Royally Mine: 22 All-New Bad Boy Romance Novellas

by Susan Stoker

  ***

  “You there? It’s me.” Mags’ voice was muffled through the door, but there was no mistaking the happiness.

  “Hey! How was your exploration?” Maya ushered her friend in. “Did you see anything other than the back of the limo?”

  “Stop it! Of course. We saw many, beautiful, Swiss… things.”

  “Like his Swiss dick? I hope it only had the one hole, though, unlike Swiss cheese.”

  “Gross! Quit it. His dick is magnificent. Oops.” Mags shot a hand to her mouth in mock worry. “Also, Jacques is not Swiss, Maya. I already told you, he has dual citizenship with Syldavia and the US.”

  “I knew you two were hooking up! I so knew it.” Maya pulled Mags to the bed, and they sat down, cross-legged, giggling. “So, what happened?”

  Mags grabbed Maya’s hands. “We just bonded, over the stupid Erik situation. And I won’t lie, there was some powerful chemistry. And it just clicked. I never expected to fall for someone so fast, but he’s just—I really, really like him.” Her face was glowing. “And the best part is that I don’t have to stop seeing him, Maya! He’s moving to the US in two months to start nursing school in Chicago. And he wants to be together. Like a couple. OMG. I’m beyond excited.”

  “So he’s not going to be a bodyguard in the future?”

  “No, that’s temporary. He’s going to do better things.” She added hastily, “Not that being a bodyguard isn’t a great job. And it pays crazy well when you guard a prince. But it’s not his dream, you know?” She put her hands to her chest. “I feel like this is a dream.”

  “I’m really happy for you.” Maya’s voice, however, lacked the requisite enthusiasm, and she wound her fingers together.

  “Oh, but what about you? I know that you and Henri have been, shall we say, intimate? What’s going to happen?” Her voice trailed off at Maya’s expression.

  Maya shrugged. “Well, I don’t know. But soon, I mean, I have to head back home, right? I have a job on Tuesday that I can’t skip. And it’s not like… I mean, we’re very different, Mags. Different countries, different roles, different financial strata. It’s been fun, though. I will admit that.” She traced a pattern on the ornate quilt. Even the fabrics in this chalet were beyond her reach. “More than fun. I like him a lot. He’s sexy, and witty, and exciting. Still, it’s not in the cards.” She sighed. “But hey, fifty percent of us getting a happy ending is pretty damn good. I like those odds!” She forced a smile. “I really am glad that you and Jacques… I’m happy.”

  Chapter Eight

  The night was full of exquisite pleasures in Henri’s arms, the stuff of dreams and fantasy. Later, wandering around the house the next day, Maya was startled to hear voices, female voices. They sounded loud and confident, not like the way the servants spoke to each other—guests? She quietly came closer to see, and peered into the room. Celeste was there with Henri and another woman, a tall woman with Henri’s dark hair and similar features.

  Henri caught her eye. “Maya! Please, come meet my sister, Frani.”

  “Hi.” Maya felt nervous. “It’s great to meet you.”

  The woman examined her carefully and extended a perfectly manicured hand, her gaze neither accepting nor condemning. “You too.”

  Celeste rolled her eyes, visible only to Maya. “I see you’re still here?” Her voice was sweet, but her expression was fierce, unkind.

  “Your eyesight is quite on point. I must give kudos to your ophthalmologist,” Maya said casually, giving Celeste a half-smile. “Henri.” She came right up to him and took his hand. Fuck Celeste and her attitude.

  Henri smiled and squeezed her hand, and she could swear he seemed proud. She stood a little taller. When his assistant came into the room with a cell phone, he murmured, “Excuse me, please,” and dropped a quick kiss on her mouth before walking out.

  Maya wasn’t sure what to do. So she started with, “Frani, it’s really nice to get a chance to meet you. Can I tell you a little about the charity I represent, Save Our Smiles? Your brother, ah, brothers… both helped publicize it during their recent trip to the US. I’m trying to use this opportunity to increase donations.”

  “We’ve already heard so much about this charity,” Celeste protested. “Frani and I have…”

  Frani shot her a look. “Yes, please. I’d like to hear more, Maya.” She gave an encouraging smile.

  “Awesome! Let me just get my laptop, so I can show you the pictures, too. It really makes it clear what a difference we make, when you can see the before and after. If you’d like to personally donate, we’d love to have your assistance as well.”

  When Maya came back with her device, she spent a few minutes showcasing their recent efforts and pictures of smiling children, faces restored. But after that, they broke into a silence.

  “Super presentation. But you’ll be leaving soon,” Celeste remarked. “I imagine.” She smirked. “I’m surprised you are even here now, to be honest.”

  Maya said nothing. Neither did Frani. For a second, Maya wavered. Then she stuck up her chin. “Actually, you are leaving. Henri and I would like privacy for a while, so I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

  Celeste looked so startled that her eyebrows almost fell off. “Excuse me?”

  “Yes, exactly. I will do that. I will excuse you. I think you know the way to the front door, yes?”

  “Oh, that’s cute. Very cute.” Celeste smiled, but it wasn’t pleasant. “As a matter of fact, I came here to discuss important state matters with Henri, things well beyond your level of concern, expertise or clearance. So I think you’ll need to be the one to give us privacy. If you don’t mind.” She crossed her arms.

  “It’s that way.” Acting as if Celeste hadn’t spoken, Maya pointed to the door, and left the room.

  Outside, she felt hot and cold. Her knees were weak, her vision swimming. She sucked in air. But she could still hear what was said in the room.

  “I can’t believe him,” Celeste muttered to Frani. “Spending time with this ridiculous American girl who laughs too loudly, wears dollar store lipstick, trying to get herself a piece of royalty. The sooner Henri stops playing with trash, the better it will be for your entire family’s reputation, Frani. You really need to talk to him. First Erik, now this?”

  Frani didn’t answer. “Are you completely mute?” Maya muttered, even though nobody could hear.

  Henri was still on the phone in another room, oblivious to her plight. She shook her head, tears pricking her eyelids. This was ridiculous! She was a grown woman with a fantastic job and a great life. It was fucking ludicrous that she was standing here in a pathetic cat fight with a salty bitch who acted like she owned Henri. And he was probably doing billion dollar things that were so much more important than this asinine squabble. Feeling utterly squashed, she headed to her room to pack her things.

  She watched out the window from her room, but no cars left; clearly, Celeste was still here. Why should she leave? In all her shitty glory, she belonged here in this place, far more than Maya did.

  As she stood by the front patio, waiting on the driveway for her limo, she heard a voice behind her. “So, you’re planning to run off without saying goodbye?”

  Maya tossed her hair, color in her cheeks. “Not running, just—I have to go. I have work. I need to get back to Chicago.”

  “Right now?”

  “Yes. Right now.” She cleared her throat. “I asked one of your assistants to take me to the local airport. There’s a Lufthansa flight leaving in a few hours, and I was able to get a seat. Mags will, ah, stay another night.”

  “At the very least you can take my private plane, Maya.” His voice was even, but his face looked disappointed. “I asked you both here, and I fully intend to make sure you get back home safely and comfortably. Please.”

  “I’m a coach girl, Henri.” She held back a quiver in her voice. “And the sooner I remember that, the easier it will be to…” She took a deep breath and softened her voice. “I h
ad a fantastic time with you. Thank you for the trip here, and for the glimpse into your life. Thank you for showing me that your existence is deeper and richer than I could have imagined.” She touched her lips. “For the nights together.”

  “But you were still going to go without talking to me?” He crossed his arms and frowned.

  She shook her head. “I was going to come say good-bye, of course. I’m just clearing my head.”

  “Did Celeste say something again? Did my sister?” A muscle twitched in his cheek.

  She shrugged. “I don’t want to sound like a tattletale, or need constant reassurance, Henri. I just… don’t want to have to live in a world where people don’t even pretend to be nice. Where every social interaction is a thinly veiled battle.”

  “It’s not always like that.” He took her hand. “I swear it. There are so many good people I know. I’m very sorry that it was Celeste that you first met. She’s a family friend, but not a friend friend. I know the difference, Maya. I’m sorry. Frani is not like her.” He watched her expression.

  She nodded, wiped her eyes. “Sure.”

  “Really, Maya.” He sounded almost like he was pleading. “Our mother loves Celeste.” A troubled look crossed his face. “Like another daughter. She’s entwined in many of our fundraisers and political efforts, but I swear, my sister isn’t the same inside.” He touched his chest. “I am trying to extricate ourselves from her, but it is a slow, delicate process.”

  Maya just nodded. It really didn’t matter at this point.

  “I don’t want this to be goodbye.” He gave her fingers a squeeze. “Don’t you want to see me again? Spend time in my arms?” He sounded frustrated.

  “Of course I do, but that’s not realistic.” She laughed, but it wasn’t funny, more of a nervous response. Her body thrummed with adrenaline. “How could that even work? What, you fly to Chicago once a week? That’s insane.”

  He nodded. “It is. Twice a week makes more sense.” He smiled.

  “Henri! Be serious,” she pleaded.

  He sighed. “No, I couldn’t come once a week. I have obligations around the globe, and at home. And I know you do, too.”

  “I do. I have a job coming up. Which is why I really do need to go.”

  “Stay.” His voice was a whisper. “Stay here. Stay the week.”

  “Oh, Henri.” She spoke into his neck, her voice full of regret. “I can’t! I have work. Jobs. People who booked me months ago. A wedding.” With all her heart, she wished she could cancel, but no.

  “Can you get a backup to do it?” He wound his hands into her hair.

  “I don’t think so. Too short notice.”

  “I’ll pay for the cancellation. Hire the best replacement to do it for you. I’ll pay them whatever they ask. Double, triple the usual fee.”

  ‘No!” She pushed his hands away. “That’s—no, Henri. That’s bad for the client. I can’t do that. And anyway, that would make me a hooker.”

  He held up his hands. “I was only trying to… I mean, I could easily pay, that’s all.”

  “I know you could. And I can’t. And that’s why I can’t let you. If it’s just for us to fuck.”

  “It’s not just to fuck,” he said, his voice taking on a chill. “I enjoy your company.”

  “And I, yours.” She took his hands back. “Very much. But please understand that my career isn’t a joke or a fantasy. It’s my life.”

  “I wasn’t implying that it isn’t.”

  “Okay.” She settled back down. “I really will miss you.” She stared at his gorgeous eyes; in the soft light, they looked more blue than gray. She touched the dimple in his cheek, ran her hand down his chiseled chin.

  He tugged her closer. “Well, what if you got a job here for a few months?”

  “What, in Switzerland?”

  “Syldavia. I can help you get a work visa. It is the land of romantic weddings, Maya. People come there from all over Europe to marry. You’d never run out of work!” His voice rose with excitement. “I could set you up with the best studio in the country, and help get your name out as the expert photographer, chosen by the royal family. Perhaps you could work, even, as the official photographer for the state, covering functions. The current photographer is retiring soon. I can talk to the committee, and get them to hire you. I’ll get you any job you want.”

  “Stop!” She held up her hand, half laughing, half alarmed. “So you want to buy me a job, so I can stay here and be your fuck pet for a while? Move myself across the world for you at your whim?”

  “No. That’s not what I said!” His voice rose, too. “Maya, can’t you see that I’m trying to think of ways we can spend time together? I just thought…” his voice was low. “It would be easier for you to move, than for me.”

  She deflated. “Yeah, it would. But I mean—we’ve known each other two days, Henri. Two days! I can’t change everything for that. And when you got tired of me? I’d have to uproot again and go home and rebuild my business again.” She shook her head. “It’s disrespectful to me to imply that I’m so easily portable.”

  “Forgive me for thinking we might want to spend more time together.” He scowled.

  “Henri.” Her voice glitched. “I want nothing more than to spend time with you. But not like this. If I lived here, or you lived in my town, then, who knows. But it’s—it can’t work.”

  “So we’re done, then.” He shook his head. “All right, if that’s how it will be.” He sighed, then frowned. “And can I still trust you not to tell anyone about my brother?”

  This pissed her off. “Seriously? How could you think otherwise?”

  He looked past her. “Like you said, it’s only been two days. How well can you know someone in that time, after all?” He sounded stiff.

  “Oh, now you’re being an asshole,” she accused. “You’re sulking! You didn’t get your way, and you’re sulking. Oh my god. You’re such a big baby.” Through her tears, she couldn’t stifle a giggle. “This is insane.”

  “Fuck.” He glared at her, then broke into a smile. “I can’t even believe how sexy you are, even when you’re being a bitch.”

  “Speak for yourself.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re the bitch. Bitch.”

  He took her into his arms. “May I at least kiss you goodbye?”

  She nodded. “I’m going to miss you,” she whispered, before their mouths met in a passionate embrace. And even as she lost herself in his arms, she felt her heart breaking, little by little.

  Chapter Nine

  “Look, you’re in TMZ.” Mags handed her phone over. “Click there. See?”

  “Shit. So I am.” Maya stared at the picture of herself in the gold gown, pressed up against Prince Henri IV at the gala, looking into his face with adoration. “God. I look like an idiot,” she winced.

  The title read, Prince Henri Conquers Hearts While His Brother Conquers The Bottle?

  The short paragraph below continued: Ever the playboy, Henri finds a warm welcome from the American pubic, ahem, public. Perhaps consolation was needed to deal with his brother’s tipsy remarks earlier at a press conference? No doubt reeling from his impending divorce from Princess Euphalie, the prince was reportedly staggering. We can only assume that both royal siblings found themselves horizontal last night.

  “That’s kind of funny! I mean, gross. It’s really nasty,” Mags said. “I’m not in there. I checked.”

  “Is there more?”

  “No, just more pictures of the two of them doing some other conference earlier in the week, and Henri at some event. Erik apparently vertical. Oh, wait, here you are again.”

  It was a picture of the two of them holding hands and walking down the hallway, the pose clearly personal. The caption read: Who is this mystery redhead who captivated Henri’s heart at the gala last night? Rumor has it that she’s a volunteer at Save Our Smiles, an organization to which the royal family has donated heavily this year. Looks like this lucky gal is getting quite a donation tonight!
r />   “Eeeew.” Mags wrinkled her nose. “Donation. Now that’s ugly.”

  “Who says gal?” Maya put her head in her hands. “Fuck. Do you think this is the last of it, or will there be more of this? What if they want to follow me around or ask me questions?” She darted to the window and peered out, but the only thing she spotted was the dingy parking lot and the typical Chicago busy street front. No papp.

  “Have you heard from him?”

  Maya shook her head. “No. I told him no, so I mean, that was it. He’s not going to pull a whatever move from that stupid Julia Roberts’ movie.”

  “Adrian!” bellowed Mags. “YO, ADRIAN!”

  ‘No! That’s from Rocky. You mean… I don’t remember her name. HOOKER!” she screamed. “I have roses and a limo! Come marry me and kiss me on the fucking LIPS! HOOOOKER!”

  The face Mags made was a good one, and Maya started laughing, and suddenly the two of them were gone, giggling so hard they had to grab their stomachs.

  “Stop! I’m going to die!” Maya wailed.

  “I can’t breathe!” Mags pounded the table. “Oh, god!”

  “Ladies.” Carrie White Horse tapped on the door. “I’m glad to hear such merriment. May I have a minute?”

  “Carrie, Maya just killed me!” cried Mags. “Look, I died! She made me laugh to death.”

  “Okay.” Carrie nodded. “When you revive, I’d like to review the new donation stats with you. We received a one-million-dollar donation last night from Syldavia.” She cleared her throat. “Frankly, I was not expecting a second donation from the royal family, and certainly not of that magnitude. I’m quite overwhelmed. We need to call a meeting with our board and our lawyer to discuss how to handle investments and cost allocation.”

  “A million?” The women stopped laughing abruptly.

  “No.”

  “It’s not a joke.” Carrie’s eyes teared up. “And more donations are streaming in, smaller ones, but at a rate I can’t understand. This is unprecedented for us. I would not have predicted this kind of growth—not for ten years, if… ever.” Her voice rose. “And it was you two who did it. You got the prince interested, and turned that into a marketing strategy to really get donations rocking. Thank you.”