Page 56 of The Daredevil

“Then the devilish Viking must take matters into his own hands by tossing you over his shoulders and taking you out to his car topunishyou.” He leaned in and kissed the top of my head. “You don’t want your peers seeing all that?”

I narrowed my eyes to sharp slits.

“I didn’t mention the seating arrangement because I assumed you’d want to sit with your boyfriend. That’s how relationships work, angel.”

“I would’ve appreciated the information earlier so I could prepare myself for questions from my coworkers.”

He tapped my temple. “You have a quick mind. I can already see the wheels turning. Make up something.” He grinned and squeezed my hand. “See you soon.”

When his hand severed from mine, an uncomfortable emptiness filled the space. I wanted his touch again.

Becca walked past Royce and said, “Hi, Dr. Viktorsson. I love what you’re doing for the Volcanic Sustainability Research Program.”

“Thank you,” he said and went up to greet two men in suits.

Becca approached me. “You look gorgeous! Why didn’t you say anything about you dating Dr. Viktorsson?”

Doctor? How had I not known this? I’d think about that later.

Right now, my mind raced for an answer to give Becca.

“First off, you look stunning. I love the French twist.” I gestured to her hair. “And this red dress is exquisite. As for dating Dr. Viktorsson, I don’t like to discuss my private life with people I’ve just met. Privacy is important to me.”

“Oh, I understand, especially with Fiona around. Everyone knows she has the hots for him. She won’t stop talking about him. Even the CEO is getting annoyed. Now I know why she wanted this job at NewYou Beauty—it gives her access to him.”

The more I learned about Fiona, the more she seemed like a dangerous stalker. Was it her who’d broken my window? Was this how she eliminated her competition?

“Brace yourself. Here she comes.” Becca gestured to Fiona in a glittering silver gown that enhanced her figure. She strutted across the ballroom, heading toward Royce. The low V-neckline showed off her full breasts that jiggled as she walked. She wore her long blonde hair in a fancy updo and sparkling earrings that matched her necklace. I wished I’d done something different with my hair instead of leaving it naturally down. My jewelry was elegant, a gift from Audri from her Epiphanii collection.

Stop comparing yourself to her. You’re classier than her.

Still, I couldn’t help but compare. It was a natural reaction when my enemy was trying to steal my man.

He’s not your man yet, only your fake boyfriend.

I tuned out my inner voice because it wasn’t helping me.

“NewYou Beauty made a nice donation to the Volcanic Sustainability Research Program. Their research is top-notch.”

I only half-heard Becca’s words because my attention was fixated on Fiona and Royce. She barged into his conversation with his associates, placing a hand on his arm.

Don’t touch him. He’s mine.

Royce turned, met my gaze, and waved. My heart jumped at how handsome he was. He had mesmerized me in his apartment when I first saw him all dressed up, but I didn’t get to truly observe him because I’d been trying to calm down my body’s reaction to him. But right now, I studied him like an undiscovered adventure that promised an exhilarating experience.

Royce stood out from all the surrounding men, towering over them. The dark tuxedo, the blond hair that looked silver under the massive chandelier, and the confidence oozing from his posture cut him as an elegant man wrapped in secrets. His broad shoulders reminded me of the leveled planes of the Grand Canyon—profound, heart-stirring, and irresistible. When I visited the Grand Canyon, I was in awe of the million-year-old rock strata that made up these wondrous layers. Like the canyon, Royce contained more than what people saw at a glance. I wanted to discover the Royce beneath the surface.

When his associates waved at me and broke my trance, I returned the gesture. Fiona surveyed me, probably comparing my dress, hair, and jewelry, just as I had done to her. I didn’t need to wear all the high-end brands to feel worthy. Besides, I was wearing my bestie’s jewelry, which was better than anything on Fiona.

“If I’m prying too much, tell me to shut up.” Becca dragged me over to an empty table. “How long have you been dating Dr. Viktorsson? He gives a speech every year at the Volcano Museum. I didn’t get to go last year because the company was just starting. Only the CEO attended.”

“We’ve been friends for years, but recently started dating.”

Somewhere in my brain, I should have known that Royce had a doctorate. He was a volcanologist, basically a scientist, and most scientists have their PhD. But he never boasted about it, even when we hung out at Remi’s place. It never came up.

What else didn’t I know? As his girlfriend, I demanded to know everything. With every extra surprise he swung my way, my heart beat a little faster and swelled a little more. The barriers I had built to protect myself were slowly weakening. That scared me.

“Oh, I heard friends to lovers make the best relationships. As friends, you already know each other and want something more. At least that’s what the romance novels say.”

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