Recklessly Royal(31)

There were gasps in the room that quickly turned to nervous laughs when I tsked at the bird. “That was not very nice, Loki, but I can see where you got your name!”

“Are you okay, Cathy?” David reached for my hand, examining my fingers while the photographers sat up in their seat and snapped pictures.

Not only had he addressed me by my nickname, he had taken my hand in his with a familiarity that people didn’t normally see with me. It wasn’t that I was cold, but I was always careful with how I interacted with men.

“I’m fine.” I didn’t snatch my hand back or make a big deal about any of it. If there was an issue Selene could play it off that we were friends through Sam. Which was exactly the truth. The fact that we had seen each other naked and had plans for a date was no one’s business. Besides, I liked the way worry wrinkled his brow as he checked my fingers. “Really, no blood.”

“I should have warned you.” His jaw tightened. “I’m still learning these birds.”

I could tell what he was thinking, that he shouldn’t be doing this presentation until he was fully ready. Unfortunately that wasn’t how things worked in my world. We were often thrown into situations where we had to “fake it until we made it.”

“Well, goes to show you that I don’t have the proper training for handling these gorgeous creatures.” I smiled at the cameras. “Of course, that doesn’t stop me from admiring their beauty.”

Tina moved onto the stage to take Loki from me and I removed the glove. “Thank you for making sure I was all right, David. A real live knight in shining armor.”

His mouth twitched and I wondered what he was deciding not to say. I found myself intrigued just as much by what he left unsaid as by what he decided was worth saying.





TEN


“SO, THAT WAS weird.” David sat at a table with his feet propped up.

“Really?” I shook my head. “That was pretty tame.”

“All of those people with the billion questions and pictures were a tame version of what you normally deal with?” David raised an eyebrow before scratching his chin. “I’ve faced down a brown bear and didn’t sweat as much as I did today.”

Chadwick snorted. “It’s a totally different beast.”

“Nice.” I lifted my water bottle to toast his pun.

“I am learning that.” David let out a rush of air. “I’m still surprised Sam asked me to do this. I might know birds, but you need to know even more about people, and that is a knowledge I seriously lack.”

“Are you kidding? You did great.” I smiled at him. “They thought you were charming.”

“Apparently, they weren’t the only ones.” Chadwick faked a cough. “Sorry, something caught in my throat.”

“Yeah, right.” I rolled my eyes, but David grinned at me. “You should get that checked out.”

“I did. It’s hereditary. Apparently my father is a smart-ass too.”

David choked on his soda and started coughing. I slapped him on the back and tried not to laugh.

“Catherine, are you about ready?” Selene asked. As much as I loved Selene, there were times when I wished I had someone younger working with me, like Chadwick. Someone who made me laugh and eased some of the serious strain on my everyday life. Naturally, trading her loyalty and dedication wasn’t an option.

“Of course.” When I got up, Chadwick and David both stood, which made me shake my head. “Sit down, you two. It’s not like I’m so frail I can’t walk to the door by myself.”

“It has nothing to do with being frail and everything to do with respect.” David moved so that he was standing next to me. “You handled those reporters with ease.”

“You didn’t do too shabby yourself.” I smiled up at him. “You think Sam chose the wrong person, but she got it right.”

“We’ll see.” He opened the door to the break room. “I think Chadwick is working with Selene to find us some free time.”

“Good.” It was so natural it happened without thought. I stood on my tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. When the realization of what I had done hit me, I froze. He turned to look me in the eyes, my hand still on his chest, and I wondered if he was going to kiss me back. It was so easy, that sense of normal he gave me, but at the same time, electric and hot. It was real and unforced. Not like being with a boy in school because you traveled in the same circles or could understand each other’s lifestyles.

This was something else; this was honest-to-God attraction.

The moment probably lasted no more than just that—a moment—but it felt like an eternity as we stared into each other’s eyes. Somehow, this moment was even more intimate than having his head pressed between my legs. Of course, that thought sent shivers over my skin and blood rushing to my cheeks.