The Heir_Billionaire Royal

by Sophia Summers

  “Do I like these?” His eyes, so innocent, his face, much like a child’s.

  “Yes, Daddy, these are your favorite. I made them just like Mama used to.”

  He nodded. At least he trusted her. After a few bites he said, “I remember.”

  Her heart warmed. “Yes, we ate these all the time. Every Saturday for sure.”

  “And Mabel.” He stopped, his eyes welling up. “Mabel.” He looked to her, not hiding his pain.

  Would he have to relive the open hurt of missing his wife all over again? The cruelty of his deterioration wore on her.

  “Yes, Daddy, Mommy went to heaven. She’s waiting for you there, probably grilling up her grits too.”

  They had lived in this southeast town her whole life where most were transplant northerners, but her mama had been raised in deep Louisiana and she knew how to make grits.

  Jo held up her picture. She kept a stack nearby all the time when visiting her daddy. “Do you remember?”

  His eyes cleared and a portion of their sharp wittiness returned. “Jo!” He placed his hand over hers in a new confidence. “Good to see you, daughter.”

  She hid her emotional relief. “It’s good to be here.”

  “How’s the marina?”

  “Excellent, even slip twenty-two is filled.” She’d had an influx of customers, and Kevin would be pleased to note, they had almost reached capacity.

  “Great work, Jo. That’s fantastic. We can use the surplus to make some repairs. Maybe even add that rental boat agency we talked about.”

  Another company had approached them, asking to use part of their marina to rent boats. They would lease it from them and give Jo and her father a portion of their profits. “They called me again. Should I listen to them?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ve thought about it often.” His eyes went cloudy again, fear entered, and he frowned. “Do I like these?” He toyed with his pancakes.

  She sighed, unable to bear the abrupt change, and wishing she had talked of anything else besides the marina. It was important, sure, but these lucid moments with him were precious. And more than anything she just wanted to connect, love him and feel his love.

  She stood to clear her plate and hide her tears.

  A knock at the door startled her.

  She wiped her eyes and moved out to the front room to answer. Nick brought an immediate smile. “Come in.”

  Not caring why he was here or even that he might see her father in an embarrassing light, she welcomed the distraction.

  “I come with gifts.” He handed her a gift bag from his store. Inside were all her favorite treats.

  “And cards.” He raised his eyebrows in suggestion.

  “Cards?”

  “I’m wondering if I might challenge you and your father to a game of rummy. Or rather, if you feel up to the task.” His eyes smiled, dangling the deck of cards in front of them.

  She almost teared up at the suggestion. “Yes, but I’m not sure if Father…”

  Her dad came up behind her. “Did someone say rummy?” He was lucid again. She turned to him, not wanting to waste another moment such as this, and hugged him, squeezing with the strength of missed opportunity. “I love you, Dad.”

  He patted her back. “I love you too, pumpkin.”

  They moved into the kitchen and Nick dealt the cards. Her father did surprisingly well, for a long time. He followed the rules, remembered which cards had been laid already and won quite a few hands before he tired and told them he was off to take a nap.

  She followed him to make sure he was settled in his favorite chair, kissed him on the head, and then came back to the kitchen and Nick.

  “How did you know where I live?”

  “Sierra. She stopped by the store and I asked.”

  “I can’t thank you enough.” She paused, emotion clogging her throat. She waved her hand in the air, trying to regain control of her emotions. “That was special time. You can’t know how precious.” Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He pulled her close and hugged her until her body shook with the sorrow of missing someone who was still present and yet slipping away from her every day.

  Nick waited, his arms comforting, encircling her back until she was finished.

  She pulled back and wiped her eyes. “You are such a blessing to me. I can’t thank God enough for you walking into my life when you did.”

  Nick stepped back, his eyes full of skepticism. “I’m pretty sure God didn’t send me.”

  She laughed. “Well, whoever it was, I’m pretty grateful. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Water would be great.” He fiddled with his key fob. “Or iced tea? Isn’t that a South Carolina specialty?”

  “It is for some. I prefer lemonade. I have some, fresh, if you’d like that?”

  “Fresh? Like you squeezed the lemons yourself?”

  “Yes, fresh just like that.”

  “I’d love some lemonade.”

  She poured two glasses, light on the ice. There was nothing in this green world worse than watered-down lemonade. Then she sat beside him. “Why is it so difficult for you to believe God could have sent you?”

  He almost choked on his swallow. “This is delicious. I must send the recipe to…well, back home.”

  She chose her words carefully because she wanted him to understand just how grateful she was for him, and not take it the wrong way either.

  “Things are…difficult right now for me. And I could have been very alone in all of this. But instead, here you are, my immediate friend.” She smiled. “With boundaries. And you know just what to say and how to help me. When I say God sent you here, that’s the best way I know to show how much of a help you are to me, and thank you.” She couldn’t meet his eyes. Sometimes talking about God with someone who didn’t understand seemed like the most difficult thing in the world.

  “Jo.” Her eyes found his. “I think I know what you are trying to say. And you’re welcome.” He cleared his throat, avoiding her eyes. “And have you considered that maybe you have done something similar for me?”

  Relief filled her. And she smiled shyly at him. She had rarely felt such a connection and been so open with someone she knew so little about. “Let’s talk about you.”

  His eyes crinkled in discomfort. “What is there to say?”

  “Like, for example, what is it like where you are from?”

  “It’s beautiful. I feel right at home here in your marina. I’ve been surrounded by water all of my life.”

  “And school? You said you had a doctorate in International affairs?” She hesitated, not wanting to assume he was unemployed. “What do you plan to do with that?”

  He shifted in his chair, suddenly appearing uncomfortable. “I…mediate between countries.”

  She became immediately fascinated. “I didn’t know people reached out for mediation between countries.”

  He shifted again. “It is a relatively new practice, but I benefit from its new discovery and I gain much satisfaction from preventing problems between nations.”

  “What have you worked on lately?” She considered all the unrest in the world, and wondered what he may have helped solve.”

  “Oh, nothing I can divulge, naturally. Client privilege.”

  She could sense that he wished she would change the subject. But before she could, she felt compelled to say one more thing. “Nick. I would love to know more about this some time.”

  He nodded politely and then stood.

  “Now I’ve scared you off before you could finish your lemonade.” She rested a hand on his arm.

  He paused, then said, “There is a crime in that.” He picked up his glass and indicated that they walk out towards the front door together. “Will I see you Friday night at the Rumble?”

  Her excitement picked up. She hadn’t been to a good Rumble since her first summer in between semesters at Vanderbilt. “You know I’ll be there!”

  “Good. You’ll have
to show me how things are done, here in Shady Lake.” He stepped closer. “Can I come pick you up at your boat?” He placed his hands on her shoulders, then ran them down her arms, cradling her hands in his own. Shivers and tingles followed everywhere his fingers touched her skin. He searched her face.

  She nodded. “Eight o’clock?”

  When he closed the door, she leaned against it, trying to calm her heart. This summer fling was proving to be more powerful than she had anticipated. She hoped she could stick to their boundaries and still be able to spend time with Nick. He had become almost as important to her as anything else in the area.

  8

  Before he was even all the way down the driveway, he thought of her fascination with the idea to mediate between countries. Of course that was only a small part of his many responsibilities as the heir to a throne, but he felt it the most important. And she had too. Her excitement at the idea that such a responsibility existed gave him a new interest in it himself. And a motivation to send a couple emails that very evening with thoughts on a more amenable agreement with the King of Fallon, a nearby island.

  Every time he talked to Jo, she fascinated him more, she broadened his view of the world, and made him want to be better.

  Much later, he put on his favorite shirt, teal blue, a spritz of his woman-loving cologne, gelled up his hair, brushed his teeth and left a short layer of stubble on his face.

  Julian entered. “You’re wearing the shirt.”

  He felt his face heat. Curse his wretched blush. He shrugged. “So?”

  “I can’t compete with the shirt.”

  Seeing the spark in Julian’s eye, he laughed. “I thought you were going to lecture me about trying too hard to impress the ladies.”

  “I’ve given up. And I don’t see any harm coming from Jo. Besides, tonight should increase the number of ladies in your life by a large amount if I were to guess.”

  He frowned and thought of the two beauties from the store earlier, and all the other women there also. “Do you think I’ll get a moment with Jo? I’m picking her up, at least.”

  “I can’t say, but maybe you should have a plan in mind in case you feel the need to escape.”

  “This isn’t Torren. There won’t be any paparazzi.” He hoped. Surely they hadn’t found him yet. A pit grew in his stomach.

  “It’s confirmed. They don’t know where you are.”

  He breathed out in relief.

  “But your natural charm is quite compelling all on its own. At least it appears that way.”

  Nick grunted. And for the first time felt a ping of apprehension about tonight. But he brushed it away. “I want to have fun, Julian. It’s been weeks, months since I’ve been to a good party. Apparently this Tiki Rumble is the best they have in the area.”

  He wanted to dance with everyone in the place until the early hours of the morning. What trouble could he get in here, in Shady Lake?

  He walked down the dock to Jo’s boat. Such beautiful lines, weathered wood, sturdy construction. He walked faster, finding himself looking forward to seeing its owner more than he expected to be.

  He called out on his approach. “Jo! You ready?”

  She opened the door, her stunning eyes stopped his feet. Her hair fell at her sides in two long braids. Her eyes, bright, her skin touched by the sun. Closing the door behind her, she ran to him. “I can’t wait for tonight. I haven’t been in weeks.” Her shirt hugged her just as it should and her jeans also. For the first time he considered how he felt about Jo partying as much as he planned to with all the people there. And he felt a ping of protective ire kick in. He pushed it away.

  He raised his eyebrows in challenge. “You can’t be as excited as I am to let loose tonight.”

  “I don’t know. It’s been years, not just weeks.”

  “Years? I thought you just got home from Vanderbilt.”

  “I did, but Kevin and I, we don’t, that is, he doesn’t… He encourages me to study.”

  Nick’s mouth fell open. “So you haven’t partied in over two years?”

  “Did I say that?” She thought about it. Perhaps that much time had passed. “It’s possible.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’m ready for a rumble.” She laughed. “As we say around here.”

  Thrilled yet again for such compatibility in a woman, he took her hand. “Then let’s get to it. Though I bet I outlast you.”

  She raised her eyebrow. “Is this a challenge?”

  And he was thrilled with her response. “It is.”

  She nodded. “Accepted. First one to leave swabs the other’s deck.”

  “oh yeah? We’ll think of something worse. And besides, who says, swab decks anymore? Are you a pirate?”

  “Everyone says swab decks, true deck hands, not you pretenders, just here for the summer.”

  “Oh no, you don’t. I am a boat owner too, you know, several times over, in fact.”

  She stopped, her eyes full of new interest. “Are you? Remind me where you’re from?”

  He stuttered. And nearly forgot his cover story. “I am from the Sound, Puget Sound. My family has been there for multiple generations.”

  Something about her expression told him she didn’t believe him. Strange. But he shrugged it off because the Tiki came into view. He had to stop to appreciate it. “Now this is what I’ve been missing.”

  “Isn’t it great? Everyone should have such a perfect club.”

  The thatched roof was strung with Christmas lights reflecting off the water surrounding three sides. The deep bass shook the wood planks on which they stood. “I am so ready for this.” He took off at a run, not even surprised when she sped ahead of him. They arrived together and ran to the center of the floor.

  The place was not crowded, but not empty.

  “Let’s enjoy the space while we can.” Jo spread her arms wide while she moved over the floor. “It’s gonna get packed.”

  He joined her and they jumped and danced and spun together. He loved watching her. She moved with pure enjoyment, holding nothing back, no insecurity or self-awareness. And when he could roll her closer, into his arms, she fit perfectly.

  Within twenty minutes, bodies surrounded them on all sides. But that was fun too.

  They opened up the center of the floor for people to take turns in a dance off. “Come on!” He pulled her out there with him. And they moved together, holding hands, as if they had planned a routine. Then he pulled her close, picked her up and threw her in the air. Everyone cheered when she came back down into his arms. He held her close until their hearts pounded with the same rhythm and he almost gave in to the temptation to kiss her. As the song ended, a slow one began and he kept her close. “May I have this dance?”

  Her face, heated, still out of breath, she whispered, “Yes.”

  Their bodies moving in synch, he saw no one but her. They moved away from the center, to the quieter outer edges. He had never had more fun with a woman, and they had yet to drink anything at all. Her energy, her love of fun equaled his own. “You’re remarkable.”

  “I’ve been thinking the same about you.” Her open candor made him smile. She stared into his eyes, drinking him in as much as he was her. And he realized—they were going to cross their boundaries. He became certain of it in that moment. They were too alike, too compatible, enjoying each other too much for it to progress any other way. And he wanted to kiss her. Without directing them, his eyes found her lips, and as soon as they did, he pulled her closer. Their soft, slightly open, inviting image would stay in his brain until he pressed his mouth right there, covering her lower lip with his own.

  When he returned his eyes to hers, they had darkened. She pressed closer and ran a hand through his hair.

  “You know what I want?” Need filled him.

  “Yes,” she breathed. She lifted her chin, searching his eyes.

  He tilted his head and moved his face closer. When he was so close he could feel her small breaths a feather breeze against his lips, she closed her eyes,
reaching for him.

  “Jo?” A voice to their side jarred.

  Her eyes fluttered open as if in a daze.

  Nick stepped back an inch but no more. And turned with great annoyance to whoever had just approached.

  The man was shorter than Nick, dressed in a suit, and white as a ghost. His eyes flashed in anger and Nick made a move to turn away, blocking Jo.

  “Kevin?”

  This was Kevin? Nick immediately didn’t like him. This guy gave off bad vibes.

  Jo trembled in Nick’s arms. Then she stepped further from him. “Kevin! You came.” She approached him, and their lips touched, a quick hello, but the sight of her mouth against Kevin’s shook Nick.

  He cleared his throat. “Hello. Kevin, is it? I’m Nick Waters.”

  Kevin shook his hand but just nodded in response.

  The silence in their group of three grew and lingered and became a sort of substance between them, and so Nick said, “Well, I guess I’ll get back at it. Some party! Kevin, join us.”

  When Kevin didn’t answer, Nick nodded to Jo. “See you around.” Then he ran back into the group. They had just begun a pounding heavy metal song, and he needed to get some stuff out of his system.

  He pushed through to the middle where the tightest crowd moved and joined them in a crazed, bouncing, jostling mosh pit of awesome. He hardly took note of anyone around him. He just moved. He let the crashing music numb his confusion. Kevin. Jo. Her parted lips, lidded eyes.

  And then the group seemed to move out, separate, gave him more room. Therese, the sculpted beauty from earlier, stood beside him with a drink in her hand.

  “May I?” He reached for her cup.

  “Sure. It’s hard.”

  “All the better.” He downed it in one swallow, welcoming the burn as it descended to his gut.

  He pulled her to him. She grabbed at his hips and their dance became his expression of passion for all he almost had but could not.

  They moved together around the middle of the floor until he bumped into someone. “Julian.”

  “Nick.” He indicated the women to his right, who had cameras trained on him.