Page 23 of Royal Player
I scowl. “First of all, I doubt anyone recognizes me without my veil and showing my shoulders.”
“You have to wear a veil too?” he asks softly.
I ignore the hint of sympathy in his voice. “Second of all, I’m not officially engaged until after the mandatory six-week courtship, so if that’s what’s making you withhold not-sex from me, you don’t need to be concerned about that.”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Anna says you just earned your MBA.”
“And?”
“So you must have an interest in business. What do you think we could do to make our casino stand out from what people can get here in Monte Carlo?”
I blink a few times. “You want my opinion on business matters?”
“Yes. It’s better than talking about not-sex with you. And, by the way, that still counts as sex. Don’t let anyone fool you about that.”
I lean close, wanting something more. I like that he asked me about business, but I still have this pull inside me, this attraction that won’t let go.
He pinches my chin, his aquamarine eyes warm on mine. “Polly.”
My lips part. I’m so rarely touched. The untouchable princess held up as a paragon of virtue. “Yes?”
“I’m really trying to be the sensible one here. Can we please talk about something else?”
“Okay,” I whisper.
He drops his hand. “So I’m thinking what they can get here in Monte Carlo is old-world glamour. So what if we go the other way and make our casino ultramodern, wired up with the latest tech, the latest in gaming while still having the classics. We could even have online poker that draws players from afar, maybe give them some incentive to show up in person with a rewards program.”
My throat gets tight. There’s just something so nice about talking business. “I have an MBA and a degree in economics, and you’re the first person outside a classroom to ever ask my opinion on business matters.”
He rubs his scruffy jaw. “You’re smart.”
I straighten and square my shoulders. “I am.”
“So what do you think?”
“I think, and bear in mind I’m slightly tipsy right now, but I think you should go hipster Brooklyn with it. Make it cool, make it casual, make it fun. But also traditional.”
“You ever been to Brooklyn?”
“No, but I’ve read up on it. I find it fascinating. There’s been a resurgence of traditional arts and craftsmanship. Gourmet artisanal pickles, for instance.”
He laughs. “Pickles.”
I smile. “Yes, but hear me out. Villroy’s strength is in its long proud history, so why not let that be part of it too? Maybe some tie-in with Viking decor or food. Historic touches with a cool laid-back vibe. I bet Alice could help with all the history stuff. I’m just throwing stuff out here.” I poke his chest, surprised at how hard it is. “You should ask me again tomorrow when my head isn’t so fuzzy.” I poke him again. “Why is your chest so hard?”
He grins. “What did you expect it to be? Soft?”
I face forward, realizing now why I’m surprised. Because I’ve only touched a few men in my life and they weren’t fit like he is. Of course he is, he’s an athlete. I’ve had three kisses with soft men and not once have I felt passion. This depresses the shit out of me.
He nudges my shoulder. “You know what? I like your idea for the casino even better.”
My gaze snaps to his. “You do?”
He nods. “I have cousins in Brooklyn. Maybe I should pay them a visit, check out the scene. I’ve never met them, but I’ve heard about them through my sister Silvia. She lives in the US.”
“How come you never met them?”
And then he tells me the kind of story that hits me deep in my soul. His uncle, the heir to the throne of Villroy, fell in love with a commoner, a woman from Brooklyn. His parents wouldn’t allow the marriage. He was forced to abdicate the throne to marry his love. He moved with her to Brooklyn and was exiled from Villroy forever. His entire family was cut off, none of his sons enjoying the wealth or privilege that was their birthright. It’s a cautionary tale and one that makes me realize I was foolishly playing with fire tonight.
