Bedmates

by Nichole Chase

  “Very much so.” He lifted my hand and guided me toward my seat next to his. “Is your dance card already full or do you think you could squeeze me in for a dance.”

  “Hm. I’ll have to check.”

  He pulled my chair out for me. “Please do.”

  We had to sit through the normal hoopla that occurs at these political dinners. Speeches of welcome, jokes about people attending, and of course the typical pleas for partnership.

  Usually I had a hard time keeping my eyes from crossing with boredom during these events, especially the fake pandering, but tonight I was on edge. It had nothing to do with the talks of unity and everything to do with the sexy ex-Marine sitting next to me.

  We were sitting close enough together that I could feel the warmth radiating through his jacket arm. If I looked at the tiny hairs on my arm, I would swear they were standing up and pointed in his direction, as if trying to close the distance between us. When his arm shifted on the table and accidentally brushed mine I almost jumped out of my seat. The reaction was completely out of proportion and I ended up rubbing my arm in an attempt to rid myself of goose bumps.

  I looked at him in surprise and hoped that no one noticed my lack of composure. Jake’s head was turned toward my father but his eyes were trained on me. Had he felt the shock too? Or, more likely, had he just noticed that I’d jerked away from his accidental touch.

  In a room filled with some of the world’s most powerful and famous people, Jake looked as if he belonged. He was every bit as handsome as the Prince sitting next to him. Jake easily compared to the movie stars that sat at the tables around the room. Tall with wide shoulders, thick wavy brown hair that was growing out nicely, and eyes that made me want to drool, he was the most gorgeous man I’d ever laid eyes on.

  “Samantha, where is your gorgeous daughter?” My stepmother leaned around my father to ask the Duchess.

  I looked down at the plate of greens in front of me and tried to remember when it had been put there. It was time to focus on what was happening around me. I didn’t even remember the speeches being wrapped up before they served the food.

  “She’s with my friend at the embassy.” Samantha’s smile was strained. I couldn’t help but notice that she’d picked up the slightest hint of the Lilarian accent. “I’m afraid she’s not quite ready for a State Dinner.”

  “Did you see what happened when we were visiting the Prime Minister in Canada?” Prince Alex’s laugh was contagious.

  “I told you her stomach was upset. She’s teething.” Samantha blushed.

  “Oh no.” I grimaced.

  “All over the place.” Alex laughed. As if it was completely normal to throw up on Prime Ministers.

  “And then she laughed.” Sam covered her eyes for a moment. “So, all the pictures are of the Prime Minister staring at his suit in horror while Martha is laughing her little head off.”

  “I’m sure he wasn’t upset,” my father offered. “He has five children himself, doesn’t he? It can’t be the first time he’s been spit up on. That’s one of the joys of parenthood!”

  “Besides if he’d just laughed it off, it would have been a great photo moment. His numbers could use a little help in the popularity polls.” My stepmother began cutting up her salad. “Didn’t you have an incident with a baby when you first went to Lilaria, Samantha?”

  “I’m sure your reaction was genuine.” I frowned apologetically at the Duchess. “I remember reading the articles about the baby that had an accident.”

  “Maybe this was karma then.” She laughed. “I can’t believe that story made it all the way over here!”

  “You’re always in the newspaper or on the news.” I shook my head in sympathy. “When you had Martha, they sold souvenir cups, dolls, everything!”

  “They did indeed.” My stepmother frowned.

  “It’s pretty weird to see miniature sized dolls of my child.” Samantha wrinkled her nose. “Honestly? It’s a bit creepy.”

  My stepmother frowned and patted her mouth with her napkin. She was covering one of her disapproving looks. Discussing your dislike for something in public wasn’t something she deemed appropriate. She lived by the golden rules; especially if you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all.

  I wholeheartedly agreed with Samantha though. I’d had a doll named after me in a popular brand and it still gave me the willies. They even had clothes that matched outfits I’d worn during important events. If Chuckie gave little kids nightmares, seeing a doll version of myself certainly came close. Having hundreds of dolls that looked just like your baby must be a mother’s nightmare.

  “Jesus, what is it that they call those things goblins or whatever trade for babies?” My father turned to look at the Duchess. “No wonder you think it’s creepy.”

  “Exactly! Changelings!” Samantha pointed at my father and nodded her head vigorously. “It’s terrifying.”

  “Oh my.” My stepmother looked up, genuine concern in her expression. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. That must give you nightmares.”

  Apparently she was feeling compassionate tonight.

  “I had nightmares that people would swap out Martha for one of those dolls.” Samantha shook her head. “It’s ridiculous, but I just couldn’t help it. It’s easier now that she’s so big.”

  “And never stops making noises,” Alex added. “She’s constantly bossing us around.”

  “A born royal.” My father lifted his glass in salute.

  “She can speak some, but you never know if it’s going to be in English or Lilarian.” Samantha shrugged. “And if she doesn’t know a word, she makes it up. Usually while pointing at whatever she wants.”

  “I’d love to meet her sometime.” I smiled at the young mother. “She has the most beautiful eyes in the pictures I’ve seen.”

  “She gets those from her dad.” Samantha turned to look at her husband with a small smile. There was so much softness and warmth in her gaze it was as if the rest of the world had disappeared.

  I wondered how it felt to have someone else be your anchor to the world. It was obvious from their small movements, glances, and touches that their union was solid. This hadn’t been a political match or convenience. There was so much love shooting between those two that it practically filled the entire White House throughout the meal.

  And take it from me, that was a miracle. Most of these people here spent the majority of their lives clawing at one another’s throats.

  Don’t get me wrong. My father and stepmother loved each other, but it wasn’t that all-consuming type of love. There was warmth and comradery, but it never seemed as if they needed each other—more like they helped each other.

  It wasn’t necessarily a bad relationship because they were happy, but it wasn’t what I wanted.

  As if cued by my thoughts, Jake shifted next to me and I looked up into his dark eyes. His intense gaze was unnerving and I felt as if he was searching for something in me, seeking something in my own eyes. In the distance I was aware that music had began to play and that people were moving about the room.

  None of that mattered. I couldn’t tear my eyes from Jake’s.

  It wasn’t until my father moved past me with Samantha’s hand tucked in the crook of his elbow that it dawned on me everyone was standing. There was a moment of panic as I scrambled to my feet. Jake’s eyes brightened and a small smile curved his lips as he took my arm and helped steady me as I stood.

  His tall, wide frame next to mine was hard to ignore. I wasn’t short at five nine and in heels I was more than on the tall side, but he still towered over me. I tried to focus on my father and the Duchess as the music started.

  They glided across the floor and I watched as my father joked with the young woman that had stolen America’s hearts. I’d seen countless pictures of her dancing with monarchs and the famous but if I could make an assumption, I would say she seemed a little awestruck by dancing with the President in the White House. If I hadn’t spent so
many years living here, I might feel the same way.

  Samantha might be a royal in another country, but she’d been born American and the White House was the only real castle in the United States.

  Halfway into the song, Prince Alex and my stepmother moved on to the dance floor, swaying to the music. The clicks of cameras accompanied the music and there must’ve been fifty cell phones pointed at the dancers. This was a moment that wouldn’t be forgotten by history.

  My father dipped Samantha and her giggle was contagious. I let my eyes run around the room and noted all of the smiles. It didn’t matter what party the people associated with, or the jobs of investigative journalist and style correspondents; they all were smiling. Every eye was trained on the people in the center of the room.

  Except for the security.

  And Jake. He wasn’t watching the dancers or the people around us. Jake was watching me.

  “Did you check your dance card?” His deep voice made me shiver.

  “As a matter of fact I have.” My voice sounded a little breathless and I fought this insane urge to bolt from the room. We’d danced together a million times.

  Yet, this time I knew that it would be different. I wouldn’t be the President’s daughter dancing with the Vice President’s son. This time it would be Maddie and Jake in front of a ballroom full of people. His hands on my hips, his eyes on my face.

  “And?” His eyebrow rose up. “I’m dying here, MadLibs.”

  “What?” I tilted my head back so I could see his face clearly.

  “I just asked the prettiest girl in the room to dance with me.” He lowered his voice. “And she hasn’t answered.”

  Pleasure flooded my body and I tried to keep calm, but there was no keeping the faint warmth out of my cheeks.

  “That’s just mean.” I turned toward him and pretended to frown. “What sort of girl would do that?”

  “One that’s too good for me.” His reply was so serious, so sad I reached out and touched his arm. That hadn’t been a flirtation, he didn’t think I should be with him.

  “She’d be stupid to think that.” I said the words quietly.

  “She’s a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them.” He chuckled and I immediately sensed the shift in his mood. “She’s brave, thoughtful, and patient.”

  “You really think a lot of this girl,” I murmured.

  “Do you know what the best part is?” He stepped closer to me and licked his bottom lip. My blood heated up as I remembered how it had felt to have those lips pressed against mine.

  “What?” I was quickly turning into one of those light-headed, silly girls hanging on his every word.

  “She’s a felon.” Humor lit his eyes and even though he constantly pointed out my stupidity I couldn’t help but find the amusement in it too.

  “You’re going to have that put on my gravestone, aren’t you?” I took my hand from his arm and rolled my eyes.

  “I don’t know about your gravestone, but I did have it printed on pamphlets to hand out tonight.”

  “Oh, shut up.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Miss Madeline? Would you do me the honor of a dance?”

  With wide eyes I turned to see Prince Alex smiling at me in all of his princely charm. It was a bit like being blinded by the sun and if I wasn’t already obsessed with the man next to me, I might be fighting Ari for her Man Crush Monday pick.

  I was all too aware of the flashes from cameras as the Prince faced me.

  “I—” I stuttered on my response. Could I tell a visiting Prince no? I looked over at Jake and fought for the right words. “I was just about to dance with Mr. Simmon.”

  “Actually, my mother is signaling me.” Jake reached out and squeezed my hand. “You’ve been reprieved.”

  I looked over to where the Vice President was talking to several people. Her eagle eyes were trained on us and despite her pleasant expression I could almost feel laser beams shooting from her eyes.

  “Ah, oh. Okay.” I tried to not look upset. I mean, my consolation prize was a dance with a real-life prince. That shouldn’t be disappointing. “Thank you, Alex.”

  “I should be thanking you.” With a deft touch he swung me on to the dance floor, leaving me a little breathless. “There is a rather persistent reporter trying to get a dance. While normally, I do my duty, this one has a way of annoying me.”

  “Would you like me to have them removed?” I looked over his shoulder and saw a familiar blond head at the edge of the dance floor.

  “That won’t be necessary. Unless you see Samantha making a beeline for her. Then you might need to call security to protect her.” His laugh was full of pride.

  “Only if I got to stay and watch.” I lowered my voice. “That particular reporter is a thorn in my side.”

  “Ah.” He tilted his head in understanding. “Some of them have a way of getting under our skin.”

  “More than one way,” I sighed. “But I’ll do my best to steer you away from her when I can.”

  “I’ll owe you a favor,” he declared. “How shall I pay you back?”

  “I have no idea.” I laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a prince owe me a favor.”

  We continued our trip around the ballroom and I realized that Alex was such a great partner I hadn’t tripped or stumbled once. I cast a conspiratorial look around the room, wondering if Ronnie would go after Jake since the Prince was occupied. Sure enough she was laughing at something the Vice President had said and jealousy gripped my stomach.

  “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since I stole you away,” Alex said.

  “I’m sorry?” I looked up into sparkling blue eyes and if my mind wasn’t obsessed with a pair of dark brown ones I might have felt a bit swoony.

  “Jake Simmon. He hasn’t stopped watching us.” Alex spun me out on the floor before pulling me back to him. I was aware of the people clapping and the flashes from cameras, but none of that mattered. He had mentioned Jake was watching me. “Or rather, he hasn’t stopped watching you.”

  “Oh.” I bit my lip and looked down at the Prince’s bow tie. “It’s nothing.”

  “I know that look well, and it’s never nothing.” Alex picked up his pace just enough that we flashed past a group of watching women. “That’s the look of a man that’s found what he wants and has decided he’s going to go after it. It’s a look I wore while chasing Samantha. The reporter isn’t going to get any of his attention.”

  “She already has,” I responded before I could think. Something about Alex made it easy to share with him. Maybe it was because we had more in common than I would have originally thought.

  As a young preteen I’d read the tabloids about him and reading about him and Samantha had been a guilty pleasure when I’d gotten older. One of the maids would slip me the magazines under my pillows. It had been like watching a real life fairy tale unfold.

  “Ah.” He frowned and looked away. “Are you and he together?”

  “No.” I shook my head but I wasn’t actually sure. “At least we weren’t when that happened.”

  “I see.” He spun me around again and everyone clapped. “Well, I haven’t known you long, but I’m going to offer some counsel, if you don’t mind.”

  “Shoot.” I smiled at him.

  “Americans and their shooting.” He shook his head. “Men can be incredibly stupid. Especially when it comes to the people that matter.”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, Your Highness, but I’ve noticed.” I laughed. “Present company excluded of course.”

  “No, you’re right. I’ve had more than my fair share of stupid moments.” His gaze turned serious. “Sometimes we have to make mistakes to know when we’ve found something good.”

  “I guess we’ll see,” I replied. “I think our song is almost over. Senator Fletcher is behind us and I think you’d enjoy chatting with her.”

  “Are you stacking my dance card?” He chuckled.

  “Just helping a friend out.
” I patted his shoulder.

  “I already owe you a favor,” he pointed out.

  “True.” And if he and Senator Fletcher hit it off, this would go a long way toward helping fill that favor.

  “You’re crafty.” He looked at me with appreciation. “Something you inherited from your smart father. She’s a horse person, correct?”

  “Thank you, and yes, she is.” I smiled, but not because of the compliment. “What if I’d suggested Senator Riley?”

  “I would have danced with him and talked about the whales that he loves so much.” His eyes twinkled.

  I’d been careful to not mention if Riley was male or female. “And have you memorized a dossier on everyone in the room?”

  “Not everyone. But most of them.”

  “Modest, aren’t you?” I laughed, not caring who was watching or taking pictures. Alex made it easy to feel comfortable in front of everyone.

  “No, not usually. You and Samantha can commiserate together over my ego. She would love the chance to talk with you without a million people watching.” Step, step, turn. Step, step, spin. He never missed a beat. “Dinner before we leave, perhaps? You could bring your fellow.”

  “I would like that. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He looked around the room. “How do you feel about a flashy finish?”

  “What do you mean?” But my question was too late.

  With the certainty of an experienced dancer, he spun me across the room, before pulling me back and spinning me under his arm. Before my brain could catch up with the rest of my body, he had me tucked against him and dipped me back. The song ended exactly on time and I wondered if he had planned it that way from the get-go.

  People cheered and I knew I was blushing by the time he lifted me back up, but I didn’t care. Dancing with Alex was probably one of those moments I would never forget. I wish I could go back and high-five the teenage girl that I used to be.

  He bowed slightly to me before tucking my hand in his arm and I steered him toward Senator Fletcher. She was a large wildlife fan and if I’d played my cards right, I might have just found someone to sponsor my animal cruelty bill.

  “Senator Fletcher, may I introduce you to His Royal Highness, Prince Alex?” I smiled at the older woman, well aware that people would be surprised by my move. If I had a reputation amongst the press and the politicians it was that I avoided anything resembling political maneuvering.