“Where are you taking me?” He set his wineglass down on a table as we walked.

“Does it matter?” I looked back at him and raised an eyebrow.

“No.” He shifted his fingers so they laced with mine.

“Okay, then.” I winked at him and pulled him with me.

We went through the servers’ entrance and through the kitchen. David didn’t say a word, just followed as I wove through the counters. Taking a small hallway, I led him into a smaller, much quieter kitchen that served the family wing. Opening one of the refrigerators I tossed him a bottle of beer before digging through the freezer for my favorite ice cream. He sat down at the island while I found a spoon for my frozen treat.

“How many kitchens are there?” He took a sip of his beer.

“Three,” I said. “The large one for formal functions, the employee kitchen, and this is the family kitchen.”

“And you have a cook who takes care of your stuff in here?”

“Two master chefs that rotate and their assistant staff.” I frowned. “To be fair, we often host dignitaries or visiting royals in the family wing. So it’s more often than not, there are additions to our family meals.”

“So, your family wing isn’t really so much about family.” He wiped some of the condensation from his bottle with his thumb. “And more about making certain people feel special.”

“It’s our home.” I sat up straighter, annoyed. “We’re not the only family that has guest rooms or visitors.”

“True.” He shrugged. “Just seems so foreign to me. It would be annoying to have to get dressed just to go get a snack. Or what if you forget something in your office?”

“Well, I’m not normally hanging out in my room naked, so it’s not a big deal.” I laughed. It really didn’t seem like a big deal to me. I hadn’t known anything else.

“That’s a shame.” Heat followed his gaze over my body and I bit my lip. I was starting to feel nervous about my plan to seduce him—what did I know about seducing a man? Then again, maybe it was going to be easier than I thought.

I smiled up at him from under my eyelashes. “Does that mean you hang out in your room naked?”

“It’s been known to happen.” He laughed. “Especially if I can’t find a clean towel after a shower.”

The thought of him standing there while water rolled down his body made me suck in a breath. Yep. That was a sight I wouldn’t mind. Not in the least.

“You’re teasing me.”

“Nope. I hate to do laundry. You have to gather it all up, then wash it, then dry it, then fold it. And to add insult to injury, once you’ve done all of that you still have to put it up in the closet.” He spun the liquid in his bottle slowly. “I’d rather do the dishes than the laundry.”

“I started doing my own laundry in college.” I laughed. “I didn’t know I needed to read the labels. Needless to say I lost a lot of things because I didn’t realize they had to be dry-cleaned.”

“It must have been a weird transition.”

“I love it. For so long I didn’t get to do the regular stuff. I was expected to ask people to do things for me like I was helpless. I hated it. I hate asking for help.” I scraped the bottom of the ice cream bowl with my spoon. “Now I get to be independent and make time for things that everyone else does.”

“On top of being a full-time student and a full-time princess?” He cocked his head to the side. “When do you sleep?”

“How did you know I was a full-time student?” I raised one eyebrow.

“I might have asked Sam a few questions.” He ducked his head and smiled.

“And why would you do that, Dr. Rhodes?” I couldn’t help the grin that pulled at my mouth. I stood up and set my bowl and spoon in the sink.

“I couldn’t stop wondering what it would be like to kiss you.” This time when he looked at me, there was heat in his gaze.

“Maybe you should find out.” I turned around and leaned against the counter. I hoped I looked sexy and inviting, but I probably looked excited and nervous.

He stood up slowly and walked around the kitchen island to stand in front of me. His suit jacket hung open and I could see the muscles under his shirt shift with each step, but it was his eyes that drew me in. Placing a hand on either side of me on the counter he leaned close. I felt as if he was searching my soul, looking for something in particular. As if he had found his answer, he dipped his head and his lips captured mine.

It was slow and careful, as if he was waiting for some sign. When his tongue brushed across my bottom lip I sighed and ran my hands over his chest. I hadn’t been kissed in so long I had almost forgotten what it was like—that connection between two people who wanted the same thing: each other.

One of his hands moved from the counter to grasp my hip, pulling me tightly against his body. I melted into him, delighting in the way we fit together. Twining my arms around his neck I let my mouth dance with his, tasting and exploring. His hand on my hip moved to cup my ass, gently massaging as he pulled me even tighter against him. I could feel the growing bulge in his pants and it excited me to know that I was the cause.

I pulled my arms away and slid them under his jacket, pulling his button-up shirt out of his pants and running my hand along his back. His mouth left mine to trail kisses along my neck and I sighed with pleasure. When his hand moved to cup my breast, I groaned and pushed against him, wanting more. As his kisses moved lower and lower I let my head fall back and was lost in the sensation. His lips skimmed the top of my dress, his warm breath collecting in my cle**age as he inhaled raggedly.