Page 23 of Resisting Royal

CHAPTER 12

BIANCA

Two days went by, and I hadn’t heard a single word from Royal. I told myself I didn’t care, but the fact remained, he was my husband, and he hadn’t come home. Fuck, I didn’t want to be one of those girls. I didn’t want to be attached to an emotionally unstable and unavailable male, especially when it was a male I never wanted to begin with. But, he was funny and caring, even if it was in his own superior way, and somehow, he made it nearly impossible to at least not be curious.

I texted him with no response, and that pissed me off, especially when Troy assured me that he was well, just dealing with business. What type of business could possibly be more important than me? None as far as I was concerned.

It was Thursday and nearing my lunch hour when I texted Troy to find out where Royal was. He was reluctant to share that information, but my will was stronger than his, and ultimately, he caved. Which, was the exact reason I was now carrying a bag from Fernando’s, with what had to be the world’s best sandwiches, into a questionable looking building, during my lunch break.

I texted Natalie. Taking my “husband” lunch. If you don’t hear from me again, I was last located at that questionable building on Elm and Fifteenth Street.

My phone instantly chimed. Get it, girl. Make that slab of beef your main course.

I choked. Yeah, sorry girl . . . that wasn’t happening.

I pulled open the heavy door to the building and stepped inside. The hall was deserted, but through various doors, I could see people. I walked until I found room 7A and knocked. I was met by silence, so I knocked again before opening the door. The reception room was empty, but through the door on the right, I heard Royal’s voice, so I moved closer.

I stood in the doorway while a woman leaned over his desk, her breasts damn near spilling into his face, and I fumed. This whole time I had been worried, and here he was flirting with some bimbo who most definitely was not a real blonde. He said something I couldn’t quite make out, and she laughed, only to infuriate me more.

I knocked on the door frame, and both heads turned. The woman stood straight. “I’m sorry ma’am, our offices are closed until Monday. I’ve canceled all the appointments for today.”

“I don’t have an appointment.” I wasn’t aware I needed to make one, and my fucking husband just sat there silently, not saying a word.

“Oh. Well, if you want to take a seat by the reception desk, I’ll be with you shortly to schedule one.” I couldn’t believe I’d wasted my lunch hour on this.

I stepped closer, my eyes locked on Royal as I tossed the paper bag on his desk. “I’m fine, thank you.”

I turned on my heels, my blood nearly boiling from anger. “Bianca. Come back here.”

I ignored him and continued walking out the door, determined to get as far away from the bastard as possible. One-woman man, my fucking ass. I most definitely wouldn’t be believing a word he said in the future.

I got to the door, the one leading to the street, when a hand wrapped around my bicep, then pulled, slamming my back into a hard chest. “Are you jealous, Amore?”

I tried to pull away, but a strong arm fell to my waist and wrapped tightly, pinning me in place. “I’m not even jealous, I’m annoyed.”

His hand loosened on my waist as it reached for my hand. “Come back, you brought me lunch. Let’s eat.”

“I have to get back to work.” I lied, knowing I had called ahead and the sandwiches took no time to pick up.

He looked at his watch. “Trace said you left the parking lot ten minutes ago.”

“Is that the babysitter of the hour?” I questioned.

“I prefer guardians.” He tugged again. “Amore, let’s eat, sandwiches are my favorite.”

I grudgingly followed along. “You don’t have to lie just because I caught another woman’s breasts in your face.”

“You think I’m lying?” he asked as we entered again. His receptionist was now seated at the desk that was previously vacated. “Veronica. What’s my favorite food?”

Her brows scrunched together. “Sandwiches? Why? Did you change it?”

He buried his face in my neck for a second, taking a deep inhale before bringing his lips up to my ear. “See, I told you, Amore.”

I tried to hold back my shiver, but judging by the way his body silently shook with laughter, I’m guessing my attempt was unsuccessful. I hated it and loved it at the same time. I hated how much I wanted him while I despised him, but my damn body hadn’t seemed to get the memo, reacting every damn time.

His head turned away from my skin again. “Veronica, this is my wife, Bianca. Bianca, this is Trace’s wife”—his eyes sparkled knowingly—“Veronica.”

Well, now I felt dumb, but also inexplicably relieved. Veronica’s eyes grew wide. “So it is true. Why didn’t you take a few days off? I could have handled this place for a bit.”

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