Page 37 of Royal Trouble
Her brows shot up, but the look of surprise was quickly replaced with a sassy smile. “I doubt even a minder could keep you out of trouble.”
She was probably right, but he wasn’t about to admit it. What would be the fun in that? “Nevertheless, I’d prefer not to have a babysitter trailing my every move, and I’m told the reciprocation of favors is a basic tenet of friendship.”
“We aren’t friends.”
Bollocks.
“Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night, love.” He stepped forward, closing the gap between them. Her breath came in quick little spurts, her perky breasts rising and falling with every exhalation. “Because it seems to me that after everything we’ve shared—clothes, toasts, orgasms—we should be friends.”
Chapter Nine
The deck rocked under Everly’s feet, and she grabbed Xander’s arm for support, clutching his bicep in a death grip. He was rock solid, not even swaying as the sleek boat bobbed in the water. She hadn’t exaggerated when she told him she wasn’t a sailor. She knew shit about boats, and the closest she’d ever come to sailing was a ferry ride across the Hudson.
“You okay?” Xander asked, concern lining his eyes.
Was he serious? No, she wasn’t okay. She’d nearly face planted on the deck trying to board, which pretty much cemented her position that this was the worst idea ever. Why had she let him strong arm her into this ridiculous outing in the first place?
Right. Because she’d be SOL if Their Majesties assigned a minder to his staff. She couldn’t let that happen. Not until she got her story, anyway. And the sailing expedition would give her direct access to both princes—the heir and the spare—something she’d never be able to swing on her own.
So, yeah. Here she was, trying out her sea legs and pretending she wasn’t touched by his concern.
She forced a smile that felt paper thin. “I’m good.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
“Welcome aboard theCrown Jewel.” Xander smiled broadly, and it was the most genuine smile she’d ever seen him wear. There was no seduction, no teasing tilt to his lips, just pure, unfettered joy as he scanned the water, eyes narrowed to diminish the sun’s glare. Her chest ached at the beauty of it, and the realization that if it weren’t for RGW, perhaps the world would have fallen in love with this smile years ago. This was the real Xander. “Come on, I’ll show you the ropes while we wait for Liam and Elena to arrive.”
Everly followed close behind him, keeping one hand on Xander’s arm or the rigging—was that even the proper term?—as she went. He gave her a quick lesson in sailing, explaining terms like bow and stern, starboard and port, which she forgot as quickly as he rattled them off. Everywhere she looked there were ropes and hooks and odd little bits of equipment she couldn’t identify, but he was cool and confident, and after a quick tour of the deck, she began to relax.
Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
A sleek sedan pulled up to the dock, and Prince William and his fiancée stepped out, dressed in preppy yet casual boating attire, looking every bit as regal as they appeared in the papers. Everly glanced down at her worn sneakers and cringed.
Just like old times.
Suddenly she was fifteen again, an outsider looking in, as the old insecurities came rushing back with a vengeance, clawing at old scars.
Bastard. Charity case. Whore.
Her knees buckled, and she gripped the railing for support. What had she been thinking coming back here? She didn’t belong in this world of opulence and privilege. She knew it on a cellular level—had always known it—but that didn’t make the pain of it any easier to bear.
She sucked in a steadying breath.
Now wasn’t the time to fall apart. She had to get the story, no matter the cost.
Xander slipped a comforting arm around her waist and turned that brilliant smile her way. If he noticed her moment of panic, he didn’t comment on it, probably chalking it up to her nonexistent sea legs. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
She followed his lead, noting the pair of photographers who seemed to materialize out of thin air. They raced along beside Prince William, who smiled as if he didn’t have a care in the world aside from spending a day on the water with his beautiful bride-to-be. They snapped picture after picture as the prince helped his future wife board the sailboat.
“Hola! Permission to board?” Elena asked, smiling warmly at Xander as he stepped forward.
“Liam’s going to make a proper sailor out of you yet,” he teased, taking her hand and helping her aboard.
Unlike Everly, Elena boarded with a graceful step that didn’t require an intervention.
Prince William followed, and the brothers hugged, smiling and clapping one another on the back as if it had been ages since they’d seen each other last.
It’s all for the cameras.