The Sinful King (Naughty Royals 1)

“This is my daughter’s flat and I expect to see her,” my mother said from the other side of the door. I exhaled heavily.

“Mother, what are you even doing here?”

“You tell me what you’re doing here,” she said, waving a newspaper. I ducked slightly, afraid she’d hit me with it. She looked like she was capable of it right now. “I had to find out through a tabloid that you were in town.”

“I just got in,” I said. She looked around and shot me an angry glare. I cringed. “I got in last night but I was going to call you as soon as I was done packing. I have to go down to the office and sort things out anyway and I have a meeting with the Wesleys tomorrow.”

“Save it, Adeline.” Mother tossed the newspaper on my counter and stormed in. “Oh, and you’re here too? No phone call, Joslyn?”

“I am so sorry. I was going to the office with Addie tomorrow, though, and hoped I’d see you there!”

“Bullshit. Both of you.” Mother shook her head and paced the room, the way I did when I didn’t know what to do with my emotions. I stayed quiet. Joss bit her lip and watched her. “So now you’re dating the King of France.”

“I told you that.” I held a finger up. “Do not even, Mother. I called you first.”

“You called me two hours before the broadcast aired, Adeline.” She stopped pacing and turned to me. “How serious is it?”

“Serious enough.”

“What do you make of this, Joslyn?” my mother asked. “Now that you’re in with the royal family in a big way. What do you think of my daughter dating the king?” She shook her head. “It’s weird for me to even say that.”

“I was opposed to it in the beginning but I think he really does care for her. And she’s happy.” Joss shrugged. “So I ship it now.”

“Ship what?” My mother frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I like it,” Joss said. “It’s something . . . forget it. The point is, I like them together.”

“He’s staying here or is this security the new norm for you?”

“Both,” I said. “The tabloids have taken an interest in me so we have to be careful, but he’s staying here. Should be home any minute.”

“Home.” Mother laughed. “That’s another thing, where will home be for you now? Will you be traveling back and forth, because look at how well that worked out for your father and I.” She raised an eyebrow. “Or will you give up your company? What will happen with Pirouette Events now that you’re to become queen?” She gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth. “Will you become queen?”

The security began speaking by the door and soon it opened and Elias walked through it and into the living room. He froze as he assessed the situation—Joss on the floor surrounded by boxes, my mother and I having a standoff.

“Hey,” I said, smiling softly.

“Hey,” he returned, still undoing his tie. He gave a nod to my mother. “Madame Bouchard.”

“King Elias.” She instantly curtsied to him.

It was something that traditionally I was supposed to do as well, but knew Elias hated when we did it behind closed doors, so I was constantly reminding myself not to do it unless we were in public and he walked into a room, which hadn’t happened yet. He walked over to me, the discarded tie in one hand, and put his other around my shoulder as he kissed my lips softly.

“Missed you,” he whispered.

I smiled up at him. “My mother was just trying to figure out our dynamic.”

“No. Her mother was trying to figure out whether or not this was real and how bad her heart will be broken when it’s all over.”

“Well, I hope it’ll never come to that,” he said, his hand squeezing my shoulder. “I don’t foresee this ever ending.”

“So she will be queen?” My mother’s eyes widened.

“I think it’s a little soon to discuss that.” I shot her a look that would hopefully shut her up.

I didn’t want to talk about an engagement I hadn’t even discussed with Elias. Did I want one? Yes. Spending the rest of my life with him would be a dream come true. Having a fairy-tale ending with him, even if he wasn’t a royal would be incredible, but I didn’t want to rush into it.

“That’s something your daughter and I need to discuss,” he said. I could hear the smile in his voice without even looking up at his face. I kept my attention on my mother.

“And what do you think about her leaving Pirouette Events behind?” she asked. “She would have to give that up, wouldn’t she?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” he said. “She could still help you whenever she wants and has time, but because of what I’m envisioning for France, she’d have her hands pretty full.” He smiled over at me. “She won’t be bored like she is now.”