“It’s sad that you had to come all the way to a place like this to figure that out. These aren’t the kind of people I like to associate with, and that’s not going to change anytime soon,” she replied dryly.
“I can understand that, and no wonder by the way they treat you. But here, let me give you my number and the address to the club, and you get cleaned up and meet me down there. I promise you you’re going to have a good time, okay?” He looked at her with the most urgent expression, and she sighed as she took his number.
It had been a long time since she had taken a number from any man, and she quickly reminded herself that this meant nothing. This was only to make it up to her for the shit she had to put up with all night. She didn’t know this man, and she didn’t have any interest in getting to know him beyond tonight. She was curious, yes, but that was all.
She wanted to satisfy her curiosity and have a few free drinks, then she would be on her way home and could put this nightmare of a night behind her entirely. Paige looked down at the slip of paper he had handed her, then looked up at him once more.
“Alright, I’ll see you there.”
Chapter 10
What the hell do you think you’re doing?
Royce didn’t need to hear William’s voice to hear the tone in the message. He grimaced. He hadn’t missed any of the looks William had sent him throughout the entire interaction, nor had he missed the text messages that came flooding into his phone after he had run out of the room.
He knew William was concerned for his job, and he knew his friend was concerned for his relationship with his parents, but he honestly thought he was overreacting. He hated to think what his friend must have already said to the duke and duchess, and he hated the thought of what was going to happen when he got back home.
I hope you realize we lost that deal. Probably the best deal you could have made all night, and we lost it because of a damn waitress. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into you—do you really think it’s a good idea to blow off everything just to show a bit of chivalry to a random girl?
The messages were getting longer and they were flooding in faster, but he was too busy getting his things together and getting ready to leave the party to care. Royce would talk to him about it later and hope for the best. The fact of the matter was that he had to get out of the place right now. It was stifling him as much as it was stifling that girl, and he had to hurry to meet with her.
Do the words duke and duchess, or mother and father mean anything to you? What do you think they are going to say when they hear about this, as they most certainly are going to? If not from me, from simple word of mouth!
Royce stared at the text for a moment, trying to decide the best way to reply. He didn’t want to ask William to keep quiet, but at the same time, he didn’t know if William already had. Royce wasn’t gone for long, but he hadn’t seen William all night, either. For as close as he felt they were in life, there were times when he also felt William was spying on him to report back to his mother and father—another reason Royce felt they were always sending William with him when they went off on these business trips. These days, Royce felt like William was going to lose it from the pressure his parents put on him to straighten Royce up, and he felt bad about that, but William needed to relax. Royce could tell this past week was putting a strain on him, and he was always on his phone, most likely reassuring his parents everything was fine.
Royce hailed a cab and climbed inside, only to receive another text from William.
Do you realize that you have just blown off the entire purpose we came to the United States because you are infatuated with a waitress you met at an event? You are going to be the duke of a nation, and here you are, abandoning your role to chase after a mere waitress from a party!
Royce gave the cab driver the address to the club he was heading toward, and he sighed as he quickly typed a message back.
Look, William, I know you aren’t happy with this situation, and I want you to know that I’m not, either. But there is something about this girl that I find fascinating, and I can’t help but want to see her. You told me that I need to lighten up and have some fun, so think of this as being that, okay? I’ll smooth things over with my parents. I understand if you need to report back to them. See you back at the hotel.
He hit send and put his phone on silent, not at all eager to hear anything else William had to say. If he knew William, he wasn’t going to be content with that answer, and he certainly wasn’t going to condone what Royce was doing.
But those were all things that could be taken care of later. Right now, Royce felt a surge of excitement course through him. He was on his way to meet with that waitress, and he had so much he wanted to ask her. All of these other things could wait. These problems would still be there in the morning, and he could deal with them then.
Meeting this girl, however, that was something that could only be done right here and right now, and Royce wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass.
The night air was crisp with a slight breeze as Royce glanced down at his phone for the fifth time, hoping the girl would show up. He stood outside the night club, thinking about how it looked more like an abandoned warehouse than anything he’d call a club, but that wouldn’t matter if she came. She wouldn’t have ditched, would she?
Suddenly, a cab pulled up, and to his pleasure, she stepped out. She was looking a lot more relaxed than she had been when he last saw her. She wore the same dress, but her makeup had been redone, her hair let down in soft waves, and she looked like she had taken a few deep breaths to compose herself.
“I’m glad you made it,” he said as he walked up to her. She put her hand up.
“I think before we go in there, we’d better know each other’s names at least,” she said awkwardly with a smile.
“Of course,” he said with a surprised laugh. How had he not introduced himself already?
“I am Duke Royce Bronwin Carrington the Fourth of Luxembourg,” he said with a slight nod. “And who might you be?”
She wavered for a moment, her eyes wide in shock, then she squared her shoulders. “I am Miss Paige Marie Grant, the First and Only, of Springfield. How do you do?”
Paige curtsied, though she didn’t do it well and looked quite ridiculous. Royce stifled his laughter and instead took her hand and lifted it to his lips and brushed a light kiss on the back of it. “It is a real pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“You, too,” she said, her cheeks tinged pink. “And oh, my God, please, let’s just forget what I did just now. I can’t believe I curtsied.” She groaned with embarrassment.
“Completely forgotten. Shall we?” He motioned for the two of them to go into the dark club, and Paige tentatively put her hand on his arm as they did so. Royce felt accomplished, having managed to get her into the club with him. He could finally talk to her now as two people, not as a guest and a waitress.
They were seated at a spacious booth in the corner where they had the view of the whole club, but privacy from club goers.
“So, are we going to ignore the fact that you’re a duke?” Paige asked, raising her eyebrows. “What are you doing in our country?”
“Is that the first thing you really want to know?” he teased. She nodded nonchalantly.
“Well, alright, then. I am called a duke, although I don’t officially get the title until coronation, which is pending at the moment as I am working and assuming more responsibilities of a duke. Thus, I am here as part of my training, if you will. I’m here to make some deals and connections with the billionaires who are here. Primarily, I was hoping to make a deal with that man you threw food on,” he said with a smirk. Paige blushed, and he felt his heart skip a beat. She was even more attractive when she blushed, and he made a mental note to make her do so as much as possible.
She seemed to soften a little as she said lightly, “Well, I apologize but I hope that I didn’t cost you your deal.”
“There are plenty more
to be made,” he replied with a shrug. “I’m just glad that I got the chance to get to know you a little better tonight. I’d love to know more about you. Tell me about yourself, what makes you tick, what you enjoy.”
He looked at her with an intensity to show her that she was the only one who had his complete attention, and she practically blushed again. The waitress brought their drinks and set them down on the table, and Paige took a deep breath. It was clear to Royce she still wasn’t entirely comfortable with him, but she was far more willing to talk to him now that they were introduced and away from arrogant, rich assholes.
And now, maybe he’d finally have some of the answers he’d been looking for.
Chapter 11
Paige couldn’t believe she was sitting across the table from a duke, and she wanted to text Candy and tell her what was happening. But she wouldn’t dare take out her phone in front of his man—at least, not while they were in the middle of a date. Was it even a date?
She’d already told him that she didn’t have any interest in him, and she’d made it clear she didn’t want him to hit on her or take things to another level. He’d assured her that he wouldn’t, but now that the two of them were alone, she couldn’t help but feel giddy and nervous, like she almost wished he would hit on her. Being so close in proximity to him made her feel an attraction to him. He was obviously extremely good-looking, with his thick, perfectly swept hair and piercing gray eyes. His chiseled jaws were peppered with a five o’clock shadow and his broad chest and shoulders were apparent under his suit. It was inconceivable to her that this man would blow off a potential business partner to be with her, and she found herself hoping she wouldn’t do anything to screw it up.
“Oh, great,” Royce said abruptly, and she looked at him, confused.
“That man over there is my advisor, and he’s not too happy about my leaving the event like I did. We’ve got to get rid of him,” Royce said in a low voice. “But he’s used to me trying to brush him off, and I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as it sounds.”
“Hold on, I got you,” Paige said as she rose from the table. She quickly walked into the bathroom, giggling as she reapplied her lipstick in the mirror. There were at least five other girls in there.
“What’s so funny?” one of the other girls in the room asked. Paige was used to the bathroom gossip at clubs, and she knew what she was doing.
“Oh, didn’t you hear? There’s a duke here! I hear that he’s single and looking for someone to marry, and I plan on being the next Duchess of Luxembourg,” she said with a grin. She clicked the lipstick cap closed, and instantly noticed the other women whispering to each other.
“What does he look like?” one of the women asked, and Paige described William to them as best as she could. The girls exchanged another glance with one another when one spoke up once more. “I hope you don’t mind having a little competition out there. Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
“Not at all,” Paige said with a reluctant tone. She knew she had to sell it as best she could. “But don’t hate me when you lose.”
“It’s on!” the girls agreed. They all came out of the bathroom, and at once they began taking their positions. Of course, Paige made her way back to the table, and she and Royce watched as William began to get hit on by woman after woman. It was clear the news spread fast in the building, as it seems like nearly all the women in the club ran over to him, talking to him and trying to get his attention.
It didn’t appear as though any of them believed him when he insisted that he wasn’t the duke. They were all too busy trying to get his attention and approval with hopes to be a duchess.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Royce said, laughing as he rose. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor, and Paige decided to let loose a little and dance with him. She didn’t know a duke would be able to have moves apart from a waltz or something, but he was able to keep up with her and look good as he did so.
They danced and laughed, chatting with each other until they were both out of breath, and Paige couldn’t help but shake her head. She had gotten this man all wrong.
As soon as Royce left for the bathroom, she was on her phone, texting Candy.
I’m sure you’ve heard some of what happened tonight, but just you wait until the next time we talk. Perhaps I’m going to snag a billionaire tonight after all! You ever heard of Royce Carrington?
She hit send and almost immediately, her phone blew up with all kinds of responses from her friend. Some were about what happened at the club, and others were about Royce himself. All the news articles were links to the things he had done in his life and how much money he was worth.
And boy, was he worth a lot.
I’d say that it’s you who owes me big time now, Paige!
Paige laughed to herself, but shook her head and tucked her phone into her pocket when Royce came back and queried her what was so amusing.
She couldn’t explain it to him, but she never would have thought in a million years she would be the date of a real, royal duke at a night club. But here she was, being that girl. Dancing with a man who would one day rule a country. Duke might be his official title one day, but right now, he was her prince. Her very own prince charming.
Chapter 12
Royce bought another round of shots for the two of them, and they continued to dance the night away. He’d been keeping an eye out for William, holding on to hope that his friend gave up and went back to their hotel for the night. It wasn’t the first time he’d ditched his advisor in public, and odds were it probably wouldn’t be the last, either.
He knew he was getting a little too drunk, but that didn’t matter. He was with Paige, and she was clearly having a good time with him. Besides, they were in America, and it was the land where he could cut loose and have a good time without worrying that it was going to end up all over the newspapers, since not many knew of him.
As a matter of fact, essentially nobody who frequented clubs like this would recognize him, and that was more than okay with him. He didn’t come to America to be a celebrity. In fact, there was a part of him that resented coming at all. But now that he was having a great time on the dance floor with this beautiful woman, he knew that he had made the right decision agreeing to do what his father had asked.
Well, doing most of what his father had asked.
He was finding it very difficult to keeping his hands off her. The more they danced, the more he would lay his hands on her hips, or run them up and down her waistline. Her curvy body fit perfectly against his as they danced, and he felt he could get lost in the softness of her skin any night of the week.
Of course, she was far too below his station for him to ever consider having a real relationship with her. But then, he wasn’t here to have a relationship. He just wanted to have a good time, and she was the perfect person to do that with. The more the music played, the harder it was for him to stay on his feet, and he knew he was going to have to call it a night soon.
It was going to be bad enough having to deal with his parents and William in the morning, he didn’t want to have to do it with a hangover. But he also didn’t want to say goodbye to Paige. There was no telling when he was going to get to see her again, and the thought of depositing her in a cab and sending her back to her place alone made him dejected.
Then it hit him.
“You know, it’s getting late,” he spoke into her ear. “Why not come with me to my suite? That way we don’t have to end the night just yet, and I’ll know that you are safe.”
She looked at him with wide, bright eyes. Of course, she was intoxicated as well, but not to the extent that she did not know what she wanted.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose!” she said hesitantly. They had to shout to be heard over the beat of the music, but no one else in the club was paying them any mind. Everyone was too engrossed in their own partners to give any attention to those who were around them.
“Of course I’m sure
! It’s not a bother at all,” he all but shouted. Finally, Paige nodded.
“Alright, but we’re going to have to take a cab!”
Minutes later, the two of them were in the back seat of a cab Royce had ordered, going to a new hotel he had just chosen. He knew they couldn’t go back to the hotel where he was staying for the duration of his trip. William would be there waiting for him, and he would undoubtedly put his foot down when it came to Royce taking this girl to bed.
He lost track of time, but it only seemed like seconds before they were pulling up in front of the hotel, and he paid the cab driver.
“Wow, I remember when they built this place, but I never thought I was going to have an opportunity to go inside!” Paige exclaimed as she rested a hand on his arm. He put his hand over hers and smiled, and the two of them made their way inside. Though he was still very drunk, Royce succeeded to hold himself together, appearing as sober as the two of them walked up to the front desk.
“I’m checking into the honeymoon suite,” he said and Paige gave him a startled look.
“The honeymoon suite?” she asked.
“I always get the highest rated room in the hotel. I don’t care if it’s meant for couples or not,” he replied with a wink. She looked at him with an amused smile, as the two of them headed in the elevators.
“It’s a lot easier than guessing where the meetings are going to be. If I can’t find anything I like, I buy a place that’s ready to move in. I keep it, rent it out, or sell it when I’m done—whatever makes the most sense from a business perspective,” he said.
The elevator dinged open and he slid the key card into the door. “I know we got off on a rough start, and I’m still sorry you had to deal with pompous men, but I had a lovely time with you tonight. I hope you enjoyed yourself as well,” he said as they walked in. Paige turned and put her hands around the sides of his face.
Relentless: A Royal Secret Baby Romance (The Alabaster Club) Page 4