Everyone around us fell away in a single heartbeat. I didn’t care who was sitting nearby, who might be watching or what they might think. There was only Nicky, only me, and only this undeniable heat between us.
When he drew away, it wasn’t far. He pressed his forehead against me, his eyes open and staring deep into my soul. His breath brushed over my cheek, and I shivered again.
Nicky smiled. “I thought I was warming you up, but you’re still shaking.”
I swallowed hard. “Not because I’m cold this time.”
“But you didn’t punch me. I’m calling that a win.”
At my elbow, I heard someone clearing his throat. “I’ve got your coffee right here. Your server was heading out, and when he told me he was taking it to that pretty girl who talks about dirt all the time, I knew it had to be that crazy Kyra Duncan.”
I turned, grinning at the chef. “Gav! I was wondering when you’d get your ass out here to play the gracious host. It’s about time.”
He leaned down to hug me, his eyes sweeping quickly over Nicky. “So you brought a date tonight, huh?”
I lifted one hand. “I got tired of waiting for you to notice me, Gav. Plus, we all know you don’t see anyone but your Solidad, so I didn’t stand a chance.”
“True. Sad but true!” He laughed. “Tell me now. Was your meal the best thing you’ve ever eaten? Was it the best thing you’ve ever put into your mouth?” He winked at me. “I’m talking edible food now, folks. Keep it out of the gutter.”
“It was amazing.” Nicky extended his hand, keeping his other arm around my shoulders. “I haven’t had a meal like that in a very long time.”
Gav pressed one hand to his heart. “I’m honored, then.”
“Ky tells me that you source all of your food locally.” Nicky shifted a bit. “I do a little bit of work with food sustainability. I’d really be interested in talking with you at some point.”
Gav’s eyebrows rose. “Ohhhhh, so that’s how you know our Kyra here? I wondered. That makes sense now.”
I scowled at him. “No, that’s not how we know each other, Gav. We’re old friends. We’ve known each other for a very long, long time. But thanks for that vote of confidence in me.”
The chef’s face went bright red. “That’s not what I meant, Kyra. But I mean—him. He’s . . .” Gav coughed a little. “Now to be honest, I wouldn’t have known, but the hostess told me that you were here with—well, she thought, she was pretty sure that he’s, um . . .” His eyes flickered to Nicky. “You know. A prince or whatever.”
“And there’s no way I’d be out on a date with someone who’s a prince or whatever?” I knew Gav didn’t mean to be insulting, but he was.
“Ky.” Nicky spoke up, his voice mild. “I don’t think he meant anything.”
“Of course, I didn’t.” Gav laid a hand on my shoulder. “Kyra, the truth is, I don’t know this guy, but he’s probably not good enough for you. I don’t care if he’s a prince or a king or a duke. You’re a great girl.”
And now I felt like an idiot. I blew out a long breath. “I’m sorry, Gav. I didn’t mean to jump on you. Can we start over?” I swiveled a little, pointing at Nicky. “Gav, this is my friend Nicholas. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Nicky, this is my friend Gav. He runs this joint and lets me ramble on about soil and sustainability.”
The two men shook hands again, Nicky laughing. “I’d still like to pick your brain some time about your processes here. I’m going back to London tomorrow, but maybe next time I’m visiting?”
Gav nodded. “I think I can do that.” He squeezed my shoulder and winked at me. “If Kyra here gives her okay, that is.”
I stood up. “Actually, why don’t you keep Nicky company for a minute now while I excuse myself to the ladies’ room? I need to pull together the tattered shreds of my dignity.” I picked up my purse and smiled at the two men as I made my way toward the door that led inside the restaurant.
I’d only gotten a few tables away when movement caught my eye. A woman whose seat was facing my table slid me a furtive, almost guilty glance before she pulled up her menu to hide her face. As I passed, I saw that her cell phone was screen up on the table in front of her.
Instinct kept me moving; I didn’t break my stride, even as I wondered if she’d been taking pictures of Nicky. If she was, what could we do? We were in a public place. There weren’t any laws about taking pictures of other people unless they were used for illegal purposes.
As I washed my hands and dried them, I reasoned with myself. Even if the lady I’d seen had taken photos, what was she going to do with them? Post them on social media? Sell them to the tabloids? Who would care about Prince Nicholas eating dinner with an old friend?
Still, a twinge of unease followed me back to our table. Gav had disappeared—I was sure he’d returned to the kitchen, as the restaurant was busy—and Nicky rose to pull out my chair for me.
Once I was seated, I told him about the woman and the phone.
Frowning, he withdrew his own cell from his pocket. “I’ll let Tom know. He can probably do some discreet looking around and see if anyone is trying to film us. But you’re right, Ky. If someone’s taking pictures, there’s really nothing we can do about it.”
I rolled my eyes. “It must drive you crazy, never knowing if someone’s snapping a photo when you least expect it. I hate having my picture taken in the best of times.”
“Mostly, it’s all right. I’m used to it, first of all. This is how my life has always been. They only really get interested in me if I’m . . .” He hesitated. “If my name has been linked with someone else.”
“You mean, if you’re dating someone,” I corrected.
“Yes. But even then, if it’s just an ordinary woman in Britain, someone who’s not famous in her own right, they leave me alone. It’s the models and the musicians and foreign princesses whom the press loves. I have no idea why.”
“A bigger story, I guess.” I finished my coffee, running the tip of my tongue over my lips. “I’m finished. Are you ready to go? Suddenly, I don’t feel so comfortable sitting here.”
“Yes, I’m ready. And I took care of the check while you were in the restroom.” Nicky waggled his eyebrows at me. “Paid for it with my own money, and you weren’t even here to be impressed by it.”
“Next time.” I forced a smile, but I really was eager to leave, to be back in the relative privacy of the car.
Neither of us said much until we’d been driving for a little while. I gave Nicky directions for getting back to my house.
“Kyra.” He sounded tentative, which was very unlike him. “Ky, I meant what I said before. I’d like to see you again. I don’t know exactly when or how, but we can work that out. I know you’re going to be busy with your exams at the end of the term, and then . . . are you staying here for the summer? Or will you be back at home?”
I shook my head. “Shelby and I are both staying in Maine. I’ll probably visit my parents for a few weeks at some point, but I need to be here to monitor my project plots. Shelby’s taking a few summer courses at Grant.”
“Would you consider flying over to see me?” In the dark, he reached across to find my hand. “I know it’s a long trip, but I’d have a little more time and freedom if you came to me. My schedule is booked for the next few months.”
“I guess that’s one of the drawbacks of being royal,” I observed. “Spontaneity isn’t easy.”
“No, it’s not. Every once in a while, I can manage it, but I have commitments. I don’t like to let anyone down, particularly my family.” His thumb rubbed over my knuckles, sending shimmers of lust up my arm. “That’s what most people don’t get. What I do—it’s not because of some ancient loyalty or a misguided sense of importance. It’s what we are—who we are. My family understands that the privileges we have come with a price. Service is everything. If I can give back to the world even a small bit of what I’ve been given, I’m obligated to do that.”
I was quiet for a few minutes, digesting all that. “It’s kind of like Spiderman, huh? ‘With great power comes great responsibility?’”
“Ha.” Nicky huffed out a laugh. “Maybe so. You’ve discovered my super power, Ky. Now you can’t tell anyone.”
“Your secret’s safe with me. Just call me Gwen.” I stared out the window into the dark. “Joking aside, I understand what you mean. Handsome and Honey are passionate about their business, not just because of the lifestyle it’s given our whole family, but because of what we can give back to our community. To the world. They’re paying for my education so that I can be part of that, and even though they’d never force me into working for Honey Bee Juices, I’ll do it because it’s the right thing. It’s part of that responsibility.”
“Exactly.” He turned the car into my driveway. Behind us, the Ford’s headlights shone through the rear window before the vehicle swerved to the left.
“Tom’s waiting here until I’m ready to leave,” Nicky explained. “He’s giving us privacy.”
“Oh.” I fidgeted in my seat. “That’s very accommodating of him.” When Nicky stopped the car and switched off the lights, I added, “Do you want to come in? Shelby’s home, but I’m sure she’d be, uh, accommodating, too.”
After the briefest hesitation, he shook his head. “I want to, but I’m not going to. Not tonight. My flight leaves very early in the morning, and we have to drive back to Bangor tonight. As much as I’d like to meet your Shelby, it’ll have to wait until next time.”
“She’d probably have a heart attack if you came walking in with me.” I giggled. “She knew I was going out tonight, but I didn’t tell her about you. Not at all.”
Nicky regarded me with surprise. “You never told her you knew me? About our epic first kiss? I’m hurt, Ky. I thought girls shared all those deep, dark secrets with their best friends.”
“They do, and I did, but I never said who it was. I always referred to you as Nicky, the boy next-door in the summers. I never let it slip that your other grandmother is the head of the British Commonwealth.”
“Hmm. I think I like the idea of being Nicky, the boy next door.” He unbuckled his seat belt and turned to face me. “Come here, girl next door, and let me kiss you one more time—for now. Let me give you something to remember until the next time I can kiss you.”
We didn’t have much space to maneuver in the small front seat with the console between us, but I managed to get up on my knees and face Nicky, who tugged me forward until we were face-to-face. When he kissed me this time, it was with a new sense of urgency and a ton of restrained desire.
“If I wasn’t getting on a flight tomorrow, I’d take you inside, and I’d do what I’ve wanted to do all night.” He trailed his lips over my jaw and down my neck.
“What’s that?” My voice sounded drugged and sluggish.
“I’d find out what you have on beneath that teasing skirt. It’s just short enough to make me think that if you bent down in the right way, I might get a tempting peek of what I want to see.” He sucked gently at the hollow in my throat where my pulse thrummed erratically. “And of what I’m dying to touch.”
“Would you?” I laughed softly. “If you weren’t leaving tomorrow, I’d peel off this shirt of yours and lay beneath you, just to see the muscles in your arms when you brace yourself over me.”
“Ughhhh.” Nicky closed his eyes, banging his head into the back of the seat. “Damn the office that made my travel arrangements. I wish they’d built in a few more days. And a few more nights.”
Framing Nicky’s face in my two hands, I smiled into his gorgeous blue eyes. “Next time, right? This isn’t all the time we have. There’s going to be a next time.”
He sighed deeply, his answering grin huge. “Yes. Yes, in fact, there will be. I’m going to make that a priority as soon as I’m home and settled. But hearing you say it—knowing you believe it—that’s enough for now. That makes me very happy, Ky.”
I ducked my head, shy now all of a sudden. “Believing it isn’t easy—but I believe in you, Nicky. Don’t make me sorry about that, okay?”
He gazed down at me, all humor gone now. “I won’t. You can trust me, Kyra. I promise.”
“RISE AND SHINE, SLEEPING BEAUTY.”
Someone shook my foot, and still mostly asleep, I scowled and kicked at the hand, moaning words that were unintelligible even to me.
“Kyra, c’mon. Wake up. I’m making you waffles for breakfast, but we’re out of milk. I need the car keys so that I can run to the store and get some.”
Waffles. That was definitely the magic word. I opened one eye and tried to focus on Shelby. “In the front pocket of my purse, hanging on the hook in my closet.”
“Thanks, sweetie. Be right back.” She paused by my door. “You might get out of bed and set up the waffle iron for me. Maybe make some coffee.”
I grunted. “’kay.”
For a few minutes, I didn’t move at all. I listened to Shelby’s steps down the hall and through the kitchen. When I heard the back door open and then close, I finally rolled over and reached for my phone.
There was a text message notification, and a smile I couldn’t hold back if I’d wanted spread over my face.
Good morning, beautiful. I hope you wake up as happy as I did this morning. On the plane already, and by the time you see this, I’ll probably be getting ready to land in London. Talk to you later today.
I hugged my arms around my middle, giving a happy sigh that almost turned into a squeal. But it didn’t, because even if Nicky was already across the Atlantic, I was too cool to squeal over a boy. Or a man. Yeah, Nicholas Windsor was most definitely a man.
Glancing at the clock, I tried to figure out the time difference and how long the flight between Bangor and London might be. The plane probably was preparing to land about now, as Nicky had predicted, or maybe it already had, and Nicky was on his way to his apartment. His apartment in the palace, which was something I couldn’t think about too long, or it would totally freak me out.
The slamming of a door made me jump, and I sat straight up in bed, pulling the sheet nearly to my chin, my heart pounding. There was no way Shelby could be back already; the closest convenience store was ten minutes away on a good day. She probably hadn’t locked the door, because we rarely did. Who the hell was coming into my house? A burglar? A serial murderer? Oh, that would be just my luck: here I’d finally connected with a nice guy, and now I was going to get my throat slit in my own bed.
Adrenaline surged into my bloodstream as a dozen scenarios flitting across my brain in the seconds before Shelby came stalking back into my bedroom. Her eyes were wide, and she didn’t look happy. I wracked my brain, trying to figure out why she might be pissed at me.
She opened her mouth and started to speak, and then closed it again, as though the words just wouldn’t come.
“What’s wrong?” I scrambled out of bed and nearly tripped as the sheets were wrapped around my knees.
“Kyra.” Shelby managed to ground out my name. “Why the hell is there a bunch of photographers and reporters out in our front yard?”
Confusion and bewilderment replaced the panic I’d felt a few minutes before. “What?”
“Reporters, Kyra. I walked out the door, went around the house to the driveway, and they were waiting there. They all started yelling your name, taking pictures, and asking if it’s true that you’re dating Prince Nicholas.” She tapped her foot on the floor, and her lips were pressed into a tight line. “Something you need to share with me, Kyra?”
“Shit.” I sat back down on the edge of the mattress and covered my face with my hands. “Shit, shit, shit.”
“Yeah, I think you’re going to have to come up with something better than that.” Shelby threw up her hands. “Is it true? Is the mystery guy you’ve been seeing lately really Prince Fucking Nicholas?”
“Um.” I gnawed on the corner of my lip. “It’s not exactly . . . I mean, it didn’t start like that.”
Shelby cocked her head and raised one eyebrow. I recognized that expression. It meant, keep talking.
“I didn’t lie about who he was,” I rushed to explain. “When I said I’d met someone I’d known when I was a kid, that was true. It is true.”
“And . . .” She rolled her hand. “And you used to play with kids from the British royal family when you were little?”
“Well, yeah. It’s complicated, but his grandmother on his mother’s side was a friend of Honey’s. She lived in the house next to us on the beach in Florida. So when he came to visit with them every summer, we used to play together. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Mmmmhmmmm.” Shelby clearly needed more.
I decided that in the interest of time and expediency, I’d leave out the whole first kiss deal. “So then he was at that dinner at Handsome and Honey’s place last week, and we sort of . . . reconnected.” I bit the side of my mouth to hold back the smile that threatened to take over my face at the memory of that first evening. “But nothing happened then. I wasn’t holding out on you.”
“Nothing happened then.” Shelby nodded. “Which tells me that something has happened since. Also—hello, you have dinner and start to hang out with a prince? Ky, I don’t care that he’s an old family friend. You don’t hold that shit back from your best friend.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. But I didn’t know if it was going to be anything, and then . . . it was.” I met her eyes. “Full disclosure time? He kissed me last night. And we had a super romantic dinner. And I think it might actually be something. But he’s back in the UK now, so—”
As if on cue, my phone began to ring. Butterflies exploded in my stomach when I saw the caller ID on the screen, and I answered it quickly.
Before I could get out more than a hello, Nicky was speaking tersely into my ear. “Kyra, we have a situation.”
“Yeah, I’m aware.” I gave Shelby wide eyes.
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