Page 23 of The Crown

“Then we’ll leave tomorrow.” His fire of determination warmed her.

And her heart softened. “But what about your club? Our dance? Maybe we won’t have to see them much.” She hated the thought of Monique around, but if they didn’t have to spend all their time with that group, perhaps they could still stick to the plan.

Even as she thought it might work, a part of her knew their smooth sailing together was about to hit rocky waters.

11

True to their desires, the four set out early in the morning before anyone in the Baldeez yacht was likely awake, let alone ready to head for shore. They would meet up with the wave runners and begin their eco tour.

Jo experienced, yet again, how nice it was to travel with Nico. The wave runners were waiting and ready when they arrived, a cooler full of lunch and drinks inside. Each couple shared a craft instead of using all four offered. And their guide sped off ahead of them.

Jo twisted the handle to increase their speed and Nico wrapped his arms around her waist. His legs squeezed against her, and she felt encased in his embrace. “I’m going to love this tour.” He called into her ear and then sucked her earlobe into his mouth. “You are right where I love you to be.” His following kisses down the side of her neck caused immediate hair raising and a longing inside. She wanted to stop the craft, turn around to face him and press her mouth to his, but instead she just sped up their wave runner.

“Woohooo!!” Nico shouted to the air around them, rising up to his feet and waving one hand around in the air. “My fiancé is a maniac!”

She laughed, and then a wicked idea teased at her. She whipped the vehicle around, digging into the water in a sharp circle, spinning out the back end.

Nico almost lost his seat, but he held onto Jo and sat down, squeezing her to him. “Oh no, you don’t.” He scooted as close to her as he could and she had a difficult time even seeing where they were going, being so aware of every part of her that touched him.

Sierra shouted into the sky. Julian drove their vehicle. She waved over to Jo with such a look of happiness while Jo ached with her own sadness tinged moments of fun.

Their guide pulled to a stop. They gathered closer and he told them to stay by him at slow speeds and they would likely see schools of dolphins in this area.

Nico took over driving so she could be on the lookout. He was so considerate of her all the time, and she appreciated, yet again, how she would never find anyone his equal.

They stopped and cut their engines because a school of dolphins was leaping out of the water approaching them from the front. She leaned over to see around Nico’s big frame and stood up. “This is incredible.” The grey fins approached until Jo could see the spray of the water as they crested out and arced back in the blue depth. And then she was surrounded. The dolphins swam right in between the vehicles and on all sides, arcing and jumping and spraying water all around them. A bump to their craft made Jo look down. “Oh look.” She whispered and grabbed Nico’s arm.

He held her. “Would you look at that.”

A baby bumped their boat again with her nose. She wiggled it at them as if to say, “Join us.” Then turned and dove back into the water after the group.

Jo sat in wonder for a moment. When she turned to Nico, his eyes were watching her, drinking her in with a beautiful intensity. It was intoxicating to be the center of someone’s attention in such a way. He said. “That was one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. Dolphins are special creatures.”

She was about to respond when their wave runners dipped and rose to a huge upheaval in the water. Something huge had just swam beneath them. She looked down to discover what it could be, and then a whale rose up and broke the surface in front of them.

“Wha—” She almost screamed. That thing was huge. And majestic. She felt small and insignificant next to such a glorious creature.

“I take it back.” Nico watched the whale lower itself back in the water. “That was the most remarkable experience.” Then the whale crested the water again, blowing water and air out the blowhole on the top of its back. Another surfaced beside the first and they moved past the four wave runners as if they were matchbox boats.

The four finished the day after many more of the most remarkable sights. The staff had set up hotel rooms for them near the night club, with their clothes and everything they needed to shower and get ready. Sierra joined her in one room.

The moment the door shut, she squealed and jumped around like she had when they were in middle school. And Jo couldn’t help but smile. Then she calmed and sat Jo down on the bed. “Julian wants to marry me.”

“Oh! I knew it would happen! I’m so happy for you, Sierra. I’ve never seen a more perfect couple than you two.” She didn’t say it, but they made her want to gag at times.

“Perfect except for the two of you. You two are everything.” Sierra smiled. “When those whales floated by, he turned to me and asked me, right then. Spontaneous.” She giggled.

“This is the best news of the day. Congratulations.” She hugged her friend, happy for her.

They showered, and she pulled on a glitter blue straight dress that hugged her curves and barely touched the top of her knees. Sierra did her make-up, and Jo’s green eyes shone. She slipped on strappy heels, her tan legs stretching for miles. And she smiled. If she was going to have to leave this awesome life, she would give Nico something to remember her by.

They entered the club with just a nod at the doorman from Nico. Cameras flashed at their backs. And a soft feeling of worry began to pester her. At least they avoided a mob. She didn’t know how much the press followed him in other countries, or how much they cared.

Nico led their group to the main dance floor. “Easier to hide in here. I just want to have some fun.” He pulled her tight. “And you look too good for all these eyes to be glued to you.” The protective glint in his eyes warmed her. Something about him caring enough to watch out for her made her happy.

They moved to the center of the room and the four of them danced together. Song after song played. They started slow, casual, talking to each other. And Jo stretched her arms out to her side in happiness. She loved how she and Nico shared the same hobbies, the same ways to let loose and handle stress. The longer they danced, the better she felt, the more of her worries slipped away. During one song, she watched Nico move at the center of a crowd, his face wrapped up in pure enjoyment, and she opened her heart up to the idea that they could perhaps make it work, that she might be strong enough.

He held his hand out to her and as she joined him, the crowd cheered, jumping all around them. She let the exhilaration fill her and then she moved with Nico as they had at the Tiki Rumble, as if they were meant to be together. The crowd chanted all around them, but their noise dimmed as she focused only on Nico and wanted nothing more than to be his forever, always at his side. He pulled her close. ‘Say you’ll stay.” His eyes pleaded, at the same time that they promised. She stared into those depths and realized nothing mattered unless they were together. “Nico, I...”

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