She snuggled up next to Royal in his bed and rested her head against his chest. He yawned loudly causing her to giggle.“Rough day?”“The roughest,” he chuckled. “If someone had told me six months ago, I’d be parenting the tornado we call Precious, arguing with my mother about how much of a meddlesome bitch she can be, finding out the woman of my dreams is one my brother wanted for himself and seducing her despite this, I would have called them insane. Yet, here I am, doing all three and I can’t lie and say I’m not emotionally exhausted.” He squeezed her, “I’m used to girls falling into my arms not fighting me tooth and nail. You’re a lot of work, Famke Noor.”“Screw you, Royal,” she nudged him with her elbow. “The best things in life are the things you’ve gotta fight for.”He laughed and hugged her tight, “I know. I also know how to work really hard. I don’t give up easy.”“I would never have guessed,” she said sarcastically.He rolled over her, resting his elbows on either side of h

Famke was sitting in the living area listening to music and reading a book when Royal and Precious came back from church. Her eyes roved him hungrily. He was in a suit which fit his frame exquisitely and his legs were long and lean, and she had a flash of how his legs intertwined with hers while he made love to her. She blinked rapidly and looked away, clearing her throat as the memory made her shift uncomfortably in the chair.She was about to greet them when she saw the trio coming in behind them. Nerves at the sight of Imani made her pause.“Hey, I brought stragglers home.” He carried Precious into the room where she sat.A woman, younger than her, flounced into the space and dropped into a chair opposite Famke. “So, you’re the girlfriend my brother brought back from Pittsburgh.” She looked to Royal, “taking a page out of Prince’s book and going white, huh? A warning would have been nice.”“I didn’t mention it because it isn’t important to me,” Royal shoved her forward from behind.

Royal closed the door behind his mother who wiggled her eyebrows at him. The woman was crazy. He turned back to Famke. “Are you okay?”“Why wouldn’t I be?”“Mom can be a bit much,” he admitted as he studied her carefully, worried he’d gotten there too late. “Did she say or do anything to upset you?”“No.” She looked at him with confusion and then with understanding, “is that why you came up here? To make sure your mom wasn’t cornering me?”“She didn’t tell me she was coming up here. She snuck off while I was on a call with my assistant in my office. She left Dad and Jubi to get Precious dried off and into warm clothes and snuck up the stairs.” He approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I was glad to see she was speaking softly and not yelling at you.”“Did she yell at Mindy?”“She usually cuts people to the quick with a harshly worded put-down. She has a sharp tongue. What did she want?”“To apologize and to tell me she was worried I’d exercise my m

Famke was kicking her foot to the beat of the music when Jubi came back and looked around.“Where is everyone?”“Royal and Keshaun went to the bathroom about twenty minutes ago. Kara left with Ambrosia.”“Keshaun and Kara showed up?”“Yup. They had an argument when Kara called me the staff and agreed with Ambrosia how I was using Royal for his cash. Seems to be a popular opinion tonight,” she shot the woman a sideways glance. Jubilee had the decency to look down, chagrined. “I don’t care about his money, Jubi.”“I know. I’m sorry for snapping earlier. I was hoping you’d party with me and it’s clear you only want to be with Royal. It’s the first time I’ve gotten him out in months. I thought if you let loose, he’d let loose, and it would be like old times.” She sighed, “I just miss the old Royal.”“I bet. Everything must feel really different without Prince here.”“It sucks,” she admitted twisting a ring nervously around her finger. She took a breath, “did you ever know a secret you kne

Famke was giggling like a fool when Royal was pulling her through the exit of the club. He had stopped to dance with her so many times she was surprised they were finally outside.“What about Keshaun and Jubi?”“Keshaun already promised me he would take her home. He’s going back to our place with her. Mom and Dad are there. They will put her to bed in one of the spare rooms. Keshaun has a room he always uses at my place.”“Where are we going?”“I’m hungry.”“You’re hungry?”“Yup.” He opened the back door of an oversized SUV, “your chariot awaits, madam,” he intoned in the worst English accent she’d ever heard.“Wow,” she froze and looked at him. “I finally found something the great Royal Robinson can’t do.”“What? My accent is impeccable.” He continued pushing her towards the back seat.“It is not impeccable.” She giggled as she got into the seat and yelped when his hand connected with her bottom. “Hey, you spanked me!”“I did.” His eyes mocked her, “making fun of my accent.”“Let me