Page 12 of Royally Tempted

Simone grinned at me as she grabbed something from her car and passed it to me.

My eyes went wide as I opened the small jewelry case up to see the glimmering diamond pendant necklace inside.

“What,Simone, what-”

“Oh, don’t worry,” she laughed. “It’s fake. But you asking for fancy clothes out here? I figured you’d want to look great for whatever it is you’re trying to pull off.”

I beamed at her. “You are thebest. Honestly, thank you for doing all of this.”

“Anytime. You feel like telling me what this is yet?”

I winked. “I will. Soon.”

“Better,” she teased before sighing. “Guess you want me to take off now, huh?”

I grinned, nodding.

She shook her head as she climbed back into her car. “Be careful, okay?”

I watched as she drove off before I turned and started speed-walking back down the road to the mansion.

I slinked behind some hedges near the fence again, quickly peeling off my shorts and t-shirt and pulling the dress out of the bag Simone had brought.

Shit.

She and I were about the same size, so I’d asked her to bring me something “elegant and fancy.” I’d watched a few groups head into the mansion after Julia, and they were all dressed the same — the men in tuxedos, and the women in gorgeous cocktail dresses or gowns. What Simone had brought mewasfancy, but in a “going out to a club” way, not a lavish mansion party way.

Or asex clubway, at that.

But it would have to do.

I ditched my pink bra along with the rest of my clothes behind a bush, standing and taking a deep breath before I frowned. Shit, I was basically wearing laundry day panties, and with Simone’s tight-fitting, sleek, short black dress, it was pretty obvious. Normally, I wouldn’t actually care, but that night was all about acting a part and trying to get close.

I quickly pulled the panties off and tossed them with the rest of the clothes. Screw it. If no panty-line meant no panties, fine.

I stepped out of the bushes, pulling my hair back, slipping my heels on and taking a deep breath. The gates were still open from a car that had just driven up, and I quickly stepped through them before they could close. I followed the taillights of the car up the long driveway, hanging back while three men and a woman got out and went inside before I squared my shoulders, tried my best to relax, and stepped towards the door.

I wassurethis was it, but God, if it turned out to be some sort of private party or a birthday or something instead of the scandalous royal sex club, I was fucked. But my dad had always told me before he passed away, “fake it till you make it.”

It was time to fake it.

The big, brawny man with the thick beard and huge arms was silent at the door, merely stepping in front of my path.

“Where’s your car, miss?”

“Oh, I got out at the gate, actually.” I flashed my best smile, trying to bat my eyes. Suddenly, I was kind of glad Simone had brought me such a scandalously short dress.

“Really,” the man said flatly.

“It’s a big night for me,” I said, leaning close like I was confiding in him — a trick I’d learned from years of talking with skittish sources and snitches.

“It’s actually my first night here, and I’m alittlenervous. I thought the walk would help.”

He was motionless for a second, just glowering down at me, before suddenly, he smiled.

“No need to be nervous,” he said in a low, deep voice. “You’ll have fun.”

I swallowed, nodding, but suddenly, his smile faded.

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