16. Amelia
CHAPTER 16
AMELIA
The wind beating against my body as we drive up the coastal highway feels better than I ever imagined it would. In my previous life, I never would have thought I’d enjoy this. I tighten my arms around his waist, holding on—not because I’m scared—just because I want to be closer to this man. My man, who makes my heart flutter. However, I’m beginning to realize I like doing most of what Tristan likes doing. It’s almost as if he knows me better than I seem to have known myself, my entire life. He gears the bike down, tilting his head back.
“There’s a lookout point up ahead, we’ll stop for a few minutes, if that’s okay with you.”
“Okay,” I agree, yelling over the sound of the engine.
We’re going the opposite direction of the first time we went for a ride, and I kind of like this route a bit more. As we ride along the ridge line, I can see more of the ocean because of the higher elevation. The farther we get from the house, the water is slightly choppier. It looks like we may be in for a stormy afternoon, which isn’t unusual for this time of year. Getting to the lookout point he pulls us to the side and parks the bike. There’s only one other car there, so I feel safe enough to take the helmet off, as does he. It’s cold enough so that I can see my breath, but with the amount of clothing I wear to keep me safe, I’m plenty warm.
“You want to take a look?” Tristan asks as he gets off and then puts his hand out to help me.
“Yeah, I’d love to.”
We hang our helmets and he grabs my hand again. “There’s a little food hut down the path here, along with a picnic area. It will be cold, but we can take a break before we head back.”
“Sounds great to me.” I hold his hand tightly as we take the rock steps, getting closer to the ocean. I can hear it louder as we descend. “I’ve never known these parts of our country before,” I admit as we get down to where the packed sand makes it easier for us to walk.
“I have to admit, I like this being my own personal playground.” He grins as he puts his arm around my neck. “If the rest of our country knew about how beautiful this little spot on the map is, it wouldn’t be a safe place for us to come. There are hidden treasures in plain sight everywhere. It only depends on how closely we want to look.”
The bright passion is right there in his eyes, and I wonder if he’s talking about this spot of land, or me. I don’t want to break the spell, so I search for something less serious to say.
“Then let’s keep it just between us,” I joke, causing him to laugh.
Walking up to the food hut, we peruse the menu posted on the side of the weathered building. I’m a woman who likes her food, and many of the dishes written on the side sound amazingly good. At the same time, I’m also aware that I have to wear a dress—two actually—very soon.
“Mr. Tristan.” The young girl running the register smiles brightly at him. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s a teenager and totally smitten with the man I’m about to marry. “What are you doing today?”
“Hey, Cora.” He smiles back at her. “My bride-to-be and I are escaping from our duties today, and drove along the highway. We stopped here for some sustenance.”
“Oh my gosh!” She looks up at me. “It’s Amelia…”
“Hi.” I wave at her, a real smile spreading across my face. I’ve never met anyone who was so enchanted to meet me.
“I loved your engagement dress, and the way the two of you kissed at your photo call?” She puts her hands under her chin. It’s the dreamy way all young girls get when they think about love. “I want that so much, a boy who will kiss me and look at me the way Mr. Tristan looks at you.”
I’m laughing, not sure how to take the exuberance. “He does have a certain way he looks at me sometimes.” I cut my eyes over at him, allowing my gaze to eat up the man standing beside me.
Today he looks dangerous. His dark good looks, coupled with his black jeans and leather jacket. It doesn’t look like he’s shaved so far today either, and his hair is mussed because he’s had his helmet on. Those dark eyes of his move up and down my body—heating me up on this cool day.
“A woman as beautiful as she is?” He shakes his head as he leans into Cora. “I mean how can I not look at her?”
Cora squeals, and I’m pretty sure if this girl knew what it meant, her panties would have just dropped. Mine almost do.
“You’re my new favorite celebrity couple.” She claps, her face red with excitement and enthusiasm.
“Cora, ask them if they want to order.” An older woman gently nudges her from the kitchen area.
Tristan raises his hand in a wave. “Afternoon, Cass.”
“Afternoon to you too, sir. Thank you for stopping in.”
I can tell by the way she says the words, she does appreciate him taking the time to stop into their shop. More than likely word gets around after he leaves and they become popular for a time among the locals.
“Always do when I’m down here.”
He turns his attention back to Cora. “Can I get a fish sandwich?”
“And what about you, beautiful Amelia?” She smiles, showing dimples in her cheeks.
“I’ll have the seafood salad.”
Cora gives us our total and bottles of water. I watch, with amusement as he pulls bills out of his wallet to pay for the meal. He takes out cash, and I have to needle him a little. “No card today?”
“If I use a card, Parker can track it easily. I’m not ready to go back just yet.”
“I’m not either.”
We take a seat and for the first time, I notice Tristan is more pensive than normal. His gaze washes along the horizon, taking in the ocean. One of the things I’ve learned about him since we’ve been living together and engaged is that he seeks out the danger when he’s got tumultuous feelings, the same way he seeks out the ocean. He’s quieter than normal, and it unnerves me .
“Are you okay?” I reach out, grabbing his hand. “You know you can talk to me about anything.”
“I have a lot of hard decisions to make.” He licks his lips before taking a drink of his water. I sense he wants to say more, but he’s reluctant.
It’s cold out today, not as cold as it has been, but I don’t feel the cold in the shelter of sitting next to his body. Right now though, I want to shelter him. “Can you talk about them?”
Our food is delivered and we both dig in, but the conversation continues.
“There’s chatter in some of the international communities of our allies that there will be an attack soon. Haldonia has one of the world’s most elite militaries.” He takes a bite of his sandwich, chewing thoughtfully. “If this happens, which all signs are pointing to yes, we’ll be asked to activate our forces.”
“Are you serious?”
“Unfortunately, we’ve been notified within the past twenty-four hours. There’s a global response trying to stop it, but no one knows if we’ll be able to. If this attack happens, I’ll have to make the decision.”
“You won’t have to go, will you?” I know he was a part of our military since it’s required in our country for the males—no matter who you are.
“No.” He lets out a small laugh. “Being king prevents that, but if I were able, I would. I’d rejoin my unit and fight right along with them. They didn’t treat me like a king there, I was just one of the guys. It was important to me.”
“What unit were you in?”
I’m imagining him in a military uniform and I quite like it .
“Haldonia Air Force. I flew fighter jets.” He blushes when I gasp.
“Like Top Gun?”
The laugh he lets forth with is one I’ve wanted to hear for days. “No, not like Top Gun.”
“A girl has to ask.”
He sobers up, taking the last drink of his water and eating the last bite of his sandwich. “I’m telling you these things because I trust you, and if I’m preoccupied in the next few days, I don’t want you to think it’s you. You’re the only thing that will keep me sane while we wait and see what happens.”
He kisses my forehead before clearing his throat.
“It feels wrong, sitting here.” I push my salad away, grabbing his hand in mine again.
“It does, but that’s how it is. We wait.”
“Tristan, Amelia, I think it’s time you come home.”
We both stiffen as we hear Parker’s voice.
“Busted.” Tristan grimaces. “Well, my queen, are you ready to head back to our castle?”
I wrinkle my nose. “Not like it appears we have a choice, but just so you know. Wherever you go, I’ll always follow.”
As we trudge back up to where we left the bike, I know those words are the complete and honest truth.