The Heir_Billionaire Royal

by Sophia Summers

  She liked Nick. He was steady. Uncomplicated. He took life as it was and made do. She knew they would never have anything more than a fun friendship this summer, but she was grateful for that. He shifted beside her, and she prepared herself for when he awoke and things would be different. They couldn’t very well continue as though they were this familiar. Last night was a special circumstance, but she had to admit, she was very grateful for his presence when the boat broke loose.

  She reveled in the safe feeling of being in his arms and snuggled back into him.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered into her hair.

  “Good morning yourself.”

  They lay there quiet, comfortable. She wondered what he was thinking. But he didn’t seem inclined to talk, and she didn’t push him because the quiet was so nice.

  Then her phone started vibrating in her front pocket.

  She squirmed and wiggled until she pulled it out from the inner yoga pant phone pocket.

  Nick looked over her shoulder. “Kevin. Hmmm.”

  She turned to him, a worried explanation on the tip of her tongue, but his eyes smiled at her.

  “This can’t be good,” he joked. He indicated she answer.

  “Ugh. Be quiet.”

  He mimicked zipping his lips.

  Dreading the awful awkwardness, she slid her finger to the right and said, “Hello?”

  “Babe! You sound tired. Did I wake you?”

  “Um, no. Just lying here.”

  Nick snorted into his hands and she held a hand on her forehead. Could this get any more awkward?

  “I heard there was a storm. Did the marina hold up this time?”

  “Um, I think so. I still need to do a walk through inspection.”

  “You haven’t done that yet?”

  “Um, no, Kevin. Look, can I call you back?”

  “Oh sure, babe. Let me know how things look when you get a minute.”

  “OK, bye.”

  “Love you.”

  “Mm. You too.”

  Nick went still and pulled away before sitting up and going to the bathroom.

  She felt like the heel she was. How could she lie in bed with one man while talking to another? Of course nothing happened between her and Nick. She knew they were friends, but she couldn’t deny the attraction. She liked Nick. And if she liked him, what business did she have loving Kevin? Did she love Kevin? Further proof that she did not.

  He came back, water splashed through his hair, his sweatshirt rumpled and his white socks adorable. She took her turn in the bathroom. When she returned to the cabin, Nick was in the kitchen frying up bacon and eggs.

  “Mmmm. The perfect guest.”

  He reached an arm around her. “Thank you for the fun night. Sometimes it’s just nice to not be alone.”

  She widened her eyes. That was exactly how she had felt about it. “Yes, I needed that. Thank you.” No awkwardness colored their conversation, and she was amazed. “I’ll admit to being surprised at how nice this is.” She gestured between the two of them.

  “But Kevin.” He tilted his head in question.

  And the awkwardness descended. “Yes. There’s a Kevin.”

  He turned off the burner and dug around for plates. “So what’s the story with Kevin?”

  “Does there have to be a story?” She didn’t want to get into this. It seemed too early to be having any kind of conversation about Kevin.

  But he stopped, stepped closer and stared intently into her eyes until she recognized his sincerity. “Those words, ‘I love you,’ they mean something to me. It felt all kinds of wrong to be with a woman who was hearing ‘I love you’ from another guy.”

  “He’s my boyfriend at Vanderbilt.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Maybe. It was looking like it before I had to come here.” She didn’t feel right telling Nick personal things about Kevin she had not yet voiced, like for example, she didn’t see them progressing in their relationship.

  “And you’re together.”

  She nodded, both reluctant and relieved to talk about Kevin. “We are.”

  They sat at the small table, and Nick scooped eggs into his mouth. “I admit I’m a bit disappointed.” He blushed, and she felt more endeared to him. Then he pointed his empty fork at her and added with emphasis, “But I’m also relieved.”

  A new comfortable surprise settled over her. “Are you?” Her grin began to grow before she could stop it.

  He chuckled. “Yes, I can’t be involving myself with someone this summer and you were proving to be too much of a temptation or distraction, or both. So this sets some boundaries.”

  A happy thrill rose inside. He wanted to set boundaries? Wait. She was a tempting distraction. A happy squeal rang inside of her she didn’t dare let out.

  Nick continued matter-of-factly, but he ran a finger up her arm. “Because we must continue to enjoy each other. You are my closest neighbor and my most preferred Shady Lake citizen.”

  She laughed. “There are others. You might be surprised.” Though she hoped not.

  “So, friends.” He held out his hand for her to shake.

  She placed hers inside and when the zing of attraction shot up her arm, her eyes snapped to his.

  He tipped his head in acknowledgment and placed his lips on her knuckles. “Boundaries.”

  That was all he said. So she nodded. But he kept her hand in his and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.

  Julian and Sierra entered, both looking suspiciously sheepish. Nick picked up on it also. “Sleep well?”

  They looked at each other, reddened and then mumbled a response.

  Amused, Jo said, “Eggs?”

  Sierra took a plate and scooped herself some. Julian followed, bumping into her and then moving out of the way, and the awkwardness felt so much like middle school, Jo had to laugh.

  Nick dropped her hand and said, “Friends.”

  They both sat down and looked at him until Julian said, “Pardon me?”

  “We’ve all had an interesting first meet of it, but Jo and I have talked and we think we should be friends. Enjoy each other, spend some time, help with our businesses, and at the end of summer, be all the happier for the time.”

  Jo nodded. He had such a way with words. She couldn’t have defined it any better herself. Sierra nodded with some hesitancy and Julian’s face wrinkled in slight disappointment before he cleared his expression.

  Nick’s eyebrow rose. “Unless the two of you would like to further define things, but that is our plan moving forward.”

  Sierra jumped in. “Friends is good.” She smiled at Julian, then looked at her plate.

  Jo moved her chair closer to Nick to clear room at the table, and when she met his eyes, she tried to stifle a laugh. She sipped a cup of orange juice. “So, how about a sail?”

  Julian groaned. “Haven’t we had enough time on the boat?”

  “Is there ever too much time on a boat?” Jo eyed him in challenge.

  Nick nodded. “Never. A sail it is.”

  “When are we going?” Julian looked to Sierra. Something passed between them and Jo wondered if they held hands under the table.

  “How about next Saturday? We leave in the morning, head out to the opposite end of the bay, picnic and then return.” It sounded like just the thing she needed. “We can invite others as well. Let’s leave it open and see how things play out this week.”

  “I’m in.” Sierra grinned. “And Friday night Tiki Rumble.”

  “Oh yeah. It’s time for a rummmble!” Jo slapped Sierra a high five and then they grinned at their silliness.

  Breakfast continued with friendly banter. When they were finished, Nick pulled on the rope to bring their boat closer to the dock and then spent an hour helping to rebuild some of the decking that cracked and to secure her boat. She walked up and down the docks, pleased that everything else had weathered the wind and rain well.

  When Nick said goodbye, she waited for guilt to d
escend or embarrassment at her forwardness or anything negative at all, and all she could feel was gratitude. Thankful he had entered her life at just the right time. Whether or not there was a Kevin to return to, Nick was good for her now.

  6

  Nico’s father, mother, and three of his brothers appeared on the screen in their video chat boxes. They used a secure server for just this purpose after trying one time to use a commercial internet calling system. The ridiculous inconsistency of that program had irritated his father to no end. Immediately he tasked the country’s best tech company with creating an additional internet just for the purpose of conversing with Nico in America.

  His father, Francisco Gerard Valdez, King of Torren, said, “Julian tells me you met someone.”

  His mother sucked in her breath, loud enough for all to hear. “Already? Nico. We have an agreement.”

  “Julian is exaggerating. We have met many people.” He scowled at his friend who sat at their table, going over some paperwork.

  When his father’s eyebrow rose, waiting, he added, “But yes, she is someone special. I would care for her if I were free to do so.”

  His mother sniffed. “You are not free to do so. Once this whole mess with Angelika dies down, you know our next attempt will be a serious pursuit of marriage. We can’t have an American messing that up.”

  His brother Daniel piped up, “I don’t see that his quiet relationship with an American hottie is any of our business, Mother.”

  Nico bristled. “Hottie? Have you seen her?” He whirled around in his desk chair and glared at Julian who shrugged as if to indicate he didn’t know either.

  “No. Relax, brother. It is safe to assume she’s gorgeous.”

  Regardless, the inference that Jo was nothing but a beautiful groupie sat uncomfortably with him. “We are helping each other with our businesses. She’s smart and capable.” He knew they waited, Daniel especially. “And beautiful.” They catcalled a little and Nico thought them ridiculous. “But we have set boundaries and we are friends. So that is that.”

  “Mmm,” was all his father said. “Let’s talk about business of state. I can’t let you relax in your training, even with this sabbatical. You must be prepared.” He waved his hand. “Let’s hear first from Trane.”

  As each of the brothers reported in on their separate responsibilities, Nico grew an appreciation for their family. Assuming the crown, as overwhelming as it might be, would be that much easier with such a capable team at his side.

  His phone dinged. “Angelika texts me every day still. She wants payment. Or she says she will never be quiet.”

  “I am not paying that woman a dime.” His mother had never liked her and now appeared to loathe her.

  “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for my irresponsible behavior. Had I known her to be so vile and conniving, I never would have let her step foot on my yacht and would certainly not have taken her to the Mediterranean.”

  “Now you know the cameras follow you everywhere.”

  He had no idea how they’d managed to capture some of the images, when he thought himself to be alone at sea. But he cringed as he thought of them, displayed all over his country’s tabloids, for all the citizens to see. How could he expect them to honor his leadership, to sustain him as king, when he behaved in such a manner? He hadn’t expressed as much to anyone else, but he was also using this summer as a way to reevaluate his life, make some changes.

  He thought of Jo. She had such a calming influence on him. She seemed so grounded. He would need to find out how she did it. With all the difficulty she was facing, she herself seemed to have found a sense of calm. He thought of her serene expression while reading when he had first encountered her. Calm, ready, confident, her downturned face portrayed an innocent strength that intrigued him, captivated him, and he could no sooner have walked past than if he was tethered to her side.

  He rejoined the conversation. “So we let the storm ride until it’s over and then I return?”

  “Yes, give it a summer, stay through winter if you must. But the press will move on.”

  “With any luck those Baldeez princes will do something idiotic next.”

  Her words would have rolled off of him last week, but the suggestion that he had been idiotic stung, now that he could imagine Jo’s reaction to them. How had she become such a lodestone to him? Well, no matter. He was grateful for her friendship and he hoped to learn just how she was able to navigate so much with such strength.

  As he watched and participated in the various issues that faced his country, he studied his father. The man’s hair had thinned even since he had last seen him. He spoke with the same strength and confidence Nico had always known, but there was something else. Difficult to define, but a vulnerability, a worry.

  When there was a break in conversation, he asked, “And, Father, how are you feeling?”

  His mom, who sat at his side, glanced at his father, and in that glance, Nico learned there was more to know on the subject of his father’s health.

  But all the king said was, “I’m fine, son. Strong as a bear still.”

  His brothers broke out in immediate song.

  Their family coat of arms, and that for the royal family of generations past, included a bear. The king was always strong as a bear. Even on his deathbed the country would sing their national anthem, proclaiming him a bear. Nico let the topic of his father’s health go for now. He’d ask his mother later.

  When they ended the call, Nico gathered his things and headed to the store. The idea of this small project, instead of all the multi-faceted and complicated issues that faced him and his country at home, relaxed him. He looked forward to the simpler issues of where to place window displays to get the most impact.

  The door dinged when he walked in, and he didn’t like the sound. “Penny.”

  The woman behind the register, his store manager, jerked her head up from an obvious deep perusal of her cell phone. “Yes?”

  “Let’s change the ding.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The ding when I walk in. It needs to be something fun. Remind me of the circus, or better yet”—he held his hands out, indicating everything around them—“a candy store.” Then he grinned.

  Her face turned pink. She put her phone in the drawer and said, “Of course.”

  He went straight to the back room and began sifting through the new product he had purchased. He couldn’t wait to start selling these unique candies. And drinks. Small, imported sodas.

  When he came out to the front, he stopped in shock. The whole sales floor was filled with people. He’d have been thrilled with customers, but they did not appear to be shopping, just standing, taking up floor space, and staring at him.

  He nodded. “Hello. Welcome to Sweet Treats.”

  “Hello!” The nearest woman to him stepped forward, blocking his way. The boxes in his arms, cumbersome, he didn’t want to knock into anyone with them. Several other women waved.

  He looked to Penny for an explanation. She only said, “I’ve been meaning to tell you. We have some customers looking for you.”

  For a moment he feared that word had leaked. That they all sought the royal heir to Torren’s throne. But no one mentioned it, or asked for autographs or photos. So he wasn’t sure to what he should attribute the store’s sudden popularity. But he had best get them buying some of the merchandise.

  “Has anyone tried the taffy?” He indicated that corner of the store. “We have one called Shady Lake Wonder, created by a local high school student.”

  A few women made their way to the taffy bins and began filling their bags eyeing him all the while.

  He said hello to some of them as he passed, then worked his way to the corner where he began to take down the old display. He wanted to fill this portion of the store with hot air balloons, overflowing with candy and treats.

  Then the door dinged and he cringed, eyeing Penny. She nodded.

  And two sculpted, beautiful women entere
d the store. For a moment, he thought one of them was the Princess of Baldor, a small island off the coast of Morocco, but at second glance, he noted their features were different. But he recognized her type.

  They slid through all the other women and the first of the two approached him with the confidence of someone used to getting her way.

  Her arms brushed against his. “Hello, Nick. We hear you’re new.”

  He turned and took a half step back. Both women smiled, full teeth, angling their posture toward him.

  He held out a hand. “Yes, I’m Nick Waters, just here for the summer.” He shook both their hands. The first was Therese and the second, Maddie. They talked to him for a few minutes, then handed him their cards.

  Therese said, “A group of us always meet at the Tiki Rumble every Friday night.”

  He took their cards and pocketed them, then nodded. “I’ll be there. Thank you. It would be a long summer without some diversion.”

  Therese gave him a knowing look. “See you.” Then she turned and they both swiveled their hips as they slipped back out the door.

  The tone in the room warmed again after they left, and he shook his head. Every town had its girls, the ones the other girls hated and the boys loved to have on their arm.

  He asked the woman closest to him. “Is the Tiki Rumble any fun?” He wondered what kind of crowd to expect. And one thing he hoped to avoid—too many pictures taken, and any posted online.

  The woman stepped nearer. “Yes, the Rumble is where everyone goes. All summer. We at least check in there first no matter what else we’re doing.”

  “Excellent.” He hoped to meet some of the crowd. From the looks of things, there would be plenty of female distraction. But already, he felt pretty satisfied with the one he’d found first. Jo. And conveniently, she too needed a casual friendship with boundaries. Things couldn’t be more perfect here in Shady Lake. He began to whistle softly to himself while he set up another display.

  7

  Jo put a plate of pancakes in front of her father. She had given the hospice nurse the day off, hoping to spend the time with her daddy, hoping he was feeling coherent.