Page 27 of Some Like It Royal

“White for both of us. California vintage preferred.” Daniel waited until the waitress left to fetch the wine and grinned. “Do you always quoteOthello, or other plays?”

Her eyes widened. “There’s no Beatrice inOthello.”

“Oh, was thatRomeo and Juliet?” He looked perplexed.

“No.” She shook head and leaned forward, the menu shaking with her barely suppressed humor. “It’sMuch Ado About Nothing.”

“Oh.” Daniel shrugged and flipped his menu open. “I didn’t think that one could have much in it, considering the ‘nothing’ subject matter.”

She gaped until she saw the quirk of a smile he tried to hide behind the menu. She laughed. “You’re terrible.”

“Guilty.” He paused as the waitress returned with the wine glasses and the wine. She took her time in opening the bottle for them and poured a sample. When Daniel gave her an approving nod following his taste, she filled both glasses half-full.

“Would you like to hear the specials?”

At his quirked brows, Alyx shook her head. She knew what she wanted already. “I’m going to have the lobster-and-shrimp linguini in Alfredo sauce.” The calories would be killer, but it was her favorite and the sauce matched her dress.

“Make that two.” He collected the menus and passed them to the waitress.

“I’ll be right back with your salad and bread.” The waitress disappeared and Alyx frowned at the growing crowd inside. The weather on the deck was next to perfect, cool breeze, still warm sun and the lull of the ocean.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just think it’s odd that they look busy in there and it’s quiet out here. I expected a lot more people would want to eat outside with this view.” She picked up her wineglass and took a sip. It was cold, crisp and carried just the right amount of bite. She would have to check the bottle later. Her preference for red wine aside, this vintage tasted quite good.

“I’m sure they do. I’m sorry they can’t be accommodated.” He took a swallow of his wine, then leaned back in the chair, a smug look on his face.

She set the glass down. “What did you do?”

“I promised you an evening off. Victor wanted us to show off. We can do both. Private dinner, private deck—call it a golden compromise.”

After she absorbed that piece of knowledge, her eyes widened, and so did her smile. “You realize that’s cheating.”

“Not really. I made you a promise—I wanted to keep it. They can still see us out here—and they can wonder just who is that beautiful, beautiful woman and the lucky SOB sitting across from her.”

Warmth flooded her face again and she hid her discomfort with another drink. Of course, the mystique would be perfect—particularly for the curious. They were putting on a show, after all. “Positively brilliant.”

She admired the cunning nature of the plan. As test runs went, she only had to look the part—and the dress did most of the work for her. They quieted as the waitress brought the salads and the bread. Unwrapping her utensils from the cloth napkin, she refused to look to her left. She didn’t want to know if anyone stared at them—or if the plan he’d carefully executed worked.

“Good?” he asked after she took a bite of the salad.

“It’s very good.” She nodded, not really tasting any of the lettuce. Oddly enough, the bright sunshine of the evening seemed to dim before the sun had fully set. The cool breeze ruffling her back left chills in its wake. Even the wine went a little sour on her tongue. But she mustered her smile and focused on her “date.”

She’d forgotten the cardinal rule of make-believe.

None of this is real.

And she really didn’t have the right to be disappointed.

Chapter11

Daniel

“You’re on the front cover of the social section, stud. And your princess looks pretty hot. Nice job.” Martin’d apparently took Daniel’s advice to heart and got on board. His compliment buzzed through Daniel’s sleep-fogged brain.

“Why are we on the front cover of the social section?” Three nights in a row he’d taken her out for dinner—choosing private, secluded locations to let her relax and show off without having to work. Victor gave him some grief, since the point was to be seen, but he didn’t care. The acting coach arrived early every morning to begin a new round of lessons. Whether it was cosmetics, walking, talking or sitting, Alyx worked her sweet, curvy little ass off. Dinner was the only reward he could give her for the moment.

“Apparently, you were seen dining together two nights in a row—and I’m quoting the article here—’…looks like self-made software magnate Daniel Voldakov is off the market, ladies. Too bad you didn’t grab the chance when you had it. Who is the mysterious beauty seen on Voldakov’s arm? Rumor has it that Voldakov’s royal taste is impeccable.’“

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