She squirms in her seat.
“I still feel awful. I’ve apologized several times, and they both act like it’s water under the bridge, but…” She trails off. I want to scoop her up and assure her that everything’s okay.
I’ve never had that urge before.
“If they say they’ve forgiven you, you need to believe them. Forgive yourself, Nina.”
“Yeah.” She blows out a breath. “Okay, back to you.”
I cock a brow. I imagine this is where she’ll ask me what it’s like to be a prince.
“Do you prefer salty or sweet treats?”
I blink slowly, sure I’ve misheard her. “Excuse me?”
“Salty or sweet? This is important.”
“Crisps are my favorite.”
“Do you mean chips?”
I grin. “No, I mean crisps. Chips go with fish.”
She smirks. “Ah, yes, your British lingo. So, you’re a salty guy?”
“I suppose you could say that.”
“Well, it was nice knowing you.”
She stands and begins to clear the table.
“Are you blowing me off?”
“Absolutely. I’m a sweets girl. This is never going to work.”
Now it’s my turn to belly laugh. I can honestly say I’ve never been turned down because of my choice in junk food.
Nina is beautiful, funny, and intelligent.
Yes, I’ve found my girl.
She walks me to the door. When I stop to turn back to her, she’s gazing up at me with humor-filled blue eyes.
“Have dinner with me tonight.”
“I don’t know, Sebastian. We’re very different people.”
“I’ll eat all of the sugar in North America if you want me to.”
She hooks a piece of hair behind her ear. “Well, there’s that, but also the more obvious differences. You being of royal descent and all.”
“It’s just dinner.”
She seems to think it over, then nods once. “Okay. Dinner it is.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
***
“Have you lost your fucking mind?”
Jacob’s staring at me like I just told him I’m donating both kidneys.
I immediately drove back to the lodge from Nina’s house and sought out my best friend to tell him my plan.
“Not the last time I checked, no.”
“This is never going to work, mate. Your parents will kill you.”
“Probably not kill. I guess they could have my disappearance arranged, but that hasn’t happened in many years. They’re much more civilized in their advanced ages.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“It’s also not the end of the fucking world,” I remind him. “Jacob, your parents didn’t choose a wife for you. You weren’t in a fucking prison, just because of your birthright.”
“I could understand going against their wishes if you found the love of your life and she was American. But that’s not the case here. You don’t love Nina.”
“But I’m the one choosing her.” I push my hands through my hair in frustration. “I will not marry someone my father chooses. You know him.”
“Okay, so little thought to your happiness and all thought to what’s best for the throne would go into the selection of the woman.”
“Exactly. Not to mention, this law is archaic. It’s ridiculous. This is not 1675, when the life expectancy of a man was forty if he was lucky. I’m not in danger of never having children and passing the throne down to other generations for God’s sake.”
“True. Not to mention, they did away with the tradition of marrying inside the bloodlines years ago.”
We stare at each other for a moment, and then I shudder. “Thank Christ for that.”
“But why couldn’t you find a nice British woman? Sebastian, you’ll have to give up the throne if you marry Nina. And that’s if she agrees, which is a long shot. No offense, but Nina isn’t exactly the type of woman who does what she’s told.”
“All the more reason that I like her. I don’t want a woman who’s been groomed to agree to everything I say. I want a challenge.”
“Nina is challenging.”
“She also understands what it means to be with a celebrity. She can handle scandals. She understands the press, the paparazzi. She knows what this life is like, better than anyone else. I never wanted the throne,” I say quietly. “I told you that in university.”
“I thought it would pass.”
“It hasn’t. Frederick has always been the one who should inherit the throne. He’ll be an excellent king. He’s already married to Catherine, who’s amazing, and they have two children.”
“But Fred’s not the eldest son.”
I shrug. “He should have been. Abdicating the throne is not something I take lightly. I understand the scandal. I understand it’ll hurt my family. But, Jacob, I don’t want it. If I could stop being royalty altogether, I would.”
“No, you wouldn’t.”
I feel my lips twitch. “Okay, I wouldn’t. But I do have a choice about the throne, and whom I choose to marry.”
“When are you going to ask her?”
“I don’t know. Soon. My birthday’s coming up fast.”
“Two months,” Jacob reminds me. “Your mother’s called me three times in the past week to ask when you’re coming home because you won’t call her back.”
“I’ll ring her.”
Jacob shoves his hands into his pockets. “I can’t talk you out of this?”
“No.”
“Okay.” He sighs deeply, but I already know what his next words will be. I can always depend on Jacob. “What do you need from me?”
***
I decide to wait a few days to ask her. I’ll date her and get to know her better before I pop the question.
“You look absolutely amazing this evening.”
It’s true. She’s sitting across from me at Ciao, the local Italian restaurant, reading her menu. Her sundress matches her blue eyes. Her hair is swept up in a pretty knot, and her makeup is tasteful and simple. She glances up at me with a flattered grin.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The waitress arrives and stumbles through her speech of specials and wine recommendations.
“I’m sorry,” she says with a sigh. “I don’t usually serve a handsome prince.”
“You’re doing smashingly,” I assure her. “I’m just a regular person, you know.”
“Of course,” she says with a shy nod.
I order us a bottle of nice French wine, and we place our food orders. Once the waitress is gone, I reach across the table for Nina’s hand.
She seems surprised but doesn’t pull away.
“How was the rest of your day?” Nina asks.
“Low-key. And yours?”
“Honestly?”
I nod.
“It sucked. But it’s over, and this is my favorite restaurant, so it can only get better, right?”
“Why did you have a bad day?”
The waitress arrives with our wine before Nina can answer. I sniff and taste it, and upon my nod, our glasses are filled, and we’re left alone again.
“This is delicious,” Nina says.
“Don’t avoid my question.”
She smirks. “I tried. Well, it’s kind of a long story.”
“I conveniently have all evening. So, please, tell me the tale..”
“I was supposed to start a business here in Cunningham Falls next month with two of my friends from L.A. They were going to relocate here.”
“What kind of business?”
“A luxury concierge service.” She leans in. “Basically, whatever someone needed, we would provide. Do you need housekeeping services? We can find it. Need to throw your spoiled nine-year-old the birthday party of the century? Done. Car service? We can book that for you. You get the idea.”
“It sounds great to me.”
&n
bsp; “Me, too. But, Safron and Amanda both pulled out yesterday, and I just don’t have the means to do it alone.”
“Is it the money?”
“Not at all. It’s the physical and emotional resources. I need staff. I need partners. So, I dissolved the company, and spent the day reaching out to vendors that I already contracted with to tell them I wouldn’t need their services after all.”
“I’m sorry.”
And I mean it. She looks defeated. I want to call those women and give them a piece of my mind.
“Me, too. But it’s okay. I’ll figure it out. It’s just…with Christian not needing me like he once did, I need to fill my time with other things. I’m a workaholic, Sebastian. I enjoy working. But now I have to find something else.”
I have just the thing for her. Being a princess is a full-time job, with obligations to charities and fundraisers and appearances to attend. She wouldn’t be bored for a second.
But I can’t mention that quite yet.
However, this entire conversation only reiterates for me that this arrangement will work perfectly for both of us.
Nina’s phone pings, and she frowns as she checks it.
“I’m sorry,” she says and sets her mobile aside. “Since my mom had a heart attack earlier this year, I keep my phone on me, just in case.”
“That’s understandable. Is everything okay?”
“Oh, that’s her, but she’s fine. Just needy.”
“You mentioned that earlier. In what way is she needy?”
“She wants attention all the time. She calls every day, and that’s fine. I don’t mind talking to her, but she is the queen of the guilt trip. If every conversation didn’t end with her sighing unhappily and hanging up on me, our daily chats would be much more pleasant.”
“I admit, my mother can be overbearing, as well. I think that’s a mother’s job. But even when I make decisions she doesn’t agree with, she never hits me with the guilt trip.”
“You’re lucky. Your mother is gorgeous, by the way.”
“Inside and out.” That reminds me, I need to call her. “And she’s an excellent queen.”
“Does she walk around the palace in a tiara?” Nina asks. “I’ve always wondered that.”
“No.” I laugh and sit back as our meals are delivered. “She’s usually casual in a simple dress.”
“No slacks or jeans?”
I frown and reach for pepper. “No. Royal women aren’t permitted to wear slacks, and certainly not jeans.”
“Wow. Even in the twenty-first century?”
“My sister-in-law did wear maternity pants when she was pregnant because it was more comfortable for her, and she had a tough pregnancy. But aside from that, no.”
Nina chews on her lasagna thoughtfully. “I think I would hate that.”
“You’re wearing a dress now.”
“I know, but I’d want to choose what I wore. I wouldn’t like to be given a dress code. I mean, I understand for formal or state events, that sort of thing. But day-to-day? They’d kick me out for wearing jeans.”
“I admit, it is an archaic rule. But aside from the dresses, women have as many rights as men in my country.”
“That’s good.”
The rest of our dinner is full of interesting conversation and fun banter. At one point, Nina reaches across the table with her napkin to wipe red sauce from the corner of my lips.
I can’t remember when or if I’ve ever enjoyed myself more.
When it’s finally time to take her home, I walk her to her door and wait while she unlocks it. When she turns to me, I drag my thumb down her cheek and watch the way her eyes light up in the moonlight.
“You’re absolutely lovely, Nina.”
I lean in and gently brush my lips over hers. That one touch isn’t enough, and I sink into her, pinning her against the doorjamb. She moans and shoves her hands into the hair at the nape of my neck, holding on tightly as we ride the wave of lust and attraction.
Her body is tight and firm. Strong. And fits against me as if she were bloody made for me.
I can’t get enough of her.
When we pull away to catch our breath, I cup her face in my hands and look deeply into her eyes.
“You need to marry me.”
Chapter Three
Nina
I CLEARLY HAD too much wine. Or, maybe I’ve been hit on the head, and I’m unconscious, and this whole thing is a dream.
Because I know I’m not just finishing up a date with the freaking Prince of England where he just proposed marriage.
Wait, that’s not right. He didn’t ask.
He told.
“Say something,” he says quietly, watching me intently.
“I’m sure I misheard you.”
He sighs and gestures toward my house. “Let’s go inside, and we can talk.”
I lead the way, turning on lights and walking through my space to the living room. I sit on the couch, cross my legs, and watch as Sebastian paces the room, rubbing his hand over his lips in agitation.
I’m fascinated.
“You need to marry me, Nina.”
“What was in that wine she gave us?”
He smiles and sits across from me, his elbows braced on his knees as he watches me with those bright blue eyes. “I’m being serious.”
“Sebastian, I know I’m a pretty great catch, but even I can’t make someone fall in love with me in the span of roughly thirty-six hours.”
He licks his lips. “You’re right. I’m not suggesting we marry because I’m in love with you.”
“I’m flattered.”
“And I don’t mean to offend you by saying that. We’re both adults here.”
I nod and wait for him to continue. Although, I should stop him. I’m never getting married, remember?
“In addition to coming here to see Jacob, I’ve also been on the lookout for a bride. You see, I’m coming up on my thirty-fifth birthday.”
I narrow my eyes, listening.
“In my country, the law states that if the heir to the throne is not married by the time he reaches thirty-five, a suitable wife will be chosen by the king.”
“Wow, that’s archaic.”
His lips twitch. “My thoughts exactly.”
“So, you’re looking for a suitable wife so you’re the one who chooses, rather than your father?”
“You’re perceptive as well as intelligent,” he says.
“But I’m not British. And even I know that, in order for you to be king, you have to marry a British woman.”
He nods slowly. “I will abdicate my claim to the throne after we wed. I won’t be king.”
I sit back in surprise, watching as Sebastian swallows hard, then looks down at his hands before looking back up at me.
“Why me?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“No. No, it’s not. I need you to enlighten me because I’m definitely not what I would consider princess material.”
“Aside from the fact that you’re beautiful, I enjoy spending time with you. You’re also highly intelligent, and you know how to work with celebrities, and what it means to be in a world where you’re constantly under scrutiny. You’ll be able to handle the pressures that come with being in my family. And let me tell you, there are plenty of them.”
“So, you’re saying you want to marry me because of my resume?”
He blinks once. “That sounds way worse than I intended. Please know that I think very highly of you, Nina. I wouldn’t suggest this if I didn’t.”
I take a long, deep breath. It’s true, I don’t plan to ever marry. Certainly not for love. Love is fleeting. Fickle. It comes and goes with the phase of the moon or a woman’s hormonal cycle.
It’s not forever.
But this? This is different.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Sebastian says at last, watching as I chew my lip.
“I’m thinking,” I murmur.
I can’t believe I’m even entertai
ning this. It’s insane!
But at the same time, it sounds like an adventure. A challenge. Have I not been searching for exactly that?
“If you’re looking for compensation, I’m sure we can work something out.”
Okay, that pisses me off.
“I’m not a whore.”
My tone is calm, my voice cool.
“That’s not what I was implying.”
“Well, offering to pay me for my services is doing exactly that. I don’t need your money. I have plenty of my own.”
I stand now and walk to the windows. The night sky is so dark, I can’t see the shoreline tonight.
“I’m sorry. But you have to get something out of this.”
He moves behind me. He doesn’t touch me, but I can hear the regret in his voice.
“Adventure,” I whisper. “Change. A sense of purpose.”
I turn and stare up at him. Into those bright eyes.
“I’ll marry you,” I say at last and hold my hand up before he can speak. “I’ll pretend to be in love with you, if that’s what you need.”
“I do.”
“If this evolves into something intimate, I’m okay with that. I feel the chemistry between us.”
“Thank God, because I’ve had a hell of a time keeping my hands to myself.”
I smile now, enjoying him.
“But, Sebastian, I’ll never fall in love with you. You need to know that now.”
His eyes narrow, and he’s quiet for a long moment, watching me in silence.
“Loving me isn’t a requirement,” he says at last.
For some reason, that bothers me. I’m the one who just said no to love, yet for reasons I can’t grasp, hearing him say that he doesn’t have to be loved hits me wrong.
“Then it seems we have a deal.”
He reaches for my hand and lifts it to his lips. He presses a kiss to my finger, where a ring will eventually go.
“We’ll choose this together,” he says and then kisses my wrist, then the inside of my elbow. Finally, he pulls me to him and covers my mouth with his.
Prince Sebastian is a hell of a kisser.
***
I didn’t sleep last night.
I mean, I guess it’s not unusual to lose sleep after a handsome prince proposes. Especially when it’s laid out as a business deal.
Enchanting Sebastian (Big Sky Royal Book 1) Page 3
