Page 32 of Royally Tempted

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By the timeI got home, Ryker and I were fast friends. He’d even given me his private line, for “anytime” I needed a helicopter ride.

Yeah, this was going to take some getting used to.

Julia was out when I got in, and even if I’d been missing her the last few days, I was silently thankful that she wasn’t around with a barrage of questions on my whereabouts the last few days.

I changed quickly and head to theRevania Post, smiling at coworkers and trying not to let the permanent glow that was on my face after the last few days shinetoodazzlingas I made my way to my office.

Martin caught me before I could duck inside though, waving at me from his big corner office down the hall and beckoning me. I groaned as I dropped my stuff in my office chair and made my way down to his door.

“So!”

Martin sank into his chair, tapping the desk and looking up at me.

“Where we at with those leads?”

Four days before, if he’d have asked me that question, I’d have been eager to give up anything I had. But now? After the whirlwind of a time I’d had with my three princes? No way.

I — a reporter — was sitting on one of the biggest news stories of the last decade or two, and there was nowayI was going to say a word about it.

Not a chance.

“Still exploring, Martin, but nothing yet.”

He scowled.

“Nothing? You’ve been gone for three fucking days, Emma!”

“I had the flu.”

He rolled his eyes. “Well, shit, I thought that was code for you hunting down a hot lead or something!”

“Sorry, Martin.” I shrugged. “I’ve got nothing.”

He shook his head. “C’mon, Emma, I know you’re better than this. You’re a hell of an investigative journalist, and don’t think the higher-ups haven’t noticed.”

Martin was actually looking me in the eye this time instead of at my breasts, which had to mean something.

“Whoa, seriously?”

He nodded. “This is between you and me, but you get the right story on my desk, and good things are going to happen for you here.”

I frowned, looking away. Still not worth it. Still not giving up the insane, wild, passionate,whateverit was I had going on with the King brothers of Bellhaven.

“Thanks, Martin,” I finally said sincerely. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I was halfway back to my office when I heard the smug laugh. I turned to see Simone, standing in her office doorway with a wicked looking grin on her face, her arms crossed over her chest.

I obviously hadn’t seen Simone since the night of the Triple Crown Club, when she’d brought me those clothes. And I immediately felt terrible for not having called her.

“Hey! God, I’m so sorry I haven’t touched base with you.” I grinned as I stepped towards her. “I just got held up with this flu thing, and—”

“Your story is going to make me anameat this paper.”

I froze, the grin falling from my face. “Pardon?”

She laughed again, the sound grating and mean-sounding as her eyes narrowed.

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