Page 55 of Striking
“That one’s going to be bad, by the way,” Atticus adds. “Really bad.”
“Oh yay,” I whisper as Joss laughs.
“Okay, no on-camera interview. You’ll both talk to your families tomorrow and the rest of the country the day after.” Joss whips out her phone and starts taking notes. “You’re also going to be moving tomorrow. But you won’t have to do anything for that. I can help show you around the palace while Rhys is in meetings.”
“Joss, seriously.” I take my phone from Rhys and open my own notes app, inspired by the force of nature standing across from me breaking this all down in a way I can handle. “I’m sure you can’t keep skipping work to help me. But I appreciate it.”
“You need to get your wife her own staff to help her out, Rhys,” she snaps, and I kind of love that Rhys has friends who aren’t afraid to call him on his shit, king or not.
Although I hadn’t even realized I needed a staff.
“You’re absolutely right, Joss. You’re hired.”
My head whips around to look at Rhys as Joss coughs. “I have a job, Rhys.”
“Ten hours a week spent shopping doesn’t count as a job, Josselyn,” Silas coughs, and Atticus laughs. “This is the perfect job for you, and it will get the parental units off your back. They can’t be disappointed with you if you’re the private secretary to the queen.”
Joss looks torn. “Would you even want to work with me, bee?”
“Yes, please,” I groan. “I don’t have a clue what I’m doing, what I’m supposed to wear, or who anybody is. You could be my Yoda.”
Joss scrunches up her nose. “What’s a Yoda? Is that like an American thing?”
“Don’t you haveStar Warsin Mornea?” I look around the room, but the guys are all staring at Joss, equally shocked expressions on each of their faces. “Whatever. Just please help me.”
“Step one . . . Everyone else out.”
BELLAMY
You have always been more than enough.
You just needed to find the right person to help you see it.
—Bellamy’s Secret Thoughts
Wrapped in my husband’s arms has quickly become my second favorite way to wake up in the morning. Rhys’s lips on my body is definitely the first. This morning, I’m getting both.
The scrape of his teeth along my neck as he pulls me back against his bare chest is heavenly. One big hand slides down my stomach and inside my panties. “Fucking love waking up with you in my bed.”
“Oh God,” I moan as he teases my clit. “A girl could get used to this, Your Highness.”
“Your phone is ringing, little bee.”
“Who cares?” I moan as a blunt finger pushes inside my sex, and I block out everything that isn’t him.
“Shirt off, Bellamy,” he commands, and I immediately rip my shirt over my head, desperate to feel his skin against mine. “Fucking beautiful.”
My toes curl, and my body tightens.
Until . . .
“Your Royal Highness” throws a bucket of cold water over me, and Rhys’s bedroom door opens.
“Oh my God!” I scream and yank the blanket up to my chin as Rhys sits up casually, like this is an everyday occurrence. “What is happening?”
“There are certain members of the staff who have walk-in rights,” he groans as if he only just remembered that little fact.
“Umm... You didn’t think maybe you should have told me that?” I snap. “We might want to change that fact if you ever want me naked in this bed again.”
