The Royals Series

by Bay, Louise

  “Seven thirty?” She scooted off my knee.

  I glanced at my watch. “We should leave in ten minutes, so get those boxes open.”

  She pulled out the cocktail dress first. It was cherry red and she’d look phenomenal in it. “Alexander, this is beautiful.” She held it up against her. “It’s short.”

  “It’s a good job you have incredible legs.”

  I wanted her to open the shoes next. I really hoped they fit, because if it were up to me, she’d be wearing them a lot.

  “Holy crap,” she said, pulling out the shiny, black shoe with crisscrossed straps and higher-than-high heel.

  “You like them?”

  She gazed at them. “They’re the sexiest thing that ever existed.”

  “Wrong. You are the sexiest thing that ever existed. I want to see them on.”

  “But you want me to be naked, right? Hell, I want to be naked wearing these things.”

  I chuckled, my cock twitching at the thought. “Later. I think the restaurant prefers its diners fully dressed.”

  “We could skip the restaurant,” she said, stripping off her top and stepping in between my legs. She leaned over, pressed her hand against my hardening dick, and kissed me.

  I grabbed her wrists. “Violet. Behave. I know you’re using me for my body, but I want your mind for a couple of hours.” She was hard to resist, but I was a master of self-control. I wondered if her deflection was deliberate. Was she avoiding a conversation about what happened next year? I knew she didn’t like to plan, but if she was thinking about Columbia that meant she was considering her future, and I wanted to know where that left us.

  I stood, held her hands behind her back, and crushed my lips to hers, taking the kiss from her as if it were my last one. “That will have to satiate you until we get back,” I said, releasing her. “Now change and let’s go.”

  She huffed and unzipped her skirt, letting it pool to the floor and reveal her legs and ass that I enjoyed so much. She knew what her body did to me. She was such a minx and never gave in so easily without a fight—she’d try to tempt me again, so I decided to wait in the hall.

  She must have accepted defeat, because she was ready and by my side within just a few moments.

  “You look fantastic,” I said, my gaze skimming over the red fabric and her bronzed thighs down to the heels I’d fuck her in when we got back.

  “Thank you. I’m styled by Alexander Knightley.”

  We put on our coats and I clasped her hand in mine and we began our short walk across Berkley Square to the restaurant.

  “So I’ve been thinking,” I said, glancing at Violet, trying to gauge her reaction. She kept her eyes firmly ahead. “I’m going to take every Saturday night off, at least when I’m not in the middle of a trial.”

  She nodded, but didn’t say anything as we reached the entrance to the square. The trees had lost most of their leaves weeks ago, but a few clung on futilely. It was still one of the most beautiful squares in London.

  “And I’m going to try to take at least half a day off at the weekend. Perhaps even a whole day.”

  “A whole day off work, Knightley?” She turned to me as we walked and clutched at her chest. “Won’t the sky turn black and all the babies start crying?”

  She was the only person I’d ever encountered who brought me back down to earth with such a tremendous thump. “I think it’s good for my long-term health—mental and physical—and it will force me to work with juniors more often, so I can take on bigger cases.”

  She smiled and turned back to the path. “Good for you,” she said.

  “And it will mean I have more time for you.”

  She nodded. “You’re not changing your working pattern for me, right?”

  I’d expected her to be thrilled, but she seemed a little defensive. “Well, I want to spend more time with you,” I said. Was that not what she wanted?

  “I would really like that.”

  I relaxed my shoulders a little.

  “I just don’t want you to feel as if you’re having to give anything up for me. If you have it to give, then that’s great, but I don’t want you to feel you have to do that. I don’t want you to resent me.”

  I stopped and circled my arms around her waist. She was describing exactly what had happened between Gabby and me. In the end, I’d resented every moment my wife had taken me away from my work, every moment I spent with her. “I couldn’t. You’ve never asked me for anything.”

  She tilted her head. “Not technically true. I beg for your cock a lot.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, you’ll never find me complaining about that.”

  “As long as you’re doing what you think is best for you, then I’ll very happily spend more time with you.”

  It wasn’t the reaction I’d been hoping for. I’d been wanting to show her that I would have more time for her if she wanted to further extend her stay in the UK, even study here, but perhaps she’d not even considered it. “I don’t understand. You’re encouraging me to be selfish?”

  “I don’t want to expect anything and then be disappointed. Let down. You know? And I don’t want to be a burden. I just want to enjoy things between us.”

  I dipped and dropped a kiss on her lips. I’d bring it up again at dinner. I wanted to really understand the reasons she thought I might disappoint her. “How could we not enjoy this? We’re in Berkley Square.” I glanced up at the almost-leafless trees. “Can you hear any nightingales?”

  “Nightingales?”

  “Yes. Singing in Berkley Square. You’ve not heard that song? Frank Sinatra sang it best.”

  “Anything he sings is always fantastic.”

  “Exactly.” I grabbed her hand and slid my cheek to hers and began to move gently from side to side, humming the familiar tune.

  “We’re dancing?” she asked, grinning up at me.

  “It’s being here in Berkeley Square, with you. We have to dance cheek to cheek and listen for nightingales.”

  “Is that the law?” she asked as I twirled us around.

  “Yes.” I dipped her backward and she giggled, a sound more beautiful than any nightingale.

  I cupped her face and placed another kiss on her lips before taking her hand and heading to the restaurant. I couldn’t remember ever feeling like this before. I’d felt satisfied, proud. Content even. But I’d never felt this happy.

  She shook her head. “How the hell did you get so romantic?”

  A romantic was the last thing I’d ever describe myself as being, but that’s what Violet King was doing to me. She was changing me into a man who took Saturday nights off and danced in a park.

  “Holy crap. Bentley and Bugatti have stores on this street?” Violet asked as we walked by the glass fronts of the showrooms on Bruton Street. “How fancy is this place we’re going?”

  “Not very. But the food’s good and you love Chinese.”

  “I do,” she said as we grinned at each other.

  “Alex,” a man called from up ahead.

  I looked up to find Lance and his wife coming toward us. Violet followed my gaze and tugged on my hand when she saw who was coming. I didn’t release her. There was no point—they’d seen us.

  “Flavia, this is Violet King,” Lance said, introducing his wife. “And you know Alex.”

  After introductions and the obligatory cheek kisses, Lance said, “I’m so very delighted to run into you two like this. You’ve been very discreet. I had no idea about the two of you, although I might have wished it to be true.” He turned to his wife. “Violet is the first person I’ve ever seen who was able to sort out Alex’s billing. And now she’s apparently persuaded him to take a Saturday night off. I’m surrounded by miracles every day.”

  “It was my idea. Violet doesn’t need to persuade me to take her to dinner.” From our earlier conversation, I suspected Violet wouldn’t like the idea that I was spending the evening with her because she’d persuaded me to.

  “Even better,” he sai
d. “I’m delighted for you both.” He gripped my shoulder. “Look after her.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “We’ll let you get on with your evening. We’re just off to the fish place around the corner,” Lance said.

  We said our goodbyes and headed into the restaurant. “You okay?” I asked.

  “I guess. I’m glad he was cool about it, but I wish we hadn’t run into them. I hope he doesn’t tell Craig.”

  “He won’t, but I can ask him not to if it will ease your concerns. But Craig wouldn’t object.”

  “I just don’t want the dynamic to alter.”

  I squeezed her hand. “No problem. I’ll ensure Lance doesn’t mention it.”

  I gave my name to the hostess and we were shown to our table.

  “Let’s just forget about it and enjoy our evening,” she said. “Will you order for me? I have no idea what I want.”

  I chuckled. “Of course.” I scanned down the menu. “Then you can tell me all about Columbia. Have you thought any more about it?”

  “Nothing to talk about, really. I have to take the GMAT first, then see if I get in.” I glanced up and she looked away, as if she hoped the conversation would change course before she looked back.

  The waiter came over and I ordered for us as Violet scanned the dim restaurant. “This is fancy, Alexander.”

  “You’re far fancier than this place. Your sister’s a duchess.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Hardly. And anyway, I’m not my sister. I’m a waitress from Connecticut no matter what my brother and sister do. No matter my degree.”

  “And you’re a very clever woman who’s wearing that dress like a catwalk model.” I reached for her hand across the table. “I don’t see much waitressing in your future; especially if you’re at Columbia.”

  “I have no idea what’s going to happen. You know me, I don’t like to plan.”

  I was going to have to press her on the subject of Columbia. She clearly wasn’t going to volunteer information. I wasn’t sure if she was really worried that she wouldn’t get in or whether she just didn’t want to talk to me about it.

  I turned her hand over and swept my thumb across her palm. “Yes, I do know you, and I believe you’re thinking about what’s next, however much you want to deny it.” I wanted to talk about this with her, discuss what she wanted to do, where she wanted to live. I needed to know if she saw me in her future. The more time I spent with Violet, the more I craved. My relationship with Gabby had felt as if it were stuck onto the side of my life like a cheap fridge magnet bought on holiday. Violet was fast becoming an integral part of my life in a way I never imagined a woman could be. I found myself asking her opinion of the morning’s breaking news or wanting to hear more about her growing up in Connecticut. She never asked me to, but I checked in with her during the day when I hadn’t seen her. I missed her scent and her smile when she wasn’t around. She grounded me the way work usually did, but fulfilled me in a way it never had. I wasn’t ready for her to go back to New York, and I wasn’t sure I ever would be.

  She bit the inside of her cheek. “I just thought I’d take the entrance exam and go from there. If I don’t score high enough, that will make the decision for me.”

  “Violet, you’re going to ace it. You’re one of the cleverest people I know.”

  She glanced down at our joined hands. “Maybe. But you’re right. I have been thinking about my future and what I want to do. This job, being in London, away from my old life—it’s all given me room to breathe and consider things.” She shook her head. “I can’t go back to waiting tables. I was a shitty waitress at the best of times, and I don’t want to live my life in reaction to some douchebag I dated in college, however much I thought I loved him at the time. Our business was my idea. I put together the majority of the business plan.”

  “It doesn’t surprise me. You’re very talented.”

  “And I’ve enjoyed working in chambers, but I think I could do more.”

  “I completely agree with you.” She was far too clever for the clerical work she was doing in chambers.

  “You do?” She looked confused.

  “Of course I do.”

  “You don’t think I’m too old to go back to school?”

  I frowned. “If we’re not learning every day, then we’re doing something wrong. It’s part of the reason I love my job so much. I’m constantly learning.”

  The waiter arrived with our food, and we held each other’s gaze as he set down our plates.

  “I think I’d like to set up my own business.” She exhaled as if she’d just rid herself of the most tremendous burden. “At the moment, I’m thinking consulting. But maybe it’s something else. I don’t know, but I can’t waitress again. If I can get my MBA then maybe I can figure out more what I want to do. I have my whole life to seize. Not just the day.”

  As I listened to her, I realized I wanted to support her however I could. She deserved a bright future, and however much I would miss her, if she wanted to go to Columbia and discover what her future was, then I’d whistle and cheer loudly from the sidelines. But was there a way she could chase after her future and be with me? Would she even want to?

  “I think you’ll be brilliant at whatever you decide to do.”

  “Just not waitressing.” She grinned.

  “Maybe not.”

  “You think Craig will write me a reference?”

  “Absolutely.” I nodded. “So you’re thinking of applying for a general MBA at Columbia.”

  “Yeah, I figure I haven’t decided exactly what I want to do, and I can test out some ideas while I’m there, do some internships and see where it leads me.”

  I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. I was dancing around the point, which really wasn’t my style. I just didn’t know what I’d do if she shut me down completely. “So it’s not Columbia in particular you want to attend?”

  “It’s a good school, and I’m pretty sure I can live in Scarlett or Max’s place while I’m there.”

  “I hear some of the British universities have excellent MBA programs,” I blurted.

  The corners of her mouth twitched, and she reached out for her glass of wine. “Is that right?” she asked before taking a sip.

  “Did you consider staying in the UK? Would you?”

  She set her glass back down. “Would I consider staying?”

  “We have some excellent universities. And I like you. I’ll miss you if you go.”

  She laughed. “You won’t notice I’m gone.”

  A sharp pain sliced through my gut. She couldn’t really believe that. “That’s not true. I would miss you tremendously. I was sort of hoping you might extend your time here in London.”

  “What are you suggesting? Give up on Columbia?”

  I had no right to ask her to give up anything. I had a terrible track record with women and had never done anything successfully other than my job. “No. Not if you’re wedded to going to Columbia. But if what you want is an MBA, then as I said, the UK and London have some excellent universities.”

  She didn’t respond but she put down her knife and fork and leaned back in her chair, looking at me. Did she want me to say something?

  “I like you, Violet. And I think you like me. I know I am a selfish workaholic, but I’d like to see more of you. I know you don’t want me rearranging my schedule for you, but what if I chose to?” I looked into her eyes, trying to find some encouragement. “I want to work less so I can spend more time with you. Your contract is up just after Christmas and I’m not ready to say goodbye.”

  She sighed, which hadn’t been the reaction I’d been hoping for. “Alexander, isn’t the whole reason we work because I don’t ask anything of you and you don’t disappoint me because I’m not expecting anything?”

  “But maybe I want you to ask things of me.”

  “But the whole reason that your marriage didn’t work is that you always put work first and because your wife wanted too much.”

  �
��Agreed. But Gabby and I aren’t you and me. And I said I can commit to spending more time with you.”

  “The problem isn’t just that though. What happened with David hurt me. And for me this works because you are who you say you are. You never say things you don’t mean.”

  “That sounds like a good thing.”

  “It is. It’s one of my favorite things about you. But if this thing between us changes—you give more, I expect more—it will be so much easier for those lines to get crossed. For me to wind up disappointed, hurt.”

  I nodded. She was right as she usually was. “It’s a risk.”

  She nodded and went back to eating as if it was settled, the discussion over. I was far from done.

  “But it’s a risk worth taking as far as I’m concerned,” I said and she glanced up. “I want to eat out with you on Saturday nights and dance in the park. And the last thing I want to do is be on the phone with clients when I can be talking to you.”

  “But if it didn’t work with Gabby, who you were married to, why would it work with me?”

  “I feel more for you that I ever did for Gabby. You’ve changed the way I look at the world. You think six months ago I was dancing cheek to cheek in Berkley Square? Or spending lunchtimes in museums? I did neither with Gabby or any other woman.”

  She laughed. “Oh, that’s my bad influence, is it?”

  “It’s your very good influence.” I paused. If I’d thought for one moment that I’d be sitting here asking a woman to cross a continent for me just a few months ago, I would have assumed I’d lost my mind, but far from it. Violet had helped me find it. “You could always apply to some London schools and see what happens between us over the next few weeks. They all require the same entrance exam anyway.”

  She grinned at me. “They do, do they? Have you been doing some research?”

  “Maybe a little,” I admitted.

  She twisted the stem of her wine glass. “I could fill out the application forms. See who, if anyone, accepts me.”