Page 39 of Some Like It Royal

Spherecast billionaire and his “royal” girlfriend showed some PDA while taking a stroll on day three of the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California. The cute couple shared a kiss as they enjoyed their time together watching indie band Fever take the stage alongside such notable film actors as Diana Keegan and Josh Jamison. Networking opportunities for the aspiring actress?

The day before, the two were spotted attending a pool party at the Beverly Hilton and later headed down to Santa Monica for another PDA-filled ride on the Ferris wheel. Royal watchers are turning their eyes to the mysterious princess and the blossoming love affair.

Sources close to the couple have identified the princess’s interest in film and stage roles. In the fun column, the billionaire apparently staged an elaborate audition to get a first date. What show would you like to see the princess appear on?

“It’s working. I’ve had some feelers from the grand duke. Cursory calls from the local law firm that represents his interests and an inquiry about your schedule.” Martin looked ready to burst with smugness.

“Great.” He tossed the sheet in with the rest in his briefcase and closed it. “Anything else?”

“No.” Martin slid his hands into his pockets. “Heading out already? It’s barely three.”

“Was just a drop by to sign some things for Lucy. We’re driving to Napa this evening to attend a party.” He hit the button on his desk. “Lucy, did my tux come back from the cleaners?”

“Of course it did and I already sent it to the house. It will be waiting for you. Miss Dagmar called. She said to let you know she would be about an hour late.”

“Is everything all right?” He ignored Martin’s smirk.

“Yes, sir. Apparently, there was a shoe emergency. Something to do with the dress she is wearing.” Lucy didn’t bother to contain her amusement. “She had to make some calls to find the pair she wanted, but now she’s stuck in traffic.”

Stuck in traffic? Her car couldn’t handle heavy traffic and if he knew Alyx—which he did rather well by now—she’d probably taken her own vehicle rather than the driver he arranged for her.

“Do me a favor? Call her back and see where she is stuck and if you can help her out?” He cut a glance to his watch. If he left now, he could pick up the orchids from the florist rather than waiting on their delivery. The Chanel evening gala was his least favorite event, but when they’d gone over the social schedule with Victor, he hadn’t missed the light leaping into her eyes so he’d agreed to it. The corsage was old-fashioned, but a popular accessory for the attendees to wear along with their evening finery.

“Absolutely. Now you need to go. You still have a haircut appointment.” Lucy clicked off the intercom and Daniel swore. He’d forgotten about the haircut. But if Alyx ran late that still gave him some time. Scooping up his case, he swung around the desk and headed for the door.

“Racquetball this weekend?” Martin called after him.

“Can’t.” Daniel waved to Lucy and glanced at Martin as he followed him to the elevator. “We’ll be in Napa until Sunday evening. Maybe next week.”

The elevator doors whooshed closed, cutting off whatever response Martin may have made.

* * *

ALYX

It was a cool evening and the air carried a wild variety of spicy scents from grapes to the hint of coffee, sage, rosemary…and something more elusive that she couldn’t quite identify. The heels she wore were magnificently comfortable and perfectly silver, a smashing complement to the skin-baring Grecian wrap. The silver metallic knot strap and drape floated around her. She’d picked the color because it reminded her of Daniel’s eyes, and the look on his face when he saw her filled her with a lush sense of accomplishment.

He’d presented her with the most elegant single-orchid corsage she’d ever seen. As he’d slipped the strap over her wrist, she’d been transported back to prom, that annual hell event for seniors. Especially seniors like her who didn’t have a date or know most of the kids attending. She’d gone anyway, had her picture taken and danced. But no good-looking jock or lean-built nerd had given her a corsage.

Until tonight.

Arm in arm, they strolled through the candlelit vineyards, pausing to chat with the others, mingling among the guests. But Alyx didn’t really pay much attention to the names or the faces. Daniel’s arm was warm against her and he kept lifting her fingers to his lips, the butterfly kisses turning her insides to jelly. When the music started and he swept her into a dance, she forgot about the rest of the party and the role she was supposed to be playing.

“What’s going on in that mind of yours?”

Shivers raced through her as his lips brushed against her ear. She closed her eyes. It was easy to just get lost in this story they’d created.

“I was thinking I feel like a princess tonight. And not because of the dress or the shoes or the atmosphere.” She leaned back, looking at him as he turned her away from the other guests. The comforting weight of his arms around her and the singular focus of his gaze locked on her combined to transport her to a magical spot where the party, the guests—hell the world—all faded away.

“You are a princess, sweetheart.” He dipped down and stole a kiss—a casual, easy brush of his lips to hers, igniting that sensual ache crying out inside.

“No, not that kind of princess.” She licked her lips, enjoying the hint of his taste that lingered there. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Try.” The music shifted to a more popular love song and the band apparently had a singer, because his low baritone crooned out the words.

“I told you about going to my high school prom.” That confession came over a pair of banana splits and aRed Dwarfmarathon he’d surprised her with late one night. She’d never met anyone who liked the old British science fiction show the way she did.

“Yep, I remember.” His fingers stroked her back, light little touches that reminded her he was there—as if she could forget.

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