by Lila Monroe
THE END
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ROYAL PLAYER
by
Katie McCoy
Charlie Davenport is the bad boy of British tennis - and third in line to the throne. He’s a beast on the courts, and a wild animal in bed (according to all the tabloids). Girls are lining up for chance at his crown jewels, and when I stumble into the wrong Wimbledon dressing room and catch a glimpse of his game, set, AND match, I can see why.
So what’s a little good luck kiss between f̶r̶i̶e̶n̶d̶s̶ strangers?
I know better than to get involved with a bad boy like Charlie. But now he’s on a winning streak, he thinks I’m his lucky charm - and you know what’s luckier than a kiss?
Everything.
Suddenly, I’ve got paparazzi on my trail, exes coming out of the woodwork — and you don’t know ‘cutthroat’ until you’ve seen a pack of hungry socialites set loose near the Royal Family.
I’m in way over my head, and even worse - I’m falling in love. Can this American girl win her Prince Charming? Or will we both crash out of the championships in flames?
Wimbledon-meets-The Prince and Me in this hilarious, sexy new romance from Katie McCoy!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Emmy
If you made a ranking of the world’s sexiest sports, I’d have bet my (empty) bank account that tennis wasn’t anywhere on the list. Believe me, I was the same. Give me a baseball player rounding third in his tight white pants, or a muscular quarterback any day. But stepping through the front gates at Wimbledon on Opening Day, I could see I’d gotten it all wrong.
There were hot guys. Everywhere.
It was like being a kid in a candy shop, if the candy was tall, muscular, well-groomed men. Guys with brown hair, blonde hair, even a few that had that scruffy Prince Harry redhead thing going for them. Guys with bashful dimples or badass beards; in dashing linen suits or strolling past in athletic clothes, their tanned, gorgeous bodies glistening with sweat.
I was pretty sure I was drooling.
I was also totally lost, jet-lagged, and exhausted after a cramped eleven-hour flight in coach from San Diego and a forty-minute tube ride to my Aunt Suze’s in King’s Cross to get here. But looking around at the manicured courts, the buzz of the crowds—and did I mention the guys?—I knew without a doubt that all my scrimping and saving to afford this summer after college in London was so. Freaking. Worth. It.
I pulled out my cellphone and called the reason I was here at all, my BFF, Paige.
“I’m here, and I’m lost,” I announced, looking around again. The crowds were surging around me, like this was the biggest sporting event of the year. Which, in England, I guess it was. “Where are you?”
“The refreshments tent,” Paige answered. “Do you see the clock tower thing?”
“Uh …” I squinted. “Nope?”
“Didn’t watch the Snapchat I sent?”
I laughed. “Which one?”
Paige had arrived the week before, and had not only given me detailed directions for how to get to the club from the station (hint: it required taking a shuttle set up just for the weeks of Wimbledon), but had also sent me no less than three Snapchats of herself on that same shuttle. There were also additional Snapchats of her getting from the shuttle to the tent where we’d be working. Apparently, since I had never been abroad, she thought I was incapable of using public transportation. It might have been annoying if she wasn’t so freaking funny in all the videos she sent me. Or if it hadn’t turned out she was right.
“Just do what I did.” Paige sounded smug. “Find the nearest hot guy and ask him for directions. Oh crap, they’re starting training. You better get here soon!”
She hung up, and I looked around for rescue. There were plenty of hot guys on offer, but I figured my travel aroma wouldn’t exactly be the best introduction, so I found a nice-looking older couple with backpacks, sunhats, and a cooler.
“Excuse me …” I approached them. They looked prepared, and sure enough, they gave me a spare map and pointed me on my way.
I hurried down the path. I was already late for the waitressing gig my Aunt Suze had set up for us. I’d barely had enough time to drop my bag and trade my comfy travel clothes for my uniform before I was out the door to the All England Tennis Club. Since my meager savings just about got me across the Atlantic, I would be spending the next couple of weeks working as a waitress serving cream teas during Wimbledon to fund the rest of my trip. As you do.
The refreshment stands were halfway across the grounds. I spotted Paige as soon as I approached the tent. It was hard not to spot Paige, even if you weren’t looking for her. Even though all of the waitresses had been told to wear all black and have our hair pulled back away from our faces, Paige had her bright red hair piled up in a messy bun on top of her head and was wearing a short black skirt and low-cut black shirt, all in contrast to her pale and beautifully freckled skin. In true Paige fashion, she had managed to look classy instead of trashy, which probably had to do with the fact that she was tall and lean. If I had tried to wear what she was wearing, my big boobs and Kim K butt would have made the whole thing look obscene.
Which is why I was wearing a black shirt that I had altered myself. I had tailored it to fit my curves and managed to keep it from doing the usual D-cup drama of looking like I was about to bust the buttons open. My plain black pants were similarly adjusted. I had long learned that it was far easier to buy things in a bigger size and tailor them down than trying to find anything off the rack that would fit my rack. Because not only was I curvy, I was short. If I didn’t know how to sew, I’d probably have to make do with straining seams and trailing hems all the damn time.
When Paige spotted me, she let out a squeal loud enough to make everyone around her turn and stare. Then she was rushing through the tent, already in the middle of a sentence when she reached me, nearly tackling me to the ground.
“… all day, and I’ve been trying to focus but OH MY GOD, Emmy, they are all so freaking hot.”
I detangled myself from her grip.
“Stop, rewind, and start again,” I told her.
Instead she gave me another hug.
“I’m SO glad you’re here.” She let out another squeal, and then looped her arm around my shoulder. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”
But instead of introducing me to “everyone,” she propelled me toward the bar, where another girl a little older than both of us was standing, cleaning glasses. She had blonde hair with short bangs, cat-eyed glasses with rhinestones, and was wearing bright red lipstick, both of which added to her unique vintage-y look. I immediately liked her.
“Emmy, this is Jules.” Paige pushed me forward. “Jules, this is Emmy, my best friend in the entire world.”
“Charmed.” Jules extended her hand, her accent posh and British and to die for. “I’ve heard loads about you.”
I tried to remember if Jules had been in any of the Snapchats Paige had sent, but before I could respond, Paige sucked in a breath, her hand fanning her face rapidly.
“Holy shit,” she murmured.
I turned and immediately seconded the sentiment. There was a group of guys just by the tent, looking like they’d just stepped out of the pages of GQ: all button-down shirts and tailored pants that hugged their strong thighs.
“Is this what all guys in London look like?” I asked, unable to stop staring.
“Mmmhmmm,” she said, beaming. “Aren’t you glad I dragged you into this trip?”
“Definitely,” I laughed.
Apparently Paige had unwittingly found paradise. And paradise was the Wimbledon refreshment tent in spring. Because, oh my lord, the things t
hat had sprung. I fanned myself, feeling very, very warm.
“Here.” Jules pushed forward two tall glasses of water full of ice. “You both look like you need it.”
I took a long gulp, while Paige pressed the glass to her chest and wiggled her fingers saucily at the guys walking by. They all smiled—and all of them had great smiles—and one of them winked, slowing his step to let the others walk ahead.
Paige put her glass back on the bar. “I’ll be right back.” She had never been a girl to pass up an opportunity.
I watched her go with a twinge of jealousy. The guy was seriously smoking—they all were—and they seemed to surround us. I took another long, long drink of water.
“The pay might be shite,” said Jules, “but you can’t beat the view.”
We clinked our glasses, both of us still watching Paige flirt. Paige was totally convinced she would end the summer with a hot, rich, British boyfriend. I was in total support of her ambitions, but I had far less lofty goals. All I wanted was to explore London—especially all the places I’d seen in my mom’s favorite movies—and find inspiration. A boyfriend was not high on my list. Boy-watching, on the other hand, well, there’s inspiration and then there’s inspiration.
Jules let out a low whistle as Paige wrote her number down on his hand.
“Damn, girl.” She clapped as Paige returned. “You’ve got some serious game.”
Paige dropped into a mock curtsy. “I’ve only got a few months to bag a Tom Hardy or Henry Cavill of my very own. I can’t be wasting any time.”
“What about you, Emmy?” Jules asked. “What type of bloke are you looking for?”
I tried to hide my blush by looking down at my feet. But Paige came to my rescue.
“Emmy’s not looking for a guy,” she explained. “Though I can’t figure out why.”
“I have to go back to San Diego in September,” I reminded her. “What’s the point of looking for a guy that I have to leave in a few months?”
Secretly there were a few other reasons I wasn’t looking to get involved with a guy, but most of those were reasons I kept to myself. It also didn’t help that when it came to guys, I was the polar opposite of Paige. Shy, tongue-tied, and not sure what to do with my hands. Most of the time I couldn’t even tell if a guy was interested. I wished I had half the confidence that Paige did.
“What’s the point in looking for one you have to keep that long?” Jules quipped. “This is the place for flings. Hot, sexy, short flings. Trust me.” She looked over at another group of hunky guys walking by. “Most of them look like Jon Snow, but they tend to know about as much as him as well. Which is to say—”
“Nothing,” I said along with Paige.
“As long as they know something in the bedroom,” Paige said with a purr. “I don’t care what they do outside it. They could be as dumb as a tennis ball for all I care.”
“I thought you were looking for a rich British boyfriend,” I said.
“Sure.” She shrugged. “But not all of them have to be boyfriend material.”
“Just lu-vah material,” Jules joked.
“Precisely.” Paige’s eyes were already following another group of guys, getting a wink from one of them. “Excuse me, ladies,” she grinned.
I rolled my eyes. If Paige wasn’t my best friend, I don’t know what I’d think about her outrageous behavior. But because she was, I could only pretend to be annoyed by it. Especially since I was secretly envious. Maybe I had been a little too quick to reject the idea of a fling while I was here. Not that I’d get much more than a second glance with Paige around.
“Well, at least one of us will be getting lucky,” Jules muttered, excusing herself when a phone rang behind the bar.
While she was talking, a harried looking gentleman came barreling towards me.
“Are you one of the tea girls?” he asked.
“Um.” I glanced around. Because while I technically was one of “the tea girls,” the only training I had received was on how to ogle cute British boys.
But the gentleman ignored my hesitation, shoving a tray into my hands. It was heavier than I expected and I nearly dropped it.
“This needs to go to the equipment manager,” he told me. “It was supposed to be there ten minutes ago.”
Then, before I could ask for any more information, he turned on his heel and scuttled away, still looking just as frazzled.
“Mr. Smyth,” Jules told me. “Assistant Manager. Always acts like that.”
I shifted the tea tray in my hand. “Any idea where the equipment manager is?”
Despite having Jules repeat the directions to me twice, I got lost. Like, really, really lost. None of the doors were labeled in the main buildings, and every hallway looked the same. I kept trying to retrace my steps, trying to get to my starting point so I could try counting the rooms again, but I couldn’t find my way out of the long, never-ending hall I had found myself in. I knew the tea was getting cold, so I just bit the bullet and knocked on the next door I came across, hoping that someone else would be able to direct me in the correct direction.
But the room I entered was empty.
It was kind of dim and there was the sound of running water. The room seemed kind of hot and humid. I was already sweating from carrying the heavy tray, so I allowed myself a moment of rest and put the tea down on a table next to the door. Unbuttoning the top button of my shirt, I fanned my cleavage, trying to cool down before beginning my search anew.
I heard faint whistling, and before I could stop myself, I stepped further into the room. It took a moment, but I realized that I was in a dressing room—and the water I was hearing was the shower.
Shit. I probably was not supposed to be here.
I turned to grab my tray, but before I could, I heard footsteps. And then a masculine voice, slightly muffled.
“Mate, I’m going to get some kip in before the match.”
I spun around, prepared to apologize for my intrusion, but whatever apology I had planned immediately disappeared from my lips. Because standing in front of me was a completely naked, completely gorgeous guy.
Emmy
Hello.
It was a good thing I wasn’t still carrying the tea tray because I would have dropped the whole thing all over the floor. Whoever he was, he had been toweling his hair off when he walked into the room, so he hadn’t noticed that I wasn’t his “mate.”
But I noticed him. Oh, dear god did I notice him.
He was tall and lean and built. And naked. Did I mention the totally naked part?
It had been a long time since I had seen a naked man. And the last naked man I had seen had nothing on this guy. He was big. All over. He was all muscle, his bicep flexing as he rubbed the towel over his still obscured face. His legs were strong and covered in a dusting of dark hair. He had a six-pack, possibly an eight-pack, though I’d need to move in closer to confirm that. My foot took an automatic step towards him before I could stop myself. Of course, that was the exact moment he pulled his towel away from his face.
“You’re not Declan,” he said, looping the towel over his shoulders, totally unconcerned with his nudity.
I shook my head, telling myself to keep my eyes on his face.
Not that it was that difficult. It was a damn good-looking face. Blue eyes that had a naughty twinkle to them, dimples in each cheek, a square jaw, and a head of messy black hair. He was better than Henry Cavill and Tom Hardy combined.
“I’m lost,” I blurted out, realizing I had just been standing there staring at him for who knows how long.
He raised an eyebrow.
“Are you certain?” he asked, finally wrapping the towel around his waist. “Because I’m pretty sure you look like my good luck charm.”
I blushed.
“I’m looking for the equipment manager’s office,” I stammered.
He reached for a pile of clothes that was sitting on a bench nearby.
“Jeff?” he asked before shaking his head.
“Naw, Jeff doesn’t deserve a visit from a pretty American girl like you.”
His accent practically made me swoon. Not that his looks hadn’t gotten me halfway there already.
“Me, on the other hand …” He pulled on a pair of shorts and, regrettably, a shirt. “I’ve been very, very good lately.”
“Somehow I doubt that.” The retort came out before I could stop it.
He laughed and the sound made my nipples hard. He was so gorgeous. And he was looking at me like he thought I was pretty fantastic as well. Or like he was a lion and I was a gazelle. Either way, I was feeling very, very flushed. And wishing more and more that I had some of Paige’s flirtation skills.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“What’s yours?” I wanted to know.
His eyebrows went up as if he was surprised. But he recovered quickly, and held out a hand.
“I’m Charlie,” he told me.
His hand was rough and warm. Sexy. I couldn’t help imagining what it would feel like against my skin. All over my skin.
“Emmy.” I released him and stepped back. Focus, I told myself. You still have to do your job. You still have a tea tray to deliver. “I, um, should go,” I told him.
“Now that’s a shame.” He sat down to pull on a pair of shoes.
“If you could just tell me how to get to the equipment manager’s office, I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Would you believe I don’t mind you in my hair?” he asked, his blue eyes twinkling.
I couldn’t stop blushing. But he was so, so hot.
“I really should take this to him.” I gestured toward the tray.
“He’s three doors over.” Charlie had finished putting on his shoes and stood. “To the left.”
“Thank you.” I was about to turn, but he put his hand on my arm.
Sparks of electricity shot through me. My knees wobbled, but I managed to stay upright.
“You know, I have a tradition.” He moved closer to me, and I could feel heat coming off his body. My heart pounded in my chest. “Something I like to do for good luck.”
“Oh?” I asked, trying to sound casual, but failing completely.
He grinned. “Oh yeah.” He came even closer, his hand sliding down to my hip. “I don’t suppose you’d like to help me out with this tradition.”
