Page 47 of Some Like It Royal

Chapter18

Alyx

Sadly, they had to put off Big Bear for a couple of days. It turned out Daniel actually did have meetings he couldn’t just cancel. His grousing about being the boss made her laugh.

“It’ll be fine,” she told him. “It gives me time to pick out stuff to pack.”

“You don’t need to pack anything,” he said, tangling his fingers with hers. “I don’t plan on us needing to be dressed from the moment we get there until the moment we leave.”

Well, that sent a flutter through her. “I like an ambitious man.”

His grin was a flash of sunlight piercing his petulant mood and washing it away. When he leaned over to brush a kiss to her lips, she sighed into it. They’d been lovers for barely a week, but it felt so damn natural.

Natural and wanted.

More, she treasured the way he studied her face like he was trying to memorize it before he left. With a soft stroke of his thumb along her cheekbone, he sighed. “Theresa will be doing the shopping today. If you need anything…”

“I can go out and get it myself,” she reminded him. “In fact, I might go out today and see a friend.” The lessons with Victor had slowed the last three weeks. So that wasn’t something she had to worry about. “Do you think you’ll be late?”

“I better not be,” he said with a grumble. “But if I am, I’ll call or message.”

“That works,” she covered his hand on her cheek with his “I’ll message you if I’m delayed too. I figure I can call Rhonda and bribe her into lunch with me.”

She didn’t miss the way relief rippled through his expression. He hadn’t asked who she was going to see, but he’d wanted too. The tension that had ticked in his jaw also went away.

“Hmm, if you need reservations somewhere, call Lucy. She’ll get you in anywhere you want to go.” Still, he stood there, as though truly hesitant to leave.

“You’re going to spoil me,” she teased.

“You have discovered my nefarious plan.”

Now, she snorted. “Not particularly nefarious, but I’ll let it go this time. Yes, if I need reservations, I’ll call Lucy.” She liked Lucy. The older woman was actually entertaining when she scolded Daniel. The fact he clearly adored the secretary didn’t hurt.

“Well that’s a relief.” Then he kissed her hand. “Do something for me?”

Her stomach clenched a little tighter and an icy sensation skated over her skin. “If I can…”

“Take one of my cars instead of yours?” The fact she still had her car was a small bone of contention. He’d had his mechanic look at it and fix it up. He’d also had it cleaned, but he didn’t like the lack of amenities. “The Mercedes or the Volvo… or better, I can arrange a car for you.”

She held up a finger. “I don’t want a driver, but I will take one of your cars.” It was as far as she was willing to compromise. “I will also be careful. I don’t plan on alerting anyone to where I am going that isn’t you, Rhonda, or Lucy.”

Hell, she and Rhonda might just have lunch at Rhonda’s.

Blowing out a breath, he ducked his head to give her another kiss. “Okay, I’ll let you know if I’m late.” It seemed a concession, he didn’t like her going out on her own. But it was well past time. She’d spent the last few months either here or with Victor or Daniel.

There’d been no Alyx time and Alyx needed the time.

“I’ll see you later,” she called and he gave her one more smile before his phone rang and he answered it on his way out.

“Hey Martin, just leaving now…”

* * *

“So,this guy is a lawyer who works for the royal guy who is your cousin?” Rhonda asked as she stretched her legs out and propped her feet on the railing of her balcony. It was a gorgeous day out and the breeze just made it even better.

“Pretty much, said his name was Richard Prentiss. I googled him. So he’s the real deal. Well, at least real in the sense that he has a law firm and he is a member of the bar.” I tipped the icy bottle of soda back for a long drink. We’d walked down to a food truck we both enjoyed and grabbed Mexican food, sodas, and treats before coming back to eat lunch here. “I also found photos of him with Armand Andraste.”

Which had also quieted some nerves and ignited others. A part of her really hadn’t believed Daniel. Even all these weeks later, she still struggled to believe it was even possible. To have a man she’d never met acknowledge her that way was—she couldn’t really find the words to express it.

---