The Prince's Christmas Wager by Caroline Lee

Author:Caroline Lee [Lee, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-07T06:00:00+00:00

“It’s beautiful,” Nova breathed, stepping back to look at the almost-completed tree.

The candles twinkled merrily around the base, reflecting on the strips of foil, and making the berries and popcorn seem to dance. When Enzio realized he wanted to decorate his own tree—with her—he regretted not having any of his familiar, meaningful ornaments. But the inspiration to use the things Aegirians had been using for generations came from Nova and her folklore. He’d learned so much from her, and wanted to show it.

“It is beautiful.” Almost as beautiful as she was that evening, in her black turtleneck and jeans and stocking feet. “But it’s not quite done.”

That little “V” appeared between her lovely brows as she studied the tree. “I think we’ve done a good job.”

With a flourish, he presented the only ornament he’d purchased; a golden eight-pointed Star of Aegiria to sit at the top of the tree. She gasped, and he situated the star on the tippy top branch, then stepped back beside her to admire their work.

“It’s tradition that Aegirian Christmas trees be topped with that star,” he said quietly.

She nudged him. “See? I knew you’d be a valuable resource.”

Valuable.

With his heart as light as it felt now, it was natural to put his arm around her shoulders and tuck her up against his side as they admired the tree. She stiffened for only a fraction of a second, then relaxed into his hold.

It felt right. Natural. As if they were each exactly where they belonged; in one another’s arms, at Christmastime.

Except for one thing…he hadn’t kissed her yet, and as much as he wanted to, he also didn’t want to.

It was frustrating. He’d been lying awake for the last few nights, imagining her in his arms, imagining what it would feel like to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her. He needed to kiss her.

But he’d wagered he could kiss her.

And now that he knew Dr. Nova Willetts, he knew she was much more than just a wager.

She was witty and intelligent, beautiful and strong. She’d managed to find value in his contributions, and still teach him things. She was worth so much more than just a kiss, so much more than twenty-three American dollars.

Kissing her now wouldn’t be right.

It might feel amazing, but it would make him into…into a playboy. A charmer. A flirt, a player. All the worst things the tabloids and his father, and even Nova had thought about him.

So standing there in the light of Christmas preparations, Enzio knew the truth: he wasn’t going to kiss her, no matter how much he wanted to.

Of course, if he just told her about the wager, he could negate it, prove that he liked Nova for herself, and not some dumb bet. But after what he’d just learned about Nova and Wayne, and knowing how she felt about lies, he couldn’t bring himself to confess. She might not see it as lying, but he couldn’t take that chance.

He couldn’t kiss her, and he couldn’t tell her why.

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