Thirteen hours, and I couldn’t stop my fingers from trembling. Couldn’t stop the adrenaline that coursed through my veins each time my mind provided the hot memory of Jaime’s lips on mine. His touch, his scent, his…power.

He transformed you.

I scooted away from my desk in the room I’d occupied every time I stayed at the palace, and paced the length of the room. The hardwood floor was cold against my bare feet, but I welcomed the shock. The heat from our kiss coated my skin like a flame throbbing from underneath the surface, and no matter what I did to chill the fire…it persisted.

Just like Jaime. I’d spent years both hating and loving him—hating him for how he pushed me away, hating the situation, hating that he had a choice in who he was allowed to love and I didn’t. And now our roles were reversed. Though, he’d been offered more of a choice than I ever had.

I spun on my heels, returning to my desk to scoop up the iPad. Down to six ladies now, or was it four? The meeting yesterday was a blur, all scrambled and jolted by Jaime’s kiss. His presence. The way he’d touched me, the way he’d unraveled me with just his lips. For those few moments, I hadn’t been Duchess Charlotte Carlisle of Corbin.

I’d been desirable. Wanted. Needed. Possibly even craved.

I’d been his Charlie.

A warm shudder rippled deep in my core, pure exhilaration at getting lost between his hands, his lips.

I focused on the screen, the lady’s names ready for further investigation on my end. Reality was a cold, cruel bitch sometimes. Not that I’d ever dare say that outside the people within my trusted circle—which was few. Jaime was one of them—one of the only people in the entire world that I could be completely un-Queen-like around and never fear his judgment. Sure, he could call me frigid and make jokes at my expense, but he never judged. He never calculated. He didn’t use people for stepping stones. He didn’t need to.

No, he uses women for sex.

I clenched my eyes shut, flinching from the thought as I sank into the chair before my desk. I set down the tablet, unable to drag my finger across the screen and do the job I promised him I’d do.

How could I after that kiss? After what he said?

I shook my head, scraping my nails against my scalp in order to get some relief. Tension coiled inside me like a spring, and I was pulled so taut I was terrified for whoever I’d explode on the next time someone flung a backhanded comment my way.

Maybe I’d get lucky, and it’d be one of the many reporters who scribbled gibberish about my “place” in the palace.

The former betrothed puts the “whore” in “wholesome.”

Twin brother’s leftovers rejected as our new soon-to-be King hosts fifty of Elleston’s classiest.

Jameson never met a woman he didn’t bed, until Duchess of Carlisle…

I groaned, forcing the tabloid trash out of my head. The media could speculate all they wanted. I was never going to be a handoff to Jaime, no matter what everyone may have thought. I was done living in the public eye, done preparing for a role I’d never fill.

Just make it through the next three weeks and then…

What?

Anything. Any damn thing I wanted.

And I’d start with the invitation to head up the Foundation for Women’s Progression. They’d already approached me after they discovered I wouldn’t be continuing my pursuit of the throne.

After spending my entire life being told what I’d do with my life, it was nice to entertain the idea of choosing for myself. Being chairman of the foundation would be an honor, a place where I could put my skills and station to use for the greater good of Elleston.

Though, I’d by lying if I said I wasn’t sad about not getting to be Elleston’s Queen—I loved this country; its people, its heritage—but I’d adjust. Pursue dreams of my own, like the foundation.

I used to dream all the time before I turned thirteen and was told I’d be marrying Xander.

Somehow, I’d find out just what all those dreams used to be. I’d have to dig through decades of conditioning and training, but I’d discover myself again. And now I could because I had the luxury of choice, something that had never been in my grasp before.

The notion was almost as exhilarating as Jaime’s lips.

Almost.

I swiped open the iPad once again, trying to ignore the instinct to pick out a girl I thought might be good enough for Jaime. He didn’t want that. He’d growled at me over it.

A small chuckle broke up some of the tension in my chest, and I rolled my eyes. That man. He didn’t have a clue what he wanted either. We were the same—as we often were—in that regard. And the kiss that shook the foundation of my soul didn’t matter because that is what he excelled at.

Xander had been born to rule, to don the composure of a great king, while Jaime had been born to set fire to whatever laid cold and dormant.

Like you.

I sighed. It didn’t matter that he had the ability to get my heart racing in ways I’d never experienced before. That is what he did, it was in his nature, and I refused to be his great affair before choosing a queen and settling for life.

A sharp, twisted something stung my stomach, but I buried it with the collected calm I’d practiced since I’d been a teenager. I’d envisioned myself next to the throne more than half my life, it was natural I wouldn’t like whoever it was that would replace me.

“Lady Katherine,” I said, clicking open her file. Would she be able to control the fire that blazed from Jaime naturally? Would she be able to read his cues? Would she know that a tiny muscle in his jaw ticked when he was contemplating hitting something, or that the left corner of his mouth twitched when he was holding back a laugh?

Not likely, but not important. I needed to ask different questions. Ones like, would she support his position if he ever went against Parliament? What would she do if someone challenged his birthright?

A headache burned at the base of my skull, and I rubbed at my neck.

Knock. Knock.

“Duchess Carlisle,” a feminine voice sounded from behind my closed door.

I slipped into the pumps I’d left by my desk and clicked to open the door.

“For you,” the young man said handing me a single white gardenia flower and a small gold-foiled box the size of a book.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the items and tilting my head. “I don’t believe I know your name.” I didn’t recognize him from the palace staff—not that I knew all their names but I was certain I knew all their faces. His sleek black slacks and white button-down combo suggested he wasn’t from a flower service, plus they would’ve stopped him at the gate.

A flash of white teeth and one hell of a head-nod and he jutted his hand out. “Anthony,” he said, the lilt to his tone just this side of confident. “I’m His Royal Highness’s new secretary.”

A laugh threatened to burst from my lips, but I pushed the bubbly response back, instead electing to smile. “You don’t look like Jaime—His Royal Highness’s—usual secretary.”

Anthony’s eyebrows raised twice before he grinned mischievously. “With all due respect, Duchess, I think that is the point.” He clapped his hands behind his back. “Princess Sophia selected me herself.”

“Ah,” I said, nodding as I shifted the items in my arms. “That makes perfect sense.” I leaned in closer, lowering my tone. “She’s the smartest of all the Wyndhams.”

His bright blue eyes practically sparkled as he gave me another nod.

“Are you sure you have the right room?” I asked, eyeing the flower. “Surely he meant to send this to one of the candidates staying on the property?”

He shook his head back and forth rapidly. “He gave me specific instructions. Rather intimidating, actually, about what would happen if I botched it.” His eyes flashed wide. “Don’t tell him I said that. Please?”

I chuckled. “Our secret.”

“Thank you, Duchess—”

“Charlotte,” I corrected him.

He settled for another enthusiastic nod and backed away slowly until he was out of the entryway and practically power-walking down the hall.

I tried not to snort as I shut the door.

Settling on the bed, I brought the gardenia to my nose, inhaling its perfect scent. They’d been my favorite since I was a kid. I gripped the thick green stem, admiring the three perfect buds. I set it on the bed, slipping the small card off the gold box. I wondered who he’d asked about the flower…even Xander thought I preferred white roses. An innocent mistake, but still.

I easily recognized Jaime’s hurried handwriting as I opened the pristine cardstock.

Often, when I think of you, I see you sitting tucked behind the rows of gardenia bushes that border our vacation property on the coast, a book against your knees. You were always so damned sassy if anyone ever interrupted you in the middle of a good book.

Still are.

The flower is an apology for yesterday, not that I’d take it back even if it was within my power as the new King.

The chocolates are a thank you for staying to help me navigate this chaotic sea when you could’ve been on the first plane out.

--Jaime

Stunned silence swept over me.

I flipped the lid of the box open and gasped. The peppermint bark was one of my all-time favorite indulgences—a rarity since the chocolatier that made it was from Corbin. My eyes darted from the box of my favorite chocolate to the gardenia to the card. The memory he spoke of…the one with me in the bushes with a book—it was one I visited often. I spent several summers like that.

He remembers.

Jameson Wyndham, playboy prince turned future king, remembered our times in the flowers.

He’s paid attention.

I broke off a piece of the bark and popped it into my mouth, savoring the crisp, warm taste as it coated my tongue. Setting the gardenia on my desk, I left the iPad forgotten on my desk and rushed out of the room.

I’d expected to find him in his newly appointed office, or the gym, but stopped short as I passed the common dining hall.

I covered my mouth with my fingers, trying to hide the laughter that was desperate to slip free.

Jaime’s arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall, candidate number three—Lady Lancaster—stood before him, gazing up at him adoringly, and chattering at a speed that would make a hummingbird cringe. He opened and closed his mouth a few times in an attempt to work himself into the conversation, or out of it most likely, but she remained oblivious.

His eyes trailed over the baby blue hat on her head, and I stiffened at being caught enjoying his torture. He smirked, those once panicked eyes shifting to something closer to a spark of amusement.

Help. Me.

He didn’t have to speak the words, or even mouth them. I knew what he needed, knew what he was trying to tell me without even trying. Being friends for over a decade will do that to two people.

I wetted my lips, tempted to let him stew in his predicament a bit longer, but clicked over to him instead.

“Pardon me, Lady Lancaster,” I said, reaching for Jaime’s elbow. “His Royal Highness has some urgent business to attend to.” The Lady’s lips went into a full pout as she stopped mid-sentence. “But,” I continued. “I know he’s looking forward to tomorrow’s festivities, and to seeing you there, of course.” She brightened at that and did some sort of quick bow before rushing off.

“Good Lord I thought I’d be stuck here until coronation,” Jaime said, shaking his head. “You’re a lifesaver, Charlie.”

My spine stiffened at the nickname, and I hushed the heat swirling in my stomach like a purring cat that had been called.

“What’s my urgent business?” He asked, waggling his eyebrows. “Do we need to revisit our discussion from the butler’s pantry again?”

I swallowed the laugh bubbling in my throat. “Funny.”

He shrugged. “Sometimes.”

A piece of his hair fell over his forehead and without thinking I pushed it back into place. He caught my wrist in one hand, his fingers overlapping as he cocked an eyebrow at me. “Trying to tame me?”

I huffed, jerking my wrist back. “No woman powerful enough on the planet to do that job.”

“I think there is.”

“Jaime,” I said, breathless from one damn touch. “Your gift—”

“Ah,” he cut me off, slipping his hands into his pockets like he was restraining himself. “Good to know my secretary is enjoying his first day of work.”

I smiled, unable to hide my affections for Anthony. “I like him.”

“He’s got something the others didn’t.”

“He’s not trying to get in your pants?” I teased.

Jaime tilted his head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It is only his first day.”

A laugh finally ripped free from my lips, and I glanced over my shoulder, fearful the Queen Mother would hear the booming sound echo throughout the hall.

Jaime’s smile was infectious.

“Thank you,” I said once I’d composed myself. “Who did you ask about the items?” I tilted my head, watching his face. His features were smooth as he pushed off the wall, stepping closer to me.

“How’d it taste?” he said, inhaling deeply as his mouth stopped an inch from mine. He smirked.

My bottom lip trembled as I tried to understand what he’d asked, his nearness totally clouding my senses. He stepped back a foot, giving me room to breathe.

“Who did you ask?” I repeated, though this time it came out a whisper.

“I don’t need anyone to tell me what you like, Charlie,” He said and brushed past me, the heat from his body soaking right down to my bones. He glanced over his shoulder, a delicious smirk on his lips. “Not even from you.”

I uncurled my trembling fingers after I’d lost sight of him as he rounded the corner. He wasn’t lying. The man knew how to get under my skin, knew how to warm me when I was cold, make me laugh when I wanted to cry and make me want to scream when I should be calm.

He’s paid attention. I had the thought again, and a tendril of shock, fear, and electricity shot through my core.

He knew me.

And it scared the hell out of me.

Because I was done with this life, and I was done being someone’s contract, not someone’s choice. A sweet memory and all the chocolates in Elleston couldn’t change that.