The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(51)

I look at the screen of the blank television and see his eyes boring into me when he told the world there is no one special. And I ask myself again, was he talking to me? And what the bloody hell did it mean? I groan to myself, dropping my head back. I’m obsessing. I’m jealous—jealous of every woman who has come before me. Every woman on his arm in the endless press shots. Every woman he’s worked with. None of those women would have to skulk around. Hide. But, then again, I doubt they have to worry about any of that, anyway, if Josh gets bored easily. Is he bored of me? Already?

Olive wanders in with a tray, and I sit up, catching sight of a plate covered by a metal dome. “Thank you, Olive, but I told Dolly we didn’t want supper,” I say as she rests the tray on the table in front of the couch.

“Dolly didn’t prepare it, ma’am.”

“Then who did?”

“It wasn’t prepared. It was delivered.”

“What?” I look up at Olive. Delivered to Kellington Palace?

“Security checked the package, ma’am. They weren’t going to let it through, but Damon cleared it before he left.” She wanders off. “I’ll be back to collect the plates shortly, and then I’ll be off for the evening.”

“What is it?” Matilda asks, just as my phone rings.

“I don’t know.” I answer my phone, reaching for the handle of the dome covering my plate. “Hello?”

“Evening.” His rough voice sends bolts of pleasure straight to my nerves. The dome clangs back down to the plate.

“Evening.” I sit back, my mystery delivery forgotten. Matilda smacks my hand, and I look at her, nodding, telling her that yes, it is who she thinks it is. Her expression is between excitement and dread. A little bit like how I am feeling. “How are you?”

He laughs under his breath, smooth like the best whisky, full and bodied. “I’ve just been grilled on live TV. I’m fine now I have a drink in my hand.”

I don’t say a thing. He’ll know I’ve been watching. “Sounds lovely.”

“Ever eaten a burger?”

“I’m sorry?”

“A burger. Ever eaten one?”

“Why would you call me to ask that?”

“I bet you eat à la carte every evening, don’t you? No bad cheeseburgers for the princess.”

I bristle. “Of course I’ve eaten a burger.”

“You’ve not eaten a burger until you’ve eaten my favorite dirty cheeseburger. Hope you’re hungry.”

I shoot forward and pull the lid off the plate, finding a huge, dripping cheeseburger speared by a skewer dressed in pickles. There’s an American flag on top.

“Oh wow, that looks scrummy.” Matilda dives forward and snags a few chips.

“You sent me your favorite burger?” I ask mindlessly to the plate. I can’t believe it.

“Are you shaking at the sight of it?” Josh asks. “I mean, all that badness on one plate.”

I realize he’s talking about a cheeseburger, but there is an erotic edge to everything he’s saying to me, and it’s making me hot and bothered. “I don’t think I’ve had a cheeseburger this bad before.” I get up and walk away from Matilda, letting her pick at the chips.

“Every girl needs something bad for them now and then, Your Highness.”

“Are you telling me you are bad for me?” I cut straight to the chase, though I know the answer. Of course he’s bad for me. He’s not royal, for a start.

“I think we’re bad for each other.”

“I think you’re right. So why send me the burger? What is it, the last supper or something?

“I really enjoyed yesterday.” He goes off course completely, and I close my eyes, sensing this is his way of saying goodbye. The message through the camera was meant for me. I’m no one special. He’s bored. The burger is a peace offering. Now he’s telling me he enjoyed yesterday, and I just know there is a “but” on the way. Really, though, he’s doing us both a favor. I can’t blame him, because sex is sex, and he can snap his fingers and have any woman he chooses without the tiresome task of sneaking around and risk facing the wrath of the British Monarchy. How can I not understand that? At least he has the decency to call me and explain. But I’ll save him the trouble.

“It was good while it lasted,” I say, cutting the call before Josh can spill the words I do not want to hear, no matter how much I tell myself it is for the best. It should end before I can get too attached. And I need to be the one to end it, because that way I am in control. Why my heart feels like it’s sinking is a mystery. It’s also bloody annoying. But, and I hate to admit it, he is right. We are bad for each other. This is for the best, letting go before there’s anything really to hold on to. Done. Dusted. “Damn it,” I yell, throwing my phone onto one of the couches.

“Not falling for him?” Matilda asks casually, shoving a chip into her stupid mouth.

I close my eyes and work hard on bringing myself back down to earth after my short time floating on clouds.

You’re a princess first, Adeline. A woman second.

Heart be damned.





I DIDN’T EAT THE BURGER; my stomach wouldn’t tolerate it, not because my royal tummy is not accustomed to such food choices, but because I felt physically sick. Matilda, however, scoffed it down in a few greedy bites and assured me that it really was the most delicious burger she’d ever eaten, if a little cold after going through security checks. Not that she has tried many burgers, either.