Page 33 of Resisting Royal

CHAPTER 17

BIANCA

I wasn’t too put off over having the weekend plans canceled. If anything, having some time to explore his massive piece of property gave me a better sense of the man himself. His house was big, like . . . massive. He had way too many rooms for the people actually occupying space in the house.

He liked tall windows, dark woods, and if I had to guess, if I ever got this door unlocked, his office would be done in all leather. I jiggled the bobby pin to the left, trying to ignore the ache in my knees, completely unaware of the body behind me. “I have a key, you know.”

I jumped, almost giving myself a black eye with the doorknob. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Troy just shook his head. “Sorry, it must have skipped my mind. Mind moving? I need to fetch the boss a few documents.”

I licked my lips, a subconscious movement that I hadn’t even realized I was doing until I was midway through. “In there?”

He sighed, dramatically moving his arms. “Where else would I need to go?”

“Right.” I stumbled back, practically crab crawled out of the way.

Troy stepped forward before pulling a key ring from his pocket and inserting a key into the lock. He twisted the key, then the knob and as the door popped open, he turned to look over his shoulder at me. “Coming?”

Odds were good he was going to tell Royal he caught me snooping, so I might as well go in, right? That’s the defense I told myself as I strolled into Royal’s office seconds after Troy disappeared through the door. The office, as predicted, was all dark wood and leather, but I was surprised to see the bright color abstract hanging on the wall.

I walked closer to the painting, examining it from where it hung high on the wall. It was a mix of yellows and purples, with a splash of red, formed into some exotic flower. “I didn’t peg him for the flower guy. Or a color guy for that matter.”

Troy looked up from where he was digging through the drawer and paused. “Oh yeah, that was a gift.”

The mention of a gift piqued my interest, especially for a guy who was so . . . so . . . ugh. I couldn’t even put words to him. He’s so unlikable, annoying, infuriating. But then he kissed me, and I just didn’t understand why my body didn’t understand what my mind knew.

I wanted to know who would gift my husband something so bright and colorful, and why he would choose to display such a gift. If I asked Troy, would that look like I cared? I didn’t care, I really didn’t. It’s more of a gnawing curiosity. “Business offering?”

I hoped that Troy would take the bait and answer me. His movement stopped again. “I guess you could say that. They definitely did business.”

I tore my eyes away from the painting and looked toward the desk, where he had a neat pile of paperwork laid out. “What exactly does that mean, Troy?”

His eyes sparkled, knowing he was delivering information that would get me worked up. “Nothing. It’s like I said, they did business. The painting was an offering of . . . faith.”

I put my hands on my hips, giving him my best glare. “And what are you not telling me?”

“Is none of my business.” He picked up some papers and placed them neatly in the drawer, then held up a flash drive. “I’ve gotten what I’ve come for, so I’m going to bounce. There is nothing important in here really, so feel free to search away, but please keep it neat. Royal gets a bit whack when his things are a mess or out of order.”

His long strides carried him out of the room, and I suddenly had no interest standing here with the painting gifted to him. I sent the art one last look of disdain before backing out of the room myself, using what had to be all my strength to pull the heavy wooden door closed behind me. I had just reached the first step of the stairs when my phone pinged from my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing Royal’s name flash on the screen.

Sorry no weekend getaway, but be ready for a date tonight, my little snoop. Xo – R

I snorted. Damn Troy. He couldn’t even give me a tiny iota of his loyalty. I wouldn’t have told on him. I didn’t bother responding, there would be no point. What Royal wanted, Royal got. It was how things worked it seemed. Instead, I found my way to the kitchen for an afternoon snack.

A few hours later, I was in my room getting ready for a date with my husband. A date I wasn’t too thrilled about going on. Peter was hopping around exploring the whole upstairs, a baby gate solidly in place to keep my adventurous little furball from falling to his death. My phone was on speaker, Natalie giving me some solid unsolicited advice about how I should be dating my husband, the husband I didn’t even want.

“I’m telling you, drive him wild with your mouth and you will have him eating out of the palm of your hand.” She directed at the same time I heard a crash followed by some cursing from the stairs.

“I already drive him wild with my mouth.” Although, it most definitely wasn’t the wild she was referring to.

She missed my joke. “Good, then you’re halfway there. Don’t forget, anything along the bottom of their cock will drive them insane.”

“I already drive him insane, but you really mean anything?” I was sort of getting a kick of this, my poor friend acted like I was a virgin.

“Don’t be a bitch, I meant fingers and tongue and you know it.” I could almost hear her exasperation.

“She’s right you know.” Royal appeared in the doorway, my rabbit in the crook of his arm, a glare on his face. “Your tongue on my cock is the quickest way to getting anything you want. Want to try it?”

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