Page 78 of Reveal Me
‘Killian, unlike you two baboons, respects my privacy.’ I hold my hand out. ‘Hand it back, or you’ll see a side of me you’ve never seen before.’
‘Maybe we want to see that side of you.’ Caelon’s tone is goading.
‘Trust me, you don’t.’ I finally prise the phone free and grip it like it’s a lifeline.
‘Ohhh.’ My brothers tease in unison. Caelon makes jazz hands. I’ve never wanted to punch my brother as much as I do today, but of course, I won’t. I’ve already let enough slip for one day.
I hold my mobile up to my face, swatting away the arms that are swinging at me. The Bentley is spacious, but nowhere near spacious enough to avoid these two brutes. If I had any sense, I’d put the phone in my pocket and read the message privately later, but the need to know how my gift was received is eating me alive. I click into the message, holding the phone as high above my head as I can, keeping it moving.
You spoil me. Thank you. Are you calling for tea today?X
One tiny X makes my stomach swoop. I’m worse than a teenager.
‘Tea?’ Caelon yells. ‘How fucking boring can one person be?’
‘Mind your own business.’ If only he knew. I shove the phone back into my pocket, biting back the grin that’s threatening my lips.
But there’s no way I’m sitting through another pot of Earl fucking Grey.
I’m breaking the princess out for the night. And I have the perfect place to take her to give her a taste of our future.
Chapter Thirty-Five
LAYLA
‘He must really like you.’ Kat is scooping up bouquets of roses and rearranging them around my private sleeping quarters. As far as the rest of the staff are concerned—especially Mrs Medway—the flowers and the art supplies were from Finegan. For everyone’s sake—especially my mother’s—it’s better that way.
‘I like him.’ I bite my lower lip. ‘A lot.’ Understatement of the century. We’re in way over our heads. I twist to face her. ‘I’m thinking about stepping down from royal duties.’
‘Oh, Princess.’ Kat’s voice is low and gentle. She halts her floral arranging and strides across the room to where I’m sitting at the vanity station. ‘Is it worth throwing everything away for? You know the Queen will never accept him. Your sisters will be caught between a rock and a hard place. And with Princess Sabrina’s wedding only a couple of months away, imagine the uproar. Is it worth it? Is he worth it? You need to be certain before you do something you can’t undo.’
Our eyes meet in the gilded mirror. She takes a brush and runs it through my hair like she has done a million times before.
‘The thing is Kat, he is.’
Her hand slows to a stop on my scalp. ‘Don’t do anything rash. Promise me.’
‘I promise.’ But I’ve already done something rash. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with a man who not only lacks a title but owns a BDSM club.
‘Is he stopping by today? He seems obsessed with your paintings.’
He’s obsessed with what they represent. He’s the only one who sees the truth in them. He’s the only one who sees me. And he seems certain they’re my way out of this life.
‘I’m not sure.’ I check my phone again, but he hasn’t replied to my thank you message yet. If I don’t see him today, I’ll see him tonight. Not that I’ll admit that to Kat. It’s for her own sake. Plausible deniability if the Queen discovers our dalliances.
My phone vibrates on the vanity station in front of me, and I snatch it up eagerly.
Not today, Princess.
My heart sinks. I guess I can wait a few more hours.
I’m breaking you out. We’re going on a date.
A date? Butterflies swirl and soar in my stomach. This is a new unexpected development. Unless he means a mid-week date at the club?
My fingers fly over the keys.
To the club?
