Tamara snickered behind us, but Jo’s eyes flared open and she shook her head. “No! Sorry! I’ve just never met royalty before. They don’t teach you this kind of stuff in American schools.”
I laughed. “They don’t teach it here.”
“How about a drink?” Jo asked.
“I’d love one.”
She hustled to the other side of the room while Tamara came to stand with me, threading her fingers through mine.
“You broke her,” she said, grinning.
“Oh my gosh! I just realized there’s a dog here!” Jo exclaimed, pointing to where Hank was busy inspecting a potted palm.
“That’s Hank,” I said.
“Sir Hank,” Tamara corrected.
Jo forgot all about making our drinks and bounded over to Hank, lavishing him with attention. He ate it up, and for a moment the two of them forgot anyone else existed.
Tamara led me to the kitchen and finished pouring out the gin and tonics Jo had started.
“What do you want to do?” Tamara asked. “If you’d warned me you were coming I could have ordered some food or found a movie to watch.”
“Not necessary. Though I am sorry for showing up unannounced. It was a spur of the moment thing and I didn’t think about it.”
“No, it’s totally fine,” she said, handing me a drink. “I just don’t want to bore you.”
I smiled. “Impossible.”
“Does he know any tricks?” Jo asked.
“He’ll do just about anything for food. His favorite is ham.”
Jo started scrambling through the fridge and produced a few slices of ham with a triumphant smile. “Ha!”
Hank’s tail was wagging furiously.
“We were watching some mindless TV if you want to join,” Tamara offered. “Or we’re open to suggestions.”
“No we are not,” Jo said, dangling ham above Hank’s waiting mouth. “It’s house renovation shows or bust.”
“That actually sounds lovely.” I pulled Tamara close, inhaling the sweet scent of her skin. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my evening.”
I couldn’t. I would watch a documentary on river rats if it meant I got to cozy up with my beauty all night.
Jo soon joined us on the couch and Hank curled up just below my feet. We sat together in comfortable silence, punctuated every now and then with Jo’s comments (“if he tears up that hardwood I’m going to throw a fit”) and Hank’s snuffling snores.
It was peaceful.
Normal.
It made me wonder what my life might have been like if I’d been born with another name to another family. I would never change my family and I loved them, but sometimes the idea of anonymity painted shades of green in my mind.
After a couple of hours, Tamara nudged me in the shoulder. “Jo’s asleep.”
I looked down to the other end of the couch, where Jo was reclined with her head against the armrest, mouth slack, one hand dangling off the couch, resting on Hank’s back.
“Time for bed?” I asked.
Tamara nodded with a smile.
She turned off the TV and poked her sister, who woke with a start.
“Shit.” Jo blinked. “I missed the end of the episode. Which house did they choose?”
“The one you liked,” Tamara said.
Jo blew out a sigh. “Then I can rest easy.” She lifted herself from the couch and ambled toward the bedroom, waving lazily. “Goodnight. Sleep tight. Don’t let the commoner bedbugs bite.”
I chuckled. “Goodnight.”
Tamara grinned and rolled her eyes, pulling me up. I bent down to kiss her once I was on my feet.
“I’ve had a pleasant evening,” I said.
“I’m glad. Are you staying over?”
“Do you want me to?”
Tamara nodded without hesitation. “That is...if you can. I don’t want you to feel obligated...”
I cut her off. “I would love to.”
She brightened. “Good.”
We walked to the bedroom hand in hand, Hank trailing behind us. Tamara patted the bed to invite him up and Hank didn’t even feign hesitance. He curled up in a ball at the bottom of the bed and was already fast asleep before I’d even begun to undress.
My eyelids sagged and my whole body begged me for sleep, but I forced myself to stay awake just a little bit longer so I could hold Tamara and inhale her sweet, feminine scent. Her back to my chest. Her head on my arm. My arm wrapped around her waist. It felt so natural, like we did this every night.
“Alex?” Tamara asked in a small voice.
“Yes?” I kissed the top of her head.
“Why did you come here tonight?” When I didn’t answer right away, she added, “Did something happen at home? Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” I assured. And then I told her the truth, as plain and bare as it was. “The only thing that happened was that I was at dinner and I realized there was somewhere else I would rather be.”
She settled into my arms and soon the two of us were fast asleep.
Chapter 17
Tamara
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about time, it’s that it passes. Whether you like it or not.
One second I was attending a masquerade party with my sister, the next I was elbows deep in a ball pit of feelings for the prince I’d been seeing romantically for nearly a month.
Funny how that happens.
That all sounds great, doesn’t it? But the nasty part was that time just kept doing its thing. Ticking away. Stopping for no man. So even though I was enjoying every second I got to spend with Alexander, the end of the summer loomed closer and closer. The days would grow shorter and then I would have to leave. And that would be it.
I tried not to think about it most of the time, especially since I couldn’t be sure what any of the feelings rattling around my ribcage meant.
Tonight, I was alone, and that made it harder not to think about. Joanne and Tristan were out causing mischief somewhere, and Alexander was at a party at the palace, celebrating the royal pregnancy, otherwise I would call him and get a little distraction.
The Friday night programming should have been enough to entertain me for the few hours until Jo came home, but loneliness dug sharp nails into my spine and refused to let my concentration drift. All I could think about was how much I wished Alex was there, how I wanted to squeeze out every second of our time together. Two months seemed like a long time, but between everything on my plate and everything on his, I wondered how much of that time we’d get to spend together. It was a horrible thought spiral to fall down since it was completely pointless to dwell on, but I couldn’t help myself.
I was flipping through channels when my buzzer screeched, startling me. Jo must’ve forgotten her key or something. I dropped the remote on the couch and walked over to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Special delivery,” came a rich male voice. I knew that voice.
“Alex?” I jammed my finger on the buzzer. “Get inside.”
I sprinted to the bathroom and checked my face in the mirror, then sprinted back to the kitchen and tried to appear casual, while adrenaline shot through my system like a flaming arrow. What was he doing here?
He knocked on the door and I opened it, mouth dropping open at the sight of him.
“Why are you wearing a tux?” I asked.
Alex laughed and entered the room, hands in his pockets. “Just be glad the dress code for these things isn’t still white jacket or tails.”
“Is the party really over so soon?” I glanced at the clock. “It’s only eight o’clock.”
“Aren’t you glad to see me?”
“Of course I am.” I stepped up to him, wrapping my arms around his hips and leaning into his chest. His touch brought immediate relief, like cool water on a burn. “I’m confused, though.”
Alexander tipped my chin up and smiled down at me, green eyes sparkling. “I got bored,” he explained. “
I snuck out.”
I blinked up at him. “Can you do that?”
“Of course I can.”
“No, I mean—should you do that?” When that garnered no reaction, I pressed further. “Won’t your family get mad?”
“Kitty Kat, you worry too much.” He released me and took a step back, brushing a hand over my cheek. He smirked. “I’d be more worried about Teddy. He’ll be pissed when he finds out I came here and not his cousin’s castle party. He’s been badgering me for weeks to go and I’ve told him every time that I couldn’t get out of this family event.”
“That’s hardly comforting,” I muttered. “Now both your family and Teddy will think I’m a bad influence.”
“Tamara,” he said in a voice so smooth, so cool, that a shiver worked down my spine. “I’m here because I want to be here. You didn’t force me. And anyway, it’s too late to worry about all that now. I’m here and that’s that.”
He had a point, but I still couldn’t move the slow gnaw of dread in my gut. I didn’t believe in premonition, but something didn’t feel right.
“Go put on some warm clothes,” Alex instructed.
I furrowed my brow. “Why?”
“We’re going out.”
“Where?”
“That’s a—“
I interrupted him, putting up a hand. “Don’t say the word surprise. I’ll shove you right back out that door.”
Alex’s cocky smile melted straight past my defenses but I kept up my stern expression. “Okay, I won’t say it. But I’m not telling you until we get there.”
I sighed, though inside my stomach was flipping and flopping with giddiness. As much as I didn’t like surprises, Alex’s always turned out well. I hurried off to my room to change.
“Where’s Jo tonight?” Alex called from the living room.
“Out with Tristan.” I shoved a sweater over my head and put on a pair of jeans.
“Good thing I didn’t bring Hank, then.” He chuckled.
I returned and held my arms out for his inspection. “Warm enough?”
Alex nodded. “Let’s go.”
Alex’s SUV was outside, and the further into the city center he drove, the more nervous I got. The city meant people, and people meant the possibility of being seen. The fact that he ditched such an important event was reckless enough as it was—did he really need to push his luck?
Thankfully, Alex didn’t stop the car in front of a packed night club or a fancy restaurant. He parked by a river dock with a canal boat moored alongside it, decorated with strings of twinkling fairy lights. I got out of the car and the breeze lifted the melodic crooning of a Frank Sinatra song to my ears.
“Are you taking me on a romantic canal cruise?” I asked, suppressing a laugh.
Alex walked around to my side and grabbed my hand. “Would it be a problem if I was?”
“No, it’s just...” I bit my lip and smiled up at him. “Incredibly cheesy.”
Alex narrowed his eyes. “Call me cheesy one more time, Kitty Kat.”
Oh, easy.
“You’re cheesy,” I said. “Like a big ‘ol ball of mozzarella.”
Before I knew what was happening, Alex had hoisted me over his shoulder and was walking toward the boat. I shrieked in surprise and smacked his back, but he simply smacked my butt in return.
“Let’s just hope I don’t drop you while we board,” he said. “The river can be awfully chilly.”
“No!” I protested. “I will kill you!”
“I do believe you’ve just uttered a threat against a member of the royal family, my darling.” He patted my rump again before setting me on my feet on the deck. “I should warn you the penalty for such a crime can be quite severe.”
“Oh yeah?” I spat out a chunk of hair that had made it into my mouth while he carried me. “Do your worst.”
Alex’s lips curled and ignited an inferno in my belly. I gulped.
“My worst?” He took a step closer, pressing his body against mine. “Kitty Kat, you tease me.”
“I think you’re the one doing the teasing,” I managed to whisper.
“In that case...” He leaned down and pressed his lips to the shell of my ear. “Your punishment, Miss Callahan, is this: a romantic, starlit canal cruise.”
He pulled back and his grin had softened from seductive to goofy. I nearly keeled over.
“Hardly seems like much of a punishment,” I replied.
“Talk back again and you’ll earn yourself a spanking.”
“Is that a promise?”
Alex laughed. “What am I going to do with you?”
He took me by the hand and led me up to the front of the boat, where a love seat covered with blankets waited for us.
“Before you get too many filthy thoughts, I should mention I won’t be driving this rig,” he said. “There are a couple of crew members on board so I’d caution you to resist throwing yourself at me.”
“As if I would,” I said, sliding down onto the love seat and pulling a blanket over my knees.
Alex sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. Sounds of movement behind us indicated we were casting off.
“Oh, come on,” he drawled. “You can’t help yourself. I’m your James Bond dream man in this tux.”
Was he ever. Not that I’d admit it.
“James Bond? More like James Bland.”
Alex rolled his eyes and cuffed me on the shoulder. “Very clever.”
The boat started drifting down the river, a light breeze picking at my curls as we gained speed. The bank slid by, and the sounds of the city seemed distant even though we felt too close for comfort.
“Any news on your charity project?” I asked.
“Actually, yes. There’s a royal midsummer garden party in a couple of weeks and Edward has given me the green light to announce it then.”
“That’s incredible!” I said. “You must be excited.”
“Thrilled.”
A note of sadness dipped into his voice and I looked up out of curiosity. “You don’t sound too thrilled.”
“No, I am. It’s just...” He sighed. “I’m worried. What if I make a mistake and screw it all up? What if everything doesn’t go perfectly? This project means a lot to me.”
The sincerity in his eyes tugged at my heart strings. I clasped his hand in mine and squeezed. “The great thing about charity is that you’re winning just by showing up.”
He smiled weakly. “I want it to be a success though. I know that it would be if she were still here.”
I should have figured earlier that the memory of his mom would add extra pressure his plan. It wasn’t enough just to launch the charities in her name—he needed them to succeed. Failing wasn’t an option for him, because in Alexander’s mind if he did anything less than stellar work he would be sullying the memory of his mom.
“I know you’re going to succeed, but she would be proud no matter what,” I said. “I didn’t know her, obviously, but I’ve known people like her. My grandmother on my mom’s side, she died when I was still a kid, but that woman was a powerhouse.”
Alex blinked and some of the lines in his face relaxed. “Tell me about her.”
I smiled at the few memories I had of her, eating fresh strawberries and blueberries by the carton in the summer heat, gardening together even though I had no idea what I was doing, winter nights when she visited us up north and complained about the cold leeching into her bones.
“Her name was Rhetta,” I said. “She grew up a poor black woman in the South, but even though she had every reason to grow bitter at the world she never did. During the Civil Rights Movement, she went head to head with some of the nastiest people ever to dig their way up from the mud but she never let it dampen her innate kindness.”
“She sounds truly inspirational.”
I snuggled in closer, pulling Alex’s arm around my shoulders and resting my head on his chest. “She was. I try to channel her as much as I can, but I’m afraid I don’
t have the same kind of patience.”
“You’ve put up with me, haven’t you?”
I grinned and tilted my head to look up at him. “Not that you gave me a choice.”
Alex bent his head to kiss me, a sweet, soft press of his lips that made my toes tingle.
“What was your mom like?” I asked. “In private, I mean.”
A faint smile ticked his lips. “Not all that different from how she was in public,” he replied. “Poised, kind, always smiling. She had time for every person, no matter how insignificant the rest of the world thought they might be. She never put herself first. Even when she got sick, she would fret endlessly about the people she cared about, whether they were her family or the people she built those charities to help.”
“I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been to lose her.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “It’s still hard sometimes.”
“She would have been proud of you, you know,” I said. “Even without everything you’re doing for her charities. You’re a good man.”
Alex’s arm tightened, tugging me closer to his chest. His lips pressed into the top of my head but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to.
“You really didn’t need to walk me all the way up to my apartment,” I said, chuckling.
“I’m a gentleman.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and inserted my key into the lock. “Sometimes.”
The fire in Alex’s eyes promised that maybe I was about to see his not-so-gentlemanly side and that thought tickled between my thighs. We’d had such a good, deep evening and a little fun would do us both some good.
I opened the door and flicked the lights on. From the direction of the couch came a dull thud.
“Ow!”
I paused in the doorway and peered toward the source of the noise. Jo’s head popped up above the back of the couch. “Tristan! Are you okay?”
Alex and I entered the flat and closed the door behind us, rounding the couch to find Tristan sprawled on the floor, rubbing the back of his head. Both he and Jo’s clothing were disheveled, and she started madly buttoning her shirt.
Tristan’s eyes locked on Alex and he froze. “Your Royal Highness!” He scrambled to his feet, knocking the empty wine bottle on the coffee table to the floor, and lurched down into an awkward bow.
Royal Engagement Page 12
