I’m bored.” I yank the silk bow tie from my neck and throw it on the table. “Isn’t there anything other than charity money grabs in this backwater?”

Seattle isn’t the first place I’d choose to spend any amount of time, but I need a break and Father has decreed that I be here as the gala approaches. I’m regretting being in this sleepy town. Oh, they like to think they’re modern and cutting edge, because of all the high tech here, but let me tell you this: they’re not. A bunch of rich geeks do not mean a town is culturally interesting.

Though if I’m honest, I’m also bored with life. The last few years have been a string of parties, jetting around, and more women than I can even remember. None of that thrills me anymore and I don’t know where to go from here. My family wants me to settle down, but if I haven’t found a woman I want to marry by now, I doubt I ever will.

“Dude, pack a bag and join us in St. Maarten next week. Dominic is sailing in and rumor has it several Victoria’s Secret models will be in attendance.” Alfred leers.

“Maybe,” I say, knowing I won’t go. I lean back and try to get the attention of the waitress. She’s cute. Not like I need another woman following me around, but…her curves are giving me a boner. I may be bored with life, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have needs. And this dead sexy waitress is reminding my libido that my needs have not been adequately met in some time now.

This isn’t the first time I’ve wondered what I’m doing with my life. The family thinks I need to be married and popping out a brood, to keep the royal bloodline going. Maybe one day. Maybe. I idly wonder if I should get a job, then stop myself. What on earth would I do?

“Gabriel, you’re getting all broody over there. You need to snap out of it.”

“Yeah, whatever. I’m just bored. I’m stuck here until after the museum gala. My father has been riding me again about settling down.”

“Does your father know you?” Christian bellows, laughing uproariously.

Thing is, Father does know me, or he thinks he does. He thinks I’m still leaving a trail of broken hearts behind me, but the truth is I’ve backed away from that. I’m vaguely interested in settling down, but I’ve never met a woman I found truly captivating. There’s no way I’m going to tie myself to a woman just because it’s what I should do or it’s what my family wants me to do. I’m only going to marry a woman I absolutely love.

“Have you found a pretty girl to be your date?” Christian says, not looking up from his phone. He’s swiping through pictures of women, so it’s obvious what he’ll be doing in an hour.

I groan. “No. The women here are too…” I wave my hand in the air. “Social climbers. You can see them angling for a date the moment they find out who I am. I’m bored of the gold diggers.”

“Why not hire someone?”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Hire a hooker to go to the gala at the Pacific Art Museum? My family would disown me.” I laugh loudly and slap the table with my hand. “That’s a ludicrous idea!”

“Fuck man. No need to get bent out of shape,” Alfred says, nodding toward our waitress. “Hell, why not hire her? She’s cute. A little thick, but cute.”

I take another look at her. She is certainly sexy alright. She would definitely be a change of pace. Plus, my father would explode if I showed up with someone he deems unacceptable. It might be worth it just for that.

“Dude,” Christian says, finally looking up from his phone. “I dare you to ask her.”

“You all set for the night?” I nod toward the phone he’s tucking in his tux pocket.

“Damn fucking straight I am. Tall blonde on her way to the hotel, now. Gonna get fucked senseless, then push her out the door so I can sleep and wake up alone.”

“Such a romantic…”

“Hey, waitress,” Christian yells, snapping his fingers. The redhead stiffens and turns, a scowl darkening her pretty face. She says something to the other waitress, then returns to the table. I can’t help grinning at how cute she is, all angry and face darkened with fury.

“Is there something additional you need?” Her voice is polite, but her eyes are filled with murder.

“Well, not me, so much as our friend here,” Christian bellows, clapping me on the back.

“Ask her, Gabriel,” Alfred adds, leaning over and looking at the waitress like a fox eyeing a rabbit.

“Yeah, look,” I say, not quite raising my eyes from her luscious, ample breasts. Her work shirt outlines her full breasts spectacularly. “Would you like to be my date for a little event coming up at the Pacific Art Museum? It’s to unveil a special loan to their collection.”

“Obviously she has no idea what you’re talking about,” Alfred snickers. He assumes that people not in our circle don’t know anything about the events we attend.

“Actually, I do.” Her voice is tight, but something slight changes in her eyes. “Why should I be your date?”

“Why shouldn’t you?” Christian challenges. “Don’t you realize who he…”

“I’ll give you fifteen thousand reasons.” I pull out my Dior Homme wallet out of my jacket and extract several hundreds and lay them on the table. “You can consider that a down payment.”

“I’ll take that as a tip,” she says, brazenly taking the money and shoving it in the pocket of her apron. “But the price is a little higher. One-hundred grand. Take it or leave it.”

The guys take a long look at her and stare. She’s certainly gutsy. I like gutsy. I watch her watching me, her hands on her hips. She’s definitely not a shrinking violet.

“You’ve got a deal.” I whip out my Mobiado phone and take a picture of her. “What’s your number?”

Surprise and more anger flashes across her eyes, then she takes my phone and taps in her phone number.

“Thank you,” I glance down at my phone, “Sophie. I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll work out the details.”

“Fine.”

Sophie pivots on her heel and walks back to the counter. I’m not the only one staring and admiring her round, luscious ass.

“That girl’s got balls,” Alfred says, admiration and awe in his voice.

No. That girl has curves and moxie.

I check her picture in my phone and feel immense satisfaction. I’m pleased that I’ll see her again. Taking a waitress to the gala might infuriate my father, but at least I’ll see her again.

And my cock is hoping that it has the chance to meet that luscious body of hers.