Free The Rogue Prince by Michelle M. Pillow Page B

be asked, she began clearing the dirty dishes from the long table, moving them to a water basin.
    Evan frowned. “I didn’t mean for you….”
    Jasmine stopped, confused. “I’m used to it.”
    “I mean, Viktor is going to fix it.” Evan ran his hands through his hair. “Aren’t you … I mean, weren’t you rich? Why didn’t you have a droid?”
    Jasmine didn’t answer. She didn’t want to talk about her past. If these men, though they seemed honest and trustworthy, knew she’d married a potential member of the Medical Mafia, they might not want to let her tag along. The Federation Military was one thing, the Medical Mafia another completely. She didn’t even want to think how Chad had gotten the Federation after her. It seemed her husband had many connections she didn’t know about. “I don’t mind.”
    “Listen,” Evan said, as she kept working. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    “I’m not upset,” Jasmine said, surprised. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he didn’t believe her. How could he possibly see through it in just a short time? Her face was blank, a mask she’d spent years developing.
    “Food simulator is right there. Help yourself anytime, I know they won’t mind.” Evan turned to go. Stopping, he said, “You know you’re safe here. They may act like brutes, but everyone on this ship is a good man.”
    Jasmine didn’t answer. Evan left. She turned to pick up more plates.
    “What was that all about?”
    Jasmine dropped the plate and it shattered on the floor. She quickly turned to the door. Lowering her eyes, she curtseyed low and held the position as she said, “My prince.”
    When a long moment passed and he didn’t answer, she chanced a look up. He had a bemused expression on his handsome face. A brow arched over one eye.
    “I’m sorry about before. I didn’t know. At the banquet they announced you as an ambassador.” Jasmine curtseyed lower. Reid still didn’t answer. “Prince Reid? Is something…?”
    “I was just standing here admiring the view. I can see down your shirt.” Reid grinned, finally walking into the kitchen. Jasmine gasped, looking down, horrified. Her shirt was tight. There was no way he’d seen down it. Reid laughed. “And though I don’t mind being called yours, don’t call me prince. On the ship it’s Reid. We like to keep a low profile.”
    “Security reasons?” she asked, choosing to ignore his crude joke.
    “No.” He hopped up on the counter by the food simulator and winked. “Too many people trying to kiss up for charity.”
    Jasmine gasped and made a face. Under her breath, she grumbled, “How noble of you.”
    Reid tossed back his head and laughed. It was a full, rich sound. Jasmine froze. Had she said that out loud?
    To the food simulator, Reid said, “Sloken.” The machine dinged and he opened the door to take out a steaming cup of green liquid. To Jasmine, he asked, “Want some?”
    “I don’t drink,” she answered.
    “Anything?” Leaning back, he sipped his beverage.
    “Liquor.”
    “Sloken isn’t alcohol.”
    “No thank you just the same,” she said, bending over to pick up the shattered plate.
    “Suit yourself, fea .” Reid took another drink, watching her over the rim of the cup as she dumped the pieces into a trash bin.
    “The name’s Jasmine,” she answered, clearing more plate.
    “Well, Jasmine .” He stressed her name and shook his head. “You’re just a bundle of joy, aren’t you?”
    “Where would you like me to sleep?” she asked, changing the subject. She put the last of the plates in the sink and turned to him.
    “All the rooms are full, so you’ll have to bunk with me.” Reid set the cup down and hopped off the counter. He moved with confidence and that scared her.
    Jasmine stiffened. Surely he was joking. “Why you? I can just as easily sleep in the cargo hold.”
    He chuckled. As he neared, she didn’t move. She found she wanted him to come to her. She wanted him to touch