Finding My Prince Charming (Finding My Prince Charming #1)(25)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“You done writing for the night?”

“No, but I’ll finish before bed.”

“I can’t believe you’ve kept up journaling all these years.” Anna linked her arm through mine as we walked to the living room in house we were living in in Streatham. It wasn’t the most fun living with a family, but we made do.

“It helps me to process my thoughts.”

We sat on the couch, and Anna turned the TV on. I looked around the room and smiled when I looked at the radiator in the corner, and it hit me once again that we were in London.

“OMG, Anna, can you believe it? We’re finally here.”

“It’s like a dream, isn’t it?” She sat back and pulled a blanket over her legs. “I do have to admit that I miss the Florida weather, but there’s nothing like being in London in the fall.”

“I know. This is so different from Palm Bay.”

“And Orlando.”

“Definitely.”

We both laughed, but then silence befell us both as we thought about what we had left behind. It was true that it had been both of our dreams to study in London—really, anywhere in Europe. We’d always wanted to explore the world, but neither of us had ever had the money. We didn’t really have it now either, but loans were our saving grace. That was why I’d applied for the assistant position.

Anna finally spoke up. “I wonder how my mom is.”

“We should get a phone card tomorrow and call.”

“Yeah.”

“How are you?” I squeezed her leg and gave her a look of concern.

“As good as I can be.” She shrugged and looked at the screen. “Now let’s see what’s on.”

“Okay.” I sat back, unsure of what to say next, so I didn’t say anything.

Anna’s father had recently lost his job and her parents were worried that they were going to lose their house. The stress had been really hard on Anna, and she had been working two jobs as well as going to school to help save the house. It had been a hard decision for her to come here, but her parents had been supportive of her coming over here with me. They knew how much she needed a break from all of the stress.

***

The next morning, I rang the doorbell with my heart in my mouth. I didn’t want to see Xavier again—or rather, I didn’t want to hear his insults.

“Good morning, Lola.” He opened the door and ushered me in with a gracious smile.

I looked at him in confusion. What was going on here? Why was he being nice?

“Morning, Xavier,” I replied slowly and uncertainly.

I looked around the entryway as I walked in, taking in his house with extreme curiosity. It wasn’t as I’d expected it to be. It seemed homey, with the small wooden console to the right and a coat stand next to it. There were letters on the console and some newspapers, all in a mess.

“Excuse the mess.” Xavier smiled as he noticed that I was looking at the console.

“Maid off today?”

“I don’t have a maid.”

“Oh.” I was surprised again. “What about a housekeeper?”

“No housekeeper.” He ushered me to follow him down the hallway, and I was disappointed that I couldn’t peek into any of the rooms because the doors were shut.

“You look surprised?” He smiled at me and I nodded. “This is my home, and I prefer for it to be just me. I have enough people trying to take care of me back in my country. While I’m in London, I like to live like a normal person.”

“Uh, okay.” I tried not to laugh. I had no idea what he was talking about. Like a normal person? Wow. He really did think he was something, didn’t he?

“Thank you for being on time. I find many people your age don’t seem to know how to read a clock.”

“Yeah, well, it’s my first day. I didn’t want to be late.”

“You look very chirpy this morning.”

“Chirpy?” I couldn’t resist giving him a look.

“Chirpy. Fresh. Beautiful.”

“Oh. Thanks.” I looked down and blushed.

“And this is my office.” He paused outside of a room with an open door. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’ll be working in the same room.”

“That’s fine.” Why was he being so nice?

“Have a seat and tell me about yourself.”

“What?” I yawned. “Oh, sorry about that.”

His eyes narrowed as he surveyed my face. “Late night?”

“No, not really. Not any later than usual.”

“On a date?” he asked casually.

“No.” I tried not to roll my eyes. “Sebastian hasn’t asked me out as yet.”

“Funny.” He sat back in his chair and just studied my face. “You’re a very funny girl, Lolita.”

“Like I told you, it’s Lola, and I’m not going to be doing stand up anytime soon.”

“So you like my brother?”

“Is this really how we’re going to start? Is that any of your business?” I leaned forward and stared him directly in the eyes. “I’m here to be your assistant, not your patient.”

“I like my assistants to be my friends.”

“I don’t really see that in the cards.” I lifted my nose up in the air and looked down at him. “For one, you’re my professor, and for two, you’re a pompous ass.” I bit my lower lip as I realized what I had just said. Fuck, I was going to get fired.

“You’re still mad at me because we slept together.” He stood up and walked over to me. “Stand up.”

“Huh?”

“Stand up.” He grabbed my hands and pulled me up.

I stumbled slightly and fell against him. His arms held me against him for a few seconds before letting go of me.

“What are you doing?” I gasped as he started unbuttoning his shirt.

“You are annoyed and upset because we had sex and I’ve seen you naked. You do not know how to act now because you are immature and unsure.”

“Not at all.” I glared at him as my heart raced. I could see the hair on his chest as he kept on unbuttoning his shirt, and I felt heat rising up from my belly.

“Are you scared to see me naked?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I don’t care,” I mumbled. Please dear God, do not take your shirt off. I’m not sure if I will be able to keep my hands off you.

“Liar,” he whispered. “You want me as badly as I want you.”