Page 560 of Summer Heat
He and I were living in two different worlds, this whole solar system apart, and as much as I wanted to be okay with that, I never would be. It was hard seeing him every day, wanting someone I knew I could never possibly have.
I made my way into the bathroom and turned the faucet on, filling the tub up with near scalding water. The steam rows up, and as I put the lilac bubble bath in the scent of flowers invaded my senses.
Sure, I read the tabloids, knew what they said about Prince Lennon, they accused him of being the black sheep of the family, the one who didn't take royalty seriously, didn't understand that the Crown was his life.
But I knew better than anyone, maybe because I thought we were the same, on some level. There was nothing wrong with keeping to yourself, nothing wrong with wanting nothing to do with the spotlight.
I’d been that way my whole life, never needed anyone but myself to be content and happy. But I wasn't happy anymore, and hadn't been since I first saw him. Since the first realized I wanted him in my life.
Before I slipped into the tub I heard my cell going off. I left the bathroom and went into my room to grab it. The number that flashed across my screen was from one of the other servants, Holly.
“Hey,” I said and held the phone between my ear and shoulder, moving back into the bathroom and staring at the water as it filled up the tub.
“Hey back to you.”
I heard the clatter of pots and pans in the background and knew she was still at the palace.
“Want to hit up a The Pub tonight?”
r /> “Really? You’re not tired after working all day?” I sure as hell was, or maybe I felt tired because I had thought about Lennon constantly?
“Sure, why not? I know you don't have anything else to do. And neither do I. Besides, getting a couple free drinks from drunken guys hitting on us isn't that bad is it?”
I heard the teasing of her voice. I had to admit, she had a point.
Although I should've said no, that I’d rather stay in, the truth was getting out of here and trying to lose myself in something that wasn’t thoughts of Lennon, sounded like a realistic, smart move.
“Come on, Daisy, just for a couple of hours?”
Holly was the only “friend” I had at the palace, but even that was a stretch. I'd say we were more acquaintances, and tonight was probably just two co-workers wanting to let loose. But I had nothing better to do, as she'd said.
Yeah, what's the worst that could happen? But even after I said that I knew I should have kept my mouth shut.
Those were famous last words, weren't they?
* * *
Lennon
I closed my bedroom door, my heart beating a little faster than normal, my hands curled into fists at my side. I’d overheard one of the servants speaking on the phone, asking Daisy if she wanted to go to The Pub tonight.
The very thought of Daisy being around a bunch of drunken asshole pissed me off. Them trying to touch her, hit on her … take her to their bed for the night… Yeah, it pissed me off, made me seeing red.
Maybe I shouldn't have cared, shouldn't have been as upset as I was. She was free to do what wanted.
But the truth of the matter was I wanted her so much that I knew I couldn't stay back. I knew I wouldn't, couldn't stay away.
So, even though it was smarter for me to keep my distance from Daisy, I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. She was my reality. I knew that without a doubt. I’d been a coward for not saying anything sooner.
Forget anyone and anything that that you could stop me from being with her, for finally admitting how I felt.
I don't care if it was frowned upon that she was a commoner and I was royalty. I didn't care what my parents would think, what the media would say, or how it would all be perceived. I knew hat I wanted, and I wouldn’t stop up I had it.
Daisy would be mine, whether she knew it or not.
It was just a matter of making her see that we belonged together, that rumors or accusations, or the spotlight of a relationship with me wouldn't ruin her. I’d protect her, make sure she was always safe. And anyone who thought that they could come after her would have to go through me.
I walked over, grabbed my jacket and shoes and put them on. It would be tricky getting out of the palace, especially if I didn't want an escort, which I didn't. But I had my ways of getting around all that.
