The Reluctant King (The Star-Crossed Series) by Rachel Higginson Read Free Book Online

not to your liking, Mimi?” I asked as softly as I could manage while still being heard. Amelia turned her eyes my way, startled by my voice.
                  I met her golden brown eyes and held her gaze. I watched her expressive face flicker with emotion from surprise to something like fear and back to a steely resolve. She didn’t seem willing to break our gaze, but there was something underneath her cool exterior that made me nervous…. like I was about to have my ass handed to me.
                  “I’m a vegetarian,” she explained with controlled patience as if I should have known. “I don’t eat meat, in fact, steak is one of the more offensive proteins you could have served me. And it’s Amelia.”
                  I held back my laughter at her rude answer. I wasn’t at fault for her plate mix up, but I was disturbingly happy that it happened. An excited energy edged into my nervousness and I enjoyed her candid response. She was a fiery one.
                  I should have apologized…. that would have been the diplomatic thing to do.
                  “Technically, I didn’t serve it to you, my staff did. And I had the kitchen prepare a vegetarian entrée for you. If you would have been on time, they would have known which place to serve it to ahead of time.” I offered a cocky smile and watched as her eyes flashed with dangerous heat.
                  Aware that we had an audience, Amelia swallowed her annoyance and replied with a curt, “You’re right. I apologize for the confusion, it’s my fault.” Her throat worked to swallow and I found my eyes frozen to the pretty lines of her neck and the way she tilted her head trying to keep her composure.
    “Still, there are less aggressive meats than a slab of steak,” she finished so quietly I almost didn’t hear her. I had thought she was struggling because she was embarrassed and apologetic, but it was self-righteous anger that sizzled in the air between us.
                  “Filet Mignon is Eden’s favorite,” I smirked from my end of the table, anxious to hear how she would respond to that.
                  “He’s right,” Eden interrupted from between us. “I’m sorry Mimi; Avalon was just trying to make me happy.”
                  Before Amelia could reply the waiter returned with a brand new entrée, hidden by a silver dish cover. The waiter set it down with a flourish and lifted the cover dramatically. Amelia wiggled happily, clasping her hands together before turning her gratitude on the happy server.
                  I swallowed a wave of annoyance that the waiter had been the recipient of her genuine smile before I waved off my emotions as ridiculous. Amelia could smile at whoever she liked, which apparently wasn’t me for whatever reason. I shouldn’t care what one spoiled kid thought of me.
                  I didn’t care.
                  I turned back to my meal and attacked my own steak as if it were still alive. It was cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of red and covered in a dark mushroom sauce. The bite practically melted in my mouth. Filet was an excellent choice for dinner tonight. All of the guests would appreciate something so delicious.
                  Well almost all of them.
                  I snuck a discreet glance at Amelia, watching her cut and taste a variety of autumn vegetables. She closed her eyes and savored the bite. I wasn’t close enough to hear, but I was certain she let out a soft moan.
                  Every clear, rational, logical thought fled my mind and I found myself in a hazy paralysis waiting for her to take her next bite. Feeling the strength of my gaze on her, Amelia opened her eyes and shot me a loathing glare.
                  “She doesn’t mean anything by it,” Kiran offered softly next to