A Royal Surprise: ( BWWM Romance )

by Tiana Cole

  He looked proud, broad chest puffed out like a peacock. “I just want to take care of you…all.”

  A laugh escaped her. “You’re doing a pretty good job. For a prince,” she joked. Realizing too late it was a bad joke. “I’m just kidding Alex, trying to lighten the mood.”

  “So you don’t hate me anymore?”

  She blew out a long deflated breath. “I wish I could hate you Alex. All of this would have been a lot easier. For both of us.” That was truer than she even wanted to admit to herself. “You hurt me deeply and I was angry. I am angry. But I don’t hate you.”

  “Could have fooled me.” His blue stare was intense and full of emotion.

  She sighed and put her fork down. “What do you expect me to do? Jump in your arms and tell you all is forgiven? Well I wish I could do that Alex because it was un-break my heart and it would mean I don’t have to raise these children on my own! But I can’t.”

  “Try.”

  His stare was intense, his stance intimidating but she didn’t feel intimidated. She felt angry. And aroused. “Why should I? There are no guarantees in this life but you’ll leave again Alex because your life isn’t here. This is just a vacation for you.” She’d admitted it. Her biggest concern where he was concerned.

  “So you won’t forgive me in case I do it again?”

  She shook her head. “No I do forgive you because of our children but you will do it again because you’ll go home eventually.” Back to his royal life filled with beautiful heiresses instead of crying babies.

  “And what if I don’t?”

  “You will.”

  “But what if I don’t?”

  If he didn’t go that would be…a miracle. “How about we see if you stick around before we worry about that?” A knowing smile curved his lips and he skirted the counter until he was standing right in front of her.

  “You still doubt me?”

  “I know you have no reason to stick around.”

  His blue gaze pierced her. “You’re right. I have three very good reasons to stick around and I am, Amanda. I’m not going anywhere so you need to get used to me being here for you.” She opened her mouth to contradict him, to tell him she didn’t need to get used to a damn thing. But he cut off her words with a kiss. He bypassed sweet and gentle, opting instead of hot and out of this world. The sweep of his lips against hers, the brush of his tongue brought it all back. The bliss, the sweet ecstasy. The love she still felt for him.

  “Stop.”

  Alex took a step back, gaze still dark with desire and his hands still gripped her shoulders. “I won’t apologize.”

  “I didn’t ask you to, did I?” She sighed. “I don’t need an apology but I need to think.”

  He nodded just as the bell sounded. He didn’t move and she knew this game. Had played it in the past with petulant men with fragile egos. Pushing off the sofa she limped to the door and groaned. “Can you please make yourself scarce? It’s the Dean.” She hadn’t told Alex or Misty, or anyone else of their conversation before the winter break. It was her business and hers alone.

  “Sure. I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”

  She watched him disappear up the stairs and turned back to the door, fixing a polite smile on her face. “Dean Hart, to what do I owe the pleasure.”

  His disapproving gaze focused in on her growing bump. “I expected to hear from you once we returned from break.”

  Her gaze was the definition of innocence. “About what? My students are doing well, their standardized test scores were higher than the state average and not one person has complained about my personal life choices.”

  “Yes well, they may not complain to you but that doesn’t mean they don’t complain.”

  Amanda nodded in understanding. “So you’re here to tell me I should retain a lawyer because you want me to leave?” She’d contacted a lawyer after their last meeting and he assured her there would be a big settlement to help until she found a new job.

  “No but I am saying that given your recent injuries, perhaps you want to sit out the rest of the school year and return in the fall. Maybe even the summer semester?”

  “Do I have a choice in the matter?”

  He nodded, swiping a bead of sweat from his upper lip. “Yes. Take the rest of the semester off until you are properly healed and come back next semester.”

  Come back now and you won’t be asked back next semester went unsaid between them, but she heard it just the same. “And my contract?” Amanda figured she would teach at Elite Academy for the next three years, long enough to finish up her Masters and move on.

  Dean Hart sighed impatiently. “That is something we are not prepared to discuss at the moment.”

  She nodded. “Alright then Dean, you’ve given me quite a bit to think about. You’ll hear from me soon,” she promised and closed the door before he could respond.

  Back on the sofa she blew out a long, tension filled breath and kicked her feet up, closing her eyes in hopes she would be able to drift off to sleep. No such luck, she thought as her mind raced for options. Her lease had months left on it so moving wasn’t an option, even if she could somehow do so with a sprained wrist and a fractured wrist. Her eyes began to sting and soon, tears were tracking silently down her face. She didn’t cry. Made no sound to release the anguish inside her.

  Footsteps pounded light and quick down the stairs. “Everything alright?”

  “Just peachy,” she answered, eyes still closed and seeking oblivion. Seconds later the door opened and closed quietly and Alex was gone.

  Again.

  ~

  With their tentative truce in place, Alex showed up at Amanda’s house everyday with food to feed her and the babies. He cleaned and he helped her move around, but he did it all knowing that it might not change how she felt about him. The feelings were still there but so was the doubt. The mistrust.

  And then what he’d overheard with Hart had left him furious with all of Elite Academy. They were trying to push her out of a job she’d worked hard to get, but why? It made no sense and he was in no position to ask. Was he? His anger hadn’t helped matters before, but now she’d accepted his help and didn’t pull away from his attempts at physical contact, making him wonder if he’d made more progress than he realized.

  It was taking too long to win her back, to make her love him again and Alex felt his impatience grow everyday with this uncertainty that hung in the air between them. He needed to something about it before he did something rash that would rollback the progress he’d made this far. That was exactly the reason he was headed into Denver to see Misty. She would have the information he needed to make this right and if she didn’t, she could tell him how to fix it. He sat in the lobby of her office waiting, while the blonde bombshell behind the desk undressed him with her sultry green eyes.

  “What can I do for you Alex?” Misty’s shadow fell over him and he looked up at her scowling face.

  “I need to talk and you’re it.” He followed her back to her office and took a seat, waiting for her to do the same.

  “Let me guess, you screwed up again and you need my help?” Her smug smile told him she wouldn’t make this easy on him, but luckily Alex didn’t give up easily.

  “Not again but she still hasn’t forgiven me. Not fully. Amanda lets me help her, we talk and I’ve even seen a few smiles headed my way. But she doesn’t trust me and I don’t think I’m any closer to winning her back than I was the day I came back.” He told her about their last conversation and the way she softened towards him. “What else can I do?”

  She shook her head and impressively, her sleek bun didn’t budge. “You can stop acting like you’re the injured party Alex.” Her expression softened as she took in his distraught face. “I know she loves you Alex but she can’t trust you, which means she needs to focus on herself and her baby.”

  “Babies, actually. We’re having twins. Boys.” He let her scream and squeal and even indulged her in a hug.

  �
�That’s so amazing! I’m happy for you both Alex, really. Prove to her that she can trust you.”

  “How?”

  “Be someone she can trust. You’ve been helping even though things are difficult right now, and that’s a start. In healthy relationships showing up and being there are the important parts. But,” she added with a grin, “a grand gesture wouldn’t hurt.”

  Alex sighed and looked at Misty. “I just want her back Misty. I love her.”

  “And she loves you, so you’re both on the right track. But you need to learn how to talk without getting so emotional. I’m not blaming you,” she held up a hand, “but Amanda is on a hormone overload.”

  “So it’s up to me?”

  “For now. Be the big strong man she always thought you were, and this time don’t let her down.” Her searing gaze told him she meant business. “I love Amanda. She’s family and so are her kids. I hope someday you’ll be included in the group Alex. Don’t make me kill you before then, okay?”

  He smiled and nodded. “Got it.” He stood and extended a hand to her.

  She smacked it away and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing tight. “Make her happy Alex. She deserves it.”

  Chapter 16

  Amanda awoke to the smell of potatoes and a lightness in her heart. She was done being upset with Alex. Sure she might—probably would—bring it up a few more times when she was angry or hormonal, but enough was enough. It took energy she didn’t have to be mad at him. To stay mad at him. To be angry all the damn time. It wasn’t good for her well-being and she didn’t imagine it was good for the babies either, so it had to stop.

  Today.

  Feeling better than she had in a long time, Amanda limped to the bathroom with almost no pain and smiled that she’d gained full range of motion in her wrist. She was almost whole physically so now it was time she took care of her heart.

  Which was Alex. It was time for her to admit that.

  Yes he’d made a mistake, a huge one, but he not only came back and tried to make things right but he’d ignored her surly behavior and helped her even when she didn’t want him to. He was a good guy. Stupid but good, and he still loved her which she thanked her lucky stars for everyday because the one thing that hadn’t really changed was her feelings for him. She was still in love with him, maybe more because he’d been so solid since he returned to Colorado.

  She needed to find a way to let him know how much she appreciated his efforts. She had just the idea and after two calls sent him a text knowing he had some early morning work to do with one of his riders. “Are you busy,” she asked when he picked up the phone, “because I need your help. Be here by noon.”

  At eleven thirty he charged in looking out of breath with worried making his features weigh heavy. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?” Hands on her shoulders while he sucked in air, his gaze took her in looking for signs of distress.

  “I’m fine but I do need a ride today and I was hoping you weren’t too busy to give me one?” His face was expressionless and he dropped to the sofa beside her.

  “You need a ride?”

  “Yep.”

  “From me? Why?”

  “I haven’t been fair to you Alex. Yes you hurt me badly but I had no right to treat you like I did. That’s not me and I don’t want there to be this hurt and anger, and tension between us. I want there to be…more.”

  Blonde brows rose. “More?”

  She knew he was waiting for her to say more. For an explanation.

  “What changed?”

  I had a good talk with Misty. She asked me how I would feel if our boys went to your house and had a great time with you and your wife.”

  His lips twitched. “And you didn’t like that?”

  She shook her head, blowing a few strands from her face. “I wanted to rip her hypothetical eyes out.” She looked at her hands and blew out a long breath before looking up into patient blue eyes. “So I figured that meant I needed to reevaluate a few things.”

  He nodded, stroking his chin deep in thought but his eyes never left hers. “Am I going to have to pull this out of you every step of the way?”

  She laughed and shook her head. “No it’s just I’m not sure how to explain it.” Her phone sounded a drumbeat and she froze. “We need to go.” She stood and slipped on her shoes, grabbing her purse and jacket when she realized Alex wasn’t following. “Hey Your Highness, we need to get a move on.” A smile stretched her face at his displeased groan.

  “You’re not as funny as you think you are,” he beamed a smile down at her.

  “Oh I’m exactly as funny as I think I am.” And maybe a little bit of a coward too. “We’ll pick this back up after our stop.”

  “Yes. We will.” His words were firm, his gaze intense as he guided her out the door. Big warm hand splayed across her back.

  ~

  “Oh look! They’re hugging.” Amanda’s words reached his ears but it was all a fog compared to the other sound dominating his mind. Two strong heartbeats pounding with the force of keeping his boys alive. His sons. Amanda’s change of heart had taken Alex by surprise but having her weave their hands together and pulling him to the exam room had clicked things into place. It was exactly what he wanted. What he’d hoped for. And it was all right here before him. It was a nice change to see her smiling and laughing easier, answering his questions with more than one or two syllables. He was convinced, more than ever, that his grand gesture would go a long way to winning her back.

  Only she’d stolen his thunder in the best way possible. He couldn’t have imagined it but seeing it for himself, well there wasn’t a thing in the world like it.

  But now it was his turn.

  He’d asked Baker to stop by and keep her company while he ran his errands but when he showed up it was Aidan who’d helped him with the bags. “Baker couldn’t find anyone to cover the bike shop so he asked me to come over.”

  “Thanks Aidan. Stubborn woman thinks staying off her feet is just a suggestion.” Keeping her off her feet had been a point of contention between them.

  “You’ll be happy to know she’s been on the sofa since you left. Looking at baby stuff.” Aidan smiled and shook his head wistfully. “I took her slippers and then guilted her into about falling on stockinged feet.”

  Alex made a mental note to buy Aidan a nice set of knives. “Thanks man, that was brilliant. You guys will be here on Friday?”

  “Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss it. Your big brother is gorgeous and soon to be king, swoon!”

  Alex laughed and shook his head. “What am I, beef jerky?”

  “Chopped liver,” Aidan corrected.

  “What,” he frowned , confused.

  “The saying is, ‘what am I, chopped liver’.”

  “Ugh, why the hell would I be chopped liver?”

  Aidan doubled over with laughter, one hand grasping Alex to keep himself on his feet. “That’s exactly why it’s the saying. Who would want chopped liver, never mind who would want to be chopped liver?” Bye Amanda,” he called out before closing the door behind him.

  Alex smiled to himself as he made his way to the kitchen and finished putting items in the fridge and shelves before making a plate of what Amanda called “nibbles”, and preparing dinner. He’d just gotten the whole chicken in the oven when Amanda called out for Aidan. He entered the guest room with a scowl. “Already calling out for other men?”

  She smiled and shrugged. “If a handsome man wants to help me into bed who am I to turn him down?”

  With a growl he stalked to the bed and scooped her up. “We’ll see about that. Bathroom or kitchen?”

  “Yes.”

  With a loud guffaw he helped her into the bathroom and then set her at the counter in front of the plate he’d made. “Have a snack.” He watched her eye the plate, smiling when she went straight for the pickle spears.

  “Mmmm, oh my god you got spicy pickles!” She chewed happily, face flushed with happiness. “But how?”


  “I knew you wanted them and I needed to pick up a few things so I made a trip into the city. Do they live up to your cravings?”

  She nodded, already chewing another one. “So good I could kiss you!” She realized what she’d said quickly but Alex took the opportunity offered.

  He leaned in close until their noses nearly touched. “I won’t say no to you Amanda. I can’t.” And dammit if she didn’t surprise him by bridging the few centimeters that separated them and pressing her mouth to his. He knew she intended it to be a light peck of gratitude, but now that he’d had a small taste of her, he wanted more.

  Fingers spearing her now chin length hair until her head was cradled in his hands, Alex deepened the kiss, slanting his mouth across hers until he nearly consumed her. She tasted as good as she smelled, like flowers and spices and woman, he thought as he slid his tongue along her bottom lip nibbling it before slipping inside her mouth, tasting every inch of her mouth. He groaned and she moaned before pulling back. “Don’t ask me to apologize because I won’t.”

  She smiled, her skin flushed bright pink while she stared up at him. “I’m not, I just needed to catch my breath. Ow!”

  She bent over in pain and Alex had her in his arms and laid across the sofa in just a few seconds. “Are you alright? Tell me what’s the matter?”

  “Nothing,” she said on a long unsteady breath. “I think the babies just kicked.” Elliptical brown eyes glittered like melted chocolate and a smile curved her kiss swollen lips.

  “May I?” She nodded and he put both hands on her rounded belly, letting her move them here and there until she found a spot where he could feel them. “Hell that’s amazing and creepy!” He laughed and it happened again. “Does it hurt?”

  “Like hell at first but mostly it’s just uncomfortable. Until they both start kicking,” she said on a strained breath.

  “Should I get you something?”