Page 53 of Royal Hottie
“Bye,” I snap.
Nothing.
His cold dismissal only fuels my need to escape. I whirl and rush through the door to the outside hallway, slamming face-first into the hard chest of a security guard. I look up into Rafe’s glowering expression. “Move it. I’m going home.”
“No, ma’am. It’s not safe for you alone. Please wait inside for the necessary arrangements.”
“Okay, okay.” I turn back toward the door and then skirt left, taking off down the hall, my suitcase bumping along behind me. “Ah!” I yelp a moment later, restrained by arms of steel, my feet lifted right off the ground. It’s Rafe, carrying me and depositing me back in the living room with Phillip. My suitcase follows a moment later. So humiliating.
“Don’t try that again,” Rafe growls before shutting the door.
I seethe.
Phillip shakes his head. “Impulsive, self-centered, money-centered. You are not the woman I thought you were.”
I lose it, gesturing wildly. “You’re exactly who I thought you were when we first met! Full of yourself and your press! You don’t understand needing money or wanting to work hard because that’s never been part of your life. If you want something, all you have to do is pick up the phone and the world drops at your feet.”
He speaks into his phone, making arrangements and ignoring me.
I jab a finger at him. “See! You just proved my point!”
He punches the button to disconnect. His eyes are cold, his voice flat. “I won’t deny I’ve been fortunate, but I resent you acting like that’s all I am. I’m using my advantages to help the unfortunate.”
I glare at him. “Make sure you order a really big halo!”
He glares back. “I’m providing clean water and education. All you do is add pretty wallpaper to a wealthy woman’s master bath!”
I want to slap the self-righteous smug expression off his face. “Fuck you!”
He smirks. “We’ve done plenty of that, haven’t we? Maybe that’s where I went wrong, confusing sexual compatibility for any real-world compatibility.”
I hate his haughty tone, like he’s above me in every way. “You’re not better than me just because you do charitable work. Every contribution can be meaningful if it comes from the heart.”
“Keep telling yourself that when you’re picking out curtains. How heartfelt. How important.”
I gasp. He’s reduced me to insignificant. I am not insignificant! “How dare you condescend to me!”
There’s a knock at the door.
Phillip shoots me a look of disgust before answering the door. We’re joined a moment later by his valet, who bows to Phillip before heading to the bedroom. I follow him in to find him checking the dresser drawers for my things.
“I’ve already packed.”
He moves to the closet.
“Leave the gowns. They’re not mine.”
“You might as well take them,” Phillip says from behind me. “I doubt they’ll fit anyone else. Small clothes for a small-minded person.”
I whirl. “Go to hell.”
He laughs, a mean laugh.
I’ve had enough. I will not engage with him any further. I turn away and tell the valet, “Leave them.”
The valet takes my suitcase in hand. “Ma’am, when you’re ready.”
I nod and follow him out the door.
