There's Something About Nik

by Sara Hantz

  Also, and more surprising, the press hadn’t bothered them at all since Nik gave an interview, which had been pre-arranged by the palace. Luckily, it had coincided with the announcement of a major celebrity marriage breakup, so Nik wasn’t deemed as important. There had been no sign of paparazzi hanging around the school, either. But even if they were the subject of media intrusion, they’d deal with it together.

  “What are you thinking?” Nik asked, cutting across her thoughts.

  “About how well everything has turned out for you.” She squeezed his hand, enjoying the warmth of his fingers wrapped around hers.

  “Yes. Being found out hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be,” Nik acknowledged. “I envisaged not being able to go out, hiding from mad photographers, and it hasn’t been like that at all.”

  That was the first time he’d said that to her. It was almost like he was embarrassed because of how he’d been toward her. But he didn’t have to be. She didn’t care about that. All that mattered to her was their relationship as it was now. Perfect.

  “That’s cool. Do you think it’s because you’re not next in line for the throne?”

  She hadn’t thought about it before, but it made sense. You only had to look at the royal family in the UK and how everyone across the world was obsessed with Prince William and his family because he was the future king. Of course, there was also Prince Harry, who used to get as much, if not more attention, though for different reasons… But she wouldn’t go there. Nik was nothing like Harry when he was younger, the fun-loving perpetual bachelor. Thank goodness.

  “Quite likely. It’s a blessing.”

  “You don’t want to be King?” She frowned.

  They’d never had this conversation before. He’d given the impression that he didn’t want to, but she hadn’t bothered to pursue it. His being King didn’t matter to her, but it might to him.

  “No.” His voice was firm.

  “Why not? All the perks. The luxury. The travel. The freedom to go wherever you want.”

  Just because the thought of being in that sort of position filled her with abject horror, she knew that not everyone felt the same. Some people thrived on their every move being in the public eye.

  “For a start, no way would I be allowed to be here with you. Which is reason enough. Also, having all that freedom is a myth. It can be like a gilded cage at times.”

  She nodded. She had a front-row seat to how complicated life could be in the public eye as a royal. “I get it,” she said.

  “Let’s not talk about my country.” Nik waved his hand to dismiss the subject. “Let’s talk about us. Josh’s parents have invited you and Lauren to stay with all of us during the mid-term break at their cabin. Would you like to?”

  Excitement bubbled in the pit of her stomach. Mid-term break with Nik. Would she like to? She couldn’t have wished for anything better. Providing her parents agreed. Though why wouldn’t they? They hadn’t met Nik yet, but when she’d told them all about him, they were happy. If not a little bemused that their daughter was dating a prince. Her dad had started to call her your royal highness. She’d have to make sure he didn’t do that when Nik was there. Nik might not understand her dad’s sense of humor.

  “Like you have to ask.” Just the thought of it sent her heart into overdrive.

  There would have to be a shopping trip. She was sure Lauren would want one, too. Maybe her mom would add some money to her account so she could buy something. After all, it was a special occasion.

  “It will be pleasant to make out without worrying who’s going to see us,” Nik said.

  “Pleasant?” She smirked. She couldn’t help it. His English still tickled her, even now.

  “That’s not a good word?” He frowned.

  “It’s a little bit lame,” she said kindly. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

  “What would you say?” he asked.

  “Freakin’ awesome,” she replied with no hesitation.

  It struck her how easy their relationship had become. She trusted Nik totally. And the fact that he was so open about his feelings for her. She’d never felt loved or needed like that before. Okay, so he hadn’t actually said he loved her. But it was obvious that his feelings ran deep. Like hers. She hadn’t told him she loved him, either. She would. Definitely. When the time was right.

  …

  Nik held open the café door and slung his arm around Amber’s shoulder as she passed through. They walked in silence toward the bus stop. The bus was waiting, and they hopped on, headed to the back, and slid along the bench.

  “This reminds me of the first time we took the bus together and how weird you were about it,” Amber said.

  “All I remember is it was on the bus that we had our first kiss.” He’d often replayed that moment over in his mind. It was that kiss that had made him realize how deeply he’d fallen for her.

  “And that, too.” Amber beamed and it lit up her whole face, sending tendrils of desire shooting through him.

  “What do you mean weird?” His mind suddenly going back to what she’d said.

  “Your reaction to something so ordinary as traveling on the bus. And then you told me you had drivers. I know people who have a driver, but to have more than one available twenty-four hours a day, I thought meant that you must be from a billionaire family. Of course, you being royal didn’t enter my head. I still think it’s crazy.”

  He cringed inside at how his whole demeanor must have appeared. He’d thought he was acting normally. How wrong could a person be?

  “But you forgive me for not telling you.” He knew she did, he just wanted to reaffirm it.

  “I do. But no more secrets.” She wagged her finger in his direction.

  She was serious. And he understood why. He would never keep anything from her again. Apart from…

  “No secrets at all?” he pushed.

  “None,” she replied adamantly.

  “None?” he repeated, trying to hide how he much he enjoyed being able to tease her like this.

  “Okay. What aren’t you telling me?” she demanded. Her face might have looked serious, but she couldn’t hide the sparkle in her eyes.

  He held up both hands. “I’m kidding. I have no secrets. Well, only one,” he taunted.

  “And you don’t trust me, is that it?”

  Her body visibly tensed, and guilt shot through him. He sometimes forgot how badly she’d been treated in the past and all that she’d gone through. She didn’t go on about it. It just took something like this to throw her off balance slightly. He wanted to tell her it was okay, but also he didn’t want to have to tread on eggshells any time they were having a bit of fun.

  “Not exactly.” He hoped that the tone of his voice was sufficient for her not to take him literally.

  “How exactly?” She bit down on her bottom lip, and her eyes twinkled.

  She wasn’t taking him too seriously.

  “This is a good secret.”

  “What do you mean?” A puzzled expression crossed her face.

  “Who has a birthday in a few weeks?” he teased, remembering exactly what he’d planned. A picnic by the river, with the willing help of Lauren who was sorting out the food. And then there was his present, which he’d spent ages choosing. A beautiful silver chain with a heart hanging from it.

  “Ohhhhhh. You’re allowed to have just one secret, then.”

  He leaned across and kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you.”

  He’d been wanting to tell her for ages, but the right moment hadn’t arrived. Who’d have thought the time would be when they were sitting on a bus.

  “I love you, too,” she whispered. “Despite your royal connections.”

  “Which are hugely overrated, as I’ve told you.”

  “I don’t know. It can’t be all bad. I bet you get the best seats at any concert. And go to the front of the line at the theme park.”

  “Yes, there is that. But anonymity is still better. Nobody chec
king out your every move.”

  “Like this one.” She pulled him toward her and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her soft lips met his.

  His heart hammered against his rib cage. He’d finally found someone who loved him for himself and not for being a prince. If this was what true happiness felt like, then he wanted to hang onto this moment forever.

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  Acknowledgements

  This book wouldn’t exist without the patience and support of my critique partners, Christina Phillips and Amanda Ashby. Thanks so much to you both.

  Thank you also to my editor, Tracy Montoya, for making me think harder and dig deeper. This book is so much better with your input. To everyone at Entangled, thank you for being such amazing publisher, I feel so lucky being part of the Entangled Team. I’d especially like to mention Crystal Havens and Melissa Montovani—I love working with you guys, you make my life as an author so much easier. Thanks to April Martinez for such an awesome cover.

  Finally, to my family Garry, Alicia, and Marcus thanks for your support.

  About the Author

  Sara Hantz was born in Northampton, England, the eldest of four children (she has three younger brothers). School and Sara weren’t a match made in heaven. She was bored a lot of the time, and it seemed much more fun to dream up ways of disrupting lessons than to actually pay attention. Which could explain why she was always in trouble! But she redeemed herself later, when at twenty-one she went back to full-time study.

  She wasn’t one of those people who wrote as a small child. She did read, though, avidly. And it took her a few years of thinking about writing before she actually started. But now, she wouldn’t do anything else, and she never gets bored!

  In 2001, she moved to New Zealand (an incredibly beautiful country) with her husband and two children. After working at a university for three years, she left to work in their hotel and devote more time to her writing. She wishes she’d done it sooner!

  In her spare time, she loves going to the movies, watching TV, and walking. She loves to hear from readers. Visit www.sarahantz.com.

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