Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

t to mine. “Is that after careful consideration it would be best for the crown if I resigned so that I didn’t bring shame to the royal managers’ program.”

“You made a commitment.” He clenched his teeth. “You took a vow, Miss DuBois, swearing to serve the crown.”

“And she did serve the crown with grace and dignity. But I can’t ask the woman I love to serve me as an employee. Surely, you wouldn’t want me to pay her to be in my bed, Sutcliffe?”

His eyes narrowed. “I can’t accept that you would do something like this. Such dishonor. Such blatant disrespect for the boundaries you swore to observe.”

“It wasn’t intentional. I never set out to embarrass you or our position.”

“No one is embarrassed,” I interrupted. “I need a list of replacements before the end of the day,” I reported. “Kenley will hire her replacement. Everything goes through her until I have a new royal manager.” I rubbed my jaw. “And while you’re at it, she is going to need her own manager. Send candidates in pairs.”

I had finally said something that made the old man speechless.

Kenley spun in my direction. “We haven’t discussed anything like that.”

I shrugged. “The queen had a manager before she was queen. Ayla serves her well. I don’t see why you shouldn’t have the same treatment. Sutcliffe, make sure Kenley has everything Her Majesty does.”

He bowed stiffly and backed out of the room. His face had grown redder, enough to come close to the hue of his jacket.

“You completely insulted him just now.”

“I did not. I asked him to do his job.”

“He’s not used to the queen and you just told him to double the awkwardness. He’s never going to see me as fitting of a title, and especially not worthy of my own manager.”

“That’s his problem. Not ours.”

Kenley pressed, “You’re going to lose him, Nic.”

“We leave for the States tomorrow. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone, but I’ll patch things up.”

Then we both realized what part of the conversation we had left out.

Kenley looked at me. “We didn’t tell him about the baby.”

I shook my head. “He doesn’t need to know.”

“It’s going to send him over the edge,” she pleaded. “Think about it.”

I slipped a hand around her waist. “We have bigger things to worry about than Sutcliffe’s delicate feelings.”

“Then you should let me get started.” She tried to wiggle free, but I held her close.

“Something you should probably know about me, baby.”

Her eyes widened. “I don’t know everything?” She pressed against my chest with her palms.

I leaned, brushing a kiss over her pouty lips. “Where you are concerned, I’m not going to repeat the mistakes of my past. I’m not going to let this thing with Sutcliffe turn into an argument between us. I have enough to battle without allowing a disagreement push you away from me.”

Her gaze softened. “It’s not. I’m not going anywhere, Nic.”

“I think the sooner you start to realize what side of the crown you sit on now, the sooner you’ll understand my perspective. It’s going to take time. For me too.” My hands snaked over her body, cupping her ass. “But you and I are unstoppable, Kenley DuBois. Nothing can get in our way. Not anyone. Not a single law. Or decree. Together we’re going to be ok.”

She nodded slowly. “Together.”

I kissed her, drinking in the warmth of her lips. It was as if she had dipped them in honey. I couldn’t get enough of her. I didn’t think I ever would.

I groaned at the growing length of my dick. “Shit.” I gritted my teeth. “I need to go. I have meetings all day.”