by C R Riley
I must stare at it too long, because Larkin seems to misunderstand what I am considering. She gathers them all up in one big swish and shoves them back inside the folder. Shifting her weight, she tries to escape off the opposite side of her stool.
“Hold up there. Give those back so I can look at them again.” I seize her by the elbow. “Those are not doodles. That is hours of work, very good work.”
“They are doodles. I only started them once I got assigned the property a little over a week ago.” She won’t turn to look at me. “I just drew whatever popped in my mind. You weren’t meant to see them all. I doodle like that when I need a release. You shouldn’t read anything into it.”
No way am I letting her get away with that. I get that she may not be ready exactly to discuss in detail what is transpiring here between us yet. That she needs some time while we do this dating stuff first, really get to know each other. I get it, I do. However, that doesn’t mean I will not discuss details that are difficult for her right now, because this tells me exactly where her mind has been.
“Did you doodle the library before or after?” I reach for the folder and tug is gently from her hand.
“Does it matter?” Larkin’s irritation with me right now only makes me push harder.
“Answer me. Before or after?” I leave no room for her to think I will accept anything but the truth.
Shaking my hold off of her, she twists her body back around so she can stare at the sketch I have pulled out again. This time I watch her as she studies it. I can distinctly grasp her going over all the little details in her mind, picturing the space in that beautiful brain of hers.
“I started with the first-floor office first. Worked my way up. Left the third floor empty.” Okay so I don’t get a clear answer from her really.
“When did you add all that to the third floor? I love it by the way. I never could figure out what to do with the tower. This is perfect and I want you to build it exactly like you have it drawn out.”
I move closer and wrap my arm around her waist so I can lean in and whisper in her ear. “I want it all Larkin, including the studio you have designed for yourself. Visions of you sitting at one of those desks, doodling while I watch secretly from behind, are very vivid. I imagine sneaking up behind you because you are so focused you don’t hear me. Startling you when I kiss the crook of your neck. Hoping to coerce you back into bed with me, because it has gotten late and you seem to have forgotten all about me. Removing the pencil from your hand when you stop and then spinning you around in your chair so I can kiss your mouth. Lifting you in my arms, intending to carry you down the hall to our bedroom, but having to stop because I just can’t wait one second longer to take you. So instead I strip you of your clothing, take you first against the wall next to the easel, where a canvas stands drying. I don’t know what is painted on it, but whatever it is I know I will hang in our home so I can appreciate how talented you are. Your cries, mixed with my groans, echo off the walls, and I have never been more grateful that you soundproofed the library so that we don’t wake the entire house. So now tell me, when did you added all that to the third floor?”
“I um … okay … well … it sort of came to me …” A stuttering Larkin is a wonderful sight.
“Tell me.” I whisper in her ear. “Tell me mi lunaita.”
“Two days ago. I needed to clear my mind after a long meeting with Chandler. I sat down and began working on this again. It just sort of spilled out of me and at first, I didn’t really even stop to think about it. When I was done, I realized my mistake and almost threw it away.”
She takes a deep breath. “Soundproof? Probably not a bad suggestion since I imagine the acoustic in that space would most certainly travel down the long corridors. I think I can figure out a way to add that to the design. Of course, until I see the space with my own eyes, measure it, evaluate the structure, only then will I be able to determine if this is actually doable. We may have to tweak a few specifics in the final design you should understand.”
A low rumble builds in my chest as I listen to her do her best to try to avoid thinking about what I dared to reveal to her. I’m not one to usually discuss such matters so brazenly like that. It’s never really happened to me before honestly. I’m not really sure why I went there this time, but now that I have, it’s all I can picture when I look at her sketch. Probably the reason I spin her around and kiss the ever-living daylights out of her, until I hear a man clear his throat.
“Sorry to interrupt Your Majesty.” Isaac is standing just outside the kitchen in the foyer. “I believe you said we needed to leave by one. It’s ten till now Sir. We are ready whenever you are.”
“Thank you, Isaac.” I guess all good things eventually have to end right. “Shall we Miss Cross. I believe you have a meeting to get to.”
Larkin twirls around quickly and gathers her things. “One I am so not prepared for thanks to you.”
“You are well prepared for it I’m sure. Come on. Stressing about it will do you no good. What could possibly go wrong? It’s not like they will fire you.”
Larkin glares at me. “They could if they wanted to.”
“Firing the one person in their company that has worked her tail off for them these last several weeks would be bad business. Firing my girlfriend would be reckless and could make their jobs even harder.”
She pauses just before we get to the front door where Isaac and his team are waiting. “Your girlfriend?”
“My girlfriend.” I say with confidence.
A sly little smirk appears. “Very sure of yourself aren’t you Antonio. Think you can say all that stuff you did earlier and all of a sudden, I will decide to be your girlfriend. Don’t I get a say about if I want to be your girlfriend?”
“No.” I boldly convey and then shove her towards the door. “You Larkin Moon Cross are officially my girlfriend. We both know it’s what you want.”
Right before she gets in the car she spins around. “One condition.”
“You and your conditions.” I roll my eyes. “Please enlighten me Miss Cross. What is your condition?”
She gets up on her tiptoes and motions me to lean closer. “That you promise to do all that, exactly the way you described it earlier, once I construct your library.”
I growl and look around the area to see if we have been noticed yet. “Done. Although I have a condition of my own now as well.”
“Okay I’ll bite.” She giggles. “Please enlighten me Sir. What is your condition?”
“That when I ask you to marry me you say yes.”
She lowers herself stunned and shakes her head slowly. “What?”
“You heard me. I’m not asking yet Larkin. I said when I do that must be your response. Otherwise I can’t promise to fulfill your request.” I grab her chin. “Breathe love. We have time still before I go about doing such a thing. I have to plan it out of course, which means I will need to get to know you well enough to understand what you’d like. So, are we in agreement?”
“Yes.” She whispers. “To being your girlfriend.”
I kiss her lips softly as I mutter. “Glad you made that clear.”
Chapter 18
Antonio
It’s nearly seven, in the evening and I am about to call it a day. Not because I don’t have a ton of work left in my inbox begging for my attention. There is always something in that box marked urgent, I decided if it were actually urgent Alejandra would have brought it to my attention.
I grab my mail, leather bag and my phone. Like every other working man or woman out there does when they leave the office, I’m no different really.
Alejandra and Triana are discussing something at her desk. I can’t distinguish if it is personal or business. What I can identify is that they are in disagreement and neither seems aware I am even there.
“Lovers quarrel?” I joke as I step up to her desk.
Alejandra is sitting on the opposite edge facing his wife. “Tell him or I will.”
“Tell
me what?”
If a look could dismember a man the one Triana shoots her husband’s direction would have done just that. “Ale is just being his typical domineering self and thinks he knows better than I do. I’m fine, just a little tired that’s all.”
“Then go home and get some rest. I’m finished for the day.”
A shake of his head expresses he either doesn’t agree with his wife or he’s irritated with me. “She’s pregnant. Fourteen weeks. She’s not just tired. She’s exhausted. I barely get her home and fed before she’s off to bed. My suggestion, which I have been told is ludicrous, is to hire her an assistant who can stay late or come in early when needed. I told my dear wife that it would be good to train this person properly beforehand, since she will be taking the entire twenty-four weeks offered to her.”
“Twelve. I only get full salary if I take twelve. So, it will be only twelve my love. I’ve told you this, multiple times. You will only take the mandatory fourteen days because we both know how much the King counts on both of us. I told you I’d train someone, I talked to HR today and they assured me they have it taken care of. My replacement will be here next week. As far as the rest of what you have suggested is over the top and unnecessary, every pregnant woman out there gets tired.”
“And most of them don’t put in twelve to fourteen hours days.” He retorts. “Ten at the most is all I am asking for Triana.”
“I agree with Alejandra.”
“Of course, you do because you have a penis.” She barks out and then quickly apologizes. “Oh, Your Majesty, please forgive me. I tend to blurt things out like that lately. My usual filter seems to have dissolved with all the pregnancy hormones. I told Governor Colon off this morning when he demanded to know where you were and wanted to know why he was being rescheduled last minute.”
“Penis or not I still agree with him.” I inform her through a laugh. “And Aaron can piss off. Just last week he himself took a personal day, which is the reason he was on my docket today.”
“That is what I reminded him of, although he didn’t take my reminder so well. I see he joined Governors Hanson and Lyles this afternoon. Bet that was an interesting meeting.” My usual non-opinionated secretary gives me hers. “Those men all need to grow up and just do the jobs the people have elected them to do. Stop worrying about your private life. They just don’t like the fact you may actually find something they never will.
“All this marrying for something other than love is downright stupid. Why would anyone want to get married to someone they don’t love? I’ve always thought it quite depressing. No wonder they all wear a sour face and walk around like they have a stick up their backside. Marriage is hard enough as it is. You are allowing someone into your personal life to see all those faults you keep hidden from the rest of the world. I can’t imagine allowing someone in like that, let alone sleeping next to someone who I didn’t love and trust. When I go home, I want to relax and not have to worry about saying or doing something that will be used against me later.
“So, I commend you Sir for telling them to all shove it and rocking the boat a bit. Show them all that even a King can discover love and happiness if he is just willing to wait for it.”
My eyes encounter Alejandra’s and I notice something in his that makes me truly admire him. He doesn’t at all seem bother by her little rant. Instead he shrugs in a way that tells me he agrees with her. Then he turns to look at his wife and smiles, really truly smiles.
I’ve seen other men smile like that when they look at their wives or girlfriends. Of course, none of them are a part of my world, men in my world never truly smile.
I want that.
“Thank you Triana. So now about this other matter.” I make my voice stern but not too stern. “No more early mornings. You are not to get here before eight, no exceptions. Your day ends promptly at six. If by chance you can get out of here before great. But if I see you here after six, I won’t be happy about it. You will also take the full twenty-four weeks offered to you at full pay. And your husband will take those fourteen days like you so pointed out, and when he returns, he will shorten his hours. Kids are only little once so it is important that you both are around to enjoy them. I realize it will take us all time getting used to this, but there is no reason we cannot all get out of here most days before the sun goes down.”
My text tone sounds on my personal phone. Only a few people have that number, which means whomever it is has to be someone important to me. So, I pull it from my pocket and smile.
Larkin: So how do we do this exactly?
“I need to take this.” I tell them as I stand. “See you all in the morning.”
Antonio: Do what exactly?
Larkin: This. You. Me. Us.
Antonio: What are you really asking me?
Larkin: I’m heading home. Is it home when it’s a hotel room?
Larkin: I bought a car today. So, I was thinking of driving it over, but then there is the fact that you live in the Palace thing. I mean can I do that? Is that okay? Can I as your girlfriend just stop by?
Larkin: Never mind. Forget it.
Antonio: Larkin. Yes.
Larkin: Yes?
Antonio: Yes, to all three questions.
Larkin: So, I just give my name to the guards and they will just let me in.
Antonio: Yes.
Larkin: Okay then. So, have you eaten?
Antonio: No. Helena I’m sure has dinner waiting. There will be plenty.
Larkin: Oh. Yes Helena. I forgot about her. Is it okay if I come over? I mean I don’t want to intrude or break up your routine with Isabel.
Antonio: I want you here. I’ll be waiting.
Larkin: Okay. So, I’ll be there in twenty then.
That gives me more than enough time to change into something more comfortable and drop my stuff off. While I’m there I inform Helena that we will have company for dinner. The question in her eyes doesn’t go unnoticed, even though she tries very hard to conceal it. I get why she is concerned with my decision to invite a woman to my personal quarters.
“Don’t look so concerned Helena. This one is different.” I assure her. “Maybe even the one.”
“And what do they all have to say about that?” She reaches up and pats my face. “I just worry that’s all? I’ve known you since the day your mother informed us about fulfilling her duty. I’ve had the pleasure of watching you grow from a young prince into a powerful king. If she is the one, then fight for her, just make sure she is worth the fight you are about to embark upon.”
Her wisdom in all matters is one of the reasons I brought her into my personal residence. She is like a second mother to me and is never afraid to voice her opinion. I don’t worry about her reporting back to those who feel it is their entitlement to know my whereabouts at all times, want to know how I spend my free time.
I call down to the gate and let them know to let Larkin through security. Then I instruct them to add her to the permanent list of those who are allowed access, even access through my private entrance. Make sure that once she enters the main gates, they direct her towards that entrance. Again, I hear a question there, although they don’t dare ask it.
As soon as I change back into jeans and a t-shirt I head for my private foyer. There is no way to avoid the Palace staff running around at all hours. Most of the cleaning happens when there are less people around for them to disturb. The floors, chandlers, priceless art, and décor are cleaned daily to ensure pristine conditions at all times. Nights are the best time to accomplish most of it.
“Do you need something Your Majesty? Going out?” One of the housekeepers approaches me on my way to the door. “I wasn’t informed you were leaving. I’m sorry for not being prepared Sir.”
“I’m not leaving. I have a guest coming.” I inform her as I continue walking. “Go back to whatever it is you were doing, I’ve got this.”
“As you wish.” She nods and hurries off.
I am a nervous ball of energy. Why am I
so nervous? I’ve dated lots of women over the years. Not once have I gotten nervous, not once. But tonight, my hands are sweaty, my pulse is elevated, and I can’t stop pacing the stone path down to the driveway.
A light blue Volkswagen slowly makes its way towards me. It comes to a stop a few feet from me so I reach out and open the driver’s side door. A smiling face peers up at me and I can perceive she is just as nervous about this as me.
“Hi.” Her voice is soft. “I think your guards at both gates were really unsure about letting me through. They seemed hesitant and checked my ID twice at each gate.”
“They’ll get accustomed to it. Get to know you quite well and eventually wave you through. I will have Triana print you a badge that gives you full access. That should make it easier.” I take her hand to help her climb out.
“A badge? What will it say exactly? King’s girlfriend with my picture proudly displayed above it.” She asks as she climbs out.
I tug her away from the door as soon as she is clear so I can shut it. “Do you need anything inside?”
“My bag maybe. It has my phone and some personal stuff inside. Not sure I want to leave that all here for just anyone to rummage through. It looks like a rather tough neighborhood.”
“The toughest.” I alert her as I take her in my arms. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you as well.” She tells me as I lean down and kiss her.
When I have properly said hello, I grab her leather saddlebag and toss it over my shoulder. Then I take her hand in mine and escort her past all the curious eyes and whispers. Squeeze it slightly even when I feel her tense up.
“You’ll have to forgive them. They aren’t used to me escorting such a beautiful woman to my quarters. Again, they will get accustomed to this and you.” I express as I open the door to my private residence.
“So, this is where you live?” Larkin glances around.
“This is my humble abode. It’s not much but it a dry place to lay my head at night.” I lead her through the large entry and into the living area.
“Perhaps we should put a rush on Maximiliano Chateau since it is obvious these are such seedy living conditions.” Larkin circles around as she takes it all in. “Seriously how do you stand it?”
