Page 49 of Royal Trouble
“Nice try, Miss Winston, but it’s not the direction we’re going.”
Fuck. If the man had an ounce of Xander’s honor and integrity, this would be a completely different conversation. But the media thrived on tearing people down, not building them up.
Still, she couldn’t give up. “With all due respect, sir, I think you’ll look back on this conversation in a few months and realize you made a critical error in judgment. From what I’ve seen, this is just the first of many positive changes for Prince Alexander. I’d bet my reputation he’ll be as beloved as his brother once the world sees the size of his heart.”
“Yes, well, it’s not the size of his heart they’re currently gossiping about, is it?”
No thanks to ruthless writers like Larson and herself. “Well, no, but—”
“Good day, Miss Winston.”
The line went dead.
The prick had hung up on her.
Frustration welled up from the pit of her stomach, and she screamed at the phone, “It’s Wilson! EverlyWilson! It’s on the byline of that story you just dumped, for fuck’s sake, learn to read!” as if he could still hear her from across the world. Maybe if she yelled loud enough, he would.
It wasn’t her finest moment, but it was better than throwing things, if just barely.
Larson was a fool for passing on the story. Xander had changed, and after years of abuse at the hands of the media, the world was finally going to see the man behind the salacious headlines. Would finally see the loyal, kind, determined man she’d gotten to know these last few weeks. And sure, he had a mischievous streak, and he was arrogant as hell, but it was part of his charm.
The Valerian spare was like a naughty boy scout—impossible to resist.
She wiped the steam from the bathroom mirror and glared at her reflection. What was she going to do now? If she missed a payment, the bill collectors would start harassing her mother. She’d worried it might come to this, but only in the dramatic way one worried a serial killer might jump out from behind the shower curtain. She hadn’t given it serious thought because she’d been sure she’d land the job atOn Point.
The front buzzer rang, and she froze.
Fuck all.
She wasn’t expecting anyone. Had one of the neighbors come to complain about the screaming? Probably, based on the way her day was going so far.
Just my luck. I’ll get evicted from the apartment where I’m crashing rent free.
Everly heaved a sigh and padded to the front door, leaving a trail of wet footprints. She yanked the door open without looking, because the way she was feeling? She could handle whoever or whatever was waiting on the other side of the door.
Except the sexy, arrogant royal who leaned against the doorjamb.
Xander gave her a slow once over, desire flaring in his eyes as they traveled over her bare legs. He didn’t look too bad himself, with windswept hair and the top few buttons of his shirt open to reveal a smattering of fine blond hairs. He looked like a fantasy come to life, and it definitely wasn’t the prince’s big heart that occupied her mind.
Heat pooled low in her belly, and she squeezed her thighs together.
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
What was wrong with her? Why had she thought it was a good idea to answer the door wearing only a towel? Who did that, anyway? Her mother would be appalled at her lack of decorum.
In front of royalty, no less.
She gathered the tiny bit of terrycloth more tightly around her body and pulled herself up to her full height. “What are you doing here? It’s not a good time.”
Understatement of the century. She needed to be alone so she could feel sorry for herself and attempt to strategize her next move. Shit was getting real.
And not in the fun way.
“Sorry.” His lips quirked, and she just knew he was going to give her that irritating smirk before he even did it. “Everything okay?”
She peeked over his shoulder to where his protection officers stood scanning the street.