Page 24 of Some Like It Royal

Her laughter bubbled up. “To bits and bytes and fingertips and all the other missing pieces you bring home.”

Their glasses clinked together and she relaxed. The day seemed a bit brighter too.

* * *

DANIEL

A book slammed into the floor with a thump and her “son of a bitch”echoed through the hall. Curious, he stood and stretched. The program code he tried to debug wasn’t cooperating. Neck cracking as he rolled it from side to side, he crossed his office to glance out at the living room where Alyx stood in the center of the room, an encyclopedia in her hands. She faced off against Victor, her expression a grimace of distaste.

“It’s going to break my foot if it keeps falling.” She’d changed since the morning and wore a halter-topped dress and sling-back heels, both in a forest-green shade. The color accented her golden tan and brought out the highlights in her red hair.

“Then don’t drop it. When a princess walks, she floats with a casual grace that must seem effortless. You can’t roll your hips or shake your assets, but rather draw the eye with ethereal grace.”

Daniel’s gaze roamed over her. She looked more likely to hit Victor with the book in question than to float with grace.

“Again,” Victor ordered in a tone that brooked no argument. She sighed, but set the book back on her head. Her shoulders pushed back, her chin came up and she began to walk. He knew the moment she became aware of him. Her soft brown eyes widened, and a falter hitched her step. The book wobbled and Daniel held his breath.

She walked toward him—no. Sheglidedforward. Her shoes barely clicked against the tile, each step floating a little more than the last. He locked his jaw, fingers crossing mentally, but when she paused in front of him he grinned. “Very nice.”

“Acceptable.” But this time, Victor sounded pleased.

She ducked her head and caught the book as it slid off her hair, mussing the strands falling toward her eyes. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He folded his arms and leaned against the doorjamb. His palms itched to stroke her face.

Or at least give her a hug.

Better to stand his ground and not do either. He teetered close to breaking their contract far more than he liked. It was one thing to play a role, but a part of him didn’t feel like he was pretending anymore. “Do I get to see you walk away the same?”

“Excellent idea,” Victor agreed. With her back still to her coach, she crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Daniel.

He grinned. “Go on. One more pass and I think you’ve got the hang of it.”

Exhaling a long breath, she balanced the encyclopedia on her head again and pivoted a slow turn on the ball of her foot. Daniel glanced at Victor and found the man watching her every step nearly as hard as he was. The dress flowed around her legs. His gaze skimmed upward, her ass didn’t rock from side to side, but it didn’t have to. The almost dainty movements gave it a far more provocative sway.

His chest tightened as she reached Victor and paused, her posture near perfect. Holding his breath, he waited for the coach’s judgment.

Victor gave her a brief nod. “Acceptable. Tomorrow, we will practice with the taller heels.”

“That’s it?” Daniel frowned. “You don’t tell her great job, give her an applause, just a clipped ‘acceptable’?” She deserved a reward, she’d been in here with the man all afternoon, walking, walking, walking.

They both stared at him, Alyx in surprise and Victor with a bemused expression. “Very well. Why don’t you take her out to dinner this evening? Somewhere on the beach, a quiet place. That will give you a chance to reward her properly.”

“Okay. I will. You looked beautiful, Alyx. Very graceful. Would you allow me to take you out to dinner? We can escape all the rules and?—”

Victor cleared his throat. “Actually, it will not be an escape from the rules. It will be your first opportunity to dine in public and we should take full advantage of the intimate situation.”

Alyx ducked her head, catching the encyclopedia. “Of course we should.”

Instead of rewarding her, he’d just created more work. Daniel sighed. Still, Cinnabars was a lovely beachfront bistro and restaurant. They could eat on the deck, enjoy the ocean breeze and, if he called ahead, he could ask the restaurant to give them some privacy. He could salvage the situation.

“You’re ready, Your Highness,” Victor encouraged her in a quiet voice. “We’ll pick out the perfect dress and shoes. Then all you have to remember is to walk with grace, hold hands and enjoy your meal.”

“Absolutely.” But her tight smile suggested she didn’t share his confidence.

“I’ll take care of the arrangements.” Daniel straightened. “Be sure to take a break and you can nap if you like.” He ignored Victor’s raised eyebrows. The man was brilliant, but he was also a slave driver. “The car will pick us up at six.”

“Okay.”

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