The Pretender and The Prince novel Chapter 15

The second the words left her mouth, Ondine’s heart hammered against her ribs. She was so nervous she could barely hold her pen.

Zaria tilted her head, thinking. “Nope. I don’t think my brother is interested in anyone.”

Ondine’s heart settled back into place.

“He has ridiculously high standards,” Zaria had concluded. “I have no idea who will ever be good enough for him.”

Pulled from her memories, Ondine realized she had changed her slippers and followed Seth into the living room. The suite felt lived-in; many of the items were clearly personal, not the standard hotel fare. It was obvious Seth stayed here often.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Seth said, taking off his overcoat and hanging it on a nearby rack before heading to the kitchen.

Ondine sat on the sofa, her eyes scanning the room. The living area was spacious, decorated in a minimalist black, white, and gray theme. It felt cool and detached, much like Seth himself.

A moment later, he returned from the kitchen with a cup of water. He placed it on the table in front of her. It was a disposable cup, steam rising from the hot water inside.

Ondine picked it up. “Thank you.”

“Those two rooms are guest rooms,” he said flatly. “Pick whichever one you like. They both have private bathrooms.”

“Okay,” she nodded.

Seth paused, as if choosing his words carefully.

Ondine looked at him, waiting.

Ondine hung up, thinking how thorough the hotel’s service was. As she did, her eyes briefly scanned Seth’s phone screen. It had a standard wallpaper and was filled mostly with business and finance apps. She looked away quickly, feeling a pang of guilt for even glancing at it.

She walked to his bedroom door and knocked gently.

No response.

She waited a moment and knocked again. Still nothing. She went back to the sofa and placed his phone on the coffee table.

About ten minutes later, his door opened. Ondine looked up instinctively and her breath caught in her throat.

He was standing there in a gray bathrobe, the front slightly open, revealing a glimpse of his muscular chest. His hair was still wet, dripping onto his shoulders. He must have been in the shower.