Chapter 153

Lea looked at Dave once the door was closed on their entry into the castle. His expression was thunderous, and a muscle kept flicking in his cheek.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked.

He let out a rough-edged sigh, shrugged himself out of his jacket, and hung it on the coat rack near the entrance. ‘I’m sorry about that. My sister can be a prize mother sometimes. Most of the time, actually. But she meant no harm. She just thought we were a real couple.’

‘It’s okay.’ She began to unbutton her own coat. ‘Our relationship must’ve come as a bit of a shock. I mean, you and me? It’s a bit of a stretch to think you would ever be—’

His hand came down in a gentle press on the top of her shoulder, his expression softening. ‘Don’t keep doing that. You’re a beautiful and desirable woman, and if things were different, I would…’ He pressed his lips together as if determined not to voice the words out loud.

‘Would what?’ Lea’s voice was barely more than a whisper.

His navy-blue eyes darkened and his other han