Despite the fact that it was chilly outside, Rory tugged Cordray out the back exit, so they could speak privately. “Prince Henry is my oldest friend. You know that.”
“I don’t have any oldest friends who I talk to like that.”
“Well, you can speak to Henry in the same way. He’ll love it.” She sighed. “Henry and I would never have worked. He’s wonderful, but he’s got a wandering eye, and can’t commit to a dinner order, much less a woman. Trust me, this is how it was supposed to be. He’s going to be the king someday, and I’ll be the Chancellor. It’s good that we work well together and have a silly friendship.”
She shivered, and Cordray glanced around the empty alley behind the building before wrapping his arms around her. “Say more things that make me forget how sexy and teasing you sounded on the phone to him.”
“Henry, Adam and I didn’t have many friends who understood the expectations that were put on us from birth, so the three of us clung to each other. But nothing romantic ever came of it.”
“Maybe I’ll feel better once the three of us hang out.”
Given Henry’s handsome face and flirty nature, Rory very much doubted that.
Cordray took a chance and kissed her, shivering as the light fluffs of snow began to fall around them. Fall had given way to the beginnings of winter, making everything seem quieter, as if nature herself was growing more contemplative. “Where can I take you for lunch? I was hoping to steal you away to our favorite secret spot.” They hadn’t been outed by the press yet, and Rory was grateful for the time they had that was uninterrupted by the demands of the people.
“You want to steal me?” She lifted up onto her toes and pecked his lips. “But I’m already yours.”
“I want to steal you and keep you.” He kissed her several more times, warming them in the midst of the chilly gusts coming in from the left end the alley. “Mine,” he whispered between kisses, his palms moving along the gentle curve of her back.
“Yours,” she cooed, letting herself get weak in the knees for him. They felt scandalous, indulging when any number of her employees could pop out back for a smoking break and uncover their relationship. “We’re always around other people,” she complained, and then snatched his lower lip between hers, drawing it out just to make him moan for her. “I’ve been loving this time that’s just ours.”
“Tonight it’ll be just you and me.” His hand gravitated to her hip, running down the slope of it so he could grip her thigh possessively.
“And Benjamin,” she reminded him as the kiss came to a crest.
“Right.” Cordray pressed his forehead to hers. Words of permanence sizzled on the tip of his tongue, but he bit them back, not wanting to admit them to her at the office. “Tell me again your curse will be easily defeated.”
“As fast as you can kiss me, I’ll be back in your arms.”
His soft reply had the hint of pride to it at having captured her heart so thoroughly. “Right where you belong.”
“After I wake up, my parents are taking us on a fun weekend of skiing. Then there’s the big celebration when we get back, where you’ll meet everyone.”
“Meet everyone as what?”
Rory frowned, confused. “As yourself, of course.”
“As your boyfriend?”
Rory’s mouth drew to the side, anticipation lighting her face with joy. “I think we can go public at my birthday party, if you’re up for it.”
Cord beamed as he kissed her, triumphant at the label he’d been trying not to push. “We could go public now, you know. Walk in there with your skirt all askew and my shirt unbuttoned, holding hands for everyone to see. They wouldn’t gossip about you and Henry anymore, that’s for sure.”
“After my birthday,” she insisted with a snigger. She couldn’t resist kissing him again. Most of their time together was spent with Remus or Benjamin as a third wheel, which put a serious damper on any kind of romance.
They walked back inside, their hands parting for the sake of keeping things quiet. They were shivering, but content that they’d taken a moment for themselves. Cordray put his hand on the small of her back as they neared her office, and she shot him a look that said she knew he was trying to subtly plant their relationship in the minds of their coworkers.
He returned her squint with an innocent shrug. “What?”
“You know what you’re doing,” she said out of the corner of her mouth. “I’ll see you in there in a minute. I have to check something with my graphic artist. Then we can go, I promise.”
“Take your time.” Cordray moved into her office and sat back down without a hint of frustration at having to wait.
Rory stood beside her employee’s desk, ignoring the looks of pity, and the occasional moisture in her eyes that this would be her last day at work before the dreaded curse was to take place. Everyone had been on best behavior today, bringing in flowers and treats to their beloved boss on what was assumed to be her last day of wakeful life.
Rory ignored the sadness and looked over the sketches. “This one,” she said with a firm nod. “Can I see the options for the benefit next month?”
“Of course, Lady Aurora.”
Rory kept her mind on her tasks, but stiffened when she heard a voice she’d know anywhere shouting her name.
“Rory, my love! Happy early birthday!”
Rory paled when none other than Prince Henry himself rounded the corner. He knew how to behave like the royal he was, but every now and then the pressure to perform perfectly for the public grew too excruciating, so he let his true personality fly high. “Henry? What are you doing here?” she asked quietly through terse lips. She loathed being the center of attention in a crowd, and Henry knew just how to make her squirm. Everyone had turned in their chairs, some rising while others knelt in respect to the throne.
All eyes drew to the six-foot-two handsome blond prince with the rakish grin. His voice was loud, which was nothing unusual. But untethered like this, he seemed louder, his hand gestures bigger, and his smile even more dashing. He clutched a bouquet of a dozen red roses in his fist, and his matching designer scarf wafted out behind him as he beelined for his mark.
Remus heard the commotion and opened his office door that was beside Rory’s, smirking at the man he’d known since birth.
“Remus, old friend!”
Remus expected Henry to throw his arms around him, as he always did, but Henry was especially rascally, since he was prowling the area with only his personal guard, who stood stoically at the entrance like a gargoyle. Instead of a hug, Henry yanked Remus by the tie and laid a quick peck to his lips, laughing at the shock on Remus’ face when he released the man.
A few nearby workers squeaked at the scene of their elusive in-control vice president looking so very ruffled. A few clapped at the show, and the buzz picked up as the eyes that were always hungry for gossip zeroed in on the newcomer. A few phones found their way out of pockets and purses, snapping shots of the prince invading their workspace for the sheer purpose of pleasure.
Remus wiped off his mouth, red-faced and looking as if he’d eaten something sour. “Henry, you can’t just come in here and…”
“And sweep my future bride off her feet? Darling!” Henry threw his arms wide, grinning at the chaos he was creating. His life was so controlled back in the palace. To let himself loose breathed new life into his naturally playful disposition.
Cordray was a statue as Rory turned red, stammering for Henry to knock it off. “Henry, you know that’s not…”
But Rory never finished her sentence. Henry smacked the roses down on her assistant’s desk, climbed overtop of it in true dramatic fashion, and leaped onto her side of the divide. He scooped Rory’s face in his palms and laid a kiss on her so grand, that every woman in the office swooned. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling back so his voice could carry as if he was addressing the entire office, who were gathering around to gawk with delight. “Today! Today, my love. I cannot wait another moment for our wedding. Let’s elope, and then spend your birthday making lots of babies. I know the exact angle I’ll need to use to make us a boy. That silly curse won’t last a minute if I’m around to vanquish it!”
Rory was positively crimson, and wished to run away. Of course, Henry knew this about her, so he held her tighter, smiling at her squirm. “Henry, you’re being ridiculous.” Then she lowered her voice to a whisper. “You know I’m seeing someone.”
Henry kissed her again, and then tipped his head back with a mournful cry. “Cut me to the quick, woman! Who? Who shall I joust to win back your favor?”
“Let go of her,” came a low growl to Rory’s left. Cordray’s fists were clenched at his sides, the only angry person in the sea of enthralled gawkers. “I won’t ask you a second time.”
“You! And what claim do you have on my love’s heart?” Then his eyebrows pulled together. “Hey, I know you.” Henry released Rory, who stepped back and tried to appeal to Cord.
“I’m her boyfriend!” Cordray roared, his temper finally hitting its breaking point. His fist flew without warning, without hesitation, and without apology, cracking across Henry’s square jaw.
The prince let out a bleat of pain, and then cried out with hysterical laughter. “That was incredible! What a swing! And the joust begins!”
Henry’s guard wasn’t so forgiving. In the next second, Cordray found himself with his torso lying flat across Francesca’s desk, the agenda for the day smashed to his cheek as the formidable Victor held him down.
Remus ran to the desk, swearing as he explained in hushed tones to Henry’s guard that Cordray was no threat to the throne. Benjamin burst through the front door, adding to the torrents of gasps and freshly-milled gossip when he assessed the situation as quickly as he could, and swept Rory off her feet in true bodyguard fashion. He ran her out the backdoor, despite her protests that it was all a big misunderstanding.