Page 11 of Resisting Royal

It rang. After five rings, I was about to hang up when her groggy voice crackled over the line, “Hello? You better be dying to wake me up.”

“Not dying. Just married,” I said it casually, knowing she would freak out.

“What!? You lie! Last night you hadn’t even been laid in an eternity,” she reminded me.

“And it’s still been an eternity,” I sighed, thinking about how I might die a born-again virgin.

The line was silent for a few beats, before Natalie finally spoke. “I don’t even understand what’s happening.”

I laughed. “That makes a total of two of us.”

“But you're married?”

“To one Royal Russo, apparently.” I bent over, searching for the perfect pair of heels, cradling my phone on my shoulder.

Her voice perked up. “Wait. The Royal Russo?”

I hummed. “You heard of him?”

“Who hasn’t?” She sounded excited.

Me. I hadn’t. “Apparently, my father owed him money.”

She snorted. “A lot of people owe him money, that’s part of the business.”

I wanted to know how she knew so much, but I decided it wasn’t all that important. “Yeah, well, apparently he got me instead of cash.”

“He got a good deal.”

“Aww, you’re my best friend, you have to say that.”

“I do,” she confirmed. “Sooo?”

“So what?” I reached to the back of the closet, grabbing my favorite black heels. Perfect.

She cleared her throat, “When are you banging? I heard he was a god in the sack.”

I’d believe it. Royal hardly touched me, and he had me panting like a damn animal in heat. “Never. Sex wasn’t mentioned in the deal.”

I could almost see her rolling her eyes. “But, I heard he likes his women faithful; if you aren’t fucking him, then you aren’t fucking anyone. Plus, I just think that you might as well take advantage of the situation.”

She did have a point, and he did make it clear that to him, I was his wife in all aspects. Although I hoped if that was the case, he planned to be equally as faithful. “You make a valid point, but I don’t want to be one of many to any man. Plus, he essentially bought me, Natalie, like I am a business transaction, signed contracts, and all.”

“Did you read the contract on what to expect?” Another good question from the bestie.

“No. But, now that you mention it, I should.” I should have done it before I signed it, but my emotions were scattered.

I heard a rustle from her side of the phone and the deep timbre of a man’s voice. “Sorry. I’ll go in the other room.” She paused and I heard the movement. “Sorry, back. I’m going to let you go, but just make sure you’re landscaped just in case.”

“Landscaped?”

She sounded annoyed. “Yes. Every man likes a well-groomed lady. I’ll send you a list of tips.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m fine, I don’t need tips.” I piled my clothes and shoes on the bed, then entered my bathroom.

“Honey, you’ve been solo for an eternity, remember. You’re going to need some tips.”

I grunted. She was on a roll today. “Fine.”

We hung up, then her message started to zing through, as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my naked body. Damn it. She was right; I really did need to landscape.

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