Chapter Sixteen

Butterflies whizzed around Amber’s stomach as she leaned back in her chair and watched Nik head away from the counter toward their table at the back of the café. She loved the slightly arrogant look on his face as he stood tall and walked with purpose. Full of confidence. And his smile made her legs go weak every time. It was incredible how special he made her feel. When she thought about how their relationship had almost ended, she thanked the universe for stepping in and making everything work out. Better than she’d ever thought it could.

He held a tray but, from how she was sitting, she couldn’t make out what was on it until he got closer, and she saw he had bought one of her favorite red velvet cupcakes. He placed the cupcake in front of her, together with the Vanilla Chiller she’d ordered.

“Thanks. I didn’t ask for the cake.” She stared at it greedily, clearly not caring that he hadn’t asked whether she wanted it. She did now.

What she marveled at was how considerate he was. She’d have thought that with his background, he wouldn’t have even paid attention to other people’s feelings. She was so wrong about that. He knew all the right buttons to press. If she was ever on a desert island, cupcakes would be on her list of must-haves. And Nik, of course.

“I know, but it’s a celebration, so I bought you one.” A smile played at the corner of his lips, and her nerve endings tingled.

He was right about the celebration. Earlier that day, she’d heard that she’d been awarded the internship, despite her retracting the photo of Nik and extracting from them a written promise that they wouldn’t use it. She’d felt extremely brave by insisting on those conditions. Nik had helped her word the email.

The guy in charge of the photography department, Adam Wright, said he didn’t care about Nik and that the Swedish guy who’d leaked the photo had been reprimanded. Nik said that he wished the guy had been fired. Amber had thought that was a bit harsh. The man had just been seizing an opportunity, even if he’d done it without thinking through the consequences, and should be given a second chance.

In the email offer, Adam had said that her portfolio stood head and shoulders above the other applicants, and in particular, he loved her nature shots, saying they showed great perception of light and angles and the maturity of someone who’d been taking photographs for many years. She’d read his email over and over again. To have such an acknowledgement of her talent was the most exhilarating thing she’d experienced. Apart from making out with Nik, obviously, which was in a totally different stratosphere.

“Much appreciated.” She took a huge bite and groaned. They seriously made the best cupcakes ever. “Want some?” she asked, her voice muffled from being full of cake.

“No, thank you. It’s your celebration. You enjoy it.” He sat back in his seat and stared at her. His eyes probing. Caressing. It was like he could see into the depths of her soul.

She squirmed awkwardly under his scrutiny. “Stop looking at me like that. I can’t eat my cupcake.”

“Sorry.” He sat forward and took hold of her free hand. “Is this okay?” He winked.

“Umm.” The deliciously dreamy expression flitting across his face sent spirals of desire through her.

Since the whole prince thing blew up, their relationship had gotten even better. Now that the secret was out in the open, Nik was a changed person—relaxed and happy. Which seemed weird since hiding his true identity had been his main aim. Then again, he didn’t have to be on his guard all the time, worried about saying something which gave him away. Or that someone recognized him.

Once the kids at school had found out they had a real-life prince on the premises, they went bat-shit crazy for a few days. They wouldn’t leave Nik, her, Lauren, or Josh alone. Basically, the people who knew him best were the subject of nonstop questioning. Now, everything was fine. Everyone treated Nik as they’d always done in the past. Although she hadn’t told him that there was going to be a musical sketch involving a prince called Nik in the end of term show. She hoped he wouldn’t mind. There was nothing mean about it. If anything, it showed her that they accepted him as just Nik the student and not Nik the prince.

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 checking 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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