Page 53 of Royal Charmer
Alice
We get back to Villroy in time for dinner with Lucas’s family in the formal dining room. He wanted everyone to be there to share the good news about the bankers. I’m a little nervous to meet Gabriel, the king, not to mention meeting his other brothers, Prince Oscar and Prince Adrian. That’s a lot of royalty all in one room. At least I feel comfortable with Anna. She’s an Alice fangirl. Ha-ha!
Lucas has been quite the chivalrous guy, even when we’re in private. I guess all that sex made him want to do nice things for me. I want to do nice things for him too. He’s made me feel so good and, after being at such a low point in my life, I can’t help but feel affectionate toward him. I don’t have any relationship expectations. I know who he is, and the truth is, I’m not ready for a relationship. That doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy him while I can.
We’re in the hallway just outside the dining room when my phone rings, startling me. Crap. I forgot to put it on vibrate. That could’ve been a big royal faux pas. I fish it out of my purse and see a voicemail alert from Mason. There’s four texts too. I quickly tap over in case it’s my editor or my parents, but they’re all urgent-sounding texts from Mason.
Where are you? Please call me back.
We really need to talk.
Alice, it’s important. Call me.
At least text me. Where are you?
I turn the phone to vibrate and put it back in my purse.
Lucas lets out a breath that brushes my ear. “He doesn’t deserve your attention.”
I glance up at him. “I know. I think he’s at the groveling stage. The more texts and voicemails I get, the more apologies I imagine piling up. And then, when they ultimately stop, I’ll know he’s given up in wretched desolation. It’s my own quiet revenge.”
One corner of his mouth lifts. “As long as it’s for villainous reasons.”
Once we’re in the dining room, Lucas rests his hand on my lower back as he guides me to my seat. We dressed for dinner, Lucas in a navy blue suit, no tie, and me in a wine red short-sleeved dress with a skirt that swings up in a round flare if I do a spin, which, of course, I had to do several of in my room. Two men who must be his brothers are already seated across the table in button-down shirts, no blazers, joking around with each other. I’m betting Lucas dressed up more because of his need to impress Gabriel with his business triumph. He wants to be seen as CEO material. I must say, looking at his brothers in real life for the first time, the resemblance is strong in this family (apologies to Mr. Skywalker). Same thick dark brown hair, same angular cheekbones, full sensual lips, and wide shoulders. In my completely unbiased opinion, though, Lucas is the best-looking one.
“Hello,” Lucas says to his brothers, “glad you’re both here. This is Alice.”
They stand to greet me as Lucas says, “My brothers, Oscar and Adrian.”
“I’m Oscar,” one of the men says, walking around the table and offering his hand.
Up close, he’s so stunning I flush hot from head to toe.Sorry, Lucas.I don’t know what it is about Oscar. His eyes match Lucas’s blue-green eyes. He has sexy scruff, but otherwise is similar to Lucas, just a teensy bit different. I belatedly thrust out my hand and he lifts it, dropping a kiss on the back of it, his gaze warm on mine. Like he knows the effect he has on women.
“Enough,” Lucas snaps.
A small smile plays over Oscar’s lips as he murmurs to me, “You’re lovely.” He releases my hand and then picks it up again, examining my ring. “This ring is exquisite.” He turns to Lucas. “Isn’t this Grandmother’s ring?”
I laugh, pulling my hand from his and admiring the ring. “Oh no! It looks like the real thing, but it was actually a bargain from an online jewelry store because of its flaws.”
Oscar and Lucas exchange a look.
Wait, what?Isit a precious family heirloom? Oh my God. I wore this ring when I wrapped my hand around Lucas’s cock and when I gripped his ass! Granted, it was a royal ruby pressed against a royal cock and a royal ass, but still.Stop thinking about cock and ass!I flush hot. I even showered with this ring, soap and shampoo running willy-nilly over a flawless ruby and diamonds. This thing should be in a maximum-security vault under pure-air, no-light conditions, or whatever they do for precious jewels. And to think every time I marveled over how beautiful it looked, Lucas never reacted. Why did he tell me it was a bargain online?
“She’s my fiancée,” Lucas bites out. “She needed an engagement ring.”
“Oh!” I exclaim. “We played a little fake-engagement game. I helped him look grounded for business matters, and he gave me inspiration for my story. I’m a romance author, and fake engagements are very popular with readers.”
Oscar stares at Lucas. “You’re fake engaged?”
“Yes. And don’t say a word in front of Gabriel.”
I stare at Lucas. “Why?”
Lucas shakes his head. “Later.”
Something’s not right here.
Oscar’s brows lift. “Oh-kay.” He turns to me. “Are you Anna’s friend?”
