Page 20 of The Crown

Hope lit her eyes, just slightly, but it gave him courage. “It’s gorgeous. We can travel all over in a week. It gives us time to see as much as we want.”

“Or just stay on the boat?” She smiled.

“Absolutely.”

Her face clouded. “But what about everything here?”

He shrugged. “Trane is taking care of it.”

She leaned back into his shoulder, grabbed his hand and toyed with his fingers. “I want this so much.”

He waited. But the silence killed him.

“Can we do this?” The hope in her voice thrilled him.

He knew he had her. “Absolutely. Dance parties every night. Big, beautiful blue water in every direction, excellent sailing. Our best friends. Us. Quiet.”

She sighed.

“And your father can stay here with Nurse June.”

She tensed and then relaxed. “He’s been telling me to let him be every time I see him.”

“See, you’ll be making him happy, Jo.”

She wiggled again and sat up. “Let’s do it.” Her tears gone, her eyes shining, a sort of reckless joy filling her face.

And he almost collapsed in relief. He had her a bit longer. And he would do everything he could to keep her forever.

10

They arrived at the airport in the royal private jet. The staff had taken to calling her your majesty. Which felt odd. But Nico didn’t correct them. In fact, she thought she saw hints of satisfaction cross his face every time they addressed her. She pushed all thoughts of coming decisions aside and relaxed into a no-stress, only-fun week with the man she loved and her best friend.

Sierra had never looked happier. She had met Julian when he had come to live with Nico at her marina in Shady Lakes. She had come to the palace with Jo originally, but had left after a couple weeks. All texts from her were full of questions about Julian. Had she seen him, what was he doing? Could she send a quick picture of what he was wearing that day?

She and Julian sat across the aisle from her and Nico, hands clasped, deep in conversation.

Nico whispered in her ear, his breath sending shivers down her center. “I can’t wait to get you out on the water.”

She turned to him, the energy in his voice thrilling her. She stared into his eyes and then tilted her head as his lips met hers. He let his mouth linger, exploring, soft. It was the kind of kiss that made promises. She felt his love for her in his soft insistence. When he pulled away, a few inches only, his eyes full of emotion, she said, “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He placed a second quick kiss on her mouth that left tingles and a yearning for more, but the staff had opened the outside door and the thrill of their coming week filled her with excitement to get moving.

They left the plane and loaded into a waiting limo. She never saw their bags, but assumed they would arrive. With everything Nico had to do, she was grateful for the people in his life that took care of his comforts. If she let herself, she could get used to it really quickly.

“I had the captain move the boat to a closer port so we could start there and then bring her home at the end of the week.”

Sierra squealed. “I can’t wait. Everyone at home would be so jealous.”

All three of the others turned to her.

She held up her hands. “I haven’t told a soul. Work thinks I’m visiting my grandma in Kansas.”

They sat back again in their seats. And Sierra laughed. But no one else did. As far as they knew, they had been able to keep their trip out of the press’s eyes.

They pulled into a marina, and Jo fan-girl’d a moment over the boats. “These are incredible.” She eyed row after row of white, shiny yachts sitting in their slips.

Nico chuckled. “I love that we share a love for something so simple as water parking for boats. Come on.” He offered his hand, which she readily took, and he walked briskly down the closest dock to the end. Then he held out his arms. “Meet Fairweather.”

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