The Surgeon and the Princess by Karin Baine (ebook reader with android os .TXT) 📕

not wanting to prolong Georgiana’s agony any longer than necessary if she wanted rid of him.

‘It’s not that. We’ve gone to so much trouble to keep my identity hidden on these visits it seems reckless to stroll into a coffee shop now.’

‘Of course. Sorry.’ He slapped his hand to his head. ‘I’d completely forgotten you’re supposed to be incognito.’

He’d stopped thinking of her as a princess or someone he was doing a favour to. Which should’ve been insulting to a member of the royal family, to completely disregard her heritage or status, but Georgiana seemed delighted.

‘Really?’

He took a good look at her. Free from the heavy kohl eye make-up she favoured and her hair soft, no longer spiky with product, she was simply a beautiful young woman to him.

‘Really.’

‘The truth is I’d love to do something as ordinary as order a latte and a pastry, but I could do without the circus which would inevitably follow if I was recognised.’

‘Get over yourself, Georgiana. You look as much like a princess right now as I do.’ He swept his hair back with a toss of his hand and made her laugh, the sound so moreish he wanted to make her do it again and again.

She stuck her tongue out at him, then plonked her trusty baseball cap on her head. ‘You know, I do have an adrenaline buzz going on. I suspect it’s something to do with nearly drowning.’

‘You were never in any real danger. Although I might advise you to wear a life jacket for any future pool shenanigans.’ He was glad they were back to their vocal jousting best, any awkwardness consigned to the past. It meant he no longer had to obsess over what had happened or how he’d felt when he’d held her.

‘Or perhaps a lifeguard who does evening shifts?’

A surge of something bitter swelled in the pit of his stomach as she floated the idea of another man taking over their secret swim sessions. He didn’t like it.

‘About that coffee...you might have to change your order to something decaffeinated. Perhaps a milky drink like a hot chocolate to help you sleep later.’ To his surprise she linked her arm through his as they walked down the street.

‘What? I thought it would look less suspicious if we pretend we’re together instead of walking in separately.’

‘Not because you want me to pay?’

‘Hey, you were the one who asked me out.’

‘There’s a seat in the corner by the door. Try not to be too princessy until I get back.’ He directed her towards a small table for two crammed into the corner of the café.

Georgiana chose to sit with her back to the rest of the shop to maintain a low profile, but it went against all her army training. She couldn’t see who was coming in or might be behind her. Blind to anyone who could approach. She’d have to rely on Ed for surveillance as well as security. He wouldn’t mind and, strangely, neither did she.

Over these past days he’d proved she could trust him with her life and her secrets. Loyalty was highly prized now that her privacy meant everything.

‘One milky, adrenaline-free hot chocolate with extra cream and marshmallows for you and one for me.’ A tall glass mug layered with sugary goodness appeared in front of her and she inhaled the comforting aroma.

‘All calorie free too, I assume?’

Ed tilted his head to one side. ‘I don’t think you need to worry yourself on that score.’

There was something in his lowered tone that zapped her right in the danger zone and made her blush. He’d seen most of her, felt most of her pressed up against him, and the reminder made her burn with more than embarrassment. She didn’t think he was teasing her. He was missing the twinkle and the smirk she’d got used to when he was doing so. This time she swore his eyes had darkened and his voice got huskier, which only made her hotter.

That moment they’d had in the pool had sent her hurtling away from him for this very reason. These sudden urges towards him scared her. She didn’t want to face what it meant when her life was already so complicated.

After her operation, she hadn’t dared imagine having feelings for anyone again. Much less someone to be interested in her that way. Ed might tease her but he would never do anything ungentlemanly. Unless she asked him to.

‘Two cheese and ham toasties.’ The barista-cum-food-warmer set two plates down, disturbing the tense mood around the table.

‘I didn’t order anything,’ she whispered to Ed, afraid of upsetting the member of staff and causing a scene.

‘I know it’s not your usual haute cuisine, Princess, but I thought you might be hungry after your swim.’ Ed unfurled his cutlery from its paper envelope and sawed through his hot toasted sandwich.

Georgiana wasn’t sure if hot chocolate and toasties were a food combination she totally approved of but her rumbling tummy made the decision for her.

‘I am. Thank you.’ It wasn’t the best meal she’d ever eaten but the sentiment and company made the evening better than any she’d ever had in even a five-star establishment.

While she delicately cut her sandwich into bite-sized pieces, Ed attacked his with gusto. She noted his large hands, his eager mouth, and had to look away again. Horrified by the hormonal mess she’d become around him lately.

She chewed and swallowed her food but no longer tasted it. At this point she thought it might have been a better idea to have gone home when she’d had the chance.

Ed Lawrence was the wrong man for her on all sorts of levels. Probably. She was just having trouble remembering what those reasons were right now.

After taking a healthy mouthful of his hot chocolate, he’d coated his top lip with cream and melted marshmallow. She was mesmerised by the tongue licking it off and savouring the taste.

Goodness, they must’ve put the heating on in here because her temperature was spiking.

‘Did you