“Lifers?” I asked.
“People that snap up a great position and never leave.” He frowned. “I did have an offer from a university, but I’m not ready to go straight into teaching full-time.”
“That makes sense. Want to see and do a little more first.” I nodded my head.
“Exactly. Then I can decide where I really want to be.” I finished off the last of the chicken and moved on to the noodles. “It must be hard for you to not have a choice.”
“I have a choice,” I argued. “Well, with some limitations, but really, most people have limitations and certain expectations. Being a princess is my job. I love it most of the time, but everyone has bad days or days you just don’t want to go to work. Then there are bad parts to every job, and you just have to work around them. This week has been tough. I thought I was going to go insane at a plaque unveiling. It was for a great cause and the people were wonderful, but all I could think about was getting back to make sure Selene was okay.”
“That’s understandable.” He nodded in understanding. “I love working with birds, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t days when I want to beat my head against a wall.”
“Exactly. Today was one of those days.” I frowned. “The media has been ridiculous. They’ve even calmed down when it comes to Sam and Alex, except for the wedding, but lately they are everywhere. I don’t usually rate this much attention.”
“That is a lot to deal with, but you’re a pro.” He reached out and touched my hand. “I’ve been watching and I can see how you work the crowd. It’s so natural, I imagine most people don’t notice when you turn it on. Turn on the princess.”
“That’s exactly what I do,” I said. In less than a week, David had noticed more about me than most people. “I turn on Princess Catherine and do my duty.” I shook my head. “That makes it sound like I don’t enjoy it and I normally do. But I have to be so careful and follow certain protocols. There are days that I just want to be Cathy.”
“I get it.” He frowned. “I don’t mind teaching, actually enjoy it when the students are interested, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to just be David. It’s why I turned down the professorship.”
“I think you’re going to like the FBT. You’ll get the best of both worlds.” I stood up and started cleaning up the trash while he got a rag to clean off the table. “I think we’ve left Chadwick alone long enough. Who knows what type of things he’s planned for you.”
“Scary.” His voice was odd as he turned and looked at me. “I’m thinking . . .”
“You’re right. That is scary.” I threw the trash away and watched him as he walked toward me.
“We agreed that this was our second date, right?” His hand cupped my face while his thumb rubbed along my cheek.
“Yes.” My voice came out husky as he leaned a little closer.
“Then I think a kiss is in order,” he said. His free hand moved to cup my hip and pulled me a little closer. “I’ve been dying to since the other night.”
I went willingly, eager to taste his kiss once again. He didn’t rush the moment, dragging out the wait as his lips neared mine, but still didn’t touch. His breath washed over my face and I leaned forward even more. When his lips finally touched mine, it was the softest whisper of a kiss, brushing against my lips like a feather’s touch. While his lips moved slowly, there was a barely contained heat behind his touch. His fingers tightened on my hip and his other hand dipped my head back so that he could have better access to my mouth.
I ran my hands up his arms to rest on his shoulders, enjoying the slow kiss that ignited fire in my veins. When he slowly pulled away, I kept my eyes shut, savoring the moment. It was the best kiss I’d ever experienced.
FIFTEEN
“WHERE ARE MY nude heels?” I got down and looked under the hotel bed. Pushing the extra pillows out of the way, I made sure they weren’t hiding.
“I think they’re out here,” Max hollered. “If by nude you mean beige.”
“What the hell are they doing out there?” I mumbled as I ran into the living area. “Thanks.”
I plucked them from his fingers and ran back to my room. David was supposed to be here any minute and I still wasn’t finished getting ready. Sliding into the bathroom, I grabbed the curling iron and added a few loose curls to my hair, giving it that careless look that was anything but careless. I checked my makeup and spritzed on a light perfume. Nothing too heavy, but just enough to know it was there.