Page 12 of The Crown

“Yeah, I feel better too.” She grinned.

His arms held her. Their bodies moved as one. And his eyes were filled with love. Her breath caught. “Sometimes I can’t believe this is happening.”

He winked. “Oh, it’s happening. You are the best thing to enter my life.” His eyes warmed her, his lips welcoming. She tipped her chin and he pressed his mouth to hers. The room quieted around them and she enjoyed the sensations that washed over her.

When they pulled apart, a new song had started and people had begun to press back in the center, jostling them.

“Are all of these people royals?” The thought surprised her. They seemed normal, albeit wealthy. Everyone was dressed impeccably and gorgeous. There was something to be said for a heavy cosmetic budget.

His eyes flitted over the crowd. “Royals, or our friends.” He shrugged as if he didn’t want to talk about them so she let it drop.

A large crowd pushed forward and pressed between them. “Oops. Sorry about that.” A pair of strong arms steadied her and moved with her as they were rushed to the outer edges by the crowd.

Jo’s heart picked up in a moment of alarm, but then calmed. “Thanks.” She grinned up into the teasing eyes of another Adonis type guy.

She looked for Nico, but she couldn’t see him over the tops of everyone. So she held out her hand. “I’m Jo.”

He grinned. “We all know who you are.” He raised an eyebrow. “It’s been a challenge to get you away from his royal protectiveness for a minute.”

“What?” She began to worry. “You did that on purpose?” Her eyes searched for Nico again, growing more concerned when the center opened up again and he was not in it.

“Just for fun. There’s lots of fun to be had in our group. The couples sometimes switch it up, for a few hours. Keeps things interesting.”

Confused, she knew Nico had not planned on doing that. But she didn’t know what else to do now that they were apart.

“So, you game. Can we dance?”

She smiled, not wanting to offend whatever royal this was. “Ok. Until Nico gets back.” She started to dance in a calm manner so they could talk. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“Henry Baldeez.” He paused so that she could gush. She supposed they were used to it.

“The crown prince? I’m so pleased to meet you.” She complied. But surely he would understand that if she came with Nico, his crown prince-ness did not wow her as much as it might others.

“I hear American women like titles.” He winked.

A prickle of irritation nudged her. “I can’t speak for all, of course. But I’m more into the man than his title.”

He stood even taller.

And she struggled not to roll her eyes. But then he started regaling her with stories of his escapades as a teen. As Nico was involved more often than not, she soon relaxed and found herself laughing with tears about a time when Nico had been caught trying to be the first one to dance with a new visiting royal. He had gone to great lengths to tie up the others. Apparently these sorts of games were a regular occurrence.

Her eyes caught a couple leaving through a side door, Nico, led by what looked like Monique.

She narrowed her eyes at Henry who held his hands up. “I have nothing to do with that.”

An alarm sounded, piercing. The lights turned on. She squinted and held hands to her ears, watching the door for Nico.

She was surrounded by men in suits with ear buds. Security detail. Relief filled her. Henry was giving them orders.

“Are these yours?”

He nodded. “And Nico’s.” He pointed to the door and several moved in that direction, but most stayed with them. One placed a hand on her arm. “There’s been a situation. We are unsure if this location can be secured. We have to vacate immediately.”

She bristled, until she looked him in the eyes. She recognized him and he had kind eyes. So she nodded. They moved quickly, she and Henry surrounded by a group of men. They pushed through two hallways and out onto a side alley. They ducked and walked three steps before they were inside a limo.

Her phone dinged.Nico. “Are you ok?”

“Yes. Where are you? Are you all right?”

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