Courting His Royal Highness

by Any Hahn

  "You seem very happy courting those women."

  Silence filled the small space between them. She wished he would leave. Oh, how she wished he would leave.

  "Please look at me."

  She shook her head. “No. I can't."

  "Why?"

  "Because."

  "Because why?"

  She shrugged. “Just because."

  "I'm playing a part."

  Chloe turned sharply. Her eyes met his. “Well, then, you're doing a very convincing job. Congratulations. Perhaps you'll win an Emmy,” she snapped sarcastically.

  "We knew this would be difficult."

  "Difficult?” She laughed. “Difficult? Is that all this is to you?"

  His gaze held hers. “No. It's worse than that."

  "Could you please get my robe?"

  Max nodded. He stood, unhooked the flowered terrycloth robe from the wall, and held it out to her. She stepped out of the tub and gladly slipped into the soft robe, tying the belt tight around her waist before turning to face him.

  "There's nothing to talk about, Max. We accepted this."

  "But you're so angry with me. I see it every day, and it tears me apart."

  "You're worried about me?"

  "Yes."

  "It took you three weeks to come talk to me. That's how worried you are about me?"

  He hung his head. “I'm sorry about that. I truly am. They've had me doing—"

  "I know, Max. I know."

  They stared at each other. Unspoken words and emotional tension spanned the distance between them. Chloe wanted to throw herself in his arms. She wanted to press her lips against his. She wanted to be loved and to love him. But she couldn't. They couldn't.

  "Please leave, Max. It's okay. I'm okay. I've accepted that you'd rather have one of them than me."

  He grabbed her elbow as she stepped past him and pulled her against him. “I can't do this anymore. I can't pretend as if there is nothing between us."

  "There isn't anything, Max. There was.” She tried to be brave. She tried to smile, but she failed. Her lips trembled. Tears blurred her eyes. “We made our bed."

  "I can't forget what we shared. How can you?” Chloe didn't think it possible for her heart to break all over again. But she was wrong. She lifted a hand to his cheek. “I'll treasure it always, but we can't be together. You know that."

  "I don't care about them,” he whispered hoarsely. He brushed his lips against her palm. “I don't feel the same for them as I do for you."

  "Oh, Max."

  He grasped her hand and held it tenderly between both of his. He kissed her fingertips so lovingly that Chloe almost cried. “Just tell me one thing, Chloe."

  "What's the one thing?"

  "Have your feelings for me changed?"

  She shook her head. She couldn't lie to him. “No. My feelings for you haven't changed.” He smiled down at her. She grinned up at him. “But why does that matter, Max?"

  "It matters. Trust me. It matters.” He kissed each one of her fingertips. “Everything is going to work out, Chloe. Trust me."

  She did trust him. But she didn't know how he could make this right. They were contracted to the show. And she needed the show. She'd explained that to him. She needed the job. He didn't, but she did. And she couldn't give it all up. She had to be sure they had a forever, and she wasn't—he had yet to confess his love to her. He had yet to promise forever. She did love him. Her entire body and heart and mind told her so. But did he love her?

  He cared deeply for her. His eyes reflected the sincerity of his feelings. But he had yet to utter the words, those wonderful three little words that meant so much to a girl like her. And it would be even better if “I love you” was followed by “Will you marry me?” Yes, that was what she wanted. She wouldn't accept anything but marriage from Prince Max of Romalia. She deserved that commitment. She deserved happily-ever-after with Max. Anything less, and she'd be cheating herself and her heart.

  "Please go. I need you to go."

  "I'll go.” He kissed her forehead and then her nose and then the corner of her mouth. She let him because she loved him, and it felt so good to be close to him after so long being away.

  "Can I trust you to not come back into my room uninvited?” she asked softly.

  He nodded. “Can I trust you to believe in me when I say there is hope for us and everything will work out?"

  "Max—"

  He silenced her with a quick kiss. “Don't forget who I am, Miss Chloe Tanner."

  "I'm not."

  "I'm used to getting everything I want."

  Chloe pushed a curl behind his ear. “Yeah, so you've told me."

  "And I want you."

  "No one gets everything they want, Max. I think it's about time you learned that."

  He revealed his dimples in her special smile, the smile only meant for her. She almost swooned into his arms. That smile was her undoing. She couldn't resist it.

  "Never underestimate the power of Crown Prince Max of Romalia.” He brushed his lips against her cheek. “Just don't be mad with me anymore. Please."

  She laughed. She couldn't help it—he sounded like a little boy. “I'll try not to be angry at you. I'll try very hard."

  He tweaked her nose. “Good. We have a meeting first thing in the morning."

  "We do?” That was news to her. She didn't remember having a meeting scheduled tomorrow morning. She raised an eyebrow at him. “Truly?"

  "Yep. We're going for a walk in the desert."

  "What?"

  "You and me."

  "Alone?"

  His smile deepened. Those dimples were extra adorable; he looked positively happy with himself. “Yes, alone."

  "Impossible."

  He winked. “Nothing is impossible, darling. Nothing at all."

  "Especially for a prince?"

  "Especially for a prince."

  "You are arrogant."

  "But I'm also irresistibly charming."

  She giggled. “That to."

  "Tomorrow morning? Sunrise?"

  "I suppose. Are you sure we'll be alone?"

  "Yep.” He exited the bathroom. She followed behind, marveling at the skip in his step. He seemed very, very ecstatic about something.

  "What's going on?"

  "I need your help with something."

  "Help you with what?” she asked curiously.

  "Tomorrow. You'll find out tomorrow.” He turned in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear. “Good night."

  "Good night, Max."

  Chloe leaned against the doorframe and watched him hurry down the hallway. What on earth was he up to? Alone together? How was that even possible? They couldn't leave the estate, and the movie cameras and EVE personnel watched their every move, not to mention the bombshells sleeping peacefully in the other wing of the house and dreaming of becoming the next Romalian princess.

  She pulled the door closed and flipped the lock. For a moment she leaned against the wide door, her forehead pressed against the cool wood. She tried to take deep breaths, tried to calm the erratic beating of her heart. She was so close to risking everything for him. She loved a guy who had yet to admit his love for her.

  But I haven't told him how I truly feel either.

  She ignored the little voice inside her head and decided it was time to involve a third party, someone who could be objective and give her advice. She needed advice. She needed it very badly.

  Chloe opened the top drawer of the nightstand, rummaged through her Kate Spade purse, and pulled out her bright pink cell phone. She was going to call Jules. She knew she wasn't supposed to have contact with the world outside this mansion, at least not for another few weeks, but she needed to talk to someone. Besides, Julia already knew about Max and the show.

  But she didn't know Chloe was in love with the star of Courting His Royal Highness. She was about to find out.

  Julia answered on the first ring. “Omigod! What are you doing calling me? I thought that was forbidde
n."

  Chloe had never been so thankful to hear her friend's bubbly voice. She clutched the phone tightly and sank onto the bed. “It is."

  "Am I hearing this right? Chloe Tanner is breaking the rules. Golly. Is this my best friend?"

  "I just had to talk to you, Jules. I miss you."

  "I miss you, too. The City of Angels isn't the same without you, Chloe."

  "How's Domino?"

  "Great. Fantastic. He sleeps all day and all night. But he's alive. I can assure you of that."

  "Give him a kiss for me."

  "Done. So, what's up? I know you love your cat, but I don't think that's why you're calling me."

  "This is so much harder than I thought,” Chloe sighed miserably into the phone. “I didn't expect it to be this hard."

  "You want him, don't you?"

  "Yes. You have no idea how much.” Chloe curled up onto her side, hugging a pillow to her chest.

  "I have a solution for you."

  "What?"

  "Sleep with the guy. Get it out of your system. Think of the story you could tell your grandchildren someday. Having sex with the Prince of Romalia."

  "Julia!” Chloe didn't think she really wanted to sit around telling stories about her sexual escapades to her grandchildren.

  Julia laughed. “What would it hurt? After all, after this you'll never see him again. He'll be out of your life forever, married to one of the dumb girls on that ridiculous show."

  "That's the problem. I don't want him to be out of my life forever. I want him in my life forever."

  Silence greeted Chloe on the other end of the phone.

  "What did you say?"

  "I said—"

  "I know what you said. You love the guy. Gosh, Chloe, you're in love with a man who, according to you, is completely off-limits. This has absolutely nothing to do with sex and everything to do with your tender heart. Have you completely and totally lost your mind?"

  "Yes!” Chloe shouted into the phone. “More so my heart."

  "Don't sleep with him then. It'll only make things worse."

  Chloe buried her face in the pillow. “I already did,” she squeaked into the phone.

  Julia squawked. “What? Where? When?"

  "At EVE's Halloween Ball."

  "I can't believe this. Are you telling me my best friend, cautious Chloe, had a one-night stand with the Prince of Romalia and didn't tell me?"

  Chloe grimaced. “Yes. But in my defense, I didn't know it was him."

  "Didn't know!” shrieked Julia. “How did you not know it was one of the most famous bachelors in the world?"

  "Do I really need to answer that?” Chloe held the phone away from her ear and glowered at it for a second. Julia knew full well she didn't know much about royalty. Actors, yes, but royal princes? Most definitely no.

  "But you've never done something like that before. That sounds like something I'd do. I must say I'm impressed."

  "Don't be."

  "And now you're in love."

  "Madly."

  "Was he good?"

  "Good?"

  "In bed."

  "Jules!"

  "Okay, okay, but was he?"

  Chloe smiled warmly, remembering what it was like to spend a night in his arms, to hear his deep voice whispering words of love and devotion in her ear, to feel his lips and hands caress her skin. Yes, he was good. But it was more than that. They were good together.

  "Chloe. Talk. Now."

  "Amazing. I can't even describe it. It was incredible."

  "I knew it! No one could look that good and be bad in bed. It'd be a shameful waste. Simply shameful."

  "What do I do, Jules? I'm in love with a guy I can't have."

  "Who said that? You?"

  Chloe held the phone away from her and glared at it. She wished she could wring her best friend's neck. “The show!"

  "Minor detail."

  "Minor detail?"

  "Yep. Now, has he told you he loves you?"

  "No. That's why I can't wait for this to be over. It's torture. I don't know if he loves me or not. I know he's attracted to me, I know we have chemistry—but does that equal love?"

  "If you feel there's something with Prince Max, then you should fight for it."

  "But—"

  "Don't give me mumble-jumble about your career and all that nonsense.” Julia knew her well—probably too well. “Tell him how you feel. He might feel the same. Take a chance on love, Chloe. If you don't, then you're never going to be happy. Do you think money and fame bring happiness?"

  The statement offended Chloe. She flopped over onto her back and stared at the ceiling. “I'm not that shallow. You know me better than that."

  "Yes, but you've been so focused on being successful, you've pushed love aside. I say you should go for it."

  "But—"

  "But nothing. So it might not work out. Big deal. That's life, but at least you took the chance."

  "I'm scared."

  "Of course you are."

  "You should see the girls he has to choose from."

  "Gorgeous?"

  "And smart."

  "So are you. Don't forget that. You'd make a great princess. Can I be your assistant?"

  Chloe laughed. Julia always brightened her mood. “I couldn't do it without you."

  "So, are you going to tell him?"

  Chloe's somber mood returned. She didn't dare tell him her true feelings. What if he didn't return them? She didn't want to be another woman in his long list of attractive conquests. “I don't think I can."

  "You can. I know you can."

  "And then what?"

  "You'll have fun."

  "And then what?"

  "Hopefully, you'll walk down the aisle and become a princess."

  "Do you honestly believe that?"

  "Doesn't every little girl?” Chloe heard the tender smile in Julia's voice. “Go for it."

  "He wants to meet me tomorrow at sunrise. He says he needs my help with something."

  "Hmmm. I think that's good. You'll be alone?"

  "Yes."

  "A perfect time to tell him how you really feel."

  "But—"

  "Chloe."

  "All right. I'll tell him."

  "Tell me about your competition."

  "I'm beginning to regret calling you."

  "No you're not. Tell me about them, and I'll reassure you they've got nothing on you."

  "Thanks, Jules."

  "No problem. Isn't that what friends are for?"

  Chloe was very thankful to have a friend like Julia. She always helped put things into perspective. She took chances and seldom thought about the consequences. Julia was the complete opposite of Chloe; they balanced each other well. Chloe needed a little more of Julia's so-who-cares-what-happens attitude in order to confess her love for Max. She didn't know if she could do it—but she hoped so.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Eleven

  Shades of pink and orange and yellow streaked the horizon as Chloe followed Max on a zig-zaggy path up the side of the McDowell Mountains, enjoying the view of his adorable backside more than the breathtaking view of a Sonoran Desert sunrise. He was dressed in navy shorts—which provided a great view of his long legs—and a white T-shirt that stretched quite attractively across his muscled chest.

  The sleeping beauties back at the mansion had no idea what they were missing.

  Chloe was thankful for a few minutes alone with Max. It was nice to be away from the cameras and the production crew and Mr. Parker with his caffeine high—and especially those women.

  Max glanced over his shoulder and smiled. Chloe grinned back. Gosh, he was gorgeous. No wonder he was a favorite subject of the infamous paparazzi. And those eyes.... Wow! Extraordinary. Only Paul Newman had eyes as blue. And right at that moment, those eyes were focused completely and totally on her.

  "So, are you going to tell me what we're doing out here?” she asked as she avoided a rolling tumbleweed. “
Weren't you going to ask me about something? You wanted my help?"

  "All in good time, my dear. All in good time."

  Chloe tossed him a quizzical glance. “Why are you being so secretive?” She looked around her. “Am I on camera?"

  "Nope. Not at the moment."

  "Okay, so it's only a matter of time before the camera crew shows up and starts rolling."

  "Not this morning.” He glanced down at his watch. “They'll probably just be starting to set up for the day."

  "What about Mr. Von Stratton? Won't he wonder where you've run off to?"

  Max shook his dark head. “He's still in bed. At least for another thirty minutes or so."

  Chloe really wanted to run her fingers through the inky black tendrils. Could a man be any more perfect? She didn't think so. How could she possibly give him up without a fight?

  Julia was right—she couldn't just let him go. She had to take a chance that whatever existed between them was more than intense attraction. He had to feel it as well, didn't he?

  "So, what did you want from me, Max?"

  "Not yet. I want to enjoy this moment."

  Chloe stopped her ascent up the steep incline, leaned against an oversized boulder and took a deep breath. She was definitely out of shape. She couldn't remember the last time she'd really exercised. “Can we rest a bit?"

  "Can't you keep up with me?"

  "You're not winded at all?"

  He shook his dark head. His blue eyes twinkled. “Nope. I work out on a regular basis."

  Chloe released an exhausted sigh. “And how do you find time for that?"

  "Eric schedules it in for me,” he said with a wink. “Having a personal assistant does have its advantages."

  "I can see that. I'm impressed."

  Max puffed out his chest. “Why, thank you. However, it looks like you need some improvement."

  She swatted his arm and scowled. “Not funny. Not funny at all. I'm just a little out of shape."

  He cocked his head to one side and raised an eyebrow. “Really? Just a little?"

  She laughed and swatted his arm again. “Knock it off. I just haven't put exercising at the top of my list of things to do."

  "You should."

  "Don't give me a lecture. I know I'm bad. Once I get into a routine, I do very well, but I've been too busy lately to worry about fitting it in."

  "Well, at least you look great, Chloe. You look absolutely beautiful—especially right now."