by C R Riley
“I loved her once. I don’t love her now. There is a fine line Larkin between love and hate. She betrayed me, all that love I thought I had for her turned bitter. I thank God every day for showing me who she was before it was too late. Every day I thank him for allowing me to take a second to just pause and listen. Even on those days when I thought that I’d never find what I was searching for and debated about calling her. I allowed him to bring to mind how I felt when I heard her bragging how she had fooled me. How soon she would marry me and become the Princess she was born to be, the future Queen she would learn to be. I thanked him even then. Do you know why?”
I shake my head and whisper the word, “No.”
“Because I had faith that God would one day lead me to the one woman out there who I could love, who could love me. Me. Antonio. Not the King of Hermosa Islas.” He swallows hard. “Now I thank God for another reason all together.”
“What other reasons?” I drop my arms and can feel my breathing quickening.
“One reason Larkin, not other reasons. I thank him for one thing and one thing only. You. I thank him each morning I wake up for leading me to you.” He steps forward quickly and gathers me in his arms.
Our lips collide hard and I wrap my arms around his neck to hold him there. I can understand that because I too have given God thanks for him.
Neither one of us says the words, not yet. I’m not sure why really. Maybe we both know it’s not the right time yet. But I know that we both feel then, and that gives me hope that one day soon one of us will admit it. I guess the question is who will do it first.
Chapter 22
Antonio
Summer holiday is only a few days away. Last week Larkin moved to Homero to get started on Maximiliano Chateau. That was nine days ago and today is the first time I will get to see her since her departure.
She came by the Palace the night before she was scheduled to leave. It had become a regular event, her stopping by after work. Sam and Eleanor even joined her a couple of times for dinner while they were here. I gladly gave them a private tour with Isabel leading the way. My little sister entertained them with her knowledge and interesting stories about the legends of Hermosa Islas.
Most of the time Larkin’s visits occurred later, after her parents had settled in for the night. Once Isabel and I had finished our nightly routine and she was getting ready to turn in. My woman would drive her car over, much like I guess others who were dating did, so we could have some private time together.
And no, we didn’t just make out like teenagers during those hours. I probably would have been happy doing that, but not Larkin. She always had a plan when she showed up to get us opening up about topics that had to do with who we really were. There was so much we didn’t know about each other and she was determined we were going to learn it all.
One night she made me sit down with her on the living area floor while we listened to music. We talked about who her favorite artists are and why she likes them. She had a playlist of her favorite songs and I wasn’t at all surprised to hear the variety mixed together.
Her favorite band is Imagine Dragons and the first time she heard their song Smoke and Mirrors, was during one of her sad times when she related to it completely. She also likes James Bay said his music always seems so deep and from the heart. Admitted to being a closet Justin Bieber fan even, but swore if I told anyone she would deny it.
I can honestly say that I’d never done anything like that before. Relaxed on the floor with a bunch of pillows surrounding me and just listened to music. It took me a while to get comfortable. It wasn’t until I peeked over at her, decked out in her black stretchy pants and sweatshirt, bobbing her head to the music, did I realize how important it was. She looked immersed in the music, and young, she looked so very young.
Gone was the professional woman who dressed in her pantsuits with her business style pulled back hair, the one who took charge of the room as soon as she walked inside of it. Larkin had shed her the moment she stepped into my quarters. The person I was observing was the woman Larkin was beneath all that. And I found that I liked that woman even more than I liked the other one.
Each night I had learned a little more about the other side of Larkin Cross. Each night I discovered something else about her that I adored.
One night it was the fact that she could catch popcorn with her mouth when she tossed it up in the air. The way she laughed when she threw it at me and I missed almost every single time. Popcorn wasn’t something we typically ate; I’ve probably had it five times my entire life. I now keep a box of it in the pantry just in case Larkin decides she wants some.
Another night it was how serious she looked when she sketches. When she had shown up one evening, I unfortunately needed to step away for a few to take a call. Once I returned, she was sitting on my couch madly dragging her pencil across a sketchpad. Totally oblivious to anything around her, focused solely on what was in front of her.
Which I later discovered was an image of me standing in front of my large window, gazing down at Aragon, dressed in only a pair of lounging pants. My hands were pressed against the glass. My legs shoulder length apart with my head down, and the muscles on my back taut. It was a fairly accurate portrayal of my physique, and since Larkin has never once seen me shirtless, it surprised me. It was how she envisions me. As soon as she realized I was there she quickly shut the book and blushed.
Of course, there were also those times when we would kiss and talk and kiss. I enjoyed the kissing sometimes more than the talking. Although the talking gave me some insight on where her mind was. Plus, I enjoy sharing my thoughts with her to be honest, then listening to hers as well.
She’d ask questions like what was it like growing up as a prince. What could I say about that really? I didn’t know there was any other way to grow up. I suppose it is way different than most, but not for us, not for those born into this life.
I started nursery school when I was four where I learned how to read and write in both English and Spanish. At six I was enrolled in primary school where I was educated much like everyone else who lived in Aragon. I played sports: soccer, lacrosse and handball just like most boys did. I also had lessons with my private tutor where I learned about proper protocol on how to act like a prince, how to address others below me, how others should always address me, and everything else that went along with being a member of the royal family. At twelve I was shipped off to boarding school in Spain where I hung out with others who were like me. Being a prince was nothing special there, we were a dime a dozen it seemed. Maybe not exactly, but every person there, in one form or another was raised in prestige homes with privileges.
One of my closest friends, Fernando Martin, was from a family that had been in the banking business for many generations. When I graduated, the two of us went off to university together in England. Which is where he met his wife Sonia, a truly lovely woman that made my friend work for her affection. The other young ladies didn’t really care for her, always claimed she was too plain for a man like Fernando and didn’t fit in to his world. That I believe is what drew his attention to her in the first place, so not long after we graduated, he married her. They now have three children and live in France. He owns a very flourishing business and is raising his children differently, breaking the cycle he claims.
Which is when Larkin seriously looked at me and pointblank asked me, “Will our … I mean … will any child of yours be expected to live the same kind of life you did? Go off to boarding school at twelve? Of course, they will, never mind.”
I really liked it when she just said what she was thinking. Our child is what she meant, and I get the impression she isn’t sure how she feels about that.
My mother wasn’t given a choice when it came to my education. She was told how it would be and there was no room for argument. My brother Esteban followed in my footsteps almost exactly, being second in line for the throne—the backup as he liked to joke about, although I don’t believe
he finds it so funny anymore—he needed to be equally primed.
Although when it came to Lorenzo and Gabriela, mother was given a few options. Neither of them was shipped off to boarding school, but instead enrolled in one of Hermosa Islas best, which happened to be in Prieto, very close to the home she kept there. Gabriela switched schools after the fire to an qualified as good school here in Aragon. Lorenzo went off to university when he was older, although I hear that my sister hasn’t decided what she wants to do yet. We have ample universities here where she can obtain her bachelor’s degree. Isabel’s education so far mirrors my younger siblings. I see no need to ship her off when she gets older. I rather like having her around.
So, I answered Larkin’s question as honestly as I could. “I don’t know. A private tutor will be a must when it comes to learning certain duties that are expected of them. I will not be able to teach everything to them, but I will take a hands-on approach, teach them differently. As far as the rest, it all depends on what the mother wants. If I am going to be known as the King who breaks tradition, I might as well do it all the way around.”
Larkin rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I guess if you say so.”
“So, you don’t care if I send our firstborn off to boarding school at twelve?” I knew she would react, which is why I said it.
Again, with the eye roll before she responded. “We don’t have a child, so there is no need for me to worry about that.”
“But one day Larkin, one day we will.” I boldly declared.
“Please don’t.” This time those eyes sealed tight, as if by her closing them, meant she wouldn’t have to deal with my declarations.
After everything that has transpired between us this last week, I needed her to understand my affirmations. “Don’t what? Express that we are no longer just dating. That I have decided to court you.”
Those eyes of hers flew open rather quickly. “What? What do you mean? I never agreed to more than just dating.”
Wrapping her in my arms I lowered her into the couch, generating that lovely squeal that always sneaks out when I catch her off guard. I can probably think of a handful of times from my past when I trapped a woman below me like this. Where I pressed our bodies together to establish how well they might one day fit together. Something I have decided I really, really like about Larkin is how perfectly she seems to fit. It’s as if our frames were designed to accommodate the other.
“Then perhaps you should.” I leaned forward and kissed her lips briefly. “I’m not interested in just dating you Larkin. I want us to talk about important subjects, like where we will send our son when he is old enough for secondary school.”
“We don’t have a son.” Her stubbornness about not giving in had my fingers digging into her side, which caused her to giggle. “Stop! Plus, who’s to say I will give you a boy.”
“Sex education 101, if I recall correctly Miss Cross, declares you don’t get a say in whether I implant a boy or girl inside of you one day. I believe I determine that.” I continued to tickle her because I was pleased to hear her at least playing along.
“What if you don’t have any boys inside of you then?” Her giggle developed quickly into a full belly laugh.
“I have at least one. Are you suggesting that we could possibly create the third true queen to ever rule in Hermosa Islas? Scandalous declaration you are making mi lunaita, very scandalous. They will not be happy should that happen; it could cause an uproar.” I stared into those pale blue eyes of hers. “Agree.”
Playfully she shook her head while doing her best not to laugh.
“Agree or I’ll be forced to do something drastic.” I could only think of one thing that would hopefully get her to agree. I wasn’t sure she was ready to hear it; however, I would do what needed to be done to get her to agree.
“One condition.” That lovely smile told me I was going to agree to her condition.
“Let me hear it.”
“That we take this one day at a time. No more baby talk. I know there will be topics we need to discuss. How many children you expect me to have for you? What will be expected of me? What rules I need to be aware of? I’m sure you’ll need to hire me a tutor of my own to ensure I learn all I need to know.”
“I’ll teach you Larkin. Everything. All of it, I’ll teach it to you. I won’t be hiring a tutor who will try and push his/her own agenda down your throat, make you like all the others. I’ll be the one, who will decide what you need to know, help you learn the laws, guide you on how to address others and how to have them address you. I’ll do it because I don’t want an institutional queen by my side. I want you. I only ever want that person to be you.”
Larkin closed her eyes and softly agreed. “Okay then. I really hope I don’t screw this all up.”
I only laughed at her before I kissed her senseless. No way would I allow her to screw it all up. She couldn’t as far as I was concerned. As long as she stayed true to herself and didn’t try to become what others were going to expect her to become, that wasn’t possible.
I meant what I said. I don’t want an institutional queen by my side that knows all the proper ways to act and speak, who can pretend with the best of them. I want Larkin just the way she is; I want her standing there in true Larkin form. So nervous she cannot speak at first, then she just can’t shut up because of the nerves. Relying on me to help her get through it all. Doing all of it not because she has to, but because she wants to. Doing it all because she loves me enough to choose this life, one that downright terrifies her.
As my driver pulls into the long drive of Maximiliano Chateau, I think about all of that. I haven’t seen her since that conversation. Never informed her that once Isabel’s summer holiday began, we would be spending it with her here. Thought I’d surprise her.
Isabel will be joining us in a few days. She is visiting her other grandparents, Sophia’s parents. I don’t keep her from them. Feel it is important she knows her mother’s side of the family as well.
Which means I am arriving with only my security team for now. Isaac and Gino came up early to get matters sorted out. They are waiting on us when we pull up to the house.
“Good drive Your Majesty.” Isaac asks as he opens my door.
“Not bad Isaac. How are matters here?” I asked them to be discreet when they showed up.
“Miss Cross was a little surprised to see us. We told her we were here to check on things, that’s all. Make sure security was tight around the property and that she wasn’t having any trouble.”
I stretch my body out after being confined to a vehicle for the last couple of hours. “Good. Where is she now?”
Gino is smiling way too big for such a question. “I believe she just finished up for the day. Invited us to join her for dinner in about an hour. Said she’d like the company, claimed she was lonely. We told her we’d think about it, a man has to eat right. She told us she’d call after she cleaned up so she knew how much to make.”
“I’ll make sure to put aside something for you Gino.” I notify him as I tread past. “Please do not disturb us unless it’s a life or death emergency.”
“As you wish.” Isaac and Gino both reply at the same time and then head for the back entrance that leads to the security office.
I however head for the front. I am pleased to find the door secured and use my key to open it. There is loud music playing over the speakers. I’m pretty sure she told me the artist name was Rihanna and right now she is singing about being lost in paradise. I can hear Larkin singing along with her very loudly and very off key. She has no idea I am here, probably didn’t even hear the front door open over the music. From the sound of things, I imagine she is completely engrossed in her music. The song switches to a different one and now she is directing me to sell her candy. I chuckle as I listen.
I slip off my shoes and place them next to the door. Then start to advance towards the kitchen, where I can hear her moving around. I stop just outside the door so I can listen to her doing
her best impression of the woman singing. And before I can get moving again, she comes darting out of the kitchen and runs smack into me.
Larkin screams and then knees me right in the jewels.
I drop to my knees and stare up at her as I grab my crotch, unable to take my eyes off the image before me.
Isaac and Gino come running from the back to establish what the problem is, like they are trained to do. They both stop dead in their tracks and stare as well.
I’d move if I could. I’d jump up and cover her body, so they would not be able to observe her partially naked form, if I could. Except right now I’m pretty sure my royal jewels are in my throat, preventing my words from escaping. Finally, I am able to force my voice to follow my command, although by then they were both gyrating on their heels and heading out anyways.
“Leave us.” I choke. “Now.”
“As you wish.” They both are doing their best to cover up a laugh.
Larkin’s eyes are wide. “Oh … I’m sorry. Are you okay? I just reacted.”
“I’ll live I believe.” I blink a few times. “You should probably grab some clothes.”
Realization crosses Larkin’s face as she glances down, remembering she is only wearing a sports bra and boy cut style knickers. I only know the style because Isabel wears them, I have had the privilege of shopping with her and Helena while I had to listen to them discuss all the different styles knickers came in. Apparently, this style is best when doing active type work or sports, doesn’t ride up on a woman. Whatever the case maybe I can assure you that I am a huge fan of them right now.
“Snap. Crackle. Pop.” Larkin blurts out and darts for the stairs.
The back view is even better than the front. Her round cheeks are peeking out from the bottom. That I can promise is not helping with the pain between my legs. It is only causing more, because my male appendage has decided he needs to make himself known right about now.