Page 104 of Tabloid Princess

My reactions weren’t my own. They were driven by the monster who wanted him closer.

“You have no idea the things you do to me.” His hand moved down my face, his thumb brushing the bruised bud of my lower lip.

“What’s that?”

His eyes searched my face, deep and soul seeking. “I wonder if this is what an addict feels like? I can’t stay away from you.”

I pushed back a little. “Addiction can be cured. If you live long enough without the thing you crave, eventually it fades, becomes a buzz of a memory. Something you can’t forget but can live without.”

He held my face, one hand cradling my cheek, while he met my tortured stare. Being an addict would be easier than this, at least I’d know the pain of desire would eventually be repressed. This hurt with no end in sight. “I don’t want to be cured, Leia.”

The fall of Daisy’s feet fell on the stairs and we both sprung apart. My head whirled, the room spinning, as I tried to right myself and put some suitable distance between myself and the prince.

“I’ve got my wellies.” Daisy wiggled her feet, utterly oblivious to the tension in the room. “They are Peppa Pig ones though. They’re a bit babyish.”

Oliver waved her closer and inspected them. “I love Peppa Pig. I’ve got my own ones exactly like these.”

Daisy chuckled and the sound made my heart ache with such a resounding pang I clutched at my chest. “You don’t.” She giggled infectiously. “Adults don’t wear Peppa Pig boots.”

“No?” He stood from the floor and held out his hand to her. “This one might.”

I watched intently as she placed her hand in his—so trusting, so accepting. I’d been right to stick to my rules all these years. A child’s trust was a fragile thing. I could only hope I’d finally made the right decision; no matter the barriers standing in my way.

Twenty-One

“What car is this?” I inspected the Land Rover with a critical eye. “Has the Mercedes grown?”

We stood in the courtyard of St Mark’s Palace. I couldn’t see anyone within sight, but I couldn’t shake the sensation of being watched. I’d be naïve to think we were as alone as we appeared. Daisy was staring at the cream palace walls, her mouth catching passing flies.

“The Mercedes only had two seats. Did you not notice?” Oliver arched an eyebrow.

Well, that’s embarrassing. “It didn’t reach my attention, no.” I tried to mimic the flow of his speech, but it was almost impossible. A girl from Hackney was never going to talk like that.

Leaving my small estate in Finsbury Park had been interesting. Oliver had slipped out of the house first to where Bill was parked around the corner in his black sedan. The heir to the throne assured me no one saw him, but I think he vastly underrates Mrs A’s vigilance as the neighbourhood watch.

Once he’d gone, Daisy and I had walked out onto the main road and around the corner to where Bill had met me the other evening.

It was very cloak and daggers.

Daisy loved it.

“Daisy, it’s dusty. Do you need a pump?” The courtyard of the palace had a fine grit on its surface, but the dry spell had turned it into sand and the breeze was whipping it across our legs.

“Muuum.” She pulled a face and Oliver chuckled.

“Okay, so my park is a bit of a drive away. Is that okay with you, Daisy?”

“Yes! Let’s go.” Daisy had no issues with getting in the big car and heading to an unknown destination.

“So where is this park again?” I asked as Oliver beeped the key fob and opened the door for Daisy, helping her into a booster seat that miraculously seemed to be in place.

I caught his eye and he smirked. “What? I like to be prepared?”

“How long have you had the booster seat, Oliver?”

“A while.” He shrugged like it was nothing, but it wasn’t nothing to me. His words on the floor at home swam in my head. His actions told me that this had been his intention all along.

I couldn’t get my head around it.