Page 82 of Red King
“How are you guys getting along?”
“I think she’s realized that I’m there to help her. To brainstorm ideas. I don’t take the glory. It’s her show, at the end of the day. I think she’s okay with it.” I shrug. “She seems fine.”
“That’s good. Okay, babe. I’ll leave you to it. Maybe we can have drinks after work tomorrow? It is Friday night.”
“Sure thing. Let’s do it. Chicks before dicks, right?”
Maggie snickers. “Absolutely, correct.” She waves and heads out.
I get finished with unpacking supplies and help the doctor with the first patient before having to rush off to see Arctic.
I can’t believe how nervous I am for our appointment, yet again, which is so silly. I’ve slept with the guy. He’s seen me naked. He’s had his tongue…in places that should be illegal.
There is an SUV waiting outside. The driver opens the door for me, as always.
“Thank you.” My butterflies have had baby butterflies, and they go crazy in my stomach.
We get to the castle. I greet the reception staff, and then it’s up in the elevator. It doesn’t take me long to reach the Royal Offices. I suck in a deep breath and go inside.
Sally’s face brightens up as soon as she sees me. “Right on time, Miss Reed. His Royal Highness is expecting you.” She winks at me.
I go to the door, knock, and go right in.
“Miss Reed,” Arctic says, his vivid eyes on me; they don’t reveal a thing. Not a single emotion when I’m sure I look a mess.
He looks me up and down. I’m in the skirt he requested. It’s a pencil skirt that forms part of my uniform, even though I prefer regular scrubs. It comes to just above my knee. His gaze lingers on my legs, still not giving away a damned thing.
His jacket is hanging over his chair. His dress shirt is a crisp white and fits him like a freaking glove.
“Glad you could make it.”
I decide to toy with him and leave the door open as I walk inside. If he wants me, he can work for it.
His eyes move to the open space before narrowing on me. His mouth twitches. I can’t make it too easy for him. I’m not here to discuss the upcoming events, and we both know it.
“Take a seat.” He gestures to the chair across from him.
I do as he says, crossing my legs.
We just look at one another for a few charged moments.
“Let’s discuss what you and Miss Summers have planned for the rest of the week. Tonight sounds…interesting. Just one second.” He holds up a finger, lifting a sleek-looking phone off the cradle. “Hi, Sally. Miss Reed would like a glass of water, please.” He pauses and looks at me while he listens to whatever Sally has to say. “With lemon?”
I smile. “That would be great.”
“With lemon. Good…thanks.”
It’s my turn to narrow my eyes on him. I give a small headshake at his smirk.
“You were saying…?” Arctic plays with his tie before focusing fully on me.
“We were talking about tonight’s activities. Are you any good at karaoke?”
He throws me a half-smile. “I’m good at a lot of things, but singing isn’t one of them. You won’t catch me dead behind a mic.”
“We’ll have to see about that. Cathy had a good idea of how to get everyone more relaxed enough to sing. We’re kicking off the evening with a cocktail-making competition. Mark, who works as a chef in the kitchen, is also a mixologist. He’s going to do a demonstration, and then you guys are going to pair up with the Tributes and make cocktails. Everyone needs to taste and vote. It’s Marcel’s last night here on the island. He and Thorn are going to be the judges. Their votes will be the deciders on who wins. The winning team gets—”
There is a knock at the door. “My apologies for interrupting,” Sally says from the doorway. “I have Miss Reed’s water.”
