I sat down opposite her.
“What brings you here?” I asked.
“First of all, I’m sorry for sneaking out without saying goodbye our last night together.”
“That was a pretty low thing to do after the night we’d shared.”
“I know.” She stared at her lap.
I waited her out. She’d come here to talk. She wasn’t pregnant. Whatever else she had to say, I could handle it.
“I know I have no right to ask, but I have nowhere else to turn, and I desperately need your help.”
“My help? How could I possibly help you?”
She ignored my question and continued onward. “It’s only for a little while. Once Ted’s problem is solved, we’ll end it. I’ll be shamed for a while, but they’ll probably excuse my behavior considering I was raised in America.”
“End? End what? Shamed? For what?” She wasn’t making one damn bit of sense.
She sat up straight, her cool, royal persona replacing the nervous girl once again. “I need you to marry me.”
I shook my head and squinted at her. She managed an innocent smile in response.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I asked. None of this was making sense to me right now.
“It’s complicated.”
“It must be. According to the internet, you already have a fiancé.”
“You don’t believe everything you read on the internet, do you?” Her attempt at humor fell flat. I merely stared at her unblinking. “Ted is in love with someone else, and I’m in—uh, not in love with Ted either.”
“I don’t see the problem.” I crossed my arms over my chest. I wasn’t going to make this easy for her. She’d wounded me deeply after walking out on me. I’d been fool enough to think we might have something going still. And now she wanted me to do her a favor. Fuck that.
“The problem is our families are insisting we marry each other for God and country. You know, royal duty and all that.”
“I doubt God cares, but maybe your country does.”
“Gage, you’re the only person I can think of who can help me out of this.”
“Me?” I pointed at my chest and shook my head. I was the last person who could help her out, only she didn’t know that. As far as she knew, my background was the total opposite of the truth.
“You descended from British royalty.”
“Where the fuck did you ever hear that?” I was annoyed and made no attempt to hide it.
“And your parents were from American royalty, the Rockefellers and Duponts, or something like that.” She spoke as if she had zero doubt about these facts.
“We’re in farming,” I corrected her and closed my eyes for a moment. “I don’t see what my pedigree has to do with anything.”
Maybe I should’ve volunteered more information, but I didn’t. I was too upset she’d believed all that bullshit about me without ever thinking to ask me.
“I need a believable fiancé. That would be you. They’ll be appalled, but I know how to work things so they can’t outwardly protest. Eventually, they’ll put their spin on it, forgive me, and we’ll all move on. Once Ted is happily married to his Lady Irene, we break off the engagement. No harm, no foul. We’ll go our separate ways. What could be better?”
“I could think of a lot of things.” I grinned at her, being the bastard I knew I was. Irritation flashed across those cool, foreign yet so familiar features. Welcome to the club, Lis.
“Never mind. I knew this was a mistake. I’ll find someone else.” She grabbed her purse and rose to her feet. Madder than a wet hen.
My first inclination was to let her go. My head was all in with that plan, but my heart and my dick had united for once and outnumbered my brain.
“Wait.” I stood, too, and shoved my hands in my pockets. She turned and waited several feet away. “Let me get this straight. You want us to have a fake engagement so you won’t be forced to marry an earl you don’t love?”
“A viscount,” she corrected, as if I gave a fuck what his title was.
“What do I have to do?” I was stupid to consider this. I raked my hands through my hair. She didn’t know who I really was, and I didn’t tell her. I was hurt and being stupidly stubborn. I also didn’t want my parents dragged through any unnecessary drama or mean criticism. The less she and anyone else knew, the better. Especially if we were truly going through with this.
“It’s just for a few months,” she begged, her face so earnest and eyes so pleading I couldn’t say no.
“What do I need to do?” I asked again, ignoring any misgivings I might have. “I start training camp in a few weeks. Nothing can disrupt that.”
“I know. I understand. I’ll make it all happen as fast as possible.”
“Okay, I guess I can do it.”
“You’ll need to come back to England with me.”
“For how long?”
“Not long.”
I didn’t like her answer. Not long could be defined in days, months, or years. “I have to be back before training camp starts. I don’t know if I can fit in. That’s not my crowd.”
“You’ll fit in just fine. You’re a charmer.”
“Lis, I’m just a guy who plays football from modest roots. I’m nobody special.”
She smiled her brilliant smile. “You’re perfect for what I want.”
“Why? Why me?”
For a moment, her expression went blank, as if she wasn’t sure of the answer. “Because you and I can pull this off together. The chemistry between us makes this story believable. You’re the only guy I could pretend to be in love with.”
Pretend? I should’ve said no right then and there.
“I’ll do it,” I said.
She threw her arms around me and hugged me tight. I hugged her back and knew in that moment I’d do anything, no matter how crazy, to be with her.
~~Alisa~~
My plan was crazy and insane, and perfect. It was perfect because, with all its flaws, I was pretty sure I could make it work.
“I’ll stay in Europe two fucking weeks, that’s it,” Gage said grumpily. He wasn’t as on board with this as I’d thought he’d be.
He’d have to learn not to cuss in front of a princess, I thought briefly, then banished that thought from my mind. Gage’s cursing was the least of my issues. Besides, I’d seen him in action multiple times around adults and he was charming. He could play the game as well as anyone. Everything would be fine. The women would love him, and the men would want to be him. That was Gage. My father and grandparents probably wouldn’t be so easily swayed, but they’d come around. I had faith in Gage’s ability to win them over. Once Ted married, they’d be forced to give up Plan A anyway.
“We can make this fun,” I promised, and his frown lessened slightly.
“How fun?”
“You’d be surprised how big Buckingham Palace is with all its hidden nooks and crannies.”
“Really?”
“Really.” I smiled at him, one of my sexiest sultry smiles. I was pulling out the big guns while not necessarily sure I’d use them. The palace had too many eyes, and privacy, even partial, was next to impossible.
He was intrigued, no longer sulky, and his gaze turned heated. “I’ve missed you.”
“You mean, you’ve missed sex with me?”
“That too.”
“Why don’t we get reacquainted?”
Gage didn’t need a second invitation. He was in front of me in a flash, backing me up against the wall and kissing the hell out of me. Within seconds, he was wearing only a condom. I was wearing nothing and bent over the arm of the couch.
“I can’t wait,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Then don’t. I’m ready.” And I was. I’d been wet ever since I laid eyes on Gage, all messed up and sexy from a run. I’d always been a sucker for jocks, and I was putty in Gage’s hands, even if he didn’t realize how into him I still was.
With one deep, powerful thrust, he w
as inside me. I clutched the couch cushion and hung on as he rode me like a cowboy riding an untamed mustang. Rough, wild, and exciting. He reached underneath me to pinch and tweak my nipples, sending conflicting waves of pain and pleasure rocketing through me. I loved that and pushed backward against him each time he thrust into me.
I screamed out his name as I came, and he shouted mine as well. He collapsed on top of me, two sweaty bodies sliding against each other. I didn’t mind his weight. There was something comforting about having his body covering mine and his arms tightly around me.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed listening to his breathing in my ear, harsh at first, then eventually steady and regular. I closed my eyes and savored the feel of his skin against mine. Being with Gage was heaven and being apart from him was hell.
I loved this man with all my heart and soul, but I couldn’t tell him. I didn’t see how I could commit to him. My home was now in Europe. His would always be in the US because of his ties and his football career. I believed in him and had no doubt he’d have a long and successful career in pro football, followed by a broadcasting career. He was exactly what they looked for in a sportscaster—a guy who would impress viewers with his insights, knowledge, charm, and good looks.
Gage was going places, and the last place he’d want to go was England, far away from the sport he loved.
Gage stood and pulled me with him, turning me around and hugging me tightly. “How about a shower?”
“You could use one.”
“So could you now that I’ve messed you up. Now that I’ve slept with a princess multiple times, does that make me your consort?”
“If you want to be.”
“Oh, I want to be.” He grinned and slapped my ass hard. I yelped, tore away from him, and sprinted down the hallway. I stopped and let him catch me, not sure which door opened to his room. He gladly showed me, and our good times continued in the shower.
I was going to squeeze every last bit of pleasure out of the next two weeks with this man. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I’d concocted this entire scheme to suck Gage back into my life once again, but I didn’t, of course.
Chapter 18—The Announcement
~~Gage~~
I had no business being here.
I was a country boy. A farmer’s son. A fucking football player.
I had no idea how to mingle with royalty or politicians or any of them. I was in over my head and barely treading water while a tsunami raged toward me.
Agreeing to Alisa’s plan wasn’t just a bad idea, it was an epically, dumb-ass, ridiculously short-sighted, beyond idiotic idea. I shouldn’t be posing as the fiancé to a princess when I was anything but. From the second the chauffeur at the airport opened the back door for us, I was certain every person I came across saw me for the fraud I was.
I fidgeted like a virgin nerd on his first date with a hot chick. My usually glib tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and refused to form coherent words. I had to get my act together and find my mojo, or this charade would be over before it started, and I hadn’t met the royal family yet, just staff.
I’d been escorted to a room at the opposite end of the huge palace after we arrived. I’d need a map and compass along with a GPS locator to find her again. I stared around the somewhat large room with its old paintings and heavy drapes.
Alisa hadn’t warned of my existence or even that she was bringing a guest to the palace. She’d merely told the butler upon our entrance into this grand hallway that I’d need a guest room for the duration of my visit.
He blinked once, regarded me with a distant curiosity, and politely escorted me to one of the countless guest rooms they most likely had prepared for unannounced guests, assuming anyone had the gall to arrive at a palace unannounced.
There was a rap on the heavy old door. “Come in,” I called, hoping for Alisa but knowing she wouldn’t be here so soon.
A man in his late twenties entered, bowed low, and introduced himself. “I’m Walter. I’ll be at your service for anything you may require.”
“Nice to meet you, Walter.” I shook his hand. If shaking hands with the servants was inappropriate, he didn’t indicate any such problem. Instead, he moved to my suitcase and began unpacking my clothes.
“I can do that.”
He turned to regard me with surprise. “Oh, no, sir, I’ll take care of your things. It’s my job. I’ll also make sure they’re pressed and ready when you need them.”
“Please, call me Gage.”
“That would not be appropriate, sir.”
I frowned. “Walter, I’m just a guy. I’m not into all this hoopla and royal stuff. Please, call me Gage, at least when no one else is around.”
“I will do so if you wish.”
“I do wish.”
He smiled, and I felt as if I had one friend in this place besides Alisa.
“How long have you worked here?”
“I have been in the king’s service since I was sixteen, my mother and father both work here, and my grandparents retired from here.”
“They must be good people to work for then?”
“They are fair but demanding, as expected of most royals. As long as one does their jobs well and expediently, there will be no complaints.”
“I see.”
He paused and looked at my one good suit with a critical eye. “Is this the garment you’ll be wearing to dinner?”
“Uh, yeah, is there something wrong with it?” I’d purchased it after I’d gotten my rookie signing bonus. It was a nice suit, good cut, and fit me well.
“No, sir, but it’s wrinkled. I’ll get on that right away. Cocktails will be in one hour with dinner following.” He paused and looked me up and down. “You’ll be wanting to take a shower and shave while I attend to your things.”
I took the hint and did as he suggested. I spent too long soaking up the warm water, but I was far more relaxed when I finally exited the bathroom.
“Princess Alisa would like to meet you in the alcove so you may walk into the drawing room together,” Walter said.
“I hope you can show me where that is?”
“Of course.” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You will do fine, sir. There is no reason to be nervous. They are good people.”
I didn’t point out the obvious. They weren’t people, they were monarchs, and I couldn’t help but be intimidated by their titles and power. After all, I was a poor farm boy from Virginia.
My phone rang, and I took the call out on the private veranda. “Mom, you won’t believe where I am.”
“Then you better tell me.” She laughed, and I loved hearing her laugh. As soon as I got my first big paycheck, I was buying Dad and her a car.
“I’m in the palace of the king of England.”
“Buckingham Palace? Go on. You’re joshing me.”
“I’m not. I promise. I’ll text you a selfie.”
“Why ever are you there?” I heard the excitement in my mother’s voice. She’d long been fascinated with British royalty like many Americans.
“It’s a long story, Mom. I don’t have time to explain now. I have to get to dinner. I’ll try to call you soon.” I had to call her. I wanted to fill her and Dad in about this agreement with Alisa so that when they heard the news, they would know I wasn’t really marrying a princess.
“All right. I love you, honey.” She sounded reluctant but I didn’t give her a choice. I couldn’t explain everything right now.
“I love you, Mom. Tell Dad hi.”
“I will. Take lots of pictures.”
I ended the call, straightened my spine, and strode with a confidence I didn’t feel toward my fate.
~~Alisa~~
I resisted the urge to pace the length of the huge ballroom. Guests milled about, and I’d been introduced to a large portion of them. Tonight, we would announce my engagement, not to Ted as expected, but to Gage.
I’d written a short speech in which I would do the unorthodox, which had bec
ome somewhat expected of me, and personally make the announcement. Yes, I was committing another deadly sin against the crown, as such a momentous announcement should come directly from the king.
I only hoped they didn’t boot me out on my ass afterward for committing one too many transgressions.
Gage entered the ballroom and stopped to glance around. Oh, my God, but he was gorgeous. There wasn’t a man in the room who could hold a candle to his face and body. His suit was a nice cut out of good material and fit him well. He had his head held high, and his smile was confident and broadcast to the crowd that he took no prisoners. Several women already had their eyes on him.
His gaze swept around the room and settled on me. A slow smile spread across his face. Those piercing blue eyes raked down and up my body in appreciation. I could almost read his dirty thoughts as his gaze burned into me, undressing me with those same eyes.
Suddenly, my scheme didn’t seem so outrageous anymore. Anyone who saw Gage and me together would get snapped by the chemistry if they were too close.
“I’m going to be making our engagement announcement tonight,” I told him.
“You are? Shouldn’t I be doing that?”
“That’s quite cavalier of you and old-fashioned.”
“I realize it is.” He paused to sweep his gaze around the room and back to me. “This seems that kind of place.”
“I can handle it.”
“Let me do it.”
I studied him for a moment. “This is important to you, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, even if we’re not really going to get married or even engaged, it is important. I want people to see me as a take-charge guy, one who can’t be run over like Ted over there.”
“Ted is a sweetheart.”
“Whatever, but he’s a pushover. I’ll sound definite and leave no room for arguments. First, I’m going to speak to your father.”
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