Page 8 of Royal Hottie
She barks out a laugh. “Kidding! Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Whatever floats your boat, right?”
“Oh. Ha-ha. Yes.”
She shakes her head, smiling. “So let’s be friends. Is that where you were going with this?”
I take her in, still looking very much the dirty urchin. She even has smudges of dirt on her nose and cheek. Her petite curves are completely hidden by the baggy gray tracksuit. There should not be a single ounce of temptation in the picture she makes, yet I know we cannot be friends. I felt that chemistry. I need to keep my distance.
“I’m glad we cleared up our earlier misunderstanding,” I say formally. “I assured Anna I would make amends.”
Her face falls, her gaze dropping to the floor. “Ah. Yeah, sure.” She lifts her chin, her earlier open friendly expression now closed. “All cleared up.”
I ignore the dull ache in my chest. “Good.”
Albert, one of our oldest servants, with thinning white hair, steps into the room. “Your Highness, I’ve brought you your shirt.”
I stand and take the shirt he holds out to me with a knobby hand. “Thank you, Albert.” I put the shirt on, quickly buttoning it.
He bows his head and takes his leave.
Ruby turns and heads back to the bedroom without another word.
Maya’s voice carries loud and clear. “I told you he was nice, ma’am.” She must’ve been eavesdropping, like all of the servants.
“Enough about him,” Ruby says sharply. “Now let’s get to work.”
I walk out the door, my limbs heavy. I did what I had to do. No reason for regrets.
~ ~ ~
Ruby
The next day I get the artists, Clara and Jeanne, settled in to do their work. Then Maya and I head out to catch the next ferry to Nantes, France, on a shopping expedition. I’m not sure what I’m looking for, exactly; I’ll know it when I see it. Something that would complement the existing decor, bringing a pop to it or an extra layer of regalness. We shall see.
“Maybe Prince Phillip could help us, ma’am,” Maya says as we head downstairs. “He was helpful yesterday with the mantel. If we find a large item, we might need him to carry it.”
Gah. Phillip.He totally gave me the brush-off yesterday. Apparently, I’m not worthy of his friendship. Add haughty to his list of sins, which I reviewed last night when I found myself replaying our shirtless encounter. No amount of sexy good looks can make up for being a playboy prince who is full of himself, arrogant, and haughty. I’ve removed rude from the list after his apology. Still…let’s add a few more sins for good measure. He’s too formal, cocky, and shallow. Oh, yes, he knows he’s good looking. He’s all about the looks the way he stripped down in front of me. Definitely not my type. I am officially unfollowing the royal hottie.
I look over at Maya. “By that logic, we could get any man with big shoulders to go with us. Forget it. Men hate shopping.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. It was not my intention to overstep.”
“What do you mean?”
She’s quiet, and I follow her gaze to where Phillip is standing, waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. My breath quickens, my heart hammering. I will myself to calm the frick down. His dark brown hair is rumpled a bit like he ran his fingers through it, and he’s got sexy scruff on his jaw. He’s wearing a gray button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing corded muscular forearms, along with black pants, a thick leather belt, and loafers. He looks casual, like a regular guy I might meet in real life, not this alternate reality I’ve stepped into for my short visit to the palace. Two badass-looking men stand behind him dressed all in black—blazer, T-shirt, and pants. His security detail. I can tell by the wireless earpieces they wear and their stone-cold serious expressions.
“Good morning, Maya and Ruby,” Phillip says warmly. As if there was no haughty brush-off yesterday.
Maya dips her head and curtsies. “Good morning, Your Highness.”
“Good morning, Phillip.” I can’t bring myself to say Your Highness. It feels too much like he’s above me, and he’s not. “I’m surprised you want to go shopping with us.”
“Shopping?” He turns to Maya in mock surprise. “You told me I was to receive an award.”
Maya blushes and shakes her head. I suspect she has a crush on him. Even I know a prince wouldn’t date his maid. That only happens in the movies.
“No?” he asks in a teasing tone. “I’m not to receive the award for best karaoke?”
Maya laughs.
