To Kiss a King 2

Chapter 19

Chapter 19 

Fiora turned towards Erickson and flashed what appeared to be a triumphant smile. 

“Erickson! We have a new addition to our errand-running-party today.” Nora felt Fiora rest her hand upon her shoulder just barely. 

She watched as he took a few tentative steps into the room, squinting his clear eyes. 

“Hello, Miss Hamilton.” He made a curt bow that looked tight and awkward. 

“Hello.” Nora practically shouted the word and blushed profusely taring her eyes to the floor. 

Jacqueline appeared from the side and held out a box for Nora to take. 

“Hate to interrupt...” she said slyly raising the extreme arch of her dark eyebrow. 

“Thank you.” She bowed her head and attempted to hold the overlarge package. Suddenly the package rose from her arms and was whisked over her head. She spun quickly right into the broad chest of Erickson. 

“I’ve got it.” His sculpted lips twitched upwards slightly in a strange smile. 

“Thanks.” Was all she managed, as she stumbled backwards to avoid the close contact.

“How much do I owe you?” Nora sobered up quickly enough to pose the question to Jacqueline. 

“It is...how do you say it...on the house Miss Hamilton.” She bowed deeply, revealing more of her large bust. 

“Right, now that, that is settled....Shall we?” Fiora slung her arm through Nora’s and promenaded her out of the store and into the blinding light of day. 

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In the next few minutes Fiora had smashed them into the carriage, the large boxes from the dress store shoved on one side and Nora and Erickson on the other. 

“Are you sure you wouldn’t be more comfortable on this side? I wouldn’t mind sitting next to the packages.” Nora voiced trying to scoot as far from Erickson as possible. 

“Oh heavens no. I wont have my guest uncomfortable.” Fiora smiled a contagious smile and Nora returned it nervously. 

Suddenly the carriage rolled to a stop. “You two stay here I’ll be just a few minutes!” Fiora called and practically bounded out of the carriage. 

“Your highness, I’ll accompany you.” Erickson made a move to follow but Fiora stopped him with a fierce look that transitioned quickly into a smile. 

“You stay.” 

He hesitated then sat back down keeping his eyes trained straight forwards. 

Nora’s eyes flickered towards him, a muscle in his jaw jumped as if he had clenched it and she quickly looked away. 

She took a deep breath in and out and she felt his eyes on her. Turning her head she made eye contact with him for a split second but he broke it almost instantly.

Nora bit her bottom lip and tried to breath quieter, counting to four as she breathed in and four again as she breathed out. 

Out of her peripheral she noticed him raise a hand and run it through his sandy hair. He brought back down his arm heavily and it plopped on the seat between them. 

His fingers were a mere inch away from her thigh and she stared at them unsure of what she was feeling. 

Slowly she brought her left hand up and tucked some hair behind her ear. She let her hand fall against her thigh and brushed a pinky against the seat just barely touching touching his pinky. 

Erickson cleared his throat and shifted, moving his hand back onto his lap. 

“Stupid Nora.” She chided to herself. What was she thinking would happen? 

The air in the carriage seemed to thicken with awkwardness. It had only been a mere minute since Fiora had left. How much longer would they have to endure? 

Erickson turned suddenly to Nora, startled at the quick movement she jerked her head to the side and met his clear blue eyes. 

He opened his mouth and closed it. Nora lifted an eyebrow in question and he faced front again. 

“What was that?!” She thought furrowing her brow and looking out the window.

A hand suddenly covered hers.