A Royal Affair

Chapter 4

Evelyn awoke to sun streaming in her window, warming her cool body and her senses. Her thoughts immediately returned to where they had left off the night before. What an interesting night it had been. Lifting her fingers to her lips she closed her eyes as she remembered Keaton’s lips on hers. Warmth had flooded her body the previous night like never before and the feeling was slowly returning that morning as she remembered the exquisite sensation. She was not one to get wrapped up in a simple kiss, prince or not, so the feelings from last night baffled her. No matter what though, what happened last night was history and she would never see the man again. It was time to bring her dreamer self back to reality. She had more than enough work to get started on early that morning.

Jumping out of bed Evelyn got ready to head out. The flat was entirely too silent for writing and work. She liked the hustle and bustle of life going on around her. Somehow, it made her concentrate more and write even better.

Just as she was heading for the door to leave for the day, Rose walked in wearing last night’s club apparel, being very nonchalant that she had shacked up at Harry’s place.

“Evie! How was Prince Charming last night? I’ve been dying to talk to you about what happened.”

Evelyn was sure that Rose had been preoccupied enough with Harry that her thoughts back to last night’s events was a very recent occurrence. Just when she had gotten the man out of her mind, back he came.

“He’s just another guy, Rose. We danced and that’s it, really.”

Rose laughed at Evelyn’s careless comment. “He’s not just another guy, but whatever you say Evie. The guy had all eyes for you last night, that’s for sure.”

Evelyn plopped down on the couch, exasperated with the whole subject of the prince. “Keaton can get whoever he wants, whenever he wants. He’s that kind of guy. I was just there and we had some fun. The end. He knows nothing about me.”

“You should have gone home with him.”

“Rose! I had no desire to sleep with him. He was very ordinary, to tell the truth.” Now Evelyn could feel her nose growing longer as the lies started to spill out of her mouth. Keaton Rothesay was anything but ordinary and the man reeked of raw sex appeal. Just thinking of his tall, muscular, thick frame and dark looks made Evelyn’s insides turn to jelly. But she had to remember that it was her body wanting him, not actually her. The man was arrogant and full aware of his looks and power over women. What had happened between them was pure physical attraction at its best.

“If you say so, then that must be the case.” Rose knew that something had happened between them. She could tell by the way her friend wanted to get off the subject. She knew though, that it was best to let it go for the time being.

“Well, I better head out now. Call me if you need me. I’ll be writing and researching all day.”

“Alright, see you later.”

Evelyn left the flat and walked out into the brisk London morning. She had seen a quaint little coffee shop a few blocks down the previous day and headed there.

By the time she reached the London Coffee House, the place was already filling up with customers. The coffee house was very quaint and retro at the same time and hosted some perfect outdoor seating that Evelyn took full advantage of. From her seat, she could see the edge of Hyde Park in the distance and some of downtowns busy shopping area. It was a perfect place to start her journey off by brainstorming her new novel.

Evelyn took a sip of her black coffee as she opened her laptop, the aroma awakening her senses and making the day seem even better than it had before. The morning seemed to melt away as she began getting lost in her dream world of novel writing. The characters and plot were forming easily in her mind but the need for physical research brought her back to reality. Three hours had passed and she had already made so much progress.

The feeling of eyes on her made her look up from her computer. She had been so lost in her story that she had completely ignored the people coming and going from the London Coffee House and thus had been completely oblivious to the man sitting directly across from her peering over a newspaper wearing a pair of black disguising Ray Bans and a crooked grin. Evelyn suddenly felt a wave of familiarity wash over her as she looked up at him. The man pulled down his sun glasses making it more than obvious his identity and Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat as he got up and walked over to take a seat at her table.

Evelyn pulled herself together and broke the ice. “London is huge and I manage to run into an infamous prince here of all places?”

Keaton let a hearty laugh loose before taking off his sunglasses so they could finally make eye contact. Evelyn had almost forgotten how good looking he was. He was the full package: dark, disheveled hair, strong jaw, tan, dark eyes, fantastic smile…she had to stop herself as her mind started to wander to his lower extremities. Her mind could only guess as to what laid there.

“What can I say, it’s meant to be.” Keaton’s grin grew wider and Evelyn knew he was up to something.

“Oh? Just happened to be in this part of town? At a coffee shop?”

“Well, maybe I have connections and they just happened to tell me where I could find you.”

Now there was the arrogant man she remembered. “I bet you do. Well, I was just about to head out. I have a lot of research to do today.” Evelyn started to shuffle her belongings into her bag.

“Research, eh? What exactly do you do?” Keaton was obviously intrigued as to her mission for the day and the reason she was in England in the first place.

“I’m a romance novelist and I’m here working on a new novel set in England.”

“An American Romance novelist? Well, well and how are your experiences so far working for your inspiration?” There he went again, she thought. He was arrogant for sure or at least that is what he came off as.

“The last 24 hours have worked wonders for my writing. I feel so inspired by meeting a prince and being swept off my feet.” Evelyn’s sarcasm was evident.

“It has been my pleasure. How can I help you further?”

“Oh, you have helped me way too much already. Thank you.” Evelyn rose from her patio spot and swung her bag to her shoulder. Keaton also rose, stepping closer to her.

Flustered and getting ready to walk away, she looked up to realize she had stepped even closer to Keaton and his take me to bed eyes were telling her not to leave.

“Evelyn, let me help you. I can show you around some of the oldest estates in the area. Surely I can be of assistance to your research rather than bantering with you. But don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy that.” His devilish grin came out again and Evelyn began to relax. The tension and warmth flowing through her body started to soothe and calm her.

“Aren’t you a busy man? You are in London for a reason, correct?”

“Yes but my family can be a little too much. I’m just the best man and my duties are simple enough. I would much rather be back on the continent, flying. That’s what I love but Royal family duties call me here. Today, though, I am your humble servant.”

Evelyn looked up at him, his sincerity and genuine want to help evident. Why not let him show her around, she thought.

“Well then, shouldn’t we get started?” Evelyn walked past Keaton smiling as he gladly followed her lead. The day was sure to be anything but boring.