Royal Academy

by McKenna James

  “I expect you to do your part on this ridiculous project. I will not sit back and watch you party with your friends while I do all of the work and then allow you to sign your name to it. Is that clear?”

  I was finished with my rant, but he didn't speak. Instead, he looked hurt. It was as if I had hit him with something hard that truly wounded him.

  “Is that what you think of me?” he said in a voice barely above a whisper.

  I was caught off guard. Of course it was what I thought of him. He was a Royal, only concerned with himself. Right?

  “You really think that I got in here because my mother is the Queen of this country?”

  I was beginning to shrink back from my statements. Oh God, why did I have to come across so harshly?

  “You think that they accepted me because she wrote some kind of check to them or promised them something in return?” He shook his head. “You know, you began by saying that I don't know you, and that's true, I don't. You don't know me either. You're judging me based on some stereotype that you have in your head about rich people.” He shook his head in disbelief. “That's hardly fair, Eliza. I would never treat you any differently because of what you have or don't have. No matter what opinion you’ve formed of me, I am not that kind of person.”

  He was truly angry with me. I had wounded his heart without meaning to. I judged him based on his place in society. He was right—it wasn't fair.

  “I'm sorry, Your Royal Highness. I truly am,” I began, bowing my head before he cut me off.

  “Hey, are we at the palace?” He tilted my chin, forcing me to look up into his eyes. “I’m Andrew, or Drew as I prefer to be called. I don't go for that hoity-toity title crap. I am a regular person just like everyone else. So please, call me Drew. No more with the titles.” I looked away, embarrassed, as he released my chin from his grasp and stepped back.

  I smiled at him. I was relieved to find out that he was different. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad working with him after all.

  “Look, I'm sorry for the speech. I sometimes get a little riled up and go off before I know it,” I offered.

  “It's okay,” he said as he smiled. God, his teeth were gorgeous. So straight and so white, almost like snow. “Now you know what I’m about. I promise to respect you, your work, and our time together, Ms. Noble.”

  His words made me flustered and confused, and I had to pinch my eyes closed to clear the thoughts infiltrating my mind. I stepped picked up my books. “Let's figure out when and where we're going to meet.”

  “How about my place?” he asked.

  I looked at him with surprise. “Oh, really?”

  “No, no, no!” he said as he raised his hands in surrender. “I didn't mean it like that at all. I just meant that we can go over to my condo and work. I promise you'll be safe.”

  There was a flicker of amusement in his gaze as his cheeks turned red.

  “It's alright. How about my place?” I offered. At least I would be on my home turf and in my familiar surroundings.

  “That sounds great,” he said with a cheery tone. “When?”

  “Well, I'm not sure. I have another class in...” I trailed off as I looked down at my watch. “Oh shit, I have a class starting right now. I have to go!”

  “Okay, just let me know. Call me,” he shouted as I ran off.

  Chapter 5

  Drew

  I was happy that Haddish refused to remove Eliza from my team. I wanted to get to know her and working all semester on a project was the perfect way to learn all about her.

  I’d admit, I was more than shocked and very angry at her accusations that I got into university on my mother's merits and not my own. She knew nothing of my grades and test scores, but I intended to show her just who I was.

  Did I want to be like my brother, Edward? Yes, I absolutely did. Not the man—the womanizer—many remembered him to be. Since meeting Maggie, Edward had become a different person. He had a wife and family now, and spent many of his days working with charities and organizations to help the citizens of our country.

  I could only hope to be the Prince he was someday. I want to have a wonderful woman by my side, a great career, and children. Lots of children, just like Edward.

  Maybe he still had an influence on me? Maybe, but at least it was a good influence now.

  As I sat in my second class of the day, I thought about Eliza's voice as she read me the riot act. I thought about how her hair rested on her shoulders and how her eyes seemed to look right through me. Wow, I had never felt this way before about a woman that I had just met. There was definitely something special about her.

  I was hoping to hear from her before the end of the day. Then I’d realized I hadn’t given her my number, and she had no way of knowing where I lived. Shit. I should have written it down for her.

  Statistics class was as boring as watching paint dry as I listened to Ms. Tally go on and on about coefficients and crap. All I wanted was to see Eliza again, maybe take her out to dinner. Where would we go? What did she enjoy doing? Who knew, but I was up for the challenge of finding out.

  As the clock seemed to stand still, time passed more slowly than it ever had before. Finally, I heard Tally dismiss class.

  “Damn, bro, I didn't think we'd ever get out of here,” Clayton said. He was in all of my classes because we had the same major. Clayton and I had been best friends since we were born, it seemed. His father and my father had been best friends, and when my dad passed away, his father was there for me. I always went camping with Clayton and his dad, and he took me fishing each time they went out. He tried to step into my father's shoes as much as it was humanly possible, and I would never forget that. Clayton and I had become more like brothers. This guy was the best friend I'd ever had. Our plan since I could remember would be working side by side, when we grew up, just like Indiana Jones.

  “Man, I saw who you got paired up with,” he said and bit back his laughter. “Dude, I'm sorry.”

  “What do you mean?” I questioned. My curiosity had been piqued by his statement.

  “You know, who she is and all,” he said with a laugh.

  “No, actually, I don't know.”

  I was clueless. How did Clayton already know who this girl was? Today was the first day back to classes, and he already had the info on her.

  “Eliza, the chick Haddish paired you with…” He looked at me pointedly, and I crossed my arms over my chest and sighed in boredom.

  “Yes, and who exactly is she, Clayton?”

  “Dude, she's piss poor. I heard her family lives in the worst part of Luton.”

  “What specifically makes one ‘poor’, Clayton? Life isn’t all about the fanciest houses and money.” I couldn’t understand how Clayton knew so much about her, let alone found humor in her unfortunate circumstances.

  "You’re the Prince of England, Drew. She’s not part of our world. You should have your mum request that Haddish pair you with someone in our league.”

  “Eliza is a beautiful girl. I’m not interested in her place in society. She's in this school to get an education so that she can have a better life.”

  I wanted Clayton to see her as I did. Besides, I had never known him to make fun of others who had less than we had. This was a side of him that was strange to me. I didn't like it.

  “I guess,” he said. “I just wanted you to know that she might be after your money. You'd better watch her closely.”

  "I doubt it, man. I’ve only met her. Thanks for looking out though. I’ll see ya later.” We bumped fists, and I went to my car and he went to see his girlfriend, Antonia.

  Antonia was gorgeous. Tall, thin, long dark hair and the bluest eyes I'd ever seen on a human being. She had been modeling before enrolling in university. Antonia was one of those students that Eliza had talked about when she said they got in on daddy's name and not on academic merit. Antonia was heir to a yacht manufacturing family. She was set for life. She didn't have to go to school. She did it because it made f
or good social media posts. She had over two million followers on Instagram, and she loved being in the spotlight. Antonia was also a huge snob. She would never be friends with someone like Eliza.

  I didn't care what they thought about Eliza Noble. I liked her, and I was going to stop at nothing until she liked me in return.

  ***

  “Hey,” I said to Eliza as she walked into Haddish's class two days later.

  “Hello,” she returned with a smile.

  “I was hoping I would hear from you,” I told her.

  She smiled, and her face seemed to light up. “Well, that was impossible. I didn't have your number, silly boy.”

  The sound of her voice as she teased me sent a shiver up my spine. I was definitely attracted to this girl, no matter what her background was.

  “Well, I can take care of that for you.”

  I pulled out a pen and wrote my cell number on the back of her notebook. “Now, there's no excuse to not call me,” I said as I smiled at her and turned to find a seat.

  I was shocked when she sat next to me. Class was so much more enjoyable today. Eliza seemed more open to me. We whispered back and forth a little about things Haddish had said.

  “Alright, class,” Professor Haddish said in his deep tone. “When we meet for the next class, I want you all to turn in the topic of your project and a one page paper summary.”

  I was so happy to hear him say that. It meant that Eliza and I would have to meet up this week to summarize the project. That would give me the opportunity to get to know her better.

  “Well, I guess it's you and me. Tonight, maybe?” she said easily as she gathered her books.

  “Yes, your place or mine?” I asked with a slight smile.

  “Mine!” She laughed as she touched me on the chest. My car is in the shop, so it’d be best if you came to my flat so I take have to take the train.

  I felt my heart leap as if it would jump out. What did this girl have that caused me to be so attracted to her?

  “Okay, where do you live?” I asked her. I was sweating and as nervous as a child waiting on Santa.

  “I live five miles away, just past Eckridge Towers. 325 Chestnut Ridge Lane, flat 9.”

  “Great,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “What time do you want me there?”

  “How about seven? Does that work for you?”

  Did that work for me? I would make it work even if it didn't. “I'll see you then.”

  “Okay, I have to get to my history class. See you tonight,” she called out as she looked back over her shoulder.

  My heart was beating so hard, and my palms were already sweaty. Thinking about being alone with her in her flat, working closely on a project together was causing feelings in me that I hadn't felt for anyone. Not to mention that it had been a very long time since I had sex with anyone. I had to remember that I was only going over there to work on our project. I was certainly attracted to her, but I didn't know how she felt about me. Judging by how she had treated me the day before, she probably didn't see me in the role of a lover or boyfriend.

  I sat through another boring lecture while Tally went on and on about statistics. God, I hated that class, but it was a requirement for my degree.

  As soon as it was over, Clayton made his way to me and began bragging about how he and Antonia had screwed in her mum's bed while her parents were out of town.

  “Man, I hit that so hard, I thought she was gonna come up off that bed,” he said as he laughed.

  “Great,” was all that I could manage. I wasn't particularly interested in what he and his girlfriend did, nor did I feel that he should be telling me. Not if he loved her. Some things were sacred and private.

  Clayton had always been good with women. He had never lacked getting a piece of ass whenever he wanted it. I, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. The only action I got was with a high school girl who wore her retainer the entire time. Not the sexiest thing, but hey, sex was sex.

  “So have you and the pauper started on your project yet?” he asked sarcastically.

  “Pauper? Why did you call her that?”

  “Because, man, she’s filthy and poor.”

  “Clayton, that's cruel. She's a human being who happens to be very nice. And no, we haven't started it yet.”

  I was getting upset with him and his choice of words he used in describing the girl I was attracted to.

  “Well, whatever. You want to hit that, then hit it. Don't fall in love with it. I'll admit, she's got a nice rack, but she's not a keeper. You can't exactly take that home to Mum, if you know what I mean,” he laughed a deep, throaty laugh as he mocked her. I didn’t like it.

  “Whatever, man, I'm out of here. I'll see you tomorrow.”

  I was angry. He was such a snob now that we were going to university. I had a feeling that dating Antonia had something to do with it as well. She was so snooty that she barely even looked at me when I saw them together at functions.

  Oh well, who gave a shit about her anyway? All I was interested in is Eliza and getting to know her better.

  ***

  Seven o'clock finally came and in my usual fashion, I was right on time. I was surprised to see her neighborhood. It was very nice. The building where she lived seemed to be a nice place as well. Maybe Clayton was wrong. Maybe he had her mixed up with someone else.

  I buzzed the door, and her sweet voice answered. “Come on up, I'll let you in.”

  My heart was racing, my head was spinning. I felt as if it was our first romantic date and not just study time.

  The door swung open, and there she stood looking good enough to kiss. Her hair was pinned up loosely, and she had on yoga pants and a tank top. Her breasts were much larger than I had imagined. The clothes she had worn to class the last few days were baggy and loose fitting, so there was no way to quite see all of her figure.

  I was sure that she wasn't wearing a bra, but I didn't want to stare at her tits. That would be crass.

  “Welcome,” she greeted me as she smiled. “This is my humble home.”

  She moved back and allowed me to enter. “It's nice,” I returned as I looked around the flat.

  It was nice. She had all new furniture, new rugs; nothing looked old. Clayton was wrong about her. She wasn't poor. Stupid prick!

  “Let me take your coat,” she said as she slid her hands over my shoulders and tugged the heavy fabric.

  As she turned to hang it on the hook, I caught a glimpse of her round ass, and I immediately felt myself spring up inside my jeans. Damn! Not right now!

  “You okay?” she questioned.

  What the hell? Did she see my bulge already?

  “Yeah, just thirsty,” I said, hoping she'd disappear into the kitchen so that I could tame the beast that was trying to escape.

  “Oh, let me get you something. What would you like?” she asked.

  “Anything,” I answered. Quickly trying to get her out of the room so that I could calm down.

  “Okay, be right back.”

  I tried my best not to watch her as she walked away, but I couldn't help myself. She was hot, and I wanted to look one more time. I watched her as she effortlessly twisted her bum all the way into the next room.

  Oh hell! Could I even make it through this study time?

  I had to. We had to have a topic by tomorrow for Haddish. I was going to concentrate all my efforts on our project, even if it killed me and my hard dick.

  “Here you go,” she said as she returned with a bottle of beer. “I hope you like beer.”

  “I do.”

  “I drink it occasionally, but I prefer wine,” she said as she sipped the glass of red liquid. “I have more wine if you'd rather have it.”

  “No, this is fine.”

  Maybe the beer would calm me. I could hope anyway. We had a lot of studying to do, and there was no time for this nonsense.

  Eliza got her book out and sat on the couch. Tapping the cushion, she motioned for me to join her. “Come
on. Sit,” she instructed.

  Damn, I liked her.

  I did as I was told and took my place beside of her on the small couch. I could smell her sweet perfume in the air, and I wasn't sure if it was that aroma or the beer that was making my head swirl. Probably a combination of both. She smelled so good. I'd always loved a woman who smelled like flowers.

  “Okay, so have you thought at all about what we could possibly do our project on?” she asked me.

  She was in serious mode, and I was still trying to hide my shrinking erection.

  “Uh, yeah, I was thinking about something like social media and the impact it has on different cultures.”

  She looked surprised. “That's a great topic. We could do so much on that. Let me grab my pen,” she said as she leaned forward and fetched it from the coffee table.

  Damn, I thought her tits were going to spill out right there. She wasn’t helping my dick to stay in its place at all. I was going to have to help her with the summary and get out of there before she saw my problem. She would probably hit the roof if she knew I was hot for her.

  “What's wrong?” she asked.

  “Oh, nothing,” I lied. “Just trying to think of some angles that we can work from.”

  “Okay, let’s brainstorm lists individually, and then we'll compare and compile.”

  She handed me a pad of paper and a pen, and when her hand touched mine, I thought I was gonna explode in my pants.

  “May I use the bathroom?”

  “Of course,” she said as she pointed to the hall. “First door on the left.”

  Oh God. I was finally alone and out of her sight. That girl was hot, and I couldn't control my frigging self around her. I had to get out of there. I could pretend to be sick. That would work. I’d just tell her that I didn’t feel well, and I had to go. But wait! She would think I was skipping out on the project and that she would have to do all of the work. Get a grip, Drew!!

  After a few minutes with my thoughts, my erection had finally disappeared, and I went back out into the living room.