Cheeky Royal

by Nana Malone

  “You’re the king. You’re not supposed to be nervous.”

  My father’s laugh was low and reminded me of when I was a child and the way my father had laughed so easily. That sound came less and less as I’d gotten older. “Is that how it seems to you? I’m nervous a lot. Part of the job is to not show it though.”

  “Well, I’m pretty sure Lucas is nervous too, but I made that happen.”

  “Yes, you did.” They both went quiet for a moment, the silence stretching between them. “Listen Sebastian, I wanted to apologize for the way things have gone with us. I don’t know how the distance between us grew to be so vast, but I’d like to change it if you would.”

  Something in my heart twisted. Would he feel the same way if he found out that I planned to abdicate? I would just have to make him understand that it was no rejection of him. I just wasn’t cut out to be monarch. “Thanks for the apology, but it’s not necessary. I’m pretty sure I’ve been kind of a pain in the ass, so—”

  “Yes, you have. But you’ve been chasing your dream with the tenacity that I would expect from a Winston. That’s all. And because of who you are, you’ve been denied the possibility of doing that freely, and I am sorry about that. I’m also sorry that I pushed you to do things that you haven’t been ready for or were that interested in.”

  “Dad, you don’t have to apologize for any of that. Don’t forget about all the great parts of being a prince. It comes with some responsibility. I see that now.”

  “I’m glad. And honestly, I can’t thank you enough. It will be good to have you home.”

  “It’ll be good to be home.”

  28

  Sebastian …

  I pulled Len tighter to my side. This was starting to be a problem. Because what I wanted was Len at my side all the time. And the way Lucas was flirting with her outrageously was starting to tick me off.

  My brother flashed her a grin. "Seriously though. I'll take you salsa dancing. It's all in the hips. I can show you. I can even show you here."

  I growled. What was wrong with me? Now that Lucas was on board, I’d be heading home in about a week, maybe less. I wanted her to come with me. I wanted to tell her the truth. I needed to.

  There was no way in hell Dad was going to let her stand by my side. She was an American for starters and a bohemian artist. My father, like his father before him, would push for a better marriage. One with some blond socialite that aristocracy would accept. And that was even if I abdicated.

  When, remember? Fuck. Yes. When. Not if.

  There was enough snobbishness and classism on the island to tell me that no one would be happy about me marrying her. And then of course, there was the little matter of her own plans for her life. She’d wanted to strike out on her own. Could I really ask her to give that up? No. But I wanted to.

  "Earth to Sebastian. What are you thinking about, dude?"

  I slid my gaze up to meet Lucas’s and shook my head. "Nothing. But maybe lay off the flirting."

  Lucas grinned. "What's the matter, bro? You worried?"

  Len rolled her eyes. This was nothing but an old-fashioned pissing contest. Lucas wasn't interested in her. He’d been eyeing half of the waitresses that walked by in the restaurant. He just liked getting my temper up. And I couldn’t help but rise to the bait. Every. Damn. Time. The fucker was trying to prove a point.

  * * *

  Penny …

  Ariel was in the back corner of the lounge, sipping on a drink, tapping away on her phone, pressing her earpiece. She was listening. I was going to have a lot of explaining to do.

  "So Len. Where did you grow up?"

  As it turned out, I had underestimated Lucas. So far every time I’d hung out with the two of them, it had been easy. Like a bar or lounge like this one, and conversation had been light. But ever since Sebastian had seemingly staked a claim on me, his brother had been eyeing me with an especially sharp focus. "I grew up in Portland. Not bad if you love hippies."

  He nodded. "I've heard people say that. So what do your folks do?"

  Sebastian jumped in before I could answer. "They own a security firm. What's with all questions, Lucas?"

  Again, there was that carefree grin that I knew was far from genuine. “It’s just a question, big bro. I’m pretty sure looking out for each other is part of the brotherly package."

  I cast a glance between the two of them. "Yeah. What Sebastian said. The family business thing."

  Lucas nodded. “So are you going to go into the same business?"

  Maybe, if it meant I could be close to Sebastian. "No. I'm trying to be an artist."

  Lucas nodded. "That painting. The one Sebastian snatched up and hung in the bar. It's really good. The colors you used remind me of one of the Caribbean islands I visited once for spring break."

  I shook my head. “Never been," I lied smoothly. I could tell Lucas was up to something. Had I slipped up? Had I made a mistake somewhere?

  "That's amazing. The colors were spot-on. Kind of like you have to have been there to capture it perfectly."

  I shrugged. "I have an excellent imagination." The look I gave Lucas was dead-on. I wasn't going to blink or flinch.

  He met my gaze levelly. "That's amazing talent, to capture the essence of something without ever being there. Not a lot of people can do that."

  In my ear, Ariel cursed. "He's on to something."

  My friend was right. "Maybe I'll get lucky enough to go one day." I hoped that was the end of it. But Lucas wasn't done with me.

  “You said you went to Chicago Institute of Art, right? I have friends that went there. I wonder if you know any of them."

  Shit. Shit. Shit. Chicago Institute of Art was a big school. It was conceivable that I wouldn’t know them unless they happened to be in the arts department. In which case, I was fucked.

  I shrugged, trying for nonchalance. "Maybe. It’s a big school though. Even in the same department, if you're really digging in on your projects, you barely bring your head up. I studied graphic design you know. It made the parents happy for me to study something practical, and it also worked out for me because I got to take a lot of art classes."

  He nodded. “It is a big school. It makes sense that she probably never met you. She’s your age though. You would like Shelley."

  I made it a point to repeat Shelley's name so that Ariel could quickly look her up and her department in case something was about to come back and bite me in the ass. I listened to Ariel mutter as she searched Lucas’s social media for a Shelley that went to Chicago Institute of Art. When Ariel's voice whispered that Shelley Price didn’t actually go to Chicago Institute of art, but rather University of Chicago and was actually an engineering major, I breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah, what a really small world. What did she study?"

  Lucas’s gaze narrowed, as if he could somehow see through my question. “You know what? I guess I’m thinking of University of Chicago. She studied engineering.” After that, he seemed to let it go, but I couldn’t be sure so I stayed on alert.

  The waitress brought us our next round of drinks and I switched to water. I’d need all my wits about me to deal with Lucas. On the one hand, he was looking out for his brother. On the other hand, he was going to blow my cover. Something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye and my heart started to hammer.

  I would have sworn I’d seen someone familiar. But when I looked again, whatever it was had gone. In my earpiece I could hear Ariel. “Everything okay?”

  I brushed one of my curls back, tucking it behind my non comm unit ear, then tapped it once, asking her the silent question, “Were we followed?”

  All of a sudden she was all business. “Let me confirm with the sexy blond Viking.” We’d taken to calling Oskar Mueller that. He’d been on our additional Blake Security detail more than once now and the guy, while seemingly serious, was a laugh riot. In seconds she was back. “No, you weren’t followed. I checked the footage from the front too; no one is suspicious. You see somethi
ng?”

  Had I? Or was I being paranoid? I’d been on edge since the shooting. And thanks to my particular body guarding technique, I hadn’t rotated out of my shift this morning like I should have. Instead, I’d been guarding his body with my vajayvay. So maybe I was tired and extra on edge. I silently massaged my left temple to let her know it was fine. Anything on the left side was meant to signal the all clear. Anything on the right side of my body was meant to signal trouble.

  Besides, we had bigger fish to fry than imaginary shadows. Sebastian and Lucas kept alluding to a trip together. I could only assume it meant that Sebastian was taking Lucas home. To rightfully claim his part of the throne? I had no idea. And I was no closer to finding out who was trying to kill him.

  We were running out of time. I needed to get some answers and quick because I had a feeling Sebastian would be no safer back home than he was here. And if he took his brother home with him, I could name at least a few royals who would be less than pleased by the discovery of another prince.

  Sebastian toyed with the ends of my curls and I turned my gaze up at him, giving him a grin. When he grinned back, my heart squeezed. I wished I could tell him the truth. I wished I could tell him who I was. But I'd already woven the web of lies, and I knew I had to see it through.

  Across the table, Lucas rolled his eyes. "Okay geez, stop with the googly eyes. Come on, Sebastian’s girlfriend, let's see if you can dance."

  I laughed. "Can you dance?"

  “Don't let the pale skin fool you. Rhythm lives in my blood."

  I went to scoot out of the booth, but Sebastian held me in place. "I think she's going to pass on that, Lucas."

  I glanced back and forth between them. I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with Sebastian. "You’re acting weird. Did I do something?"

  His jaw tensed. "No. Can’t I want you with me?"

  "Of course, but you look pissed off." I felt confident enough leaving his side for the moment because I knew Ariel was watching him. And Lucas was watching me, so I had no choice here.

  It was unlikely someone would make a direct approach to him in this crowd. But from the looks of it, he didn’t want to let me go. Finally, he murmured, "Hurry back."

  "Of course."

  I let Lucas lead me away as I scanned the crowd. The hairs on the nape of my neck stood at attention. Something was off. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. But maybe it was because I knew in that moment just how much it was going to hurt when I had to leave him.

  * * *

  Sebastian …

  I knew I was being an asshole. Lucas knew it too. And sadly, so did Len. It irritated me to see the way Lucas looked at her. His casual flirting made me want to hit things. Namely, my brother.

  Even as I watched them on the dance floor, I gritted my teeth.

  You could stop being an asshole and get up and dance with her. Yeah I could. Because I sure as hell didn't like Lucas's hand on her waist. There was a respectable distance between them, but still. There was a word that kept reverberating in my head: mine.

  Yeah, is she really? I was going to leave her soon.

  Fuck.

  That had me out of my seat in seconds. Striding right over to her, I tapped on her shoulder. "I think that's enough."

  My brother laughed. "Oh come on. Relax, Sebastian. It's just a little dancing. Besides she deserves dancing and fun, not brooding."

  She deserves someone who wants to be with her. She deserves someone who isn't lying to her. She deserves someone who could be with her. But that didn't stop me from wanting her. It didn't stop me from wanting to stake a claim on her to make sure everyone knew she was mine. That alone made me an asshole. I was well aware.

  "Enough. I'm stepping in."

  Lucas shook his head. "You can salsa with her later.” He deliberately pulled her closer into him, even as she gently shoved against his chest.

  "Oh my God. Would you two stop it? I'm going to the bathroom."

  I watched as she ventured around the corner. Lucas laughed. "Did you tell her yet?"

  I frowned at him. "Tell her what?"

  "That you're in love with her? That I'm your brother? Anything that resembles the truth?"

  “She knows you’re my brother but not anything else.” Because that's not what this was. I wanted her, yes. I wanted to keep her. Yes. But this wasn't love. I didn't fall in love. My understanding of the concept wasn't even real. "What the hell do you know about it?"

  "I know enough to know that you're pissed as hell at me for flirting with her but you also haven't told her who you are, and it's eating you up inside. You don't know shit, man. I'm the con artist who has spent most of my life crafting lies, and even I can see the truth plain as day."

  “That's bullshit.”

  "You keep telling yourself you don't care, that you're not in love with her. But if you don't tell her how you feel and tell her who you are, you're going to lose her. You're going to go home and she's going to stay here, and you won't see her again. Is that what you really want?"

  "What I want is for you to stop flirting with her."

  "Oh yeah? Like she's yours."

  "She is mine."

  My brother laughed. “Does she know that?"

  It bothered me that Lucas was right. It bothered me that I had things to tell her that I hadn't told her yet. It bothered me that we had so little time together. I was going to have to tell her. I had to find a way.

  When she came back, she pasted a smile on her face. "Are you boys going to behave now?"

  Lucas put up his hands and winked at her. "I'm always well behaved … until I’m not."

  I didn't even bother to say anything. Instead I pulled her in close, and nuzzled her neck. The scent of her wrapped around me, intoxicating me. I skimmed my lips over her throat and was rewarded with a low moan. When I lifted my head and met her gaze, her pupils dilated. She wanted me. And that's how I wanted her to stay: always on the edge of needing me.

  Because you love her.

  Fuck. I dropped my forehead to hers and heard Lucas mumble, "Okay guys, I'm out. If you two are going to make out, I saw a blonde that will look awesome in my bed. See ya, man."

  I barely acknowledged my brother leaving. My focus was entirely on Len. "I think I owe you a dance."

  She nodded. "Sure thing. Just after you explain to me why you've been acting like an ass all night."

  I was fucking this up. I knew it. I just had no way to fix it. For some reason, every single time I saw her with Lucas it triggered an emotion inside me I didn't understand. Yes you do. It's jealousy. Yes, I understood the notion. I wasn't used to feeling jealous. My whole life all the attention had been on me; all eyes had been on me. Deep down, I understood that Lucas wasn't flirting. I did.

  Oh yeah, then why are your hands clinched into fists? I glanced down and immediately released my furled fingers.

  This wasn't so much about Lucas as it was about her. Without my title, without my money, would she still choose me? The one thing I'd been trying to get rid of my whole life was the one thing I was afraid to live without.

  What if, without all the trappings of being the prince, I wasn't enough? I was falling for this girl and her quirkiness, her penchant for random dance parties, and her mild awkwardness. I liked her.

  Who are you kidding? You could love her. For the first time in my life I was falling for someone. And while she was choosing me for the time being, would she always make that choice? When I was just Sebastian, a photographer not a prince, would she still want me? When she found out, would I be enough?

  Well, the promising thing was she liked me as a photographer and bartender. But the difference was how I felt about myself. With the confidence of a prince came the ability to get everything that I wanted. What happened when I wasn't that person anymore?

  “You're not going to talk to me? Fine.” Len turned from me and walked into the crowd.

  I followed her, determined to talk to her. "Len, wait."

  "No. I'm not waiting f
or you. You're acting like a crazy person and you won't tell me what's going on. Are you seriously worried about me with Lucas? What kind of person would that make me? I keep telling you Lucas is a hopeless flirt. He doesn't want me any more than I want him."

  "Len, let me explain." But really, what was I going to say? 'I'm feeling insecure? I've been lying to you? This isn't who I am?' Yes. Would it be the end of the world to tell her?

  She turned to face me. "Look. We need to talk."

  My stomach fell. "That sounds ominous."

  She licked her lips. And my eyes, of course, pinned to them. "And no, I'm not going to tell you that I've been harboring a secret crush on Lucas or something.” She rocked back on her heels. ”I swear sometimes you can be so daft, as you like to say. I'm falling for you, Sebastian. You. Not Lucas. You."

  Elation flooded my veins, making me feel like I was floating. "What can I say? I am pretty awesome. Oh yeah, and also, I'm falling for you too."

  She shook her head and looked at her hand as she played with her nails. "This is not how I wanted to tell you. And there are things we need to talk about. Things I need to tell you."

  Shit. There were certainly things I needed to tell her. "I need to tell you things too. There's a whole bunch of stuff we need to talk about."

  She blinked up at me. "Sebastian, I don't know how you're going to react to any of this."

  I shook my head. "As long as you want me, it doesn't matter what you tell me. We'll figure it out."

  She searched my gaze. "Are you serious about that?"

  "I don't even know how it happened, but I'm consumed with thoughts of you. I just want to be with you. You make me laugh. You make me think. I need you. Anything else we’ll figure out."

  I took her hand in an attempt to tug her to me. Her gaze flickered over my shoulder, then she wrapped her arms around me. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Not so fast.” I pulled her close and dipped my head to tease my lips over hers. Her immediate, soft moan made my dick hard enough to cut steel. I didn't release her lips. Instead I licked into her mouth, savoring the taste of her.