Page 20 of Royal Trouble
Xander smirked and stepped forward, dart in hand. She watched him carefully. If his aim was half as good as his form, this might be tougher than she’d expected.
He threw the dart, and she watched with bated breath as it sailed toward the board, striking just north of the bullseye. Twenty points.
She grinned up at him and gestured to the now-full glasses. “Drink up, loser.”
Xander shook his head, but he took the shot and refilled his glass without complaint.
It went on like that for a few rounds, Everly closing out one number after another while Xander threw back one shot after another. The other patrons paid them little attention, seeming to respect the privacy of the prince in their midst. They talked about everything and nothing, and before she knew it, she was telling him about her life in New York, her time at Colombia, and even the novel she’d written. For a royal, he was surprisingly easy to talk to. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun on a da—nope. Not a date. A fact-finding mission.
Yep. Just a little investigative journalism with the royal spare.
“I’m beginning to think you played me.” He concentrated just a bit too hard on refilling his glass. “In fact, if I didn’t know better,” he said, turning to her with a wide smile and glassy eyes, “I’d think you’re trying to get me drunk and take advantage of the situation.”
Everly threw her head back and laughed. Oh, she wanted to take advantage of him, all right, in more ways than one.
…
“Don’t look at me like that,” Xander said, wagging his finger at Everly. They crossed the gravel parking lot slow and steady, just like the tortoise in that old fable. He could’ve gone faster, but what would be the fun in that? He was enjoying Everly’s company and the warm press of her body next to his. “This wasyouridea.”
She rolled her eyes, but he could see the hint of a smile curving her lips. If she’d just let it out, it would be bloody beautiful; he was sure of it.
“How was I supposed to know the bad boy of the royal family was such a lightweight?” she grumbled, tightening her arm around his waist.
He chuckled. “Remember this the next time you decide to hustle some poor unsuspecting arse.” Everly gave an inelegant snort, which he ignored. “Besides, you didn’t really think I could drink a bottle of vodka and remain sober, did you? Even I’m not that much of a deviant. You will recall I’ve been on the straight and narrow for like…I don’t know, thirty-four days or so?”
“Your idea of the straight and narrow is somewhat questionable.”
The lady had a point.
She stopped short of his red Audi coupe, staring at it in horror. He knew that look. It was the same one his mother wore every time she saw the car.
“I can’t drive that.”
“Bollocks.” He pulled the keys from his pocket and handed them to her. “It’s an automatic.”
“That’s not what I—” She paused, straightening. “Wait. Where are your bodyguards?” She glanced around hopefully. “Shouldn’t they be here to drive you and your obscenely expensive toy home?”
Probably, but he’d never been great at following royal protocol.
“Gave them the evening off.” More like gave them the slip, but she didn’t need to know that.
“Why?” she asked, voice rising. “Why would you do that? You barely know me. What if I planned to tie you up and hold you for ransom?”
He waggled his brows. “I’d say I appreciate a woman who enjoys a little kink in the bedroom.”
She planted a hand on her hip, the keys jangling in her grip. “I’m serious.”
“So am I, but you should know Their Majesties wouldn’t pay.” He looked around and stage whispered, “In fact, they’d probably pay you to take me off their hands.”
And he wouldn’t mind one bit.
Everly huffed out a breath and glanced skyward, muttering something that sounded like, “Fucking karma.”
Xander grinned. Served her right for hustling him. He wasn’t all that drunk, but he couldn’t get behind the wheel, which meant she would be driving him back to the palace. He’d have one of the guards run her back to pick up her vehicle after.
Unless of course she wanted to stay the night; then he’d have her car brought to his place.
He stole a sideways glance at her. The likelihood of a sleepover was looking pretty slim. If anything, she looked like she might vomit at the prospect of driving his baby.