotte’s cheek. He brushed his knuckles over her soft, sweet-smelling skin. She gasped, and he felt a quick waft of air against his fingers. “No, Charlotte.” His voice was low and even, his light brown eyes staring into her bold blue. “No, I would never fire you.”
     
    She swallowed, and his eyes drifted to the line of her throat as she did. His hand fell away, and he suddenly felt cold.
     
    “Thank you.” She sighed in relief and he saw her shoulders relax. Was she thanking him for keeping her employed or stepping back from her? Again, he wish he knew.
     
    Nate stepped away, giving them some distance. He used the movement to put the towel he’d used into a basket set aside for soiled linens. “Are you really going to bake another cake?”
     
    “Yes, I am.” As she made her way into the kitchen, she paused. “Perhaps it would be best if you maintained some distance, Your Highness.”
     
    Distance from her or the cake? “On the contrary, I think it’s best if I stay right here. If you can see me at all times, it minimizes the chances of you accidentally running into me again.”
     
    “Of course,” she said and continued towards the pantry. Nate gently touched her arm as she passed. He ignored the sizzle of heat that passed between them to focus on her.
     
    “I’m not upset with you, Charlotte.”
     
    “Aren’t you? You’d be entitled to.”
     
    Entitled . A word a prince could come to loathe; Nate certainly had. “The things I’m entitled to, Charlotte, have nothing to do with you. Though I can’t say I’d want a cake shoved in my face again, I found the whole situation amusing more than anything.”
     
    “Amusing?”
     
    Why did she sound so put out? “Yes. I’ve never had a woman shove a whole cake in my face.” He counted on his fingers as he spoke. “I’ve had drinks thrown in my face, a vase thrown past my face, I’ve been pushed into pools, and I’ve been thrown off my horse a time or two, but no cake. So, I’m going to chalk it up to a new experience and leave it at that.”
     
    Nate could tell Charlotte was trying to hold back a smile. “I see.”
     
    “What are you still doing