Page 31 of Royally Matched
“Princess Sofia,” he exclaims in surprise, clearly thrown by my unexpected presence. “I thought I was meeting with your personal secretary, Ronan Clementine?”
I turn to Gianni. “I’ll take it from here. Thank you, Gianni.”
“Of course, ma’am,” he replies before he throws a critical gaze over Marco. “If you’re certain?” he asks in a quieter tone.
“Absolutely. I’m sure I’ll be just fine with Mr. Revera. Thank you.”
“As you wish, ma’am.”
I wait for Gianni to close the door behind us before I step over to Marco and offer him my hand. “I’ll be taking the meeting with you this morning, Mr. Revera.”
He takes my hand in his, confusion furrowing his brow. “Why?” he asks simply, his face unsmiling despite my business-like approach.
Really! He’s being altogether a little rude in my books. But then this is the man who actively questioned his brother’s decisions in front of his King. Decorum doesn’t appear to be a word in Marco Revera’s dictionary.
Although sexiness certainly is.
Argh! Stop it!
I lift my lips into a professional smile. “Please, take a seat, Mr. Revera, and I’ll explain.” I gesture at one of the comfortable reading chairs, and we both sit. “Regrettably, my personal secretary has met with an accident, so you’ll be dealing with me from now on, until he’s back on his feet.”
Or foot.Dang it, Max.
Marco arches a brow. “That sounds sinister. Was it a paid hit?”
“A paid hit?” I exclaim. Then it dawns on me that he’s teasing as a smile twitches his lips. “You’re making a joke, Mr. Revera.”
I do my best not to let the way his smile lights up his face affect me. It does not go well. Against my will, an excited group of hummingbirds flap their wings in my belly as though they cannot believe this gorgeous man’s smile is directed my way.
I remind myself what I’m currently feeling is only attraction to Marco, and attraction never lasts.
But if it could hurry up and fizzle out right about now, that would be great.
“You’re right. I’m joking. I do hope it’s nothing serious?”
“Unfortunately, I believe he has broken his leg in anaccident. I’m hoping to visit him in the hospital later, once he’s seen the doctors.”
“Please send him my best,” he replies with sincerity, wrongfooting me. The last thing I need is for this alarmingly attractive man with the decidedly gorgeous eyes to be thoughtful. His smiles are already difficult enough to cope with.
“Thank you. I will. Now, we need to get down to work. There’s a lot to plan.” I pick up my phone and press my mail app, searching for the email Gianni sent me with today’s meeting agenda. I concentrate hard on looking at the words on my screen but they’re a jumble of black squiggles.
“Ronan and I had intended to plan yours and Enzo’s schedule,” he says.
I give up on my sudden lack of ability to not only find the relevant email, but to read actual words. I place my phone on the seat beside me. I lace my fingers in my lap and square my shoulders. “Let’s address the elephant in the room first, shall we?”
“The elephant?”
“Do I take it from your presence here that you’re now comfortable with the idea of your brother and I entering this… situation?”
“About that,” he begins hesitatingly, looking shamefaced. And so he should. “I believe I owe you an apology, ma’am.”
This is a turn up for the books.
“Oh?” I say, holding my composure while inside I’m high fiving myself.
“I was rude.”
I can’t disagree. Hewasterribly rude.