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Excitement zinged through her. CGS was one of the largest marketing hospitality companies in the world. They’d taken the idea of the gift suite, where celebrities were given hundreds of thousands of dollars of free merchandise in exchange for taking photos of the items and posting about them, and brought it to an international audience. The chance to partner with CGS and supply them with Mela-Skin for international events was remarkable. She hadn’t imagined she’d have access to opportunities like these until she’d partnered with a giant like Genesis.
“That would be wonderful. I’ll make sure to pass your information on to my CEO.”
“Looking forward to it. Your Royal Highness,” Oscar said, smiling and bowing slightly before striding away.
Dani peered at Jameson. “Why do I think I have you to thank for what just happened?”
Jameson held his hands up, palms out. “There’s nothing to thank. He asked me about you, and I couldn’t stop talking about my gorgeous girlfriend’s accomplishments.”
Cash’s lies and insinuation that she was using Jameson rushed to the fore and poisoned the triumphant moment. The lobby of a well-attended movie premiere wasn’t the best place for this conversation, but now that it was out there, she couldn’t go another second when the possibility existed that Jameson would ever believe she cared more about his title than his heart.
“Jay, it’s important to me that you know I’m in this because of who you are, not what you can do for me.”
He frowned. “Of course. That’s never been a question.”
“For you. But it may be for others. And I don’t want that shit to come between us.”
“Why would it?”
“Because the longer we’re together and the more things happen, like you talking to Oscar Michaels about my business—”
His expression tightened. “I didn’t know that would be a problem.”
This wasn’t coming out the way she wanted. She tried again.
“I love you. More than I ever thought possible.”
“Good. I feel the same.”
“I can’t imagine not wanting to be with you forever, but in reality, we’ve only known each other a couple of months, while I’ve been working on music, Mela-Skin, and growing my business foryears. We don’t know what the future holds. I think it would be best, for the time being, that we focus on nurturing our relationship.”
Confusion furrowed his brow. “What does that mean?”
“That we be in love, spend time together, go on dates, travel. Everything a regular couple does. But when it comes to business, we keep that separate. No more red carpets, even for friends. No joint interviews and no god-awfulPeoplemagazine cover shoots announcingDuchess and Jameson: Risking it all for Royal Love!”
His laughter gave her permission to release the breath she’d been holding.
“No having a say in Mela-Skin. Or throwing business our way,” she finished softly.
“Is that it?” he murmured.
“For now. I reserve the right to make amendments.”
A smile teased his lips. “And was that hard to get out?”
She exhaled a laugh. “Oh yeah.”
“It didn’t need to be, love, because I understand. I don’t want you anywhere near the Company.”
Jameson had once told her the “Company” was the term the royal family used to describe the business of being the monarchy. It wasn’t the “Firm,” as a joke by Princess Bettina, the queen’s youngest and bitchiest daughter, seemed to suggest.
“And not because I’m ashamed of you or us,” he rushed to add when she’d parted her lips to speak, shooting her a look that said she should know better than to even suggest it, “but because it’s not the fairy tale it appears to be. People and relationships will always come second to the institution and because of that, they won’t think twice about sacrificing your dreams, your goals, your privacy, and your life in service to the monarchy. I witnessed it with my mother, and I’ll be damned if I let it happen to you.”
She shivered at the grim determination in his tone. “I hear you. So, what areyourterms?”
“The main one would be no official royal events, although I don’t plan on attending many once I’m back at uni. No premieres, or charity galas.” He winced. “No formal family gatherings, but I don’t usually go to those, either.”
“Then this should be easy. Oh wait, does that mean no guest lecturing any of your classes?”
