by Lynn, Sophia
She didn’t say anything as she followed Florence down the stairway.
“I don’t mean anything by it, Ms. Jones. The king is a grown man who keeps his private life very close to his heart. Experience has shown me that the things that make him happy make him a better leader. To each their own, I say.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said simply.
“Shall we stroll in the herb garden for a moment? We have a bit of time before the morning meal.”
“Sounds like a great idea.”
Florence smiled and fell into step beside her as they made their way outside and into the garden just off the kitchen. A beautifully cultivated herb garden was in full glory, the paths between circles and rows and plots of caged vines wide enough to be functional for harvesting, but decorative with multicolored red, brown, and black mulch leading the way.
“I’m stalling, actually.” Florence covered her mouth with her delicate fingers as if she’d spilled a secret. “William’s mother wouldn’t take well to having her time with her son interrupted by the likes of us, so we’re best to dally a while.”
“The likes of us?” The question was out before Sarah could stop herself. Florence hadn’t said it offensively, but there was an implied context she wanted to know more about.
“Those of us not immediate family. In my case, an appointed official who also happens to be an employee. And in yours, well, you’re a foreigner and a reporter. Neither of us will be privy to the family recipe for mincemeat pie anytime soon.”
Florence chuckled, bringing a smile to Sarah’s face. She wasn’t sure how to take the older woman, but when Florence grabbed Sarah’s arm and linked it through her own, she knew she was in good company. They strolled through the garden for a few moments longer, until the growl of Sarah’s stomach finally got them to go inside. She smoothed her shirt and hair as they paused before floor-to-ceiling double doors with elaborate metal handles.
“No worries, Ms. Jones. You look radiant. I’d say Brixton is a good fit for you. Now, the mother is formal but kind. The uncles are very warm and polite, unlike the youngest nephew who you’ll recognize the moment he opens his entitled mouth. Shall we?”
She pushed open the doors to the formal dining room, giving Sarah no time to gawk at the decadence of the room. William stood and gestured Sarah to a seat beside him while Florence moved to the opposite end of the table. Sarah was acutely aware that all eyes were on her as she hesitated before sitting.
“I’d like to introduce Sarah Jones, the reporter from Future Magazine I mentioned earlier. I’ve agreed to give her extended access to others involved in the clean water initiative development. That meeting will take place promptly after breakfast.”
A round of warm welcomes came from around the table. She smiled her greeting, trying hard not to fiddle under the table. William gestured to a woman sitting at the front, her glossy brown hair falling in curls to her shoulders. He introduced her as his mother, then introduced her to the three men across from them. His uncles and a nephew. They all gave smiles and greetings, save for the youngest of the three, Asher, who crossed his arms and looked away.
“I can’t say I’ve ever encountered an interview that lasts quite this long,” Asher said, looking smug. “Is there a particular area of interest you have, Ms. Jones, that requires you to stay on palace grounds for the duration of your stay?”
Waitstaff began to move quietly around them, setting plates of food in front of each guest, and filling crystal tumblers with juice. They moved with grace and efficiency, as if they were a seamless part of the room. Sarah tried to smile but also saw the jab for what it was.
“Actually, there is. King Ravenshire has been kind enough to show me documents and research instrumental in creating the water initiative, as well as a tour of your shores and areas of pollution already affecting Brixton. As those documents require a bulk of my time, and cannot be removed from the palace, I found it best to accept the king’s offer to stay here until my own research is complete.”
He looked unimpressed. “Indeed.”
William quickly engaged one of his uncles in a new route of conversation, and the meal progressed easily. She was feeling more comfortable, enjoying eggs and coffee and tender slices of meat that she learned was quail in gravy. An assortment of fruit was placed before her, a signal the meal was nearly over she supposed. One of William’s uncles wiped his mouth with a napkin and gave her a curious glance.
“Ms. Jones, I imagine you have exceptional reporting skills in order to be chosen for this assignment. I’m curious if you also have a personal investment or interest in this topic?”
Asher snickered and covered it by wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Reporting skills? I thought a name was simply drawn from a hat.” He laughed, looking around pointedly as if others should laugh with him. “Isn’t that how it usually goes?”
William pinned his nephew with a stare and gave a small shake of his head. “Actually, Ms. Jones was kind enough to share with me that her father was the late oceanographer Nicholas Jones, best known for his work for National Geographic. She accompanied him from a tender age, seeing firsthand the effects of pollution on marine life.”
Murmurs of approval went through the room. Sarah gave William a thankful smile, and the meal resumed in companionable conversation. When it was over, she met with his project advisors and finished gathering information to complete the article.
The remainder of the week went by in a blink. She spent a good deal of time with Florence as William worked, finding herself enjoying every moment of the older woman’s quirky personality and honest opinions about, well, everything. Her time with William became more limited as the demands of his position came to full light. She was determined to enjoy every moment with him, immersing herself in long walks after intimate evening meals. Swims in the ocean and skinny-dips in the infinity pool that resulted in her having multiple orgasms on the deck lounger. And nights spent in his bed, content and satiated as she lay against his shoulder with his strong arm around her, the rise and fall of his breath something she promised herself she’d never forget. When she closed her eyes in the dark, she could easily recall each hallway and staircase around the palace, the exits leading to beautiful gardens, the décor of each room. In just a few short days, she’d come to know the little world they’d allowed her into inside these storied walls like a familiar dream.
She was content here. She felt welcome here. And if she let herself, she could easily allow herself to feel something deeper for the incredibly sexy, intelligent man lying naked beside her. Tomorrow the fairy tale would end, she’d hop a plane back to California, and have an abundance of beautiful memories to remind her of her time in this magical place.
She couldn’t stay. She couldn’t let herself want to stay. She had responsibilities and a career to grow.
It was time to go home.
Chapter Eight
William
William woke to a ray of sun crossing his eyes. Blinking and rubbing his eyes, he readjusted on his pillow and yawned.
Then he remembered.
And his heart bottomed out.
Turning onto his side, he let out a sigh of relief to see Sarah lying there, her golden hair splayed across her pillow. Her heart-shaped face was relaxed and peaceful in sleep, her skin flawless in the dawning light. His chest clenched. She was leaving today. In a few hours, Sarah Jones would step out of his life and go back to California where their tryst would likely become a faint memory.
What if it didn’t? What if she was all he could think about after she was gone? What if he couldn’t forget? He traced a finger lightly along her jawline. He’d enjoyed this past week more than he had anything else in recent memory. He’d laughed more, relaxed more, simply been present in the moment more. All thanks to Sarah.
His chest clenched as he soaked in her angelic face. There was so much he wanted to learn about her, so much he wanted to do with her by his side. A week hadn’t been nearly enough time to see if this
thing between them could be more. When had he last even considered taking the next step with a woman? A date here or there was fine. Some relationships lasted a couple months until the sex got old and he found nothing else holding his attention. Sarah was different. He loved her body, yes. But her mind and intelligence stimulated him. He could talk to her and get an honest, well-thought out response. She wasn’t just beautiful. She was the whole package.
And he didn’t want her to leave.
Pushing up on one elbow, he moved hair away from her forehead. If he asked her to stay, what would she say? Another two weeks, maybe a month just to see where this spark between them could go.
She stirred and yawned, her eyes opening slowly. A lazy smile crossed her face when she saw him. “Good morning.”
William tried to hold his emotions in check. His insides jittered like a schoolboy’s asking his crush out for the first time. “Good morning, lovely.”
Her arms wrapped around his neck as she gazed into his eyes. Her eyes crinkled at the sides, her expression growing sad. No. He wasn’t going to have her in turmoil over this. Their last hours together wouldn’t be tarnished by sadness or regret. He wrapped his arms around her and rolled onto his back, flipping her on top of him. Her hair whooshed around her shoulders, and her breasts bounced beneath her white tank top. In two motions, he lifted the tank up and off her body. Their hands and mouths became a flurry, tasting and touching as if they never wanted to forget. He tried to absorb each moment, each feeling, but his body demanded hers in a way that erased everything else. Suddenly, she was riding him, taking him deep and hard and fast, her body wrapping around his as if it never wanted to let go. They climaxed together, and she weakly lay atop him, her skin warm and slick with sweat.
William felt like he was crawling out of a fog as reality came slowly back to him.
“God, I’m going to miss this,” Sarah sighed so lightly he almost didn’t hear her. She probably hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
A lick of desperation coursed through him. He took her face between his hands. “Don’t leave.”
Her brow furrowed. “What?”
“I want you to stay.” He smoothed her hair and cupped the back of her head. “Sarah, I think… I think there’s something deeper between us than either of us fully realize right now. Please stay, and let’s see if we have a shot at a real relationship.”
Her face brightened, making his pulse tick up and his chest clench harder.
“I… I don’t know what to say. I mean, I feel something too, William. I do.”
He sensed a “but” in there, knew it was coming as the flash of joy in her expression faded away. Her throat moved slowly as she swallowed, then pushed away from him to sit and rub her hands over her face. He sat beside her, wanting to touch her, but afraid to.
“What is it?” he broached softly.
She picked at the sheets covering her lap, her shoulders turning inward. “I can’t stay.” She looked at him. “I have a job that I love, an article to write, friends. My life is in California, and I can’t… I can’t step away from that right now.”
A tear ran down her cheek, followed by another and another. William wiped them away, feeling like he was dying inside a little.
“I’m asking too much of you. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not. I’m being stubborn, and it’s not because I don’t care about you. I really do. You’re the first man in, well ever, who’s made me feel like this. My job is important to me. I’ve worked damn hard to get to this point, and thanks to you and this interview, the sky is the limit for me now.”
How could he argue with her passion? She had a life outside of these walls, and he’d never try and convince her not to return to it. If she wanted him, she’d return when she was ready.
“I admire your independence, Sarah. It’s one of the things that first attracted me to you. I could readily see how dedicated you are to your work.”
She cupped his jaw, and he leaned into her palm. “Thank you for understanding.”
There wasn’t anything else he could say just then without making a fool of himself and begging, so he slid out of bed and held a hand out to her. They walked to the bathroom where he took his time lathering her in the shower, taking in the sleek feel of her body beneath his hands, and then throwing her on the bed soaking wet to make love to her again.
He couldn’t get enough. But he had to.
They had a leisurely breakfast on the balcony outside his room, then a quick and final swim in the ocean before walking on the beach. William purposely left his cell phone in his suite, uncaring for the moment about the world around him. It would be there long after Sarah was gone. Back in his rooms, they dressed, and he realized how little each of them had said to the other all morning. Taking her upper arms in his hands, he kissed her forehead and drew her in for a quick hug.
“I’m going to run down to my office. I’ll meet you at the front entrance when the car comes round.”
“Okay. I’ll just finish packing.” She looked around the room, her lower lip jutting out with the slightest quiver.
He turned away before he lost control of his emotions.
Trotting down the stairs, he went to his office to collect some paperwork he’d need for a meeting later and looked up to the sound of footsteps as Asher walked in.
“She’s leaving so soon?” Asher leaned on the desk, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in his voice.
Grinding his jaw, William turned back to his work. “What can I help you with, Asher?”
“The car’s come round. Florence is waiting. I assume you’ll want to accompany the American to the airport?” He said “American” like it was an insult.
William clenched his fingers into fists, letting out a slow, quiet breath. “Thank you, Asher. That will be all.”
“No, it won’t be all.”
William’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowed.
Asher pushed away from the desk, his face a mask of irritation and disgust. “You’d best remember who you are, and who she is, and forget any irrational fantasies you might have of being the next Meghan and Harry. I overheard Florence speaking to your mother about the doe-eyed look you’ve had since that woman showed up here. They seem to think it’s endearing. The rest of us do not.”
The pulse beat hard in the side of William’s neck, his body tensing as it demanded to unleash on Asher. “You’re dismissed. And take the next two weeks off—outside these palace walls—as a reminder of your place.”
“I’m your secretary!” Asher’s face went pale. He loved nothing more than being at William’s elbow during important meetings and having a hand in whatever political issues were at stake. It stroked his puffed-up ego to be involved, and William loved nothing more than to take it away.
“You are my subordinate, and you’ll remember it.”
Without a word, his nephew spun on his heel and left the room. William took a full breath, letting it fill his chest before he released it. Dreading it, he went out front where his driver was just opening the door for Sarah. In a navy-blue pencil skirt and white and blue dotted blouse, she looked professional and beautiful and fresh. He’d cling to this memory, always.
He slid in beside her, ignoring the look on Florence’s face as she sat across from them. Taking Sarah’s hand in his own, he entwined their fingers and held on tightly. The car slowly eased forward, leaving the palace grounds.
“You have my number, and my personal email?” he broached softly.
She smiled up at him, but he saw the nerves there. “Yes. And you have mine. Also, here, let me put my number at Future in your phone.” He handed over his cell, and she did just that before giving it back to him.
“When you’re able to return, simply let me know and a flight will be waiting for you.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Soon. Very soon, okay?”
“Very soon.”
Florence shifted in her seat to look out the window, her thumbs twiddling together i
n her lap. Sarah sniffed and put her other hand on top of their joined ones.
“I’ll send you the finished article the moment it’s done.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
He had a full week of interviews ahead of him yet, more reporters asking him the same or similar questions that Sarah had. But none of them would be her.
The car pulled to a stop, the driver getting out and coming round to Sarah’s door. William knew he couldn’t get out and walk through the public airport without causing a stir, so he pulled her to him in the back seat, and they clung together for multiple beats of their hearts. Finally, she pulled back and took his mouth, tears running down her face. The salty taste of her sadness made this all too real.
And then with a little wave, she slid out of the seat as the driver opened the door. She didn’t look back as he handed her the handle of her rolling suitcase. And she strode away and disappeared inside the building without another word.
Chapter Nine
Sarah
One month, four days, ten hours, but who was counting?
Sarah looked up at her bedroom ceiling and frowned as the white tiles began to slowly spin. She’d woken from a deep sleep to the feeling that her bed was gently swaying on ocean waves. Nausea burned in her throat, and she thought that’s what had woken her. Now it wasn’t just a shadowy, sleepy sensation, but a full-blown indication something was making her insides very unhappy. She’d probably been dreaming about sailing with William, only on rough seas instead of a mirror-fine ocean like she normally dreamt. Every spare moment in the month since they’d parted had offered the opportunity to daydream about him, and she’d taken full advantage.
She blinked and cleared her throat, hoping if she woke up a little more, the nausea would go away like a bad dream. But who was she kidding? The physical symptoms might go away, but the melancholy inside her wouldn’t. This was all just a physical manifestation of her inner sadness. Sounded like something a therapist might say, but…it was true. Emotions could come out as physical symptoms, and hers had simply chosen to make her feel like she was one second away from throwing up. She didn’t regret coming back to her own life, but she missed William in a way she hadn’t expected. The first couple of weeks, they’d been good about texting and calling often. And then he’d called to say there was unrest in the workers’ union and he’d likely be up to his elbows in negotiations to keep things running smoothly. Add in the clean ocean initiative, and she figured he’d be swamped. But she hadn’t expected that his text messages would stop almost completely.
