Page 85 of Royal Trouble
He grinned. “I think you mean don’twehave a wedding to get to?” He took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles. “It’s about time the entire world knows just how much I love you.”
Epilogue
18 Months Later
Everly smiled broadly, doing her best to not sweat like a pig under the bright stage lights. Why did they have to be so freaking hot anyway? She had no idea how the show hosts could sit under the sweltering lights, wearing full suits, without turning into shinier, stickier versions of themselves. The makeup artist had already touched up her face powder twice and they’d only gotten through introductions before going to commercial break.
“Last one, love,” Xander whispered, giving her an encouraging smile that suggested he knew exactly what she was thinking.
Right. Only one more interview and she could retreat into her writing cave where she wouldn’t have to do any peopling for months. Not that she didn’t appreciate the attention her book was getting, but she was an introvert at her core, and she needed the down time to recover from all the public appearances.
She also needed some quiet time with her man. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind, and she wanted nothing more than to curl up on the couch with him for some much-needed alone time.
Xander gave her knee a gentle squeeze, and then the producer was calling for quiet on the set again. Everly sat up straighter and pushed her smile wider. She knew as well as anyone that one false move in front of the camera could bring all their hard work crashing down, and she wasn’t about to be the cause of it.
Not when they were in the home stretch.
“And we’re back,” the bubbly host said, addressing the studio audience, which also happened to mean she was looking directly at the camera. “This morning we’re chatting with Everly Wilson, the bestselling author ofRoyals Gone Wild, and His Royal Highness Prince Alexander, Duke of Montrose, who despite all odds seem to have found the kind of fairytale romance we thought only existed in storybooks.”
The host turned to them and crossed her legs, smile unwavering. “Thank you so much for joining us in the studio today. I know you’re both super busy, so we’ll just get right to it, shall we?”
She and Xander laughed genially. This was all part of the routine.
“Everly, your debut,Royals Gone Wildhas topped theNew York TimesandUSA Todaybestseller lists three weeks in a row. How does that feel?”
Not as great as people imagined. Writing the book had forced her to do a lot of soul searching and to come to terms with the terrible things she’d written, as well as her own unresolved feelings toward her father. It hadn’t been easy, but she’d done the work, and she was better for it. Having Xander at her side every step of the way had helped, too. In the year and a half since the royal wedding, their relationship had only grown stronger, and she’d moved into Primrose Cottage with him, something she could never have imagined herself doing growing up.
So, yeah. Writing the book had forced her to take a hard look at her life and the changes she’d committed to making. It was one of the topics she spoke about frequently on the tour. She wanted everyone—especially impressionable teens—to know that it was never too late to change your circumstances or yourself.
If she and Xander could do it, anyone could.
“SeeingRoyals Gone Wildon the bestseller lists is incredibly humbling,” she said. “I’m so grateful to everyone who’s read the book, and I wish I could personally thank each and every person who’s picked up a copy, but since that’s not possible,” she said, turning to face the camera, “I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. All proceeds from the sale ofRoyals Gone Wildwill be donated to charities focused on supporting children’s mental health and putting an end to bullying. Given our personal experiences, it’s something Xander and I feel very passionately about.”
“Speaking of things you’re passionate about,” the host said, “how does it feel to be voted Valeria’s favorite royal couple in the latest Griffin poll?”
Seriously? With all the things she could have asked—about their relationship, the contents of the book, or even Xander’s past exploits—this was how she wanted to use her airtime? Everly glanced at the studio audience, and sure enough, they were on the edge of their collective seats, waiting for a reply.
Okay then. The woman knew her audience, and this was what they wanted.
“It’s very flattering to be named Valeria’s favorite royal couple, of course,” she said, “but it’s really not a competition. Prince Alexander and I are very close with—”
“It feels bloody great,” Xander cut in, puffing out his chest and proving that yes, indeed, the royal bad boy hadn’t been entirely reformed.
…
“That was fun,” Xander said as the limo pulled away from the curb at Rockefeller Center. The last leg of the tour had gone well, but he was relieved it was over. After a lifetime spent dodging the media, the whirlwind tour had been tiresome. But necessary. The positive press would not only bolster Everly’s book sales, but bring in additional donations for the Blue and Gold Foundation and other charities they were supporting, which they’d agreed at the outset was more important than their desire for privacy.
Everly turned to him and gasped, her delicate brows arching in surprise. “Who are you and what have you done with Prince Alexander?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, love.”
“I’m starting to think those media coaches brainwashed you,” she said, the corners of her lips twitching, “because the man I fell in love with has a very different definition of a good time.”
“Is that right?” he challenged, cock thickening at her suggestive tone. “Why don’t you come on over here and I’ll show you a good time?”
Everly laughed as he pulled her onto his lap in one swift motion. She hiked up her skirt so she could straddle him properly and lowered herself onto his cock. Christ. He’d never get enough of this as long as he lived. He was like a bloody addict craving his next hit.
“That’s my Evie,” he said, caressing her bare thighs and giving silent thanks for the privacy screen that separated them from the driver. With traffic, it would take them nearly an hour to reach JFK, more than enough time for what he had in mind. Everly shivered at his touch, and satisfaction surged through him at the knowledge that even after all this time they still had scorching chemistry. “So fucking sexy.”