Page 13 of Royal Bosshole

Shit.

But when her eyes met mine, I couldn’t look away. I clenched my teeth together, hating this weird feeling, like she could see right through me. Like she could see what I thought of her. No one had ever made me feel that way. I was Prince James of Lenovia. I was the one who had to always be in control, to make sure that those under my care were safe and protected.

Lily was the first to look away, thank God, and I breathed out when she did, leaning back in my chair. I rubbed a hand over my face and pinched the bridge of my nose. I needed a heavier workout that night; that was for damn sure.

My phone lit up, and I saw it was my old friend, Peter, from the military.

Boxing session tonight? I could use a chance to kick your ass.

With a smirk, I wrote back.

It’s a plan. Although I wouldn’t get so cocky if I were you. You remember what happened last time.

Peter:Cheating is what happened.

I put my phone away, feeling a little bit better. I could get through the day, if I knew I got the chance to blow off steam and get my head together. Boxing would do the trick.

But after another hour or so, I couldn’t focus. I kept looking up and seeing Lily no matter where I sat or stood in my office. Who had ever thought of having glass offices anyway? This was torture.

She was talking to her new colleagues, looking at documents, gesturing at computer screens, printing, and at one point, I’d looked up just at the same time she was leaning over someone’s desk. Her perfect ass was facing toward me. Did she realize I could see it? The way her body fit perfectly inside of that green dress. This one was a little tighter, more office-like, and as soon as I’d seen it that morning, my mouth had gone dry. She looked brighter that morning too, and her eyes had looked rested, like some weight had been taken off her shoulders. It got me wondering about her situation. Fuck, I needed to get out of there.

“Henry,” I called to my assistant just outside.

“Yes, sir?” he asked, peeking his head in the door.

“I’m out for lunch. I’ll be back in an hour.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Push any calls or meetings until after then.”

“Sounds good!” He gave me a thumbs up, and I glanced at it before I grabbed my jacket and turned out of my office and out the door.

Americans. They loved thumbs-up and high-fives, but I was never going that far. I didn’t look at anyone as I left, and once I was out on the street, I took in big gulps of air like I hadn’t breathed for the past four hours up there. I didn’t even know where I was walking, but I just turned in a direction and started walking.

My mind flipped through topics like a movie screen. I wanted to think about anything else besides Lily and her ass, gripped tight in that dress.

The lost princess. The one I had to marry. There was a topic. Her family had moved to New Orleans after the war, and so I knew she was here somewhere, or at least some clue as to where she was. I paused, looking around the city that I’d called home for the past few years. It was strange and beautiful and frightening sometimes. But it had a way of making a lot of different people feel comfortable in it. I had found comfort there, of a sort. But I still sometimes felt like a lost boy very far away from home.

Maybe Lily would be the perfect fun distraction? A little fun before you find the princess and do your duty?

Great. I was back to thinking about Lily.

“Hey, you’re back!” I turned around to see that I’d stopped in front of Charlotte’s Coffeeshop.

The assistant was staring at me from the open doorway.

What a coincidence.

“Uh, yeah, I guess I am.”

“Great!” she said, and I walked inside after her. “What can I get you?”

I sighed and looked around at the empty tables. “Pumpkin-spiced latte, I guess,” I said with a shrug. “You do sandwiches?”

“Sure do, boss,” she said and passed me a menu.

I sat down in one of the chairs feeling like a traitor to Coffee on the Go. But at least this way, no one from the office would find me. And maybe tasting the latte enough times would give me the secret.

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