Page 23 of A Royal Disaster
Liam gritted his teeth, refusing to take the bait. His father enjoyed reminding him of his shortcomings, but he’d spent enough time at court to recognize a trap when he saw it. He needed to keep his head. “That won’t be necessary. As I said, the negotiations are under way. Adding another party at this late hour could send the wrong message to our allies.”
Or, potential allies, since he wasn’t planning to reopen the old trade negotiations.
“I agree,” his mother chirped, taking his side in a surprise move. “It wouldn’t do to undermine William’s authority right before we start courting marriage prospects.”
And that was his cue to wrap things up.
“Have you given any thought to the names we discussed?” his mother asked, switching gears as smoothly as his Rolls. As if his marriage prospects could be properly weighed and measured like a new bill on the floor of Parliament.
Hell, to her it probablywasthat simple.
“No, Mother. The trade negotiations are keeping me quite busy.” But not so busy he didn’t have time to fantasize about his sexy fake girlfriend, who was probably enjoying a relaxing deep tissue massage while he was doing his damndest to avoid a royal engagement. “Speaking of which, I need to excuse myself. I’ve got a meeting.”
His mother heaved a beleaguered sigh. “Fine. We will discuss this matter further during our next call.”
Not if he had anything to bloody say about it. With any luck, he’d have the world convinced he was in love with his fake girlfriend by the next time they spoke.
Chapter Seven
“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?” Lena asked. She shifted to face Liam, who sat beside her in the back of the limousine looking every bit the royal hottie. He gave her a rakish grin, making it clear he had no intention of giving up the goods. “I told you, I hate surprises.”
Liam furrowed his brow, as if unable to believe anyone could hate surprises. “Why? Did you have a bad experience?”
“Abad experience? Try dozens.” Lena cringed at the onslaught of memories. “When I was in high school, the guy I was dating planned a surprise party for my birthday and when he jumped out and yelled surprise,” she said, making jazz hands so he could get the full effect, “it scared the hell out of me and I punched him in the nose. Needless to say, we broke up the next day.”
Liam gave a bark of laughter, his whole body shaking as he fought for control. “Remind me to never make you angry,” he said, blue eyes dancing with amusement.
Lena shrugged. “Seriously, nothing good ever comes from being surprised. If you tell me where we’re going, I’ll have a chance to mentally prepare and lessen the odds of another…spectacle.”
“I thought a day at the spa would help you relax, but I’m starting to think one day wasn’t enough.” The corners of Liam’s lips quirked upward. “Shall I have Fin book another massage?”
“Very funny,” Lena said, toying with the hem of her skirt. Liam had already gone completely overboard on their second date, capping off the day at the spa with a dress delivery from Bergdorf. Lena still wasn’t sure how she felt about the gesture, but she couldn’t deny the gold cocktail dress was to die for—literally.
Judging by the designer label and fifteen pounds of beadwork, she’d probably have to sell a few organs to afford it on her own. With that kind of excess already in play, who knew what the prince had in store next? And had he sent the gift because he didn’t want her to feel underdressed again—after all, he was press ready in a suit and tie—or was he embarrassed of her? Not that she could exactly blame him for being embarrassed, but a designer dress wouldn’t fix her reputation.
“I don’t need another massage. The first one did wonders. I’m completely relaxed.”
Or, as relaxed as one could be when being sued by her ex and dragged in the press.
Liam rubbed his hands together, as if preparing to challenge her claim, and she rushed on. “In fact, the whole spa experience kind of made me feel like royalty.” Lena paused, reconsidering. She’d been soaked, scrubbed, wrapped, and massaged, but when it was all over, she was still herself…as evidenced by the bowl of massage oil she’d spilled on her way out the door. “Or maybe royalty’s disaster-prone cousin.”
Liam smiled in earnest this time, the warmth of the gesture heating her blood even as she reminded herself this wasn’t a real date. He was a prince, after all, and she was no princess, even if she was having a Cinderella moment. “Well, whatever they did at the spa, it agreed with you.” His gaze slid over her body, settling on her mouth. He stared for what felt like an eternity measured only by the rapid beat of her heart, and Lena fought the urge to wet her lips, which had gone bone dry. “You look stunning, Elena.”
“Thank you,” Lena said, smoothing her skirt as unease pricked at the back of her neck. She hated being indebted to anyone, and at the rate she was collecting favors from the prince, she’d be indebted for life before their month was up. “And thank you again for the dress. It’s really beautiful.”
Nervous energy coursed through Lena’s veins and she bounced her right foot, which dangled in midair, below her crossed knees. Liam watched, seemingly riveted, as the muscles in her calf worked overtime. And was it her imagination or was there a spark of white-hot lust in his pale eyes?
No, couldn’t be. Heat flooded Lena’s cheeks. Liam was probably just scandalized by her lack of pantyhose.
Nia had warned her royal protocol dictated ladies never went bare legged, but honestly, she wasn’t the royal in this fake relationship and she wasn’t going to suffer for some arcane, misogynistic standard. A standard that had probably been written by a dude who’d never been forced to suffer the indignity of being cut in half by a pair of too-small nylons—assuming one could get them on without getting a run.
“What? No heels today?” Liam finally asked, eying the sleek, studded ballet flats that had quickly become her new favorite shoes.
“No. Fin had them send over flats.” Lena fully extended her leg, showing off the flat, red, not-likely-to-get-stuck-in-the-carpet sole. “Smart man.”
Liam nodded. “Fin’s wasting his talents working as my assistant. He should’ve been promoted years ago.”
“Says the man with the power to make it happen,” Lena quipped, relieved they’d moved beyond the study of her bare legs.
