The Crown Jewels Boxed Set (A Crown Jewels Romantic Comedy Series)

by Melanie Summers

  ***

  “This is Giles Bigly for ABNC. I’m standing outside the steps of the parliament building among hundreds of members of the press. In just a few moments, Prime Minister Janssen will be making what we expect to be a monumental announcement. Insiders say that he’s going to announce a referendum to remove the executive power function of Avonia’s monarchy and place the Royal Family in a ceremonial role once and for all.”

  “Giles, do we know for certain that this is what the Prime Minister is going to announce?”

  “It seems as though it’s highly likely, Veronica.”

  “This will come as quite a shock to all royal fans, as well as the Royal Family themselves.”

  “It certainly will, although it is my understanding that they may have been given some forewarning.”

  “Could that possibly be the basis of the Prince’s recent invitation to Tessa Sharpe to live at the palace?”

  “The timing would suggest as much. It could be a last desperate attempt at turning things around for—oh, Veronica, here comes the PM now.”

  ***

  “Are you watching this?”

  “I am.” Nikki’s voice is quiet. She sounds as stunned as I feel.

  “I can’t believe he really did it.” I’ve always hoped for this moment, but now that it’s here, there’s something not quite right about it.

  “Have you talked to anyone in the family yet?”

  “No. Not yet. They’re all in meetings.”

  “So, are you happy? I mean, this is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

  I don’t have a response right away, and even the fact that I’m not immediately sure tells me something has changed. “Of course. Why shouldn’t I be?” My voice sounds hollow, even to my own ear.

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, definitely. I think so.” I swallow, staring out at the tranquil meadow below. If I’m really honest, I feel sick inside, knowing what this moment must be like for Arthur and Princess Florence. Even Arabella must be in shock somewhere inside these walls. Their entire way of life could be ripped from them in a few weeks’ time.

  “You’ll have to post about it. You’re probably getting hundreds of hits. People are waiting for your reaction.”

  Shit. “Right. I suppose I should.”

  I hang up and stare at my laptop screen for a long time. I know I need to make a statement, but in my heart, this announcement terrifies me rather than giving me reason to rejoice. I’m honestly so confused right now that I don’t know what to think or how to respond. My feelings for Arthur have everything to do with it. Somehow, I’ve allowed my judgement to become clouded again by a handsome man. I should really stick to giving product reviews and taking photos, because if there’s anything more at stake, I am guaranteed to completely fuck it all up. I really am a very dull Sharpe.

  ***

  KingSlayer99: It’s finally happening! Are you as excited as I am? I can’t stop smiling.

  Me: Yes! It’s amazing news. Couldn’t be happier. Just working on my celebratory blog post now.

  KingSlayer99: In only a few weeks we’ll be celebrating the vote and our nation will finally be free!

  Me: Absolutely. Can’t wait!

  ***

  Blog Post – Hoorah! The Time for the People to Have a Say Is Upon Us

  The nation watched in shock today as Prime Minister Jack Janssen announced plans for an upcoming referendum to determine whether or not we need a royal family in addition to an elected government.

  The short answer, of course, is ‘no,’ and if there is any justice in the world the vote will come out that way. Although my days at the palace have shown me that I was wrong about several assumptions I held regarding members of Avonia’s Royal Family, the institution itself still bears no more merit than it did two weeks ago.

  We are living in the twenty-first century, a time of self-determination, civil rights and freedoms. Allowing non-elected leaders to rule is simply holding on to an antiquated system when a much better alternative can, and should, be chosen.

  I have not spoken with any members of the family yet today, as they are all in meetings, but I can tell you that, on a personal note, I do feel for them. This is in many ways their darkest hour.

  But change is never easy, even when necessary, and should they be removed from power, at least they can take their money with them.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Salty or Sweet

  Arthur

  It’s after ten in the evening, and I am finally alone for the first time today. Well, Dex is here, of course. I inhale sharply, and the air feels like knives in my chest, as it has all day. Bugger. I really should have tried harder to be ‘the people’s prince’ long before this month. It was all fine and dandy when the referendum was just an idea, but now that it’s been announced, it’s like finding out that the White Walkers have breached the wall and we don’t have even one dragonglass dagger among us. We’re well and truly fucked.

  Now with the announcement, and my father here, my time with Tessa will be significantly reduced just as the necessity of getting her onside has increased a million-fold.

  I grab a glass and pour myself a scotch, letting the amber liquid glug out until there’s enough to numb this awful feeling.

  “Dex, we’re going to have to up our game.” He opens one eye and glances at me before going back to sleep. Lazy pig.

  I pick up my phone. Even though I’m as worn out as a seven-hundred-year-old tapestry, I get to work.

  Text from Me to Tessa: What are you up to?

  Tessa: Catching up on some emails. How are you?

  Me: Superb. Why do you ask?

  Tessa: No reason. Just that there was some type of announcement today that I thought may have impacted you.

  Me: Oh, yes, Coldplay is going on tour again. I’ll probably get tickets. Not sure, really. Are you thinking of going?

  Tessa: The other announcement.

  Me: Right. That one. I don’t want tickets to that event at all. Fancy something salty?

  Tessa: If you mean crisps, then yes.

  Me: I have some for you in my room. Oh, that sounds pervy, doesn’t it?

  Tessa: Quite. But if there really are crisps, I’ll risk it.

  Me: Excellent. Just follow the trail of them leading to the bed.

  I hurry over to the en suite to brush my teeth. Can’t be smelling like scotch, now can I? Catching my reflection in the mirror, I see that I look like hell. Like I just went ten rounds with Floyd Mayweather, only he didn’t leave any bruises.

  I’m a total shit. I should just tell Tessa the truth and send her home already. I thought it would be so easy to use her and dump her, but now, somehow, I can see it will be harder than it seems. Ditching one’s morals always is, isn’t it? But it’s not just that. As much as I can’t admit it, I have very real feelings for her. Very strong, very real feelings.

  I hear a light knock at the door and hurry over, my heart picking up its pace a little. If I were to be really honest with myself—which I won’t—I would say that this is the best part of my day.

  I tug open the door and there she is. Lovely. I give her my best come hither smile. “Ms. Sharpe.”

  But she doesn’t smile back. Her eyes are filled with a concern I wasn’t expecting.

  “How are you?” she asks.

  Fuck me. Now I want to crumble and spill my guts while I lay my head on her lap and she strokes my hair. “Fine. Barbeque or plain? I have both.”

  “Barbeque.” She follows me into the room.

  “So, she wants to heat things up?” I ask, grinning over my shoulder. I pluck the bag out of the sideboard and open it.

  “Arthur, I know it’s been a very hard day for you. You don’t have to pretend.”

  When I turn around, she’s standing right in front of me. She puts her hand on my chest, and if that isn’t the most comforting thing ever, I don’t know what is. “I’m here if you need to talk.”
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  Reality slaps me in the face. “You’re the last person I should be talking to about any of this.”

  “I know. But what if we say we’re just two regular people when we’re sharing a bag of crisps?” she asks with a sad smile.

  “Can we?”

  “Yes, Arthur. You can trust me. I have no need to play dirty.”

  “You’re already winning, aren’t you?” I try for a light tone, but it comes out all strange.

  Her soft, green eyes stare up at me. “I’m not sure if I am.”

  “I do have one confession to make.” I watch as her eyes grew wide. “I didn’t really ask you here for crisps.”

  She smiles up at me, then reaches her face up to mine. “Good, because I didn’t come here to eat.”

  And then she kisses me. It’s a light, soft, gentle brush of her full lips against mine, and it’s the most delicious taste I’ve known. I drop the bag and pull her to me with both hands around her waist. I was wrong before. Having her hand on my chest was not nearly as comforting as holding her in my arms. We stay like this, our mouths blending together, our bodies pressed up against each other, both of us exploring one another with our hands.

  There’s a thrill to this moment that exists in no other. The thrill of someone new. But this is different, and I don’t know if it’s because my entire world has just been rocked, or because I shouldn’t want this woman, but I do know I have never felt an explosion of urgency like I do now. I am aching to be with her.

  And apparently she feels the same way, because she just tugged my T-shirt over my head rather roughly, and now she’s taken hers off as well. Oh, yes. “That is a very nice pink bra, Ms. Sharpe.”

  “You like it?”

  “It makes me want to do very naughty things to you.”

  “That’s why they make them like that.”

  “Geniuses, those bra designers.” My hands are now cupping her breasts, and I run my thumbs over the centre, feeling her nipples peak underneath the lacy fabric. “I especially like the clasps.”

  I wrap my hands behind her back and undo her bra with a quick snap that says ‘This is not my first boob unveiling.’ But fuck me if it’s not the best. Her tits are absolute perfection. Perky. Full. And delectable.

  “Mmm. Very nice. A man could lose himself right here.” I lower my mouth to her breasts and choose the right one to start on. “In fact, I think I will.”

  We end up naked on the couch because it’s the nearest soft surface, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste time going all the way to my bedroom. I need this woman right now. She’s soft and warm and wet in all the right places.

  Tessa is on my lap, and the way she’s moving and rubbing herself against me is the best thing I’ve ever felt. Then it happens.

  Snort.

  Dexter has woken up and is standing with his chin on the couch cushion next to us, staring. We both burst out laughing, and Tessa tucks her head into my neck to hide.

  Then she does something completely surprising. She lifts her head, looks at Dex and says, “Dexter, quit beaver damming me.”

  Oh, I think I love this girl. “Not to worry.” I pick her up and carry her to the bedroom, then slam the door shut with my foot.

  “Will he be sad, all alone?”

  “He’ll be happy as a pig in crisps.” We kiss some more while I hold her in my arms. I do like the feeling of those strong runner’s legs wrapped around my waist.

  Just when things are about to pass the point of no return, she pulls back a little. “Condom.”

  Right. Very necessary. “Of course.” I drop her onto the bed, which makes her laugh, then walk over to my nightstand to retrieve an heir stopper.

  Once my battle gear is in place, I hover over her for a moment so I can just look at her. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.”

  “You’ll say anything to get me to like you.” She gives me a saucy grin.

  “True. But you are, you know.” I kiss her mouth, and it’s a long, full, deep one that makes her moan.

  “Arthur, I think we need to agree that this isn’t going to change anything, right? We’re still going to be enemies in the morning.”

  I feel a pang at her words, but I spread a cocky grin on my face anyway. “Of course. That’s what’s going to make this so much fun.”

  And then, much to Excalibur’s delight, I find my way inside her wet, tight warmth. That feels ssoooo good. It’s enough to make me forget today’s shitstorm. Hell, it’s enough to make me forget my own name.

  We move together like we’re made for each other, doing things that are both intimate and somehow acrobatic at the same time. Things I do not ever want to forget, because I cannot remember ever feeling this happy. It’s a most delightful mix of ‘I hope this never ends’ and ‘I can’t wait because I’m about to have an earth-shattering orgasm.’ By the end, we’re a tangled, sweaty, deeply satisfied heap of humans. She’s on top of me, her body pressed against mine, and I can feel her heart pounding in her luscious chest.

  She sighs. “Your grandmother was right about you.”

  What? “That did it. I was starting to get hard again, but that definitely put the brakes on my coming erection.”

  She laughs. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

  “No need to apologize to me. I was about to give you another award-winning orgasm, so it’s really your loss.”

  “Another?” She lifts her head, wearing a huge grin.

  “Oh, don’t pretend that wasn’t magnificent. You actually meowed at the end there.”

  She blushes and nods a little. “True. It was very nice indeed.”

  “Nice?” My eyes grow wide.

  “Very nice.” Tessa laughs. “Oh, no. Have I bruised your giant ego?”

  I flip us both so I’m on top of her. “That’s it. We’re doing this again until you admit the truth.”

  “Good. That’s what I was going for this whole time.”

  And I won’t go into any more details because I’m sleepy, but suffice it to say that after round two she was quick to admit she’d most definitely had more than one award-winning orgasm this evening. And I have to say, she wasn’t the only one. I actually thought I went blind for a brief moment.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  Pity Sex & Worm Funerals

  Tessa

  Oh, my God. I can’t believe we just did that. Three times. And so very well. And I can’t believe I am now lying next to him naked, with his arm slung over me like…like I belong here. But I don’t, and we both know it.

  Logic and common sense are both screaming at me to sneak out of his bed this instant, but hormones and ovaries are ordering me to stay put in case he wakes up ready for round four. I hate to tell you, ovaries, but we’re using protection, so whatever egg is next in line doesn’t have a chance.

  I need to go. I am supposed to be trying to take down his family on behalf of all my followers. Oh, right…and because I’ve told millions of people it’s the thing I want most in the world. Isn’t it?

  I’ll go. It’s the smart thing to do.

  Oh, but look at his gorgeous face. Those are ridiculously long eyelashes for a man. I can reach out and touch them. And look at all those lovely rippling muscles on his arm that’s pressed against me. Oooh, those muscles are definitely making an argument for staying, and maybe doing the old, ‘My body is wiggling into you of its own accord because I’m fast asleep’ thing.

  Get up. Go back to your room before anyone catches you.

  Arthur’s eyes open and he grins at me. “Well, hello.”

  A smile spreads across my face before I can stop it. “Hi.”

  “I thought I was dreaming, but all that really did happen, didn’t it?”

  “It did.”

  “Even the part where you were upside down?”

  I find myself giggling into my pillow. “Even that.”

  “How the fuck did we manage that anyway?”

  “I have no idea.”

>   “We should do it again so we can document the steps.” He gives me a light kiss on the lips. “Not now, though. You’re not in the mood.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “When I woke, you had that little crinkle between your eyebrows you get when you’re worried about something.”

  How does he know that? “I was just thinking I should go before I get caught.” I run a finger down his cheek. “I was also questioning my sanity, because there’s no way I should have let you lure me into your bedroom.”

  “Lure you? You’re the one who came under false pretenses. I was only planning to feed your salt addiction.”

  “Good point.”

  “I can’t blame you, though. I have it on good authority that I’m irresistible.”

  “Says who?”

  “I’m not sure, but apparently they tell my grandmum everything.” He traces my collarbone with his finger, sending tingles around my body.

  “I don’t find you attractive at all, really,” I say.

  He stops his hand and raises one eyebrow in response.

  I hide my smile with everything in me. “I only slept with you because I felt sorry for you.”

  “Oh, so that was—”

  “A pity fuck, I’m afraid.” I try my best to look apologetic, but he’s clearly not buying it.

  “Three times?”

  “I felt really, really, really sorry for you.”

  His eyes grow wide and laughter spills from him as he tosses the covers off both of us, and rolls on top of me. “For someone who claims to be so honest, you really are a bold-faced liar.”

  “Am not.”

  And now he’s working his way down my body with his tongue, and I’m pretty sure that he’s about to remove me of both a confession and my wit.

  ***

  Dear Ms. Sharpe,

  As per the King’s orders, the ‘Ask Me Anything’ interviews have been suspended indefinitely. He trusts you will understand that given the current situation, the family must use the utmost caution in all media appearances, and will henceforth only allow taped interviews with trusted news sources that can assure an absence of technical issues. As a guest of the palace, he further trusts that you will handle the matter with delicacy as far as your readers are concerned. In addition, he extends his regrets in not having had time to receive you.