Royally Lost

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Royally Lost Page 11

by Stanton, Angie


  “A kiss.”

  As Nikolai came nearer, her heart raced. She treaded water nervously. Nikolai floated closer and kissed her gently. Becca had never felt so alive.

  When their lips parted, he held her gaze and handed back her panties. She tried to play it cool as she scrambled into them while trying to keep her head above water. With her bottoms back on, they swam to shore and climbed the rocks, tired from swimming in the cool water.

  Cold and shivering, Becca lay on the smooth, sun-warmed rock, letting the heat permeate her skin. “Oh, that feels good,” she sighed, wanting to put her embarrassment behind her.

  Nikolai lay a few inches away. “It does.”

  The sun beat down, drying their skin. “I could just close my eyes and sleep.”

  “I won’t argue with you there,” Nikolai answered, his lids closing.

  Nikolai opened his eyes, chilled, as a cloud blocked out the sun. Next to him, Becca slept, her hand curled in his. She smiled in relaxed slumber.

  He gently released her hand and looked around. A couple of people lounged on the distant beach and a lone man sat on the sand with a camera aimed straight at Nikolai. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up.

  He turned his back to the beach and nudged her. “Becca!”

  “Hmm?” She stirred.

  “There’s a guy on the beach and I’m pretty sure he’s taking our picture.”

  Her eyes sprang open. “What?” She sat up and spotted the man. “You think he’s paparazzi?”

  “It sure isn’t a random tourist aiming a long lens at us. How the hell did he know I was here?” Nikolai slid on his shorts.

  “Oh crud.” Becca grabbed her clothes and quickly pulled them on. “You think he’s been taking pictures of us sleeping?”

  “That and more. Lord only knows how long he’s been here.” He didn’t notice him when they were in the water, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t been lurking in the trees, snapping pictures.

  Nikolai stuffed their leftover lunch items into his backpack. How did this camera-wielding jerk find him? Nikolai had been zigzagging up and down the Danube since he left Melk yesterday afternoon.

  Dressed, with everything packed up, they headed for the motorbike. Their path unfortunately forced them to pass the creep with the camera. Nikolai pulled his baseball cap low and hid behind his sunglasses. He led the way with his head down and Becca’s hand firmly in his.

  “Prince Nikolai, why did you run from the palace?” The photographer, a short, heavyset man with cameras strapped across his chest, snapped pictures and moved closer.

  Nikolai picked up the pace, but the man stayed with them, walking backward and taking pictures. This was no official appearance where Nikolai owed the press a friendly smile and kind word.

  “Do your parents know where you are?”

  He ignored him.

  “Your friend is beautiful. Is she the reason you fled? What’s her name?”

  Nikolai bristled and fought the urge to shove the man to the ground and bust his camera. He glanced at Becca, her face pink with embarrassment. She didn’t need to be targeted by this oily loser.

  “Have you heard that your sister, Princess Alexi, has gone missing?”

  Nikolai hesitated for an instant, but then hurried on. The man was lying. He was sure of it, and he wouldn’t let this vile intruder ruin their day.

  They reached the bike. He hurried and strapped on the pack and hopped on. Becca climbed up, hugging him from behind. Nikolai liked the feel of her body secure against his. It made him feel better able to protect her.

  The photographer kept snapping pictures and wouldn’t back off. “There are rumors that you have renounced the throne,” he baited.

  Nikolai stiffened, but didn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. He started the engine.

  “Where are you going next?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Nikolai grinned, revved the engine, and spun gravel as they raced away.

  16

  Thirty minutes later, Nikolai pulled up to the empty dock with Becca behind him on the bike, her arms wrapped around his waist.

  “Oh my God, where’s the boat?” Becca cried out.

  This morning there had been five riverboats docked. Now there were none. Nikolai frowned at this new wrinkle in their day. “Upriver, I’d say by the looks of it. Any idea where your next stop is?”

  “I have no idea. There was an extra tour this afternoon to some gorge,” Becca said, her face stricken with panic. “I think the boat was picking up the people from that tour, someplace near there. Why didn’t I pay better attention? Maybe Dylan knows.”

  She fished her phone out of her pocket and looked at the screen. “I have a ton of missed calls from him.” She called him back. “He isn’t picking up. Dylan, where the hell is the boat?” she shouted into the phone. She turned and looked at Nikolai, a hint of desperation on her face. “What are we going to do?”

  “I guess we better keep going and see if we can find the Bolero. It’s not like it can go anywhere but upriver.” He patted her leg and kissed her. “We’ll find it sooner or later.” Nikolai put the cycle in gear and they took off.

  They battled rush hour traffic on the outskirts of Regensburg. Every stoplight grated Becca’s nerves. How was she going to explain missing the boat to her dad?

  They cruised along the road that ran parallel to the river. Each bend gave her new hope they’d find the Bolero around the curve, but time and again, she only found disappointment. Just as she was about to give up hope and assume the boat had vanished forever, they entered the city of Kelheim.

  “There it is!” She pointed to a couple of boats docked on the other side of the river.

  Nikolai nodded, gunned the engine, and they flew down the pier. The only bridge in sight was upriver a half mile past the dock. After crossing the bridge and cruising back toward the dock, Nikolai took the turnoff and cruised past the parking lot and right onto the wide dock; there was no time to lose.

  She spotted the Bolero, and leaning against one of the mooring pillars, Dylan.

  Nikolai pulled up and turned off the bike.

  “Nice of you to show,” Dylan said, checking his watch. “You two have a nice day?”

  Becca wasn’t sure if he was angry or impressed. “Um, yeah,” she answered. Nikolai nodded.

  Dylan grinned. “Good. I covered for you and Nikolai. I told Vicky you were at the napkin-folding demonstration. So, I think the least you could do is return the favor.”

  “Oh, thank you! Yes, I’ll cover for you,” Becca said, thankful to be back and not in trouble.

  Dylan pushed away from the mooring and waited as they stepped off the motorcycle.

  “I met some students from Kiev today and they’re going to hear some band at a festival tonight. I was thinking it would be pretty awesome if Nikolai wanted to trade places for the night.”

  Becca shot a curious glance at Nikolai, who removed his sunglasses and nodded his interest. “You want Nikolai to come aboard in your place?”

  “Exactly,” Dylan said.

  “And how am I supposed to hide him from Dad and Vicky at dinner?”

  “No problem. They ate some bad sausage today and are holed up in their private throne room. If you know what I mean.” He grinned at Nikolai. “You don’t have to go to dinner, at least not with them. You could always eat in the bar instead.”

  “I don’t know. That doesn’t sound like a very smart idea. Plus, how would you get back to the boat?”

  A devilish smirk crossed Dylan’s face. “That’s where Nikolai comes in. Can I borrow your motorcycle?”

  Nikolai started.

  “Dylan, you can’t take his cycle!”

  “Why not? He’ll be safely tucked away, you two can have more time together, and I’ll get to go party. I’ll be back in the morning, and no one will be the wiser.”

  Alone with Nikolai. All night. Part of her was thrilled with the idea, the other part terrified. “But what about the fro
nt desk? Don’t you think they’re going to notice Nikolai coming aboard, or you showing up in the morning?”

  “I’ve got it covered. The desk clerk, Natalie, and I have an understanding. She’s got my back.” He grinned again.

  “I don’t even want to know what that’s about,” Becca said.

  “So what do you think?” He turned to Nikolai.

  A crooked smile appeared on Nikolai’s face. “Sounds like fun to me.” He tossed his keys to Dylan, who caught them easily.

  Becca couldn’t believe Dylan had just made this plan, and now she was spending the night with Nikolai. Her heart beat with nervous anticipation.

  “You’re the best! Now, just so we have this straight. Don’t screw with my sister. Got it?” Dylan fixed Nikolai with a serious brotherly stare.

  “My intentions with Becca are totally . . .”

  “Honorable, yeah, whatever. Just don’t make me have to mess up your pretty face. I don’t want to get thrown in some dungeon by your daddy.”

  Nikolai laughed and unhooked his bag from the back of the cycle. “Got it. By the way, you may find some irritating paparazzi on your tail.”

  “I hope so. I could have some fun with that.”

  With her heart pounding, Becca snuck Nikolai into her room.

  She tossed her room key on the dresser and turned to face him. Now that she had him here, what should she do? What did he want to do? Her eyes drifted to the bed. She turned her back to it.

  Nikolai dropped his backpack on the floor near the dresser. “The paparazzi will have a hard time tracking me here when my motorbike is headed out of town.”

  She laughed. “You sure look satisfied with yourself.”

  “Come on, I couldn’t have planned this better myself.” Nikolai opened the sliding door and looked over the railing he’d climbed the night before.

  She joined him. Outside, the crew removed the thick ropes that anchored the giant boat. “Dylan wasted no time in taking off.”

  “That’s fine with me. I never dreamed I’d get to spend so much time with you.” He rested his elbows on the railing, leaned over, and kissed Becca lightly on the lips.

  The boat drifted from the dock. The engine rumble caused the room to vibrate ever so slightly.

  “So what do you want to do?” He flashed his eyebrows suggestively.

  Becca chewed on her lip. She liked Nikolai a lot, but she didn’t know him all that well. “I don’t know. What do you want to do?”

  “I’m teasing, Becca.”

  “I know,” she said, as if she hadn’t been a little on edge about spending the night alone with him.

  “Actually, would it be okay if I grabbed a shower and borrowed some of your brother’s clothes? I’ve been wearing these shorts for a few days and I’d love to wash them out.”

  She relaxed. “Sure. It’s the least Dylan can do since he basically stole your motorcycle.” She went to a dresser and pulled open a drawer with clothes crammed in. “Here, pick out whatever you need. Sorry, Dylan’s such a slob.”

  “No problem.” Nikolai selected a couple of items and disappeared into the tiny bathroom.

  Minutes later, he came out refreshed and traded places with Becca. She took a long shower, dried her hair, and put on makeup before she reappeared.

  “You look great,” he said.

  “Thanks.” Her cheeks heated. There was a long silence.

  “So, now what? Do you want to get out of here?”

  “I know Dylan said that my dad and Vicky are sick, but I don’t want to take a chance and run into them.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. Remember this morning, when I said I was on the Bolero, too?”

  “I forgot about that.”

  “As long as they don’t demand to see Dylan or burst in and find me in your room, I think we’re in the clear.”

  “You’re so smart. Must be all that princely wisdom.”

  He rolled his eyes and held out his hand. “Come here.”

  Becca joined him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her nice and slow. The touch of his lips ignited her. Nikolai released her, but leaned his forehead against hers. “We should go get something to eat. You are far too tempting.”

  She hid her disappointment; he had more control than she did. She wouldn’t mind staying in the room all night and making out. Thank God he had manners, because she was a yo-yo of wanting to get closer and afraid that they’d get too close.

  “Okay, do you want to brave the dining room with a hundred and eighty strangers or the lounge with only a handful of people?” she asked.

  “Let’s do the lounge. I’d rather not take a chance of being recognized.”

  “Lounge it is.”

  They avoided most of the guests and enjoyed a light dinner of warm buttered rolls and spicy Hungarian goulash. As the other passengers began to wander in for after-dinner drinks, she and Nikolai snuck up on deck to watch the stars pop out as the sun melted over the horizon.

  They lay on side-by-side lounge chairs and held hands.

  “So, your trip ends the day after tomorrow?” he asked. She heard the disappointment in his voice, and it echoed the ache in her heart.

  “It does? I was thinking we had one more day.” She sighed, not wanting to think about leaving him yet. Her time with Nikolai had been so perfect. How would she possibly say good-bye?

  “While you were in the shower I saw the trip itinerary next to the TV. Tomorrow you dock in Nuremberg, there are tours for the day, and then you disembark the next day.”

  “That’s too soon,” she groaned. “I can’t imagine never seeing you again. But wait!” She sat upright. “We’re taking a side trip to Munich after the cruise.”

  “You want me to follow you to Munich?”

  “Would you?”

  “I don’t know.” He stared at the stars above. “I love the idea of chasing you around Europe, but at some point I need to figure out how to get my life under control, before I create an international incident.”

  Didn’t he want to keep seeing her? She thought he liked her as much as she liked him. Maybe she was wrong. She shivered as the air cooled. “What are you going to do?”

  “Come here.” He scooted over and reached for her. Becca climbed into his lounge chair.

  “I honestly don’t know. The longer I stay away from the palace, the harsher things will be when I go back; but the longer I stay away, the less I want to go back.”

  She snuggled into his warm side, trying to imagine going home to a palace. Was it warm and lavish, or cold and lonely?

  “I wish you could come home to the States with me. Except I have to start college in a few weeks, not that I even want to go.” She paused. “Oh, I know! Let’s run away and travel the world. We can hike, stay in hostels, and see the Seven Wonders of the World.”

  “I’ve always wanted to see the giant leatherback turtles in Costa Rica, maybe volunteer, stay in a little shack somewhere, and drink cold beer on the beach.”

  “Really? I think my mom spent time in Costa Rica. I’ve heard it’s amazing.” She sighed. “I wish I could run away. My dad would have a coronary if I didn’t go to college. I’m not even going to a college I want. I’m going to Northwestern, but I really wanted to go to my mom’s alma mater, the University of Wisconsin.”

  Nikolai laced his fingers with hers, linking them closer. “In a way, your life doesn’t sound that different from mine.”

  “Except that your dad wants you in the military and that’s a whole lot scarier than a college campus.” She refused to picture Nikolai carrying a weapon.

  “I just don’t know how to stand up to him and refuse. I don’t think he’s capable of seeing the monarchy any differently than it’s always been.”

  “That’s crazy. The world is changing so much every day.”

  “I know. If my country doesn’t do something to keep up, Mondovia will become obsolete.”

  “Maybe you’re the person who’s supposed to change that.”
/>   “Ha. That’s funny. I can’t manage to speak my mind to my own father without running away like a child. I don’t see myself making any major changes to our country.” He sighed.

  She sensed his hopelessness and wished there was something she could do to help.

  “You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Taking off like this might be exactly what you needed to get a new perspective on things. Maybe you’ll go back with a fresh approach that you haven’t considered before.”

  He played with a lock of her hair. “If there’s one thing I can say about you, it’s that you’re an eternal optimist.”

  She shrugged. “I can’t help it. It’s the only way I know how to get through the bad stuff.”

  “You know, if I were ever given the chance, I think I could make a positive difference in Mondovia. There are so many things I would change. I think the country is ready for it. It’s just the leadership that isn’t.”

  “I think you will make it a better country, when you get your chance.”

  “Thank you for the vote of confidence. I appreciate it.” He turned to her, leaned down, and kissed her, his kisses sending her over the moon. They lay entwined on the lounge chair making out. Becca lost herself in the perfect world where a handsome prince sweeps an average American girl off her feet.

  Light rain began to fall, cooling down their heated bodies.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here before the heavens let loose,” Nikolai said.

  They rushed off the deck and back to the cabin.

  Becca was dreaming of meeting a prince named Nikolai and that she snuck him into her room on a river cruise vacation. A tapping noise drew her from her groggy sleep.

  Her eyes popped open, and she recognized the walls of her stateroom. Becca glanced over to discover that her dream was also her reality. Nikolai lay stretched out on her brother’s bed, the sheets a tangle around him, exposing his chest. He slept with one arm stretched over his head.

  She bit back her smile. There was a man in her room, and not just any man. The Prince of Mondovia!

  The tapping continued and she realized someone was at the door. She peeked at the clock. Eight a.m. She hesitated a moment, then realized it must be Dylan, back from his wild night.

 

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