Chapter Thirteen

Sexy Sabotage

Notification: New calendar appointment.

Rose glared at her cell phone. “I know what you’re doing,” she said to the matchmaker who couldn’t hear her.

That kiss had been earth-shattering. Everything she’d envisioned and more. And now, Lorena followed it up by scheduling a bunch of new dates? It hurt, more than it ought to. She has to know this type of connection doesn’t come around every day.

That kiss… Rose heated up at the memory. Lorena was so sexy; Rose couldn’t wait to get her hands on her again. Lorena wanted to act like it wouldn’t happen again, but really, what were the odds? People who fit like that didn’t go their separate ways.

The real problem, though? Rose was in serious danger of falling in love with Lorena.

Rose had no time for love. She’d barely gotten accustomed to being the crown princess and all the responsibilities that came along with that. She had to get married and rule a country, for God’s sake. How had Callum left her to all this? Lorena was the only one who both acknowledged how overwhelming it felt and believed she could actually do it. Most people only saw the persona. Rose’s own mother thought she was a waste of space. But Lorena…Lorena believed in her.

And Lorena was so wonderful. Dedicated, focused, and gorgeous as a bonus. To have her good opinion—whether or not she deserved it—felt precious.

So Rose was about to smash that good opinion to tiny bits to make a point.

But first, she had to give Lorena a chance for takebacks.

ROSE: Call off the dates.

LORENA: No. They’re all appropriate matches for you.

Rose checked the calendar appointment details and found the names of each potential partner listed there, as well as the time, date, location, and recommended dress code. Lorena was nothing if not thorough. But Rose recognized the first of these names, and she was not interested.

ROSE: I’ve met Lord Lochlan, and I scare him.

LORENA: Don’t be dramatic. He’s conservative, but he’s not a bad person. You need to give these people a chance.

ROSE: I’d really like to give YOU a chance, but you’re making it really difficult.

LORENA: How many times do I have to tell you it’s inappropriate for me to fool around with a client?

ROSE: Inappropriate but fuuuuun 😉

LORENA: It’s not happening again.

ROSE: Fine. But you should know, what happens next is on you.

The next date was with Lord Lochlan, earl of Dunwiddie, who was her mum’s idea of a perfect role model. Perfectly proper, suits always on point, a smidge religious, with a pedigree almost as long as her own. He was pleasant enough—bordered on nice, even—but Rose had something with Lorena, and she’d be damned if she didn’t see it through. Sorry, Lochlan. You never stood a chance.

Rose had met him once before in mild Rowdy Rosamund form, and he’d seemed scared of her. Now…now it was time to terrify the poor man.

The next evening, she pulled on her sexiest dress, a tiny black strapless thing with a deep vee that would send the Pope into cardiac arrest. Once dressed, she applied the makeup heavy and sultry. Thick eyeliner with long, dramatic wings. Dark, sparkly eyeshadow. Her most vibrant red lipstick. With any luck, he’d piss himself before starters, and she’d never hear from him again.

A knock on the door.

Rose pulled on her stilettos. “Come in!”

The door cracked open, and Lorena stepped through. “Are we preparing for—oh, sweet baby Jesus.” She stopped short, staring at Rose’s getup. “Why?”

Rose lifted her chin. “You wouldn’t cancel the date. I had to take care of it myself.”

“This is not giving him a chance. This is—”

“Giving him the opportunity to see past the exterior to the real woman within?” Rose suggested sweetly.

Lorena scowled. “You’re going to get me in trouble.”

That, Rose wouldn’t stand for. She would never endanger Lorena. “No, I’m not. You have nothing to do with my fashion choices.”

“Change!” Lorena demanded. “He’s not mentally prepared for this. No one would be.” Her gaze skittered over Rose, and her cheeks flushed.

Rose grinned. “Like what you see? Say the woooord…”

Lorena held up her index finger. “No.”

“Fine. Off on a date with someone who’s not you. Enjoy your night.”

“You can’t go out like that!”

“Watch me.” Rose snatched up her purse and blew out of the room.

The door bounced back open, and Lorena followed her. “Rose.” She caught her by the elbow and tugged.

Rose pivoted on one stiletto heel.

Lorena lowered her voice. “Rose, I can’t have another bad date. Please.”

Guilt pricked at Rose, but she didn’t back down. She couldn’t. Gently, she detached Lorena’s hand from her arm. “You wanted me to go on this date. I’m going on my terms.”

“This isn’t you.”

Rose screwed up a wry smile. “The world thinks it is. What’s the difference?”

With sadness in her eyes, Lorena reached out again.

Rose pulled back. “See you later. I’ll tell you all about it at our follow-up interview.”

Angus drove her to the restaurant, and she waved to a few fans on her way in but didn’t stop to take pictures or sign arms. Being late was a cardinal sin for royalty, as her mother had told her time and time again. When she entered the private room reserved for their meal, Lord Lochlan froze halfway through his bow. A choked noise cut off whatever greeting he’d been attempting.

Rose beamed and perched in her chair at the table. “Lord Lochlan. Pleasure to see you again.”

Belatedly he sat too. “I—erm, you—” He swayed.

She blinked innocently.

He gave up and gestured to the menu. “Have you been here before?”

“Aye. Their glazed pears are to die for.” She “accidentally” brushed his hand as she picked up her menu, and he jerked back. Perfect. “Once, I went to this party in America, and they tried to glaze pears like we do here, but they were bad. I had to get suuuuuper drunk to eat them.”

He shifted in his seat.

Ah, he didn’t like stories about getting drunk? Tossing her hair, she racked her brain for another one. “This one time after a party, I was so wasted I walked up to the Burger Brothers drive-through and ordered five large fries. And I ate them all. The munchies are real.”

He coughed out a polite laugh, but that was all it was. Polite.

Which meant her tactics were working. She charged on. “Another time when I was out in the night scene on the Isle of Tema, my date got me to match him shot for shot. He threw up before I did.” She held up her hand for a high five.

Wrinkling his nose, Lochlan tentatively high-fived her.

“I…did throw up in the bushes afterward though.”

Throughout dinner, she regaled him with stories about partying and drinking, and he visibly struggled to connect with this side of her, the only side she let him glimpse.

At the end, he paid the check, stood, and bowed. “Thank you for the evening. We should…do this again sometime.” He looked like the very possibility would torture him tonight.

Sweet victory.

She beamed. “Absolutely! I had a great time.”

After she returned to the palace, she changed into a tee and jeans, went out to the orchard, and climbed her favorite tree. Straddling a branch, she leaned against the trunk and kicked her feet, closing her eyes to enjoy the evening sounds of cricket songs and rustling leaves. Finally, peace.

Tonight had been a shitshow. She knew that.

Lochlan hadn’t deserved to be hit over the head with Rowdy Rosamund. It wasn’t his fault he’d interrupted a game he didn’t know she was playing. But Rose was playing, and she was playing to win.

The palace door creaked, and someone stepped lightly through the grass. “I thought I might find you out here.” Lorena. The only voice Rose would respond to.

Rose opened her eyes.

Lorena stood at the base of the tree, looking somberly up at Rose.

Why would she come out here if not to ask about the date? Rose let her head fall back until it connected with the bark. “You don’t want to know.”

Lorena took a deep breath in, then slowly let it out. “I won’t ask why you sabotaged your own date. But I hope you know I’m disappointed.”

Ouch. Those quiet words hurt more than her mum’s lectures. “I warned you I didn’t want to see anyone else,” Rose said, a pitiful defense.

Lorena held up one hand. “Don’t. You know what you did was unfair, to me and to Lord Lochlan. And to yourself.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I barely even recognized you.”

A lump rose in Rose’s throat. It had felt so bad to play the persona again after weeks of getting to be herself. Quietly, she asked, “Will you come up here?” She wanted nothing more at this moment than to be pressed close to Lorena, to feel her warmth, to be embraced by the scent of vanilla and sugar.

But Lorena shook her head.

Fear clenched inside Rose. How badly did I screw up? “Please?”

A faint smile curved Lorena’s lips. “Calm down. It’s not because I’m mad at you.”

Thank God. Rose sank back in relief.

“I’m…” Lorena shifted her weight self-consciously. “I’m afraid of heights.”

Och, precious. Rose pressed a hand to her heart. “It’s okay. I’ll help you up. C’mon.” She extended that hand.

Lorena stepped away, shaking her head again. “No, I’m…I don’t climb trees.”

“What’s the harm?”

Lorena hesitated.

Was she truly worried? Rose gentled. “You can tell me. You can trust me.” Trust me.

“I…fell out of a tree when I was little. Broke my arm.” Lorena crossed her arms defensively.

“So did I!” Rose turned her arm over. “Any scars? I’ve a long one right here.” She pointed.

Lorena didn’t look. “No.”

It was only a broken bone. Why was she so clammed up? Rose tried to read her, but no luck. “So what happened?”

Lorena stiffened. “I told you. I broke my arm.”

“Well, aye, but—”

“That’s what happened. Anyway, enough about me. Please, I’m begging you, don’t sabotage your other dates. My career can’t take it.” She pushed off the tree and headed inside. “Have a good night,” she called over her shoulder without stopping.

Why did Rose feel dismissed?