Page 34 of Royal Bosshole

* * *

LILY

I was so not a good date match for this guy. He was smooth, suave, and even if I saw for one second that he was nervous, he reclaimed it right back. And right now, he was leaning forward on the table, looking so hot it hurt everywhere, asking in that sexy voice of his if I had a name for him. Sure, I had many joke names. Magic tongue. Magic fingers. Glass castle boy. Mr. Grubbs. Humphrey Bogart.

But instead, I just said the first thing that came to my head. “How about Cold-Hearted Prince?”

At that, he paused, and I was worried I'd said something wrong because I thought he paled a little. But then he smiled.

“Perfect. Cold-Hearted Prince and Boss Bitch.”

The food came, and it was the fucking best food I'd ever had in my life. We ate for a little bit, and then he asked me about my family.

“My parents died in a car crash when I was a kid. I don’t really remember them much. I was raised by my grandma, Charlotte.”

“I'm really sorry,” he said honestly, his eyes looking into mine. “I don't know what it's like to lose a parent so young, but I do know what it's like to lose a parent. My mom died ten years ago.”

We were silent for a few seconds, and I felt an understanding pass between us.

“So, that's why the coffee shop is named Charlotte’s?”

“Exactly.” I smiled. “But it was more of an inheritance. It's not really my true dream.”

I knew his ears would perk up at that. I'd been so protective of not selling the business that it would probably sound crazy, the fact that it wasn't my real dream.

“What is your real dream, Lily?” he asked in that low thigh-melting voice, and I took a slow breath to control myself.

“I want to be a singer and sell my music online. I've been selling it for a few years now on Spotify. It's not that successful, but it's okay.” I looked up at James, shocked at myself.

I'd only ever told Stevie and my grandma about the music. Why was I suddenly telling this man who I’d only known for a few days?

“Wow, that's really great,” he said, and then understanding dawned on his face. “Oh, so that's why you were on Spotify without headphones at the office.”

I laughed. “Yes, I was wondering when you were going to pick up on that.”

We finished our food, and when the bottle of wine was empty, he looked at me, heat in his eyes. I knew what he was thinking. Hell, I was thinking the same thing.

“Come back with me,” I said before I could stop myself.

I put a hand over my mouth and nearly sank under the table, embarrassed that I'd said it so desperately. But I needed him. I was going to go crazy if I didn't have him.

“Okay,” he said determinedly, throwing the napkin down and standing up, reaching a handout for me.

My whole body was covered in goosebumps, and my heart was in my throat, but I took his hand and stood up. As he let go of my hand, he placed it on the small of my back and guided me out of the room, paying on our way out. We were silent as we made our way to the car.

Was I really going to do this? I didn't think I was this much of a rebel. But clearly, I was just following what I wanted deep down. In the car, his hand laid on my thigh, and his thumb made circles on the skin.

We were quiet. I knew he was a man of few words, but I was glad for the silence. I needed to psych myself up for this.

James spoke to the driver before we got out, and then his hand was on my back again while I let us in the apartment. Stevie had told me she was going out with Cassie that night, and April would be back with Caleb, so I knew it would be empty. The silence was heavy as soon as I opened the door. But as soon as it shut, his mouth was on mine.

Any nervousness I had fled in an instant. He pulled off his jacket and I pulled down the straps of my dress. Our mouths never broke apart. He started unbuttoning his shirt, took it off, and his hands went to my back to unzip my dress and pull it down all the way. He tossed it to the side, leaving me in only my black bra and panties.

“Shit, Lily,” he said, growling as he took me in, grabbing my ass so that I had to jump up and wrap my legs around him.

God, this man was carved from stone. He had more muscles than I knew existed, and he’d picked me up as if I weighed nothing. With a moan, I ground my hips against him, and he carried me into my room after I pointed it out.

“I don’t want to wait,” I said into his mouth.

---