Royally Bad (Royally Wrong Book 1)

nice. Classy.”
“Let me think about it,” Theo says.
“Let’s get you into a secure location.” Evans leads us to a private elevator. Fifty-two floors later, we step out into a penthouse suite. Black suits precede us, and a few more follow us in.
“We’ve tripled your security. Sweden is sending a liaison, also.”
“Am I going to have to learn Swedish?” Theo jokes.
“Maybe,” I say. “Polling says you’re not very popular over there. I expect the queen will have a list of things she requires before you’re officially named heir to the throne.”
Theo sighs and runs his hand through his hair. He’s still as gorgeous as ever, but there are little lines of strain around his long-lashed eyes. His strong shoulders slump a little. “Can I get some privacy? I’d like to consult with my media consultant.”
“You all right, Prince Theo?” I say once the suits and Evans are gone.
“Don’t call me that.”
“You prefer My Liege?”
He smiles, prowling forward and all of a sudden, I have the playboy prince back. “I prefer to be a god.”
I retreat, and he keeps coming until my back is against the wall. He puts a hand above my head and leans in. “In fact, that’s what you’ll be calling me tonight.”
“In your dreams, skater boy,” I duck under his arm and escape. “So, the interview. Did you change your mind?”
He’s still at the wall, leaning against it, staring at nothing.
“Theo?”
“Have dinner with me.” He straightens, but still doesn’t look at me. His shoulders hunch slightly.
“What?”
He looks at me, and every muscle in me clenches with need at the longing in his eyes. “Have dinner with me, Vesper.”
“Why?” I whisper.
“Today, volunteering, did you have fun?”
“Um, I guess.” His change of mood from sexy to serious is giving me whiplash. Almost like the real Theo is trying to break free, and seduce me at the same time.
“You looked like you were having fun.”
“I did. I mean, all the people wanting pictures with you were annoying.”
“Since when do you not want pictures of me? You just didn’t like the hot moms.”
“They were not hot moms,” I burst out. “Those yoga pants were way too tight.”
He grins at me.
“All right. I had fun.”
“Have dinner with me. You can say it’s for work. Get to know the real me.”
“For work? Just a moment ago, you said you wanted me in your bed.”
“I want you calling me a god. It doesn’t have to be in bed.”
I groan.
“Hey, you represent my dick as much as me. You may as well try it out.”
“This is the weirdest conversation I’ve ever had.” I throw up my hands. “Fine. You want dinner with me? Do the interview tomorrow.”
“Sold,” he says, and I realize I’ve been played.
Too late. He’s going to the door, calling Evans back in. I spend the next few hours confirming the interview for tomorrow, crafting and issuing a statement, and debriefing Evans and Theo.
“Your private plane is on standby,” Evans says. “We can fly out to Sweden whenever you’re ready.”
“Tomorrow night,” I say. “Let’s get to Stockholm and get over jet lag before the audience.”
Theo nods, rubbing a hand over his face. He’s changed out of his volunteer shirt, into a polo and shorts. Evans brought my bags by the penthouse so I could freshen up. I put on a dress, and send my suitcase to my room, hoping it’s far away from Theo’s. A few floors away, or better yet, across the street. Or country.
Sitting close to him, working together, the attraction has only grown. We’re both tired. Not great for the self-control.
I stand and stretch, ignoring how Theo’s eyes sweep over me. “One thing at a time. Let’s focus on the interview. Reba sent me a list of preliminary questions we can work on. She’ll be polite, but she won’t hold back. We need to practice.”
“All right,” Theo says, and jumps up. “But first, dinner.” He grabs my hand, pulling me to the door. “If you need us, Evans, we’ll be at the pool.” Evans’ frown follows us, but there’s nothing I can do.
The pool is on the roof, a dazzling oasis complete with palm trees and a few fountains. I haven’t really fought to get free from Theo’s grip—a deal is a deal—but once we walk out into the luxurious space, only the sky above us, I tug my hand away.
“I have to make a call,” I tell him.
“No problem.” Theo tosses me a few pieces of string that supposed to be a bathing suit. “Do your thing, then change into this.”
I sigh, and turn away.
“What’s up?” Mina answers on the first ring.
“How’s it going?”
“Looking good over here. Did some quick polls. U.S. populace loves the Prince thing. They seem mostly amused by the whole Pepper Spice scandal. Not sure about the board of directors—that might take some groveling.”
“We’re on it. The interview tomorrow will help.”
“How is Prince Charming?”
“Still a domineering asshole.” I grimace at the bikini I’m holding.
“I heard that,” Theo shouts from the bar where he’s pouring himself a drink.
Mina snickers. “He’s in the room with you?”
I sigh. “We’re doing dinner.”
“Ho, boy. Somebody’s gonna get royally fucked.”
“No,” I scoff. “We’re working. Practicing for the interview tomorrow. This was the only way I could get him to do it.”
“You keep telling yourself that. Sounds like a date to me.”
“It’s not a date—”
“Yes, it is,” Theo hollers from across the pool. He’s now seated at a little table set for two.
Mina guffaws and I roll my eyes. “Gotta go.”
When I return from the changing room, bikini in place under my dress, the food is all served. Theo stands and helps me into my chair, the perfect gentleman.
The place is abandoned. Either no hotel guest has happened to come up here or Theo arranged for us to have privacy. I suspect the latter.
Theo lifts the cover off my plate, and the delicious smell hits my face. My stomach growls. We fall on the food.
“This is nice,” I say after I’ve cleaned my plate. Volunteering all day is hard work.