Page 19 of Royally F*cked

Charlie snorts. “And you really think that you can be faithful to me. Forever?”

“I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, Charlie, but I can assure you I’ve never been anything but faithful. That will never change.”

“Jude, I don’t look anything like all those other women you’ve been with before.”

“You’re right, you don’t. You’re everything they are not.”

She scrunches up her face and I’m willing to bet that her defenses are rising once again. “What the hell does that mean?”

“You don’t see it, do you?” I question.

“Don’t see what? The extra weight on my hips and around my midsection? Or is the oversized arse that really sells it?”

“That’s enough!” I roar and she jumps at the sound of my voice. Hearing her speak about herself in such a manner is wrong on so many levels. “You’re bloody beautiful, Charlie. A knockout, as they’d say.”

“It’s clear that you’ve bumped your noggin. I bet, His Majesty’s attempt to knock sense into you went horribly wrong and has clearly caused you to hallucinate.”

Unable to handle how harsh she is on herself, I stand and circle the desk, stopping right in front of her. As I lean back against the antique wood, I tilt her head up so she’s looking right into my eyes. “Charlie, you have tested my patience enough for one day. I will not tolerate you speaking about yourself as if you are anything but gorgeous. Anyone who has failed to notice it before is simply foolish.”

“Bollocks!”

I’ll never understand why women are so complicated or hard on themselves and I certainly do not have the time to figure it out. I need to settle things with Charlie so that we can get this ball rolling. “Are we finished negotiations or are there more things you’d like to add to your list?”

Charlie leans back, putting space between us, and taps her chin. “You need to write down the part about remaining faithful,” she says, pointing back to the list.

Doing as she wishes; I return to my seat and write it down.

“Sleeping arrangements. It’s my understanding that the king and queen maintain separate bed chambers.”

I don’t even let her finish before I jot down combined bed chambers. “There are some traditions that deserve to be abolished. You’ll spend every night in my bed, correction, in our bed.”

“And what about before the wedding? I’m now without a job and a place to live thanks to your bright idea.”

I think about it for a split second. “You’ll reside here until the wedding. I can stay here, or I can move back to the castle until our nuptials, at which time you’ll be expected to join me there. I’ll let you decide which you would prefer.”

Charlie sits back in her chair and crosses her legs. “You think you have this all figured out, don’t you?”

Hardly. But I’m damn well not going to tell Charlie that I’m making this up as I go. “I don’t do anything without a plan.” Usually.

“One more thing,” Charlie plucks an invisible piece of link from her pant leg. “A proper proposal.”

“A proper proposal?”

“Yes. If you are serious about all of this, you’ll get down on one knee and properly ask for my hand in marriage. After you’ve spoken with my father and explained how you’re madly in love with me and just cannot imagine spending another day without me as your wife.”

Check. Fucking. Mate.

I knew the minute Charlie hit me with a shoe that she wasn’t going to simply agree to all of this. Not that I blame her.

“Well, then. I suppose we should get our stories straight about our courtship. Shall we?”

“Just as soon as you have that contract drawn up and we both sign it.” She stands and grabs my glass that I’ve barely touched. Charlie downs the remaining whiskey then saunters toward my office door. “I think I shall tour my new home while you handle business.”

“Charlie.” I call out as she reaches for the door handle.

She turns and looks at me over her shoulder.

“I’m adding an addendum of my own. As my wife, you’ll also be finishing your college degree. All expenses paid.”

Her jaw drops. “I thought we agreed that I could not be bought.”

“I’m not buying you. Merely ensuring that my future queen is smarter than any man she may encounter at the round table. You will be my equal. In all that we do.”

This time I’m rewarded with a curt nod before she walks out.

I’m immediately on the phone, first paging Oscar then phoning my lawyer.

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