Charlotte & Nate (Royals of Valleria #4) by Marianne Knightly Read Free Book Online Page B

dinners aren’t so bad.”
     
    Lorenzo smiled, too. “No, they’re not.” He waited a beat before asking, “Are you sure there’s nothing else wrong, Nate?”
     
    Nate had struggled with that very question. Yes, he was attracted to Charlotte. Did he want her because she was ‘forbidden’ or did he want her for her? He decided to figure it out before mentioning her to anyone. Besides, he thought despairingly, she may not want him back, if their earlier conversation was any indication.
     
    “I’m all right.” Nate groaned as he stood up, feeling every inch of his exhausted and stressed thirty-three years of age. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
     
    Lorenzo stood up and walked him to the foyer, where Nate used a hidden fingerprint scanner to access the secret passageway. “You know, I’m here if you ever need someone to talk to.”
     
    Nate gave his brother a hug. “Thanks. I might take you up on that one day.” They gave each other a kiss on each cheek and Nate headed out. Instead of heading for his own apartments, however, he headed for the kitchens.
     
    ***
     
    After spending twelve hours on her feet – the last two of which were spent rushing around to make a last-minute cake – Charlie was exhausted. Despite that, and despite the fact that she’d taken one earlier, she still took a shower when she got back to her room. She’d learned early on that kitchen scents lingered and, even though she couldn’t smell them, others could.
     
    She’d just wrapped herself in a fluffy blue robe and matching slippers that accented her eyes when she heard a knock at her door. Figuring it was probably Coco coming to check on her – no one else ever did – she kept her comb in hand and let it drift through her wet hair as she made her way towards the door. When she opened it, however, it Coco was not on the other side.
     
    One of her co-workers, Pierre, who lived down at the other end of the hall from her, was standing there. His chef’s coat was unbuttoned and the lingering scent of frying onions clung to his clothes. His tall, lanky frame was topped with a head of dull, curly black hair that hung limp from a long day in the kitchens.
     
    “Pierre? What are you doing here? Is something wrong in the kitchens?”
     
    “No, no, not at all,” he said in his soft French accent. “I just came to check on you. It was a hard day for you, I’m sure.”
     
    “Oh. Well, I’m fine.” When Pierre’s gaze continued to linger on something other than her face, Charlie remembered she was wearing only a robe. His gaze made her feel uncomfortable and she flushed with embarrassment. “Thanks for stopping by. Have a good night.”
     
    As she shut the door, Pierre’s long, slim fingers held it open, along with the toe of his efficient black shoes. “Are you sure you don’t need to talk?”
     
    Her mouth thinned into a tight smile. “Positive. See you tomorrow.”
     
    “Charlie, I think you should invite me in. No doubt you’re upset about what happened. I’m friends with Coco. I can help you.”
     
    Based on his and Coco’s interactions, she doubted that was the case. Coco may rule with an iron fist, but she was never mean. And, though she did care about everyone in ‘her’ kitchens, Charlie never saw evidence she was particularly friendly with any of them.
     
    “I’m fine, Pierre, really.”
     
    “Well, I’ll just say goodnight to you then.” Without warning, he pulled her close and dropped his cold, flat lips onto hers.
     
    Charlie was momentarily stunned. Her eyes widened and her body remained still. Even while he tried to coax her lips, she remained completely unmoving. It was a few moments later, when he finally pulled back on his own, that Charlie realized she’d missed her chance to push him away and slap the shit out of him.
     
    Pierre – the asshole – had the nerve to wink at her. “Until tomorrow, then.”
     
    “Just a second.” Hot, ripe anger was bubbling inside her. When he