Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Wynn
It was probably the best lunch I’d ever had. I had never been one to mind crowds all that much, but with the wide berth the prince’s security demanded everyone give us, it was as if we were in our own little cocoon. It was lovely, and the food was delicious.
Once we were back in the car, I thanked him.
“You’re welcome, and thank you as well. It’s not often I get to enjoy quiet time on these tours.”
I imagined it was hard being royalty, never mind the fact that he was going to be king someday. That kind of stress would grate on me.
“You should work out some ‘me time’ into your tour itinerary. It’s good for your mental health to leave yourself time for just you.”
He hummed, and when his gray eyes met mine it was as if I were ensnared in a trap: unable to move, not wanting to. If that hadn’t been enough to hold me in place, his next words were.
“I rather enjoy spending it with you, Wynn Carter.” He cocked his head. “Perhaps you’re good for my mental health, and I should work you into my tour itinerary instead.”
Did I just melt into the leather? Was I hearing things?
“Uhm…”
“Would you like that? Is it something you’d be willing to entertain?”
I released a rather embarrassing squawk-like laugh. “Me, entertain you?”
“It’s very hard to entertain me, Wynn, believe that. Yet with just your company, I’m enthralled.”
“Enthralled?” I snorted. “With me?”
“Indeed.”
“I’m a clumsy person with ADHD and low-key anxiety. I’m a project, Prince Julian.”
“I will admit I’m not a fan of one thing you do.”
I nodded. “See, and that list will grow, trust me.”
He barreled on as if I hadn’t spoken. “I don’t like you calling me Prince Julian.”
“Oh…are we on that Julian thing?”
The vehicle came to a stop, and I realized we were at The August. How’d he know I was staying here?
“Yes, I ask that in private you please call me Julian.” He leaned in closer and took my hand. “And I will be seeing you again in private.” His lips brushed against my knuckles in a butterfly kiss.
“I…uh.” I blinked and tried desperately to find my words. I mean, they were there—I was a journalist, for Christ’s sake. “Well, we will both be in Crellesia tomorrow, so uhhh…maybe.”
“And you’ll call me Julian.”
It wasn’t a question. “I will try.” My door opened then, and I remembered what I wanted to ask. “How’d you know this was where I was staying?”
He released my hand, sat back, and his expression was that of a smug predator knowing he’d caught his prey. “You’d be surprised what I know. See you soon, Wynn.”
I returned to my hotel room, still in a daze. I’d only just closed the door when there was a knock. Hannah and Mark were on the other side. She looked like a crazy person with wide-eyed excitement, and Mark seemed better but still a bit gray.
“Everything! I want to know everything.” Hannah practically wiped me out as she entered my room.
“Hey, Wynn, feel free to not tell us everything.” Mark walked in, more sedate.
“There’s not much to tell. I mean, it was a great lunch and…” Was I even allowed to speak of it?
“And?” Hannah made a circular motion with her hand.
“I don’t know what I’m allowed to say.”
She laughed. Mark sat in the chair in the corner, pinching the bridge of his nose to stave off what was likely a never-ending headache.
“Okay, so he’s going to Crellesia tomorrow, and he said we’d meet again…and he knew where I was staying. Weird, right?”
“Is it weird?” Mark asked. “He’s the heir apparent. Don’t you think security was going to do a background check on you, find out where you’re staying, things like that? Might even know about me and Han.”
I plopped onto the end of the bed, my mouth agape. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry.”
“Why? Pfft. He is pursuing you. You haven’t hunted him down.” Her eyes softened. “Wynn, are you put off by him? You can tell him no. Is the power exchange making it seem like you have no voice?”
Hannah was a therapist. We’d met at a conference about five years ago and while she could be nuts, she was also the most caring person I knew.
“No, he’s nice. Intense, but kind, respectful. It’s…” I shrugged. “It’s sort of nice being pursued.”
“Okay, if it gets to be too much, tell us, okay?”
“I will. Promise.”
My dreams that night were almost depraved. At one point, he had me bent over his throne and was fucking me with only his crown on. When I woke, my sheets were soaked in sweat and come. Thank God, I had my own room.
I washed and dressed, meeting Hannah and Mark in the lobby just as our car arrived to take us to the docks. The boat ride to Crellesia was an hour, and I welcomed the promise of sea air to wash away my inappropriate thoughts regarding a certain future king.
We ate on the boat, and halfway there I began to feel like myself.
The weather got warmer as we sailed toward Crellesia, and I felt lighter.
It was such an odd feeling of suffocation that dream had given me.
The want and need were there, but there was an underlying darkness present I couldn’t put my finger on.
“Oh, look!” Hannah pointed, and sure enough we could see land. “Ahh! I’m so excited.”
Crellesia was known as the island of culture.
It was full of museums, bookstores, and streets rich with history.
Originally it was where the royal family had resided most but through the years— like hundreds—the land had crumbled and become smaller.
So, they’d relocated to Lamdera. They still had a castle here, which I was sure was where Julian would be staying.
We exited the boat, got into the car, and drove to the hotel, my head on a swivel searching for Julian.
It was ridiculous—in reality, I knew that.
But I did it all the same. The Golden Rose was a beautiful hotel, smaller than The August, but it overlooked the ocean and the aroma of the seaside was calming.
As I put my clothes away, my mind wandered. Where was Julian? Would he find me? If I found him, would he be happy? Jesus, I was a mess.
“This isn’t a Disney movie, Wynn. No prince is going to sweep you off your feet.”
That fantasy safely tucked away, I went to see if Hannah and Mark wanted to go walk around.