Page 45 of Royal Hottie
He’s going to be the freaking UN Ambassador for Clean Water, traveling wherever they need him. I have a life in Tampa. He’d be wasted there. He belongs on the world stage, and I would just be background, an appendage to his work. I want something for myself. Where is the common ground?
It’s just five weeks, a voice in my head whispers.Take what happiness you can.
I slowly get to my feet. I want to be happy.
I want Phillip.
That’s all that matters. What we have is special. I will enjoy the moment because moments are all we have. Nothing in life is a sure thing, and love is worth the risk.
I turn and walk briskly back to the hotel, my heart racing, cheeks flushed, a lightness to my step. I realize suddenly I’m smiling. I hurry through the lobby, back to our suite, and knock on the door. “It’s Ruby.” I don’t have the key.
Rafe’s voice barks behind me, “Ruby for you, sir.”
Guard confirmation, check. The door opens and Phillip’s gaze searches my face.
I step inside, the door shutting behind me. I throw my arms up, a beaming smile on my face. “Yes!”
“Ruby.” That one word is filled with so much—warmth, gratitude, happiness. He pulls me into his arms, and I melt against him, wrapping my arms around his waist and settling my cheek on his chest, a deep sense of contentment filling me. This is our moment and it is perfect. I have no doubt that he cares for me as much as I do him. I won’t think of the future. I have to enjoy the now.
He kisses the top of my head. “I have a good feeling about this. Thank you.”
I look up at him and work to keep it light. “Don’t thank me. You’ll probably get sick of me.”We’ll probably wreck each other.I ruthlessly push that fear down. Here and now is all that matters. I can’t believe I’m doing this. It’s like the adrenaline rush as the roller-coaster car lurches bit by bit up the towering hill, knowing there’s a plunge ahead.I’m plunging, baby!
“I could never get sick of you.” He hugs me tight and my entire body relaxes. How can I be scared when I feel so right in his arms?
He straightens. “There will be a lot of press. I won’t deny it will help me reputation-wise to be seen with you for a steady five weeks after all that royal hottie business. Would you mind if we let people believe we have a committed relationship?”
I nod, already liking where this is going. “I’m happy to restore your rep. What would I have to do? Pretend we’re engaged or something?”
“No. You don’t have to lie. Just look at me adoringly, as you do.” He winks, and I laugh a little.Do I do that?I should be embarrassed, but I enjoy him too much to pretend otherwise. “The press and gossips will put together their own version of events. It’ll look good that you and I are seen together doing great work for the entirety of my five-week tour.”
“Wow. Me on a global tour. Pretty cool.”
He grimaces. “It’s not a vacation kind of trip. Some of the places are rough, but the people are wonderful.”
“Where are we going?”
“Africa, Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and India.”
Whoa.“Did you know that my trip to Villroy was the first time I ever left the US?”
“No. How do you like travelling with me so far?”
“I love it.”
He smiles, his eyes so warm on mine I can feel the love. All of me lights up, inside and out, my heart filled to bursting. I slowly lean in and kiss him. Another perfect moment. I’ll collect them like pearls on a necklace and treasure them for the beautiful gift they are. Moment by moment, pearl by pearl, no one can take that away from me.
Chapter Eleven
Phillip
We return to the palace on Saturday in time to join Anna, Gabriel, and her guests for dinner in the formal dining room. We were delayed in Paris because I needed to get Ruby to a doctor for a yellow fever vaccination and health clearance. I’m hoping when Ruby sees the important work I’m doing with Global Sun Water, she’ll join the cause and accompany me on the next journey working for the UN on behalf of clean water. It will become our mutual calling. I know she wants to “prove herself” in her career, but there’s just no comparison between decorating and bringing clean water to people who desperately need it. My work is more important, and it can be her work too. We’ll fit in visits to family. She’ll want for nothing. I exhale sharply. I’m getting ahead of myself because—
I love her.
I know it, and I’m sure she knows it too. I’m done fighting it, done worrying about the risks. It’s simply a fact. Somehow my inability to commit doesn’t factor with her. She fits so easily, so naturally with me. I’m truly happy for the first time in a long while. I’m all in, and I’ll do my best to get her on board. Anna will simply have to get used to it. Honestly, once we left Villroy, I was too caught up in Ruby to give Anna’s warning to keep my hands off Ruby any thought at all. It doesn’t matter. I love Ruby and I would never hurt her.
I guide her to a chair near where Anna will be sitting at the head of the table with Gabriel, and pull it out for her. Anna and Gabriel will arrive shortly. Anna’s friends are filtering in, talking excitedly.
