Finding My Prince Charming (Finding My Prince Charming #1)(30)
Author: J.S. Cooper

She was too young for me, of course. Twenty-one was too young to know the ways of the world. Especially my world. But I couldn’t stop myself from wanting her. As a prince I was used to getting what I wanted. And I wanted her. I wanted her to submit to me fully.

Chapter 8

“You don’t mind walking?” Xavier gave me a quick smile.

“I’m not a complete fatass,” I shot back at him, though I think my comment wasn’t as strong as it could have been since I was panting a little bit. It wasn’t that I was totally out of shape, but I wasn’t in the habit of walking for miles.

“Do you want us to catch a cab or stop for a minute?” Xavier looked at me in concern and I could feel my insides flip-flopping. Why did he have to have those gorgeous green eyes?

“No, I’m fine,” I sputtered, though my calves were begging me to answer differently.

“Let’s grab a coffee.” He gave me a smile. “I could do with some caffeine.”

“Well, if you need it.” I shrugged and said a silent prayer as we walked into the small coffee shop.

“Would you like one?” he questioned me and then frowned.

“I didn’t realize that would upset you …” I questioned his frown. “Don’t stop on my account.”

“No, it’s not you.” He looked out the window and sighed. “I just saw someone.”

“Oh, an ex?” I ignored the jab of jealousy that hit me.

“No.” He laughed then. “Not an ex.”

“Max?” I questioned again. “Where is Max, by the way? I haven’t seen him.”

“He’s gone back to my country.”

“That’s quite literally your country isn’t, it?

“Please tell me you’re not impressed by the fact that I’m a prince.”

“Okay, I’m not impressed.” I grinned and he laughed. “I guess they’re making anyone a prince these days.”

“I guess they are.” He stared at me with amusement in his eyes. “See, you’re not having such a bad time, are you?”

“I can’t say there’s no place I’d rather be than here.”

“Don’t spoil the afternoon by being petulant.”

“Fancy word for a fancy man.” I rolled my eyes and he grabbed my hands.

“Don’t make me kiss you and teach you a lesson.”

“How can you teach me a lesson by kissing me?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“I’ll show you.” He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine tenderly. I was surprised by the lightness of his touch and then by the warmth of his tongue as it entered my mouth. He took my tongue in his lips and sucked on it gently before deepening the kiss. I felt my head growing light as his fingers played with my hair. I reached out to grab his shoulders, but he slowly withdrew from me. I sat there panting slightly and feeling dazed.

“Now you understand.” He grinned and pulled out his wallet. “What do you want to drink?”

“You can choose.” I blushed and looked away, not wanting him to see how right he was. I really didn’t want to like him. Everything about this situation screamed heartbreak waiting to happen.

“I guess I’ll get two lattes, then.”

“I wouldn’t say no to some shortbread cookies as well.” I grinned and he laughed. “What’s so funny?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“I don’t meet many girls that ask for cookies.”

“Oh, what, they ask for cupcakes? Are cookies too expensive?”

“They ask for salads normally.” He winked and me and walked away as I blushed. I wanted to call out to him, What sort of dumbasses are you dating that ask for salads at a coffee shop? but decided to keep my mouth shut. No point getting into a sparring match with him. I was pretty sure I’d lose.

***

“Thanks for the coffee.” I smiled at Xavier as we left the coffee shop. “It was good.”

“Do you feel like you have more energy now?”

“Oh, yes.” I lied, then yawned.

“Oh, Lola.” He grinned. “I guess the caffeine content wasn’t high enough for you.”

“Sorry, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Why not?” His eyes narrowed.

“You know.” I shrugged, not wanting him to know I’d been thinking of him all night.

“Did you have a date?” His voice grew hostile. “Were you in—”

“I didn’t have a date.” I cut him off. “Not that I couldn’t have if I wanted.”

“I told you my brother is not—”

“Oh, shut up, Xavier.” I sighed. “If I hang out with Sebastian, that’s between us. I’m fed up of hearing you try and warn me off every other day. It’s annoying.”

“I’m just trying to help …” he began, and I could see from his expression that he was disgruntled.

“Don’t try to help me outside of class, Professor. It’s not wanted or needed. And it’s definitely not appreciated.”

“You’re not so timid anymore.” His lips twitched as he stared at my heated face.

“I was never timid.” I glared at him.

“That’s true.” He paused and licked his lips slowly. “You do like to give as good as you get, don’t you?”

“It’s not hard when it’s not very good.” I smiled at him sweetly and his eyes narrowed.

“Are you trying to rile me up, Lola? Do you want me to prove to you how good I am?”

“I don’t have all year.” I replied tartly and he laughed.

“Come, let’s go to the museum.” He grabbed my hand. “I want to see your face when you look at the art.”

“Why?”

“It will remind me of the look you make when you come.” He whispered in my ear. “The look of exquisite pleasure and raw emotion.”

I gasped at his words and pulled away from him. There was something so desperately inappropriate about Xavier, and while a part of me hated that about him, the other part of me absolutely loved it.

***

“Welcome to the National Gallery.” Xavier extended his arms as he pointed at the grand white building in front of us.

“It’s huge.” I looked up at the white building in awe and then ran up the steps and stood on the balcony overlooking the city.

“That’s Trafalgar Square.” Xavier ran up behind me and pointed to the enormous black lions in the center surrounding a tall statue of a man.