She waved for me to join her and said, “Nicole, good. Come. These are our tailors and they have designs and questions for you.”
I shook hands with the four women in the room. They measured me thoroughly, and then Emily guided me to a table full of books. We went through multiple design sketches of dresses and I pointed to a few I especially liked. One of the women then put a sticker on the page as a marker.
Another woman disappeared with the notes and then returned with a rack of dresses.
My heart thumped.
Was I picking a wedding dress? I held one up and the bottom reminded me of the scene from Beauty and the Beast where the bookworm teaches the Beast to dance, only in a white satin. I sighed and said, “This one is gorgeous.” My breast vibrated suddenly, and I said, “My phone is ringing.”
I walked away from Emily and the others and took refuge on a small balcony area.
The air was fresh and clean and I answered as I gazed at the bay in the distance, “Olivia, hi.”
My sister, the teacher in Pittsburgh, said, “I’m so excited to fly out! I can’t wait to meet you and Stephanie there.”
Good. I laughed. Family was my rock and I needed them. Part of me wished my father were here to meet Ryder, but I kept that to myself. I said, “I’m glad you can take the day off.”
Olivia said, “Georgie, Indigo and Ridley are hard to reach these days.”
The three of them hadn’t answered the text, voicemail or email I’d sent. I’d tried to invite them to the wedding, but Georgie was married to a baseball player and I’d need the team schedule to find out her availability; Indigo had married a billionaire who could be anywhere; and Ridley was married to a cowboy billionaire who never left his ranch much. With them not answering, I wasn’t sure what to do. I sighed and said, “I’ve invited them. If they can’t make it, I understand.”
Olivia laughed and, if she’d been here with me, I know she’d look up at me like I was her hero, just as she had when I’d stopped that boy in elementary school from picking on her by tossing him against the wall. Then she said, “You’ve always been super forgiving. It’s one of the many reasons you’ll be a perfect princess.”
I wish she was here so I could calm down. She’d pick a wonderful dress for me. “Aww, Olivia, one day you’ll find the perfect guy for you.”
She sighed loudly. “Well, my sisters probably took all the good ones, but thank you.”
If Olivia was here, I’d remind her that she’s the sweetest of us all, but for now I said, “I have to go.”
“Talk to you soon,” she said, and I knew her being here for the wedding was going to be amazing.
I returned to Emily and the selection of dresses. Her eyes were wide and I realized my hair was blown out of place. I tucked it behind my ears and she asked me, “Who was that?”
I picked up the dresses and said, “My sister, Olivia. She’s the youngest. She’s a teacher, and excited to get out of the classroom.”
Emily nodded at the three choices I had grabbed and said, “I have always wondered what it would be like to just work at a regular job, and not have the stress of palace life where people notice if I gain an ounce.”
I took the three dresses into the bathroom and decided to try the fairy tale one first. I quickly put it on and called out, “I’d hate being judged like you.”
I came out in the dress and she shook her head. Unfortunately, I agreed. The style would look better with brighter colors.
I slipped on the second dress and everyone gasped as I came out. It had long bell sleeves and was made of satin, with layers of chiffon and tulle that created a full ballroom skirt to complement the slimming top with a sweetheart neckline.
I agreed. I looked amazing. I tried on the third one, but the second one was my final choice. I handed it to the tailors.
As we finished, Emily directed me back to the balcony I’d been on. She said, “So, let’s take a selfie together for your social media.”
“Perfect.” I laughed and snapped a few photos. A minute later, I showed her the selection and we picked one we both liked.
I typed out “Fashion advice from Princess Fashionista.” She was giving me a thumbs up in the photo. Then I posted it.
We had tons of immediate likes.
One day I’d not have to do this, but for now, I checked my stats. My blog was registering record highs. I turned it off quickly without processing all the details.
I put my phone away as Emily and I left the royal tailors’ atelier. But then Emily said, “I am so happy that your blogging and writing get father’s royal exception.”
My eyes narrowed. “Why?”
She shrugged and walked with me to the main part of the castle. “Gives me hope that one day I can break free of my royal duties. Though Harry needs to marry first, so his wife can take over all the princess duties.”
I was happy to discover that I was getting to know my way around the palace, as I correctly guessed where the main hall was.
“What will you do then?” I asked her.
She tapped her cheek like she was thinking about it. “I get to run wild and not be corrected.”
I tilted my head as we entered the main room. “That’s it?”
She walked me to the stairs that led to the private tower. “I’ve always admired the legend of Lady Godiva, riding through the streets completely naked to protest taxation. Though, honestly, Norden’s people have never once expressed anything to me that is so outrageous that I need to parade around naked like that.”
I coughed. I couldn’t imagine Emily riding naked through town on a horse. My face was hot, but I said, “It’s good that the people of Norden are happy. I am interested in how green technology fits into the world here.”
She waved me off and said, “Another reason you and my brother are perfect together. If Father is going to find me a husband, I hope I have half as much in common with my mystery man as you and Ryder have.”
“Thanks,” I called after her, and made my way up the stairs.
Commonality and a plan were why we were getting married. We weren’t perfect. We weren’t in love. It was just mind-blowing sex and the fact that we both wanted a sense of peace, without the world watching, that was our bond.
And friendship. He was the best man I’d ever met. That was nice, too. As I returned to my room, I saw Ryder was already in jeans and a polo shirt. He had muscles everywhere and I ignored how my heart pattered a little more when I saw him. My mouth watered for his kiss and I held out my hands and said, “Ryder.”
He came over and kissed my cheek and said, “There you are. I promised to show you the town, so I made reservations for us for dinner at a local restaurant.”
Thoughtful. Sweet. Kind. Seriously, Ryder was awesome, and our deal was a dream come true. This was all this was, and ever would be, but I squeezed his palm and said, “Let’s walk to the town.”
We walked down the stairs together and headed outside. Guards were stationed everywhere, but no one stopped us as we passed the gate and made it outside. Fresh air was good, and I could breathe easier now. As we made our way to a path, he asked me, “How was your morning?”
His steps and mine were in sync as I said, “Your sister thinks you and I are perfect together.”
The small town I’d spotted from my window was now visible down the road. My steps had an extra bounce in them as he said, “That’s good. I’m happy you and I have a plan and we have figured out how we’ll live once we get rid of the press.”
We reached the road. The smell of wildflowers permeated the air and I relaxed. However, as I took a deep breath, message after message popped in at once. I reached into my bag and said, “My phone is beeping like crazy.”
“Check them,” he said, and slowed down.
I stood on the sidewalk in my open-toed sandals and my heart thundered from the words I read on my screen. Heat coursed through me and my eyes began to mist. I blinked and said, “Wow.”
The words were all blurry on my screen, but I
continued to scroll. Ryder asked, “What’s going on?”
#Fake #SellOut #FuckthisBitch
I rocked on my feet at a few of the comments on my picture with Emily. I wiped my tears away and turned it off. “Seems I’ve turned some of my fans into haters. They think I’m fake.”
He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight as he said, “Jealousy is a real thing. Don’t pay attention to this. You’re the opposite of fake, and your numbers overall are way higher than when I saw them in Vegas.”
He was right. But we were marrying, so I could turn this all off, not because we were in love. I was fake, just not in the way people read. I let him go and asked, “I am?”
He handed me a tissue. I hadn’t ever met a man before now who had a tissue in his pocket. I dabbed my eyes as he said, “You are the realest person I’ve ever met.”
“Thanks,” I said and crumpled the tissue in my hand.
Then, he kissed me. My left foot lifted off the ground and I wished I could just forget the world right now. Ryder’s kiss and touch were all mine now, and this had to be enough to last a lifetime.
Chapter 12
Ryder
Nicole cared about what others had to say. It was in her every action. And we had both agreed to this marriage because we wanted our freedom from public scrutiny.
Whatever was happening between us was a bonus. But we couldn’t change the deal because I ached for her body with mine.
So I held her hand and pointed out the restaurants and stores on the main street, and some prominent people in the town. Then, I directed her to the water’s edge. Her gaze went to the pier, but I showed her where the ships were docked and said, “This is the wharf. Many of our townsfolk here are fishermen.”
As we stood there, a boat drew up to the nearest berth so we stepped away. She pressed her hand on my chest and said, “This is so enchanting.”
A fisherman with a weathered face called up to us. “As long as you’re on calm waters, miss, then we’re all safe here.”
I tapped her side then kept my hand on the small of her back to move us along and give the men room to come ashore. “Come.”
We took a few steps and she asked, “What did he mean?”
The clear seas were deceiving, as in a moment everything could change. We walked down the wharf and I pointed out the beach, bought her an ice cream and time flew as we held hands. I swallowed and stared out at the setting sun. “That the storms grow heavy here and the ocean swells can be fierce, and the bay can become impossible.”
She hugged my side and stared at the last moments of the sun as it dipped behind the ocean. We’d been out for a while now, but she sighed and said, “I’m sure it’s beautiful in a storm, too.”
I kissed her forehead. Our deal was life-changing for me. And, almost more important, Nicole was the exact woman I’d always dreamed I’d meet. I said, “When you’re safe, yes. But it’s our job to help the people, so if there is danger, even when we’re living in the North Castle, I’ll have to go and help the coast guard.”
She nodded and her brown eyes met mine. “Well, I can’t run a ship, but I can make sure there’s hot food for everyone.”
The best part of the deal was that she was now in my life. I laughed and held her tighter as she said, “I’m looking forward to us being totally alone.”
She squeezed my ass and her lips curved higher, but I said, “We will still have guards and servants, and I’m sure visitors.”
Her lips widened and her eyes fluttered closed. “So, not entirely alone, but enough so we have that pajama party.”
I closed my eyes to kiss her, but just as our lips were about to meet, her phone broke the moment. I let her go and said, “Yeah. Your phone is ringing.”
She bounced on her feet and reached into her purse as she said, “I’ll turn it off.”
However I saw the name on the screen as she pressed the buttons and I shook my head. “Answer. It’s your sister.”
She pivoted toward the street away from me and pushed her long brown hair behind her ear as she said, “Stephanie, what’s going on?”
She tapped one of her feet as she listened then said, “You don’t have to.”
More fast talking and Nicole’s face turned red. A moment later, she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then she hung up the phone and met my eyes. I reached out to guide her away from the wharf as I asked, “What’s happening?”
She swallowed and the color drained from her face as she said, “My sister’s boss wanted her to ask if she can bring a reporter with her, but she refused.”
I hadn’t considered her family as a way to infiltrate my father’s walls. I tucked my hands in my pocket and asked, “What does your sister do?”
She shook her head. “She’s a financial analyst in a world bank.”
At least that wasn’t any danger to the royal family. I brushed against her as I said, “Interesting.”
She bounced in step with me as I headed away from the waters. She said, “Boring, but she finds numbers help her live out her Jane Austen dreams.”
My heart raced at the thought that we’d be alone again soon, but I asked, “What?”
She laughed and said, “She’s wanted to move to England and meet her Mr. Darcy ever since she was a girl in the bed beside mine. Her wedding was cancelled, but she’s still going to her Jane Austen Forever events.”
There was a movie out a few years back about people wanting to live historical lives. My fingers brushed hers and then cupped them with mine as I said, “That sounds so unique.”
She playfully pushed me with her hip and said, “Each of us is unique in our own adorable way. The question is, what’s your hidden talent?”
No other woman I’d met had been as naturally charming. Nicole really did take my breath away, but I soldiered on and pretended to be unaffected. “I don’t have one.”
She pressed her hand to my face. Every other woman in my life had been half afraid to touch me in public. But Nicole was effortless and made my skin buzz from her touch as she said, “We’ll have years to find out if that’s true.”
Something was missing, though. I wasn’t sure what it was, but the air was colder, like a storm was about to hit. I said, “I suppose.” We made it to the end of the wharf, where the main street was, and I asked, “Do you want to sample the local food?”
She sucked in her breath then pushed her hair behind her ear. “No. I’d rather we go home and hide out in our room for the night.”
Shutting out the world meant nothing had changed. Good. “Sounds perfect. We’ll come back once the wedding is over and no one interferes.”
I steered us so the ocean was at our backs, but she tugged me back and said, “Wait.”
Her face had a blush as I asked, “What?”
She pointed to the ocean and said, “I’d like to post a picture of us, happy and engaged, online.”
Right. Her job was about being visible. I swallowed and said, “Sure.”
“The pier is beautiful,” she said.
A few more minutes outside with her was good, though my shoulders were growing tight, as if trouble lay ahead. As we made it back to the edge of the pier, the streetlights came on. I stilled and said, “Make sure you get a good one.”
She set her phone up, but a couple passing by stopped and snapped the photos for her.
A moment later, she checked her phone and I asked, “How were they?”
She gave me a thumbs up and posted #Manworthwaitingfor and attached the photo. She sent it and put her phone away.
My neck tingled but I didn’t say a word. Instead I took a step to go, but she put her hand on my hip and her lips quickly met mine.
Her kiss burned through me fast and my body grew hard as she said, “I want you. I thought that was part of the deal.”
I tugged her closer and let her realize how she turned me on and said, “Fuck, yes.”
Her eyes batted closed and her lips puckered. “Good.”
&nb
sp; I kissed her and didn’t want this to stop.
If it weren’t for the cold evening winds smacking against our skin, I’d have groped her publicly.
However the air stung our faces, so I ended the kiss and instead directed her home.
In our bedrooms, we could be naked and play, all night.
We made it down the street quickly, and through the gates of the castle. However as we passed the guards, Gio met us and bowed. “Your highness. Miss Steel. His majesty wishes a meeting.”
And it was important enough to send Gio. I lingered for one moment near the door and wished I could ignore the summons, but instead, I said, “At once.”
The life of a prince meant I didn’t have a choice.
Nicole’s eyes widened as we both went toward my father’s office. Once we were clear of Gio, she asked, “What’s going on?”
Whatever it was, this was likely what made my shoulders tight, but I only said, “Probably nothing.”
Once we reached the door, royal staff shuffled us into the side office where my father sat at his desk. As we entered his royal presence, my father tucked his tie into his jacket as he stood and said, “Ms. Steel. Ryder, please sit.”
Right. We sat across from my father and, once we were settled, I asked, “What’s this about, Father?”
He snapped his desk drawer open and handed Nicole a manila folder with papers inside. “The lawyers have prepared the contract for Ms. Steel.”
She flipped open the folder and saw the first page. Her face went white, but she flipped through the document. I saw her gaze at me, and her lips thinned.
“I’ll need time to read it,” she said.
My father stood, as this was the end of our audience. “Of course.”
She took the folder under her arm and we headed out. Once in the corridor, she whispered to me, “Ryder, we have a problem.”
I motioned with my finger not to talk here. So we headed back to the room where I’d intended to toss her on the bed earlier. Once the door closed, I crossed my arms and asked, “What’s going on?”
She flipped open the contract and pointed to page three and said, “This says my blog, my social media, and everything I intend to publish needs royal approval first.”
Powerful Prince (Steel Series Book 5) Page 9