As soon as she was gone, Cornell turned to me with a sly smile. "I told you, I'm good at fixing things."
"Sorry to disappoint you, precious, but I'm really not impressed. All you did is add more crap to my calendar."
He stood up straighter, his eyebrows lifted in a challenge, "and saved you from going into the country. Trust me, a busybody like you would have been miserable. There is nothing to do there."
I laughed and folded my arms. Still not impressed, "you say that as if there is so much to do here. I have been bored out of my mind at this palace and the only piece of LeCresha I have seen is when I was with Malcolm."
Cornell feigned shock, a hand flying to his chest, and he looked hilariously angry. His gray eyes shone in this light. "For the next few weeks there, we will not speak of Malcolm. He will simply be known as he who shall not be named."
"Okay, Harry." I joked. "I won't mention he who must not be named."
Cornell walked around the table, stepping into my personal space. I didn't move back. I refused to back down, even when he reached out to grab one of my braids, and twisted it around his finger. I met his stare head on. I imagine my gaze was full of curiosity. I was wondering what his next move was, because anytime we were this close, there were fireworks.
Cornell gave a lazy grin. Only one side of his mouth tilted up, revealing his perfect teeth. His eyes were full of challenge as he asked, "Let me take you out?"
I laughed and placed a hand on his chest to hold him back. "Where?"
"Do you like food?" he asked. "I noticed you didn't eat much of the salmon."
"I love food."
"How about dancing?" He asked, taking my hand from his chest and moving it up and around his neck and stepped closer.
Our chest met, and my breath caught. If he kissed me again, the chances of us going anywhere were slim. The last time I was in that garden I had barely controlled the urge to take off the fancy clothes and do very unprincess like things to him. He was gorgeous, sweet, and he wanted me. It was thrilling, and I couldn't wait to take this relationship to the next level.
"I love dancing." He leaned down, his lips hovered so close our breaths mingled. It was like I was hypnotized by those gray eyes.
Cornell smirked and pulled away, my arm dropping to my side. "Then you're going to have to change. You can't dance in your riding clothes. Dont get to dressy, jeans and a nice shirt should do it. The tighter the better."
I rolled my eyes and turned to get dressed, a smile forming when he groaned. I switched to the door, giving him a show. I jumped in shock when I felt a sting on my ass. I turned to see Cornell standing right behind me, hands up in a surrender pose.
"Did you just slap my ass?"
"It was on my to do list," he said and walked past me.
I laughed out loud.
****
Exiting my apartments, Cornell stood at the end of the hallway. He leaned against the wall, twirling something in his hands. When he saw her, he straightened, and I watched as his mouth dropped open. I guess he liked the leggings. My grandma would say they were stockings, but she was nowhere around. Not to mention the gray shirt dress covered most of my lady lumps. It was till a very sexy outfit. According to Sadie, it was fit for princess and casual.
Cornell wore a pair of loose fitting jeans, and a white bottom down shirt. There was nothing special about his outfit, except it screamed bad boy Old Navy model. His hair looked still wet from a shower, and she smelled him immediately. It was all man. I would have to figure out what it was he wore. It was a smokey sexy scent.
We met in the middle of the hallway, and I tilted my head at him and took him in. Yep, all man, and all mine. And he continues to surprise me the more I get to know him.
"Prince Cornell."
"Princess."
"Would you happen to know when time with the prince started to be a regularly scheduled program in my Calendar?"
I had arrived back at my apartments all excited about dancing, only to feel a little down when I thought about my schedule. I had studied it this morning and after lunch I was supposed to have Italian lessons and then the history of LeCresha class. That was followed by a fitting for my welcome ball and a sit in granny B as she conducted a meeting, followed by dinner. My schedule was full. The old me would have said screw the schedule and do what I want to do.
However, I was trying to do better. So, with a heavy heart, I had asked Olivia to tell the prince we would have to reschedule. She had laughed and pointed to the book, asking me to look at it again. A thrill of pleasure went through me as I looked at the page for today. The only thing under lunch was Time With the Prince. I had laughed out loud, and the ladies laughed as well. Cornell was clever and clearly he had thought ahead.
Every page had been changed to include him, and when it didn't say Time With the Prince, there was a scheduled 'Free Time". It was thoughtful and cute as hell. Only when my cheeks began to hurt did, I realize I was smiling from ear to ear. That smile stayed as I showered, got dressed, and stepped into this very hall. Still, at this moment, I was smiling.
"I felt obliged to fix the issue of you possibly finding a way out of this. Plus, after discussing the importance of keeping your schedule, I didn't want to lead you astray. There are perks to this. With the right allies, you can do whatever you want."
Yeah, I knew what I wanted, and I only needed one person to agree to make it happen. No perks needed. He did not know that when he talked like this all in my face, he could also have whatever he wanted.
"You stay surprising me, prince, keep it up. I like you, not jealous."
"I like you, not making me jealous."
"The night is still young, pretty boy," I said, snaking an arm through his offered one. "Where are we going, anyway?"
"Why would I tell you when you just asked me so sweetly to keep surprising you?"
"Why are you bringing up old stuff?" I asked and was rewarded with Cornell throwing his head back and laughing.
We left the palace through the front door. No creeping out for prince charming. We left in the middle car of a caravan of seven. All black, tented windows and sporting the crest of LaCresha. Everyone would know that we were on the move and security was real. We were driven to downtown and our car pulled into the back of a large ancient looking building.
Cornell stepped out, and with his help, I followed. On cobblestone, we walked to a door, that was opened promptly. A man dropped to a bow. "Welcome Princess Royal Victoria and Prince Cornell Duke of Comarna. You both are most welcome."
"Thank you, Carter." Cornell said, grasping the man's hand warmly. "Is everything prepared?"
"Of course," Carter replied, turning on his heels, "follow me, please."
We were led down a hall lined in black painting and limited lighting. It looked like a strip club or somewhere dangerous. There were no clues as to where we were. Finally, we entered a large room, and I found myself in a bar.
"Welcome to Royalty Only," Cornell said proudly. "It is the only bar in LaCresha where you can get wasted, get drunk, have a one nighter, eat grassy bar food and dance till your heart's content and not worry about the backlash. It's completely discreet and besides the people who work here, everyone is of royal decent, local and nonlocal."