Page 36 of Royal Academy

There was a slamming of the door that brought them both back to the present.

“Really Nick?”

Lia swore under her breath causing Benedict’s brows to raise.

“Where did you learn that?”

She looked up at him in annoyance. Nick couldn’t help but stare at her pink swollen lips.

“I’m twenty-five, Benny, not twelve.”

Lia went to slide off Nick’s lap and he grabbed her hips and held her steady. The last thing he wanted was his hard-on flying the flag while her brother was in the room.

“Did you need something in particular?” Nick asked waspishly, “Or do you just enjoy being a cock-block?”

Benedict made a face, “When it comes to my sister? I will always be a cock-block. However, father has arranged for a round of interviews with the local reporters and they will be here any moment to set up in the library. As much as I do enjoy being the third wheel, I didn’t want them or father to be the ones to discover you. It might make for great press, but Lia doesn’t need to be humiliated like that.”

Nick’s arousal softened at the thought of reporters. He knew that Lia wasn’t onboard with the plan. This time when she attempted to slide off, Nick let her.

She stood and made her way over to a mirror on the desk, grimacing when she saw the way Nick had mussed her hair. With a few practiced strokes, she pulled the masses of red waves into a bun at the nape of her neck. Reaching into the drawer she pulled out an elastic.

“Your father schedules interviews without Lia’s knowledge or permission?” Nick had to ask.

In his home, his mother would never have allowed such a thing. She would have needed ample time to prepare, choose an outfit out of dozens if not hundreds. A full makeup team would be on staff and the lighting would have been checked in several areas before the queen would allow the events to take place.

The King of Hazenbak was a shitty father, that much was clear to Nick.

Benedict cleared his throat, “I can try and stall them a little if you want, Lia.”

Nick’s eyes went to hers. She was truly lovely. She didn’t need teams of makeup and outfits to make her more appealing. What she did need was someone that helped her to understand just how valuable she was.

Lia looked at Nick, “I'm sorry about all of this. I will clear it up in the press that we are not engaged.”

Benedict’s eyes widened, “Lia, I wouldn’t contradict father on this. Why don’t you just let the engagement stand for a little while? A broken engagement is far better than father’s wrath.”

“I can’t do that to…”

Nick cut her off, “I agree, we should let the engagement stand. In fact, as soon as we can I want to take you to Meron to meet my family. You can stay with us until things settle down here.”

Lia flushed, “I don’t wish to lie to your family.”

Nick shrugged, “Then don’t. We can trust them. Come with me Lia, this will be fun. You can see the cliffs and beaches of my country, they are incredible. You will love it there, and it is very far from here.”

She bit her lip, “It is tempting. But what about Hank? I can’t just leave him here.”

Her cat was even now holed up in her bedroom. The staff at Royal Academy were all too accommodating when she asked that he be returned to her immediately.

Nick had to think long and hard about this one. But if it meant that Lia would come there really wasn’t any question.

“You can bring the damn cat.”

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