Page 19 of A Royal Menace

“Vodka soda with a twist. Make it a double,” I say when I make it to the bar and get the bartender’s attention. “Please.”

“You got it,” he says with a wink before he grabs a tall, skinny glass and a bottle of vodka from the shelf behind him.

We were gifted with an open bar tonight, so the drinks are free, but I pull a five from the wad of cash I shoved in myhandbag before I left the room and place it on the bar as he finishes making my drink with a twist of lime.

“Thank you,” I say as he places the glass in front of me, and he picks up the five dollar bill and nods.

“Thankyou.”

I return his nod, pick up my glass, and squeeze through the crowd waiting to order their own drinks. I take a long draw through the skinny straw, and almost immediately, the vodka warms my belly. Another long drink, and I actually start to relax a bit.

Okay. Time to network.

Somehow, I manage to stay out of Royal’s orbit over the next hour, and I end up sipping on my third double vodka soda at the edge of the crowd, a handsome high school history teacher chatting me up and looking at me with obvious interest in his bright blue eyes.

I nod and sip my drink as he tells me about himself, but I don’t really hear the words as my traitorous brain compares his physical appearance to Royal’s and finds it lacking. His shoulders aren’t as wide, his arms too skinny. His bottom lip is a bit too thin.

Damn it. Stop it, Callie. He’s a good looking man, and he’s obviously interested.

My head suddenly feels fuzzy at the same time I realize I’ve been standing here for who knows how long with locked knees while slurping down this very strong drink. Losing my balance, I stagger to the left. His hand darts out to cup my waist, steadying me before I really embarrass myself and fall flat on my ass in front of him and all these other people.

“Are you okay?” he asks, then dips his head to bring his mouth close to my ear. “Do you want to get out of here? Maybe go somewhere a little more…private?”

Before I can answer, a solid, familiar body materializes next to me, making me stumble again. Royal’s arm snakes around my waist like it’s not the first time, and he turns us both until I’m out of the grip of the history teacher––I’ve already forgotten his name––and Royal is wedged between us. I’m too stunned to complain, and I only watch with wide eyes as the two men have some sort of unspoken conversation before the stranger grunts, spins, and stalks away.

“What the hell was that? Why’d you chase him away?” I ask, the words coming out a bit slow and slightly slurred.

Jesus, I’m more buzzed than I thought.

Keeping his arm firmly around my waist, Royal starts to move, guiding me out of the ballroom and toward the elevators. I don’t even think of pulling away as his muscles burn against my back, and his fingers dig into the soft flesh at my hip.

“Jeremiah Helmsman is a married man,” he says in low tones as he pushes the button to call the elevator with his free hand. “He’s notorious for trolling these conventions for hookups so he can cheat on his wife.”

“What?” I exclaim, probably a little too loudly. “Where did he go? I need to give him a piece of my mind.”

I try to pull free of Royal’s grip, but his arm tightens around me, holding me in place. I grunt and command him to release me, but he only shakes his head and holds on tighter. The second the elevator doors swish open, he pulls me inside and presses the button for our floor. With a low growl, I jerk hard to the right, freeing myself only to slam into the mirrored wall of the elevator.

“Ouch,” I grumble, rubbing my arm while shooting daggers at Royal with my eyes.

“Sorry,” he says, barely stifling a chuckle. “Are you okay?”

“Is my pain funny?” I ask, still glaring.

“No. Of course, not,” he says, his smile wide and bright. “You’re just so cute when you’re mad.”

My narrowed eyes instantly widen, and my lips part as I inhale roughly. Royal’s smile vanishes, and he swallows thickly before his gaze snaps away from me, focusing on the elevator doors. I watch his profile for a moment, then snap my mouth shut and face forward, as well.

He obviously didn’t mean to say what he said, and now he’s regretting it. I mean, Iknowthere’s no way he meant it. He probably just said it to annoy me, and when I didn’t react the way he expected, he freaked out because he doesn’t want me to thinkhethinks I’m cute at any time.

I might be drunk, but I’m not stupid. I know Royal doesn’t find me attractive.

I open my mouth to tell him as much to ease the tension, but the elevator slows to a stop and the doors slide open before I can speak. Royal steps out quickly, then pauses, stiffens, and turns around to offer me his arm. I try to ignore it and pass him by, but my left ankle decides to go weak and roll over, and I stumble toward him as I try to catch my balance.

He catches me, wraps an arm around my shoulders, and turns us both toward the direction of our room. I consider pulling away again, then decide letting Royal guide me is probably the safest option right now. Besides, if I were to fall, and Royal were to laugh, I’d probably never forgive him, and that would make for a difficult weekend.

You know, since we’re sharing a room and all.

So yeah, I let him hold onto me for the sake of peace. That’s all. No other reason.

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