Princess Suite

By Jen McConnel

Once Upon a Time never felt like this...
Pretty Woman meets “The Princess and the Pea” in this modern fairy tale!

With his million-dollar smile and a face that’s been on hundreds of magazines, Carter Edwards is Hollywood’s favorite leading man. But away from the cameras, Carter’s reeling from a messy divorce, and he’s grown disenchanted with the glamour of the movies. Desperate for a career reboot, he decides to try his hand at Broadway, but he isn’t counting on meeting Lynne, a woman who can see right through his act.

Even though it’s been years since her divorce prompted Lynne to get sober, she still feels like she can’t let anybody get too close. But when her job throws Carter Edwards in her path, Lynne finds herself falling for the movie star, even as she tries to convince herself that her feelings can’t be real.

PRINCESS SUITE is a contemporary romance inspired by The Princess and the Pea, and it's the third book in the Once Upon a Desire series.

Once Upon a Desire: contemporary fairy tales with a pinch of spice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jen McConnel
• Release date: Apr 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463323151

Jen McConnel

Jen McConnel is an award winning author. She writes Young Adult and New Adult fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. When she isn’t writing, she can be found on her yoga mat, teaching, or wandering off on another adventure.

Book preview

PRINCESS SUITE

Once Upon a Desire

By Jen McConnel

PRINCESS SUITE

By Jen McConnel

Published by Jen McConnel

Smashwords Edition, 2nd edition

Copyright 2018

Cover Design Brightfish Press

This book originally appeared under the pen name Charity Hillis in 2015.

License Statement:

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Copyright

A Note from the Author

More from the Once Upon a Desire Series

CHAPTER ONE

Carter hated flying. There was something about being trapped inside a metal cylinder for hours, shooting over mountains, lakes, and other death traps just waiting to happen that terrified him.

But that didn’t matter to his manager; Davis always insisted that he fly everywhere, even if it would have been possible to drive. California to New York really would have been a hellish road trip, though, so Carter kept his mouth shut and his hands clenched on the wide armrests in first class as he made his way to La Guardia.

He’d halfheartedly suggested getting a rental truck and driving his stuff to Manhattan himself, but Davis had dismissed the idea immediately.

Oh, ‘cause you’d do so well stopping at crappy little rest areas and posing with random families on vacation. The manager had shaken his head firmly. No reason to bring everything with you yet, anyway; you don’t want the press getting wind of it, right?

What’s it going to matter if they know I’m moving to New York now, or in six months?

In six months, God willing, you’ll have made such a splash on Broadway that everyone will expect you to move. Davis jabbed his chest. If they knew you were moving now, not just passing through and playing on the stage for a bit of fun, how long do you think it would take for the vultures to start circling? Driving a moving truck across the country smells an awful lot like running away from Hollywood, Carter.

But I am running away, Carter thought, staring out the window as the plane began its initial descent. He swallowed the rest of his complimentary whiskey and shut his eyes, trying to ignore the way his stomach lurched as the plane slowly lost altitude.

Will there be anything else, sir?

Carter opened one eye as the flight attendant leaned over him to collect his glass, her hand brushing deliberately against his arm as she pulled back. Maryanne or Marianne, she’d said her name was. He swallowed the bile in his throat and flashed her his million dollar smile. I’m doing just fine, he said, slipping into the role of a happy, successful movie star with ease. But you’ve been good to me. He winked at her, and she smiled at him sappily.

I’m sure people ask you this all the time, she began, studying his face. But—

Yup, Carter purred. I’m him.

Her grin stretched wider. I thought so. Oh, my gosh, my roommate is going to flip when I tell her. Can I, um, would it be awful of me to ask for your autograph?

Carter reached over and plucked the pen from her apron pocket, and she flushed. With a flourish, he scrawled his name across the tiny napkin sitting on the tray table in front of him, and then he presented both the napkin and the pen to the woman like some knight errant offering a favor to his lady fair. How many years has it been since I played a part like that? I didn’t really like the tights, but I still remember all the moves, he thought as he smiled at the flight attendant.

She gushed her thanks and backed away toward the cockpit, and he ran a hand through his hair, wondering idly if the gray at his temples would make people treat him like a has-been. His manager had assured him that his hair was still an asset, but Carter wasn’t entirely sure he believed him. Still, the flight attendant hadn’t seemed to mind.

Carter risked another glance out the window. Buildings were looming dangerously close, and he reflexively shut his eyes again, dropping the comfortable mask he always wore with the fans. At least she distracted me, he thought as the wheels finally ground down on the runway. That wasn’t as bad as it usually is. Still, he drew in a shuddering breath before he got off the plane, but the minute he walked into the airport, he plastered his usual smile across his face. He wore it like some celebrities wore their sunglasses; his fan smile was his disguise, his armor, no matter what else was going on around him.

He hadn’t been sure if there’d be any reporters at the airport or not, but he was seasoned enough to be ready for them at any moment. The only person who seemed to notice him, however, was his manager, checking his cell phone constantly and waiting at baggage claim. Davis had flown out the day before to get everything squared away for Carter’s arrival, although Carter wished he would have had company on the flight instead. The only thing worse than flying was flying alone.

Davis slipped his phone into his pocket as Carter approached. You made good time. Let’s go.

Where did you book me again? Carter asked, grabbing his roller bag off the carousel and striding toward the exit.

Regal Towers.

Never heard of it.

Davis shrugged and pointed to the black car with tinted windows idling by the curb. It was the only penthouse in your price range.

Carter winced. I don’t need a penthouse, he said as he handed his bag to the man who was waiting by the open trunk of the car.

Yes you do. It’s the look of the thing. Doesn’t matter if the hotel is shabby or not; Carter Edwards is a big star, remember? And big stars stay in the penthouse.

Carter rolled his eyes. Right. Hollywood stars, he reminded Davis. Broadway nobodies barely make the rent.

Davis held the door for him, and then slid into the backseat after Carter. Stop being so negative. New York is a great scene, and the perfect place for a career reboot. Look at what happened with Moyra.

Carter winced and looked out the window. Thanks for the reminder. Talking about his ex was painful, especially after she’d left their failing marriage behind to become a hit on Broadway while his own career had floundered.

Look, I’m just saying there are worse ways to cash in on your name. Or did you want me to look at some of those adult film offers?

Carter glanced at the man, expecting a punchline, but Davis wore a serious expression. No, thanks.

Davis looked disappointed. They pay pretty well, if that’s what you’re worried about.

No, Davis.

Then Broadway it is.

Carter sank back into his seat with a sigh. You don’t suppose Moyra will think I’m just copying her?

Davis shrugged. So what? You didn’t worry about that when you two were married. Why start now?

Because divorce makes you feel like you have to ask permission just to keep breathing, Carter thought, but he just shrugged at his manager. Being silly, I guess.

Yeah, you are. Stop worrying about Moyra, and focus on blowing everybody away at your auditions this week.

Carter nodded, trying to look confident, but he was dreading the auditions. Reading for a part in front of a camera is one thing, he thought, staring out the window as the car made its way into the city. But facing an auditorium full of people is something else entirely.

CHAPTER TWO

Lynne rushed around the corner, carrying a tall floral arrangement with both hands. The pager at her waist beeped insistently, but she ignored it. She managed to press the elevator button with her elbow, but once inside, she had to set the flowers down in order to reach the access card dangling from a pull cord at her waist. Swiping it against the keypad, Lynne typed in the code for the Princess Suite. Only hotel managers, elite guests, and carefully screened members of the staff had that code; the penthouse was a world unto itself, a world most of the hotel guests didn’t even know existed, and Lynne knew the rock stars and celebrities who stayed in the Princess Suite paid good money for that little slice of anonymity. Well, they will, at least, she reminded herself. There hadn’t been any guests in the suite since the remodel, but that was about to change.

The elevator doors slid open silently, and scooping up her flowers, Lynne hurried down the hall. Carter Edwards was due to arrive any minute, and Lynne’s pulse accelerated at the thought of even one petal being out of place in the Princess Suite by the time the movie star checked in. Her boss had made it clear to her that a lot was riding on this visit; if Carter Edwards felt properly pampered during his stay, there was a chance that he might endorse the aging hotel, and after the price tag on the recent renovations, Lynne knew they desperately needed the visibility boost that Edwards could provide. Panting, she used a different code for the keyless entry to the penthouse, and the door opened inward on oiled hinges.

She paused at the threshold, eyeing the plush white carpet for a moment before she slipped off her shoes and crept into the suite in her stocking feet. No need to mention that to housekeeping, she thought, walking carefully to the breakfast table dwarfed by a wall of windows looking down on Manhattan. Besides, they’d have to vacuum again if I left shoe prints on that floor, and we don’t have time for that. Setting down the flowers on the petite table, Lynne risked a glance down at the city below.

The view was breathtaking, and Lynne paused to drink it in. She’d only been made shift manager a few months before, and there hadn’t been a reason for her to be in the Princess Suite since she’d gained access to it. Sunlight cut across the skyscrapers, and everything was bathed in a pale golden light. I’ll bet it’s even more magical after dark, she thought, her eyes skimming the familiar tip of the Chrysler Building in the distance. Other hotels might have had more desirable locations and swankier style, but Lynne thought it would be hard to beat the view from the Princess Suite.

Even though she could have stood there all day, gawking at the city, Lynne dragged her eyes away and hurried back to the door of the penthouse. Her promotion may have meant she had access to the suite and the celebrities who were hopefully going to make Regal Towers their home away from home, but it also meant she had to act like she wasn’t awed by the opulence of the penthouse and its guests. That was proving to be a challenge, especially since she’d heard that Edwards was going to be the first guest she was in charge of, but Lynne wasn’t about to risk her job chasing adolescent fantasies and movie stars.

She slipped her shoes back on and glanced into the room, her eyes skimming every nook and cranny one last time to make sure everything was ready for their special guest. The suite looked elegantly perfect, and Lynne closed the door behind her with a sigh. She sometimes wondered what it would be like to be a guest at Regal, rather than a manager, to enjoy some of the opulence without worrying about the rules. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to enjoy ANY hotel stay now, she thought as she hurried to the elevator. Or do I know too much about what goes on behind the scenes?

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to close her eyes and tip her head back, but she resisted the urge to sit down on the plush settee in front of the gold elevator doors. One of the first things she’d learned when she started work years ago as a check-in clerk was that the hotel had security cameras scattered everywhere, and although they were ostensibly there for the safety of the guests, Lynne had known a handful of employees who were fired over things that couldn’t possibly have been seen without the aid of the cameras. She rolled her shoulders and straightened up as the elevator doors opened, a professional smile plastered on her face.

When she got back to the front desk, she surveyed the lobby with a critical eye. The money that the owners had poured into renovating the penthouse hadn’t stretched very far in the rest of the hotel, but Lynne had made sure the old carpet in the lobby had been steam cleaned before she went home the previous night, and the stately wooden registration desk had been freshly polished.