Page 5 of Royal Hottie
She gasps. “You can’t shop here. Nothing is for sale.”
“We’re borrowing. Stick with me and you’ll love the results.”
“I don’t know, ma’am. Everything has a place.”
“Do you have an attic here?”
“Yes.”
“Fantastic!”
She shakes her head and then quickly covers with a smile. “As you wish, ma’am.”
~ ~ ~
The artists’ visits went well. They’re thrilled to be paid for their art. I have a limited budget, but art is always worth the extra. One of them, Clara, is already busy sketching out fantastical sea ideas for the ceiling mural. She’ll arrive at the palace tomorrow and I’ll arrange for scaffolding for her project. Jeanne had the genius idea of painting the starry sky on a paintable acoustic panel, and she had extra panels from a previous project. This will make both a fantastic fake skylight and add to the hushed romantic feel of the luxury bathrooms. Sometimes spacious bathrooms can echo.
Maya and I have been scouring the dusty attic for hours. It’s huge! The entire length of the east wing and there’s another attic over the west wing. I found an antique tabletop clock, dull brass candlesticks that we’ll get shining in no time, and a vintage 1920s white desktop phone with rotary dial—does it work? Who cares! It looks amazing. I also found a fireplace mantel with chipped paint that’s crazy cool. The top of the mantel is in the shape of a crown with a faded royal crest in the center. The royal crest—a lion wearing a crown with the sea and a fish beneath—is awesome too. I’ll get the paint touched up on it.
I follow Maya back downstairs, covered in dust. We’re a mess, but it was so worth it. I’ve got the clock in one hand and the phone in the other. Maya’s got an armful of candlesticks. We’ll need some help for the mantel, which is too heavy and unwieldy for us. Maya opens a door out to the hallway and immediately drops into a low curtsy. “Your Highness.”
It’s the royal hottie himself. His crisp white button-down shirt is open at the throat, exposing tanned chest. Dark gray pants with black leather shoes complete hisGQoutfit.
“Maya!” he exclaims. “I almost didn’t recognize you. Have you been sweeping out the chimneys? I’m pretty sure that’s not in your job description.” Even his accent is sexy, proper English with a hint of French lilt to it. He smiles, his aquamarine eyes sparkling playfully. He isbreathtaking. I wish I were immune.
Maya blushes. “No, sir. I’ve been in the attic.”
Phillip glances at me and then back to Maya. “It’s a nightmare up there. Next time tell me what you need and I’ll have it brought down for you. Hold on.” He leans close to her and then carefully picks a long cobweb out of her hair, crumpling it in his hand.
Maya looks suitably freaked that something weird was in her hair. “What was it?”
“Just a cobweb.”
She holds herself very still. “Any spiders?”
Phillip inspects her hair. “Let me see.” He makes a big show of looking all over her head. “Ah. Don’t move a muscle.”
Maya squeaks.
Phillip laughs. “Kidding!”
Maya laughs too. “Oh, you!”
He looks over at me, still smiling, and my stomach dips. “Hello.”
“Hi,” I manage because when he’s not being an arrogant jerk, he’s hot as fuck.
He turns back to Maya. “Is this a new maid, or have I not been paying attention?”
I must have more dust and dirt on me than I realized if he doesn’t recognize me. Though I did change my clothes to old ratty sweats, put my Rays cap on, and traded my contacts for glasses. I knew this would be dirty work and I wanted to cover up as much as possible.
Maya shakes her head. “Sir, this is our honored guest, the queen’s friend Miss Ruby Evans. She’s an interior designer and is putting some magic into the royal fantasy suite.” She turns to me. “Right? Magic?”
I smile. “Yes. That’s right. It’s in my job description per Queen Anna.”
Phillip’s eyes narrow as he gives me a once-over. “We met earlier.” He frowns. “You look different.”
“Would this help?” I hang my tongue out and pant. “Remember me now? The one who panted after you, desperate for a date you’d never give me at any price?”
