His Royal Prize by Katherine Garbera Page A

them.
    “There is nothing scandalous about my relationship with Amelia.”
    “What is your relationship?” Steven asked.
    “None of your business,” Geoff responded.
    Henry leaned forward. “I get that, mate, but if you are going to be in the papers…”
    Geoff didn’t like having to explain himself to anyone, especially these two. He was the oldest of them and he should be the one they deferred to. “Not that it matters, but we are talking about a business deal between the airline and Munroe Hotels.”
    Steven nodded. “Great idea. I think that’s enough to keep Edmond off your back.”
    “How do you know about Edmond?” Geoff asked.
    “He’s calling all of us…trying to make sure we’re not following in dear old Dad’s footsteps, I’m sure,” Henry said.
    Steven laughed and Geoff shook his head. “We don’t even know the man, how could we be anything like him?”
    “Beats me. I’m just glad to know that I’m not the only one getting calls,” Steven said.
    “Me, too,” Geoff added.
    The men settled back to drink their drinks and discuss the business of the Everest Group, and for the first time since Edmond had called this afternoon, Geoff felt a sense of peace about the entire deal with Amelia. He knew how to manage his personal life and how to make sure that she knew where she stood in it.
     
    Amelia dressed carefully for her evening with Geoff, putting on a pair of slim-fitting jeans and a designer top. She wrapped a scarf around her neck and then donned a leather bomber-style jacket. She put her hair up in a high ponytail as she checked her look in the mirror one more time.
    Her afternoon had been full and busy, but she’d discovered that having Geoff’s contact information was interesting. She kept wondering what he was doing and had been tempted to call him at least six times, but she’d resisted.
    Everything about him made her feel unsure and excited at the same time. She wanted to know where he was and if he was thinking about her, but at the same time was so afraid to ask him and she hated the fear.
    She’d always known exactly who she was and what she wanted from life. And now Geoff Devonshire was making her question all of it. Because now she wished to be the kind of woman that he wanted her to be.
    She had tried to be one man’s ideal before and it hadn’t worked out for her. In fact, she was often trying to fill a need in a man, she thought. With her father, it had beendutiful daughter. With her brother, it was responsible sister. With other men, it had been exotic, sexy girlfriend. And all those roles had left her wanting.
    She was all of those things and so much more and she was just beginning to understand that she needed to let herself be who she really was.
    Her cell phone rang and she was tempted to let it go to voice mail but she needed a distraction from her own thoughts.
    “This is Amelia,” she said.
    “It’s Auggie. I got your message,” he said. She heard music playing in the background and knew he was either in his car or at his place.
    “What do you think? The board is adamant. They want to see something new from you or you’re out,” she said.
    “And you’re in? Is that what your agenda is?” Auggie asked.
    He sounded paranoid, which probably meant one thing—he was using drugs. She closed her eyes, not ready to deal with her brother the addict again. “You know I’m not trying to take over your position. I’m trying to help you.”
    “Are you, Lia? I’m not sure anymore. Vickers told me that you argued with the board for a change in roles for me,” he said.
    “I did make that point but only because you hate being in the office. I’ve been thinking that you should be the new face of Munroe Hotels.”
    “You think so?”
    “Yes. People want to stay with someone they know. I’m also working on a joint promotion with Everest Airthat I think will bring in extra revenue. What do you think? You know the board better than I do, but I want to give