Royal Opposites Read Online Free Page A

of royalty out of their conversation, Joan didn’t have a clue. Tom smiled.
    “Dinner is the least I can do. After all, you did”—”
    “I did not save your life.” She interrupted. “At most, the guards would’ve tossed you out on your ear. Bruised your pride a little, maybe, but not kill you.” She slid out of the booth before he could offer her a hand up. When she stood he was fascinated to note that the top of her head reached his shoulders. Her personality made her seem so much bigger; he marveled her body could contain it all. “So please stop saying that,” she finished.
    It took him a minute to remember what they’d been talking about. When his brain caught up, he gave her a small bow and said,
    “Your wish is my command.”
    Some more customers crowded into the restaurant with the pre-‐-dinner rush so Joan and Tom had to press their way outside.
    On the sidewalk, she turned to him and said, “You still haven’t given me your e-‐-mail address so I can send this video to you.” She gestured with the camera case in her hand. She also had the strap around her wrist to lessen the chance of losing it and a canvas bag on her shoulder he hadn’t yet noticed.
    “Let me see you to your door. Once you’re safely inside, I’ll let you know how to contact me.”

    “That’s not necessary. I don’t live far.” She gestured in a vague direction away from the water.
    “Perfect. Neither do I.”

    ****
    Joan studied Tom’s earnest face. Letting a strange man walk her home wasn’t something she was accustom to doing. However, she’d enjoyed his company this afternoon, and if that phone call could be believed, he was leaving the country tomorrow. Couldn’t get any safer than that. If she were wrong about him, she still had some untried booby traps up her sleeves, leftover from when she lived in her last apartment complex with its smarmy owner.
    “Suit yourself. It’s this way.” She set off to lead the way, but he fell in step beside her. Sometimes he’d pass her while they walked and talked and laughed. She upped the ante and passed him right back. It surprised her how comfortable she felt with the man. It was almost like they’d known one another forever.
    “Man, you walk fast,” he panted and tried to keep up the breakneck pace at which they were walking.
    Joan frowned, “Me? I’m trying to keep up with you.”
    “Well, I’m trying to keep up with you.”
    “Fine. We’ll both slow down.” The two slowed to a more reasonable pace. When they got to talking again, the pace sped back up.
    “See? You’re the one walking fast,” Joan pointed out with a smirk. “I’m walking fast because you’re walking fast,” Tom retorted and slowed down.
    “I’m walking fast because you’re walking fast,” Joan said with a grin. They tried to keep the pace slower, but ended up speed walking again the moment they stopped thinking about it. Before long, they were both laughing uncontrollably and trying to keep up with one another.

    A bit winded, Joan pointed to her street. “I’m right over there.”
    “Good. Because you’re wearing me out.”
    “I’m wearing you out? You’re the one doing the Speedy Gonzales impression.”
    They laughed halfway down her block and turned into the driveway. Joan stopped in her tracks once the large guesthouse she called home came into view. Her porch light was on. It was a rare occasion that she turned the thing on during the night and she never had it on during the day. Was someone in her apartment?
    “What is it? What’s wrong?” Tom asked, watching her face.
    Maybe she’d hit the switch on her way out the door. She gave Tom a smile. “Nothing, I…” She frowned when she saw something move past her window. “Someone’s inside my place.”
    Tom’s head swiveled to look at the building. “What?”
    “I just saw someone walk by the windows. I didn’t think I left that light on.”
    “We have to call the police.” Tom pulled out his phone to