Page 108 of American Royalty

A striking man, his dark hair tumbling over his forehead, walked out and stood behind him.

“The Princess Catherine...”

A woman with a serene, regal bearing, her strawberry blond hair in sleek waves over one shoulder, wearing a maroon gown and a ruby and diamond tiara, joined him.

“The Princess Bettina...”

A blond woman in a long black dress, with a stunning diamond and sapphire tiara, came to stand at the end of the line.

“And your hosts for tonight’s dinner, His Royal Highness Prince Jameson...”

Jameson strode into view and Dani lost her breath. He looked gorgeous in his formal black tie, tailored to perfection across his broad shoulders and a navy blue and gold pocket square. So tall and strong. And as she covertly looked around, she noticed all the admiring gazes he received.

Look all you want, bitches. I’m the only one here who knows what those lips and fingers taste and feel like. Who’s screamed his name as he fucked her into the wee hours of the morning.

“And Her Majesty the Queen.”

The queen appeared to glide and stand in front of everyone, avision in an emerald green gown that contrasted beautifully with her pale skin and matched the awe-inspiring tiara nestled within her snow-white curls.

Wow. They were a gorgeous group of people. Gazing up at them, they looked like what one would imagine a royal family, of a majority-white nation, would look like. And in that moment, Jameson had never seemed so far away from her.

“Duchess. Mr. Cooper. Are you ready to meet the queen?” Louisa asked, appearing at her side in a simple black gown that looked gorgeous against her red hair.

“Now?” Dani asked, surprised.

“Yes. The queen asked for an introduction to the performers and those speaking during the events. The rest of the guests will head into the State Dining Room and take their seats. But you all”—at this she motioned to the other musicians—“should follow me.”

Liam offered Dani his arm, and she took it, trailing Louisa and the others as they crossed the hall toward the double doors at the end of the room. They’d been opened to showcase a long table exquisitely set for dinner, surrounded by several smaller round tables that were equally beautifully dressed.

A majority of the guests had been seated at their tables and the royal family had been positioned between the two rooms. She and Liam joined a line of people waiting to meet their hosts.

“My first royal meet and greet,” Liam whispered, referring to paid VIP preconcert opportunities for fans to take photos and chat with the artists.

“How much you think the queen charges for a selfie?” she asked, laughing.

She looked up and caught Jameson’s gaze on her. She bit herlower lip and smiled but his jaw tightened, and he looked away, refocusing his attention on the person in front of him.

Ouch.

When she reached the beginning of the receiving line, a white-gloved hand halted her progress. Only when Kay was several royals ahead of her did the hand disappear and she was allowed to proceed.

She executed a curtsy to Princess Bettina, who stared down her nose at her before murmuring, “How do you do?”

The princess had barely uttered the last word before her gaze shifted to Liam. Then her eyes lit up and her lips curled in feminine interest.

Even princesses weren’t immune to Liam’s charm.

Next Dani met Princess Catherine, who, though polite, eyed her curiously.

Prince Julian, the one who’d been announced as the Prince of Wales, stared at her as if each time he blinked, he could see through another layer of her clothes. He held out his hand and when she took it, he pulled her close. The moment caught her off guard. As did his comment.

“You look like a delicious chocolate treat wrapped in gold. Do I get the chance to unwrap you and see if you taste just as sweet?”

Holy fuck.

Her eyes widened, trying and failing to contain her shock and disgust at his come-on. It wasn’t the first time a man had made such comments to her. It wasn’t even the most vulgar. It was the most unexpected, though. Because she hadn’t thought it would happen here.

Aware that she’d caused a slight holdup, she forced a smile and pulled her hand out of his grasp. “I don’t think so, Your Royal Highness. Some chocolate can be too rich even for you.”