by Anna Lewis
“Where are you going?” Allyah asked.
“For a walk,” Nina replied.
“It's really late, Nina. Be careful,” Allyah said.
“I'll be fine,” Nina replied. “I'm always fine.”
***
Nina tapped her foot nervously. She looked around the kitchen and watched as her co-workers frantically set up food platters and glasses of water with lemon. Anxiously, she looked up at the clock and whimpered to herself. She was supposed to meet the prince twenty minutes ago up the road at a small Chinese place to discuss what had happened the previous night, but Allyah was keeping her longer than usual.
When Allyah appeared, Nina immediately ran after her and grabbed her by the apron.
“Hey, I have to go,” Nina said.
“I can't let you go right now. We're totally backed up on this order and it needs to go out in thirty minutes,” Allyah replied.
“But I'm late,” Nina claimed.
“This is a lot more important than some prince who just wants to keep you around as some spare change entertainment,” Allyah said.
Nina frowned, her face growing hot as anger filled her stomach.
“That's rude, Allyah. You know better than anyone how important this is to me,” Nina said.
“I get it, but I seriously can't do without your help today. It needs to get done. Text him and tell him you're running late and you'll see him soon,” Allyah instructed.
That said, she turned on her heel and started working on the other side of the kitchen, out of range for Nina to beg any further.
What a mess, Nina thought.
She pulled her phone from her apron and typed a quick message, tucking it back in when she was finished. It vibrated through her clothes. The urge to check it was strong, but she had to focus on getting this food order ready. It was difficult to concentrate when all she could think about was the prince.
One of the jars she was handling fell from the counter and shattered all over the ground, eliciting a slew of angry phrases from Nina's mouth. She bent to start picking up the shards of glass, but nicked her finger on one of the pieces.
“Damn it!” she cried while covering her finger with her apron.
A nearby co-worker noticed the mess and immediately began sweeping it up, carefully walking around Nina who was nearly in tears again on the ground. Allyah marched over.
“Nina, what did you do?!” she cried.
“It was an accident. I'm sorry,” Nina grumbled while running to the sink.
She ran cold water over the cut and then applied pressure with a paper towel before fishing through a drawer for a first aid kit.
“That's it. Just get out of the kitchen,” Allyah said.
“What?” Nina asked.
“You heard me. Go. You're clearly not all here and I can't afford you having another accident,” Allyah replied.
Nina glared at her boss, the blood in her head starting to boil and causing her face to flush again. Without another word, she marched out of the kitchen and to the locker area where she grabbed her purse. She hadn't even had time to wrap her finger. The blood was soaking through the towel. She procured a bandage from her purse and carefully applied it to the small wound, wincing at the pressure around her finger.
After her finger was completely wrapped, Nina slung her purse over her shoulder and marched out the doors, promptly running into a suit once she got on the sidewalk. She hit the pavement hard. Frazzled, she shook her head and looked down at her wrists that were chaffed from hitting the cement. A gloved hand appeared and she took it without questioning, wiping her apron once she was standing.
“You could watch where you're going you know,” she spat while adjusting her bag.
“My apologies, Nina,” said a familiar voice.
Nina looked up and gasped. A familiar set of green eyes greeted her, that debonair smile sweeping her away instantly.
“Robin,” she said.
In a hurry, she fixed her apron, swinging her purse down to cover her uniform. She stood up straight and cleared her throat. Her hair was a mess, the tangles of brown sprouting out from her bun in a chaotic mess framing her face. A dirty hand smoothed back the tangles and she offered a polite smile.
“You look a mess. Did something happen?” he asked.
“Well,” she said with a shrug.
Her lips opened, but no sound came after her initial phrase. It was as if her tongue was glued to the roof of her mouth and all she could do was hum. The painful look of recognition came over his face and he frowned, looking down at the ground. Was that pity in his gaze?
“Don't tell me,” he said. “You were filling in for someone? Is that it?”
Nina rolled her eyes up towards the sky to watch a plane pass over. The sound vibrated through the air as people passed them on the sidewalk. A few yards behind the prince was his trusted bodyguard who stood firm on the sidewalk, his shades pointed in their direction. How embarrassing it was to have a witness to their collision.
“No,” Nina whispered. “I need to tell you something.”
“I think I already know,” Robin said.
“I promise. I can explain,” she said quickly.
“Don't,” he said while raising his hand in the air. “Just don't.”
“It wasn't something I was ready to tell you,” she went on.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and offered a small grin.
“You lied to me long before you ever accused me of lying. How could you?” he asked.
“You thought I was something other than what I was,” she said.
“No, you said you were an accountant when I asked,” he corrected her.
“I was nervous! I was meeting a prince for the first time who was being sweet on me and I wasn't sure what you would think if you knew I was just a caterer,” she explained.
“So, you lied and now you have the gall to tell me I'm lying,” he said. “You're a mess, Nina.”
“I thought maybe you would understand,” she said tearfully.
“I don't understand why you would ever withhold such a thing from me. Do you think I would have judged you so harshly being a worker?” he asked.
“Yes, I do,” she replied.
“Then, you don't know me. And you don't need to,” he said.
He turned away, his hand disappearing in his pocket to procure an antique watch which he glanced at quickly and then returned to his pocket.
“I must go,” he said.
“Robin, please,” she begged.
She reached for his hand and he retreated, turning with a grim expression.
“You will address me appropriately, ma'am,” he warned.
Stunned into silence, Nina took a few steps back and looked down at the ground. She folded her hands together, unsure of what to do.
“My apologies...your highness,” she whispered.
Robin nodded and turned on his heel to walk back towards his bodyguard. It took every ounce of control for Nina to remain still, watching hopelessly as he walked away. Each step stabbed her heart. Every passing watcher made her feel vulnerable. It was a horrible feeling and she kicked the ground when he was finally out of sight.
“Good job, Nina,” she growled to herself as she walked in the direction of her car.
The noise from the street filled the afternoon. Nina looked over her shoulder a few times to see if Robin had perhaps run back for her, but it was simply a fairytale fantasy to imagine him doing such a thing. She climbed into her vehicle and rested her hands on the wheel, staring off into the distance.
Maybe I could drop by his hotel, she thought. I could just apologize and maybe leave him a gift. I know he'll listen.
Nine shook her head.
That's too much, she thought glumly. He won't accept anything from me now that I've lied.
A horn honked nearby and shook her out of her thoughts, causing her to jam her keys frantically into the ignition and start the car.
But I have to do something.
***
Feeling completely under the weather, Nina decided to drive around for a bit even though the streets were crowded with traffic. It put her at ease to have control over something as simple as driving, the activity mindless enough for her to concentrate on her inner emotions. There was regret, hurt, panic, and a slight tingle of arousal lingering from the last time they had made love. It was odd to feel such a thing and it only made her feel worse.
As she drove through downtown, she passed Central Park and turned in her seat to look at the giant trees looming over the path. It seemed to call for her. She looped around a few blocks and turned around, finding a parking spot across the street. Solemnly, she removed her apron and set it in the passenger seat. She leaned against the wheel, rubbing her temples gently.
A headache was on its way. She could feel it creeping up the back of her neck where she held all of her stress, making its way up into her brain where it started pulsing around her eyebrows. She could feel it shooting over her skull and she sighed, reaching over the center console to grab the water bottle from her bag. After a long and satisfying sip, she stepped from her car and fed quarters into the meter.
Nina made her way quickly across the street before any more cars passed, releasing a sigh of relief when she made it to the sidewalk. The trees hovered over her and she looked up to admire their branches as she strolled through the park. It wasn't often she came to Central Park. The last visit was with the prince, and before that it had been years. It was so beautiful that she wondered why she never took the time to sit up here in the beautiful silence.
Most of the trees muffled the sound of the traffic on the other side, making it seem like an exclusive island separate from the rough and tumble of the city. It was cathartic. Each time she passed a person jogging or walking their dog, she felt a strange sense of connection to each one. They were all just like her: in a hurry, preoccupied, twitching with anticipation for their next move. She couldn't help but feel a camaraderie with the people around her.
And yet she also felt alone.
Ditched, fragile, and maybe even a little broken considering the incident with the prince earlier. She sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging forward as she slipped her hands into her pockets. She shouldn't have lied. Her mind ran rampant with alternate scenarios, each one leading to a much happier ending than the one that transpired.
Still, it couldn't have all been her fault. She was in a strange predicament. How many chances would an average person get to meet true royalty? It was a matter of making an impression. That was all. She wouldn't get that chance ever again, and never again with the same prince.
She sighed.
When she looked up from the sidewalk, she noticed the gates to the zoo and gave a small smile. She went to the booth, bought a ticket, and went inside to stroll through the different exhibits. The lions were laying lazily in the sun, soaking up its rays with their paws in the air. One of them nudged the other. It was soothing to watch.
She didn't stay long at each exhibit, only enough to absorb the images of the animals and to perhaps listen to random conversations. Little children were running around her legs and she nearly stumbled, the mother offering her an apologetic smile while calling for her children. When they were gone, Nina was alone.
The final exhibit she came to was the penguins. She leaned against the bars and watched them roll around, sliding down the false glacier and landing in the water. She smiled, wishing she could join them. The water looked incredibly refreshing and cool. It would be nice to take a dip soon.
While imagining a swimming session with the penguins, she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. It felt like someone was standing close. She turned to see if anyone was near, but found the place to be mostly empty. When she turned back around, a clothed hand was resting near hers on the bars.
“Robin,” she whispered without looking up. “What do you want?”
A sigh escaped his lips and he leaned into the gate.
“I came to look at the penguins, honestly,” he replied. “But finding you here wasn't a surprise.”
Nina gave a nervous chuckle.
“I should have guessed you would be here as well,” she admitted.
“I mean, I didn't come here looking for you,” he joked.
“I didn't either,” she said.
“Still, I have to admit that I left you on less than appropriate terms,” he said.
Nina looked down at the ground with a small smile. His hands rested on her shoulders and turned her towards him, holding her in the same position from their first date.
“It was wrong of me to judge you for your job,” he said. “And it doesn't really matter to me. The biggest point was that you lied about it.”
“I know. I understand that now,” she said.
“I don't want this to drive a wedge between us. I feel like we've grown very close since our first encounter,” he said.
“I do, too, Robin. I feel awful for it,” she said. “And I feel terrible accusing you of lying. I'm not sure what that woman was talking about. I'm still confused.”
The prince laughed lightly.
“You know, I have a brother named Herman who has been seeing a woman in this city as well,” he said.
“You're kidding,” she said.
“No, I'm not,” he replied.
“Is that who she was talking about?” she asked.
“I suppose so,” he replied. “I wouldn't lie to you, Nina. I really hope you believe that.”
She looked at the ground again, honing in on the sensation of his fingers massaging her shoulders. It was making her melt.
“It's difficult for me to trust, and I'm sorry for that,” she said. “But I think I would like to try.”
“That would be wonderful,” he said.
“And I promise not to hold anything back anymore,” she said.
“I'm glad to hear that. I want nothing more than for us to have a bridge of trust between us,” he said.
Nina smiled.
“I would like that, too,” she said.
Her hands searched for his and she pulled him close, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. One of the penguins squawked, causing her to jump and giggle at the same time. Robin chuckled.
“Shall we go somewhere?” he asked.
“Where?” she asked in return.
“Would you maybe like to visit my hotel? There's a nice pool and a lovely restaurant on the fifth floor,” he replied.
“I think that sounds wonderful.”
***
Heated gasps filled the air. Robin pressed Nina to the door while attempting to procure his room key, fumbling with the card and the knob simultaneously. As they stumbled in to the room, he slammed the door shut and propped her up on the vanity. The mirror was cold against her back. She leaned into it as his hands began to explore.
Curious fingers slid down her figure, pulling every inch of clothing up to reveal the smooth skin beneath. They tickled the surface of her body and slid down to unbuckle her jeans, slipping them eagerly from her legs and tossing them aside. An eager mouth took hers and she reached down to caress the surface of his slacks. His member was already plump and swollen, ready to be stroked.
Smiling, she removed his slacks and then slid her hand down his boxers to wrap her silky fingers around his hard cock. He gasped when she gripped him, carefully caressing the delicate skin that twitched in response. Each stroke beckoned him like a siren's song, inching him closer to a breaking point. It inspired him to press her harder against the mirror and she groaned as he removed the barrier of her panties.
Two fingers slid over her wet vulva, eliciting a slew of coos. She bucked as they slid into her entrance and her grip on his cock tightened as he started to pump rhythmically. Her lips sought his with mouth agape and caught his lips with a soft moan, a breathless urgency taking her over. Her hips rocked forward with his hand and caused the vanity to squeak as she rested against the glass of the mirror.
&n
bsp; Gasping, she gripped his shoulder for support as her other hand continued stroking him into heated desire. Her skin tingled with excitement. His thumb pressed over her clit and sent her reeling back, causing the mirror to bang against the wall.
“Shh, we don't want anyone complaining,” she whispered.
“I don't care,” he said boldly. “I want them to hear it.”
Smiling, she took his lips again and pushed against his body, removing his hand in order to stand. She yanked him towards the bed with a devious giggle, pulling him on top of her squirming body. He followed every direction without hesitation and removed the rest of his clothes, revealing the familiar chiseled torso that glistened with sweat.
Nina excitedly ran her hands over the sculpted skin, her eyes washing over every inch of his form in admiration. His hands closed about her breasts as his lips returned to their original place, trailing down her chin and neck until they reached the hardened nipple. A tongue unfurled to circulate around the beautiful pears, sliding up and over both nipples that inspired her to twitch.
“Please, take me,” she whispered to him.
He looked up from his place between her breasts and smiled.
“Gladly,” he responded.
With cock in hand, Robin shimmied between her thighs and stroked her wet vulva with the head of his member. It slid up and down with ease, causing her to moan loudly into his kiss. She pulled his hips and he slid seamlessly inside her warm entrance. His firm presence inspired her to crane her neck, leaning back into the mattress while arching her back to better accept his girth.
Her damp thighs quivered as he slowly slid in and out of her entrance. She looked down to watch his cock disappear, smiling as it slid deeper and deeper with every gentle thrust. Draping her arms around his neck, she pulled him into another kiss and smiled as his hips rolled around. His cock pushed into her secret spot and she groaned, her eyebrows knitting together.
As her expression shifted between pain and pleasure, he increased his speed, bouncing them up off the mattress with every thrust. Fevered skin burned to be released from the pleasurable prison, their hips colliding in joyful celebration. Nina could feel herself edging closer to the brink of explosion while Robin's hands continued to massage every bit of her.