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When he spotted me, he jogged across, and we hugged. “Hey, Sin. How was your day?”
“It wasn’t too bad. Thank goodness for classy publications. All they cared about were the clothes.” I didn’t want to make small talk. I was too antsy.
“I’m glad they left you alone.” Ruben pecked my lips. As his hand rubbed my back, we turned toward the house. “So this is it, huh?”
We took to the mansion together as I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Yep.”
It was obvious he was stalling by focusing on the Georgian brick façade.
“I know you’re nervous. So am I. But remember, whatever happens, we’re in this together. You’re my number one, Ruben.” I gazed up at him with a smile and gave him a peck on the lips.
“I’ll be all right. I can’t believe I’m meeting one of the lesser royals, that’s all.” Ruben took a deep breath and smoothed over his hair. “One of England’s most eligible bachelors is behind those doors.”
“And he is attracted to us both.”
Ruben’s steps faltered. “What if he’s not?”
“He will be. Have faith in yourself.” I dragged Ruben into the house and down the front spiral steps to the living level.
Augustus stood from his seat at the long dining table. “Well, now, I do like the looks of this. Augustus Huntington the Third, at your service.”
Ruben accepted his handshake. “My lord, I believe it’s the other way around, is it not?”
Augustus chuckled. “Let’s save the ‘my lord’ for sex. You’re welcome to call me Aug or Augustus. And is it not fair that we are at one another’s service, Mr. Ainsley?”
“Right you are.” Ruben chuckled nervously again.
“My, my, Sienna… he truly is something. I can see us getting along smashingly. Can’t you?”
My cheeks flushed with color as I watched Ruben and Augustus’ interaction. “I hope so.”
“Well, let us start with some drinks, and we’ll see precisely how well we can all get along.” Augustus went to his liquor cabinet. “What do you prefer?”
“Whiskey, neat, thanks,” Ruben answered.
“Sienna?”
“A vodka shot will do.”
Augustus poured the drinks and carried them across to us. “Here’s to our first meeting.”
We clinked our glasses together and drank. I figured middle-of-the-day drinks could either go badly or so well that we all ended up tangled together with no clothes on.
I hoped for the latter.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Drinks with Ruben and Augustus had gone well. We hadn’t had sex but chatted for hours and made out a little with one another.
This morning, I was feeling refreshed for my meeting with my gala team on Tuesday morning. As soon as I entered the meeting room, however, I felt some trepidation.
How would what Riva and I had done translate into work? Would it affect our performance? The last thing I wanted was to give Linda something else to be angry about. I honestly hoped Riva would be able to act appropriately. And if my interactions with Augustus said anything, I knew I needed to be on my best game.
My body, however, had other ideas and reacted to the sight of Riva when she and Ramesh looked over at me. I cleared my throat and tipped my nose up in the air slightly. I needed to play it cool. My career depended on it.
Riva smiled at me. It could have been a regular, run-of-the-mill, polite, everyday smile. But somehow, it didn’t feel that way to me.
Calm, cool, and collected,I silently reminded myself.
