Page 32 of Her Royal Master
Adorable.
I was going to spank her silly for this.
A grin on my face, I headed back to my bedroom to pack a bag, only to find Edwin had already done so.
“You may wish to change your clothing, my lord,” he said as he breezed out of the room.“I laid a change out for you.”When I gave him a blank look, he reminded me, “The queen’s on her way.”
“Ah, yes,” I said.“Thank you, Edwin.”
My elderly butler—one of the many manor employees who’d known me since the day I was born—beamed as he bowed.“If I may say so, sir, I’d quite like to send my thanks to Ms.Chase.”
I shoved off my jeans and pulled on the pair of dress pants he’d laid out for me.“Hopefully, you’ll have the chance to do that in person, Edwin.”I couldn’t stop the goofy grin from stretching across my face.
“Is this woman the cause of your despondency the past months, my lord?”
“A misunderstanding with the lovely reporter, yes, Edwin.Very perceptive.”
Edwin bowed again.“Well, then, I will make haste in preparations for your departure.”
Crunch of tires on the gravel drive outside signaled the queen’s arrival.
I wondered what her reaction would be.
I probably would’ve sworn I didn’t give a fuck, but considering how light I felt knowing I’d done something right for my family, for once, I knew it wasn’t true.
Chelsea believed in me.She’d cared enough to defend me, wielding her mighty pen.Cared enough, even, to sacrifice our relationship to do so.
Some of my newfound buoyancy dipped.I rubbed my forehead.That part still didn’t sit right with me.Had our time together been nothing more than her chance at a big story, and she wrote the one that would cause me the least pain?
No.
She’d been in tears when she left that yacht.I know her heart was in ribbons, same as mine.
And then, suddenly, it all came together for me.
My mom abandoned her career for a man.
Chelsea had a history of choosing career over relationship.It was a habit I planned to cure her of, but it made sense.In her mind, men don’t stick around.The best bet is on career.
Okay, I got it.I could work around this challenge.
If I wanted Chelsea to leave her position atRolling Stoneand move in with me, I’d have to offer an equal career exchange.
I was sure I could figure something out.
~.~
Chelsea
Idrove home in darkness after a thirteen-hour day at the office.My story on Madison James had published yesterday.Rolling Stone’s office had blown up with calls and requests for interviews and quotes.I’d already given four Skype interviews with major news stations and talk shows.My boss was ecstatic at the publicity and had even told me I’d just sealed my career as an investigative journalist.
Why didn’t I feel happier, then?
All this time, I’d been telling myself that I’d made the right decision.The only decision.
So why hadn’t my misery lifted?
What did I think would’ve happened if I’d signed the NDA to make Darius happy?Did I really think he’d ask to see me again after the yacht returned to Ibiza?He was on a summer cruise.He wasn’t out looking for a relationship.
