Kitabı oku: «The Prince's Texas Bride», sayfa 3

Chapter Three

After a dinner of surprisingly tasty hamburger steak with grilled onions, mashed potatoes and fried okra, Alexi welcomed a walk along the beach. He and Kerry took a towel to sit upon and a flashlight to see their way to what she called “the seawall.”

“Your aunt and uncle are charming,” he said as they neared the busy thoroughfare that ran along the coastline. Several other couples, some young people and a few families were also out on foot tonight. When there was a lull in the automobile traffic, he could hear the waves breaking against the shore. The smell of saltwater coated the warm, humid air.

“They are wonderful people. It was their idea for the family to take up a collection and buy Marcy’s mother’s car. She went into an assisted-living facility in Alvin, which is just south of Houston. Since Aunt Marcy is in a wheelchair and needs a specially equipped van, they didn’t need an extra car.”

“I’m sure everyone will feel more confident now that you have a much newer car,” he commented, remembering their earlier conversation.

“Yes, but the funny thing is now that I’ve graduated, I’ll only be driving about four miles round trip.”

“That’s all the distance from your mother’s house to this Grayson Industries?” he asked as they crossed the street.

“Actually, I’m getting my own apartment. I’m moving in next week.” She turned to look at him, her face alight with joy. “You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to having my own place for the first time in my life. No sharing a bathroom. No being quiet because everyone else is sleeping. No one to steal my food from the refrigerator.”

Alexi laughed. “I know what you mean. My first flat in London was absolute heaven. I did all the typical bachelor things. My flat was messy, smelly and tastelessly decorated.”

Kerry laughed. He felt his own smile fading as he remembered other things about living on his own. Girlfriends, some attracted to his title, some hoping for an introduction to one of the British princes, some just looking for a good time. Easy sex, although not nearly as much as some might have assumed. He didn’t want to think that Kerry would have the equivalent experience. Boyfriends. Easy sex of any sort.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like the beach?”

He turned his attention back to the present and Kerry. Forcing a smile, he took her hand. “I adore the beach.”

“You’re slipping into your British accent again.”

“I know, but let me be myself for a while. I’ve been very good at playing Hank McCauley, if I do say so myself.” He pulled her aside as three people on in-line skates whizzed past. Kerry’s leg brushed his as their hips bumped briefly before she stepped away.

“Yes, you have.” She swung their linked hands while strolling along the sidewalk, apparently not as affected as he by their contact. “This seawall was built after a huge hurricane in 1900. The whole island was raised to keep it from ever being submerged again, and this seawall was built of concrete and rock to keep the water from washing away the shoreline.”

“Very impressive—both the history and your knowledge of the area.”

“My aunt and uncle are great history buffs. They have a book on Galveston you might find interesting, just in case you have trouble sleeping.”

“Good to know,” he said as they started down the steps that took them to the beach. He had an idea he would have trouble sleeping with Kerry so near, yet so far away. Ever since seeing the cozy bedroom she’d be occupying, he’d envisioned her stretched out on that small bed, an alluring smile lighting up her cute, freckled face.

The smell of the ocean was stronger here, the sand deep as they stepped off the wooden steps onto the beach. The sound of the waves was even and reassuring as he again took Kerry’s hand. Lamps from the seawall illuminated the area enough that they could see where they were walking. Other couples strolled closer to the water, where the sand was firm and wet. White foam on the waves gleamed silver in the artificial light.

“I suppose it’s not as wonderful as those Mediterranean beaches you’re used to.”

Alexi chuckled. “Actually, European beaches are almost all rocks. We have very little sand, especially something this fine and pale.”

“Really?”

“For truly wonderful beaches, we go to the Caribbean or Central or South America.”

“I’d love to travel someday,” she said wistfully. “I get two weeks of vacation a year, but I have to wait six months to take part of that. After five years, I get three weeks.”

“Sometimes shorter holidays can be very relaxing.”

“Yes. We have Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and then Labor Day coming up. Maybe I can plan a long weekend someplace fun. Corpus Christi or Las Vegas or New Orleans.”

He didn’t correct the impression she’d gotten from his use of “holiday.” In England, the word was used instead of the American “vacation.” But whatever Kerry called time off from work, he wondered if she would venture somewhere alone. Or would she have a boyfriend to accompany her on one of these upcoming weekends?

Perhaps he could fly over and take a holiday with her.

Perhaps their brief relationship didn’t have to end with him going back to Belegovia on Sunday. Unless, of course, he immediately became involved with someone else at the insistence of his father. Unless he became engaged to one of the European elite who had been selected for him.

“I love it here,” Kerry breathed, barely above a whisper. He had to lean close to catch her words over the rhythmic pounding of the surf. “The sound of the waves is so peaceful. Sometimes I just sit on the rocks,” she said, pointing to a man-made rocky pier that jutted into the surf, “and watch for hours.”

“I feel that way when I’m on a boat,” Alexi admitted. “Especially a sailboat. There’s nothing like the rocking motion of the water, the slap of the waves against the hull, to lull your brain into semiconscious bliss.”

“Exactly,” Kerry said softly, turning toward him. “I knew you’d understand.”

She wants you to kiss her. The knowledge was so certain that for a moment, Alexi thought someone had spoken the words into his brain. But he was only reacting to Kerry. Her wide eyes and parted lips beckoned him.

Semiconscious bliss. That’s what he felt when he pulled her close, their bodies touching everywhere. His brain shut down, giving over to sensations. Her rapid breathing. Her small, shapely breasts brushing his rib cage. Her thighs nestling against his.

He looked into her luminous eyes until he lowered his head. She tasted like the orange sherbet he’d eaten for dessert—sweet and tangy, just like Kerry. Then he lost himself when she parted her lips and her tongue touched his. His hands tightened against her back, pulling her closer. She met his passion with equal enthusiasm, kissing him thoroughly until neither could breathe.

They broke together and sucked in air, still clinging tightly. Her breath tickled hot against his chest as his hands moved restlessly over her back. He longed to reach lower, cup her bottom in his hands and pull her higher, until she wrapped her legs around his waist, but he didn’t dare. Not in public. Not yet.

But the urge was there, stronger than ever. They had two days, possibly three, before they each began new lives. Could that be enough for either of them?

AS KERRY FIDGETED restlessly in the guest bedroom, she couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss. Wow. Alexi might look like Hank, but the two men were worlds apart. She’d never reacted to her former boyfriend like she did to this prince. The chemistry was just so…intense. Different. She didn’t know why, but Alexi brought out a side of her she’d only slightly explored. Sure, she and Hank had kissed a couple of times, but there hadn’t been any sparks.

Now she felt like a Fourth of July firecracker waiting for the match to strike.

Rolling onto her back, she stared at the ceiling. When she was a child, she used to imagine she could see the shapes of animals in the plaster of this bedroom. Directly above the bed was a lion’s head. Near the window was a flying bird. And beside the closet door was a lamb. She’d indulged her fantasies by making up stories of why they were here, what they were doing. Especially at night. The animals romped around a lot at night.

Now she had more grown-up fantasies. Of romping on the beach with Alexi. Of falling to the cool sand with him. Of making love to him as the waves surged around them. Her girlhood fantasies were as tame as that lamb, but she was really a lion as an adult. Especially when she imagined raking her fingernails down his back as she pulled him closer, closer…

Sighing, she flopped onto her stomach and hugged a pillow. She’d thought earlier that Alexi might be her reward for years of hard work. For studying during her work breaks, for staying home when her friends were going away for the weekend, for helping her mother and sisters instead of partying.

She’d been a good girl—with just a couple of unremarkable lapses—and now she wanted it all. Her freedom, her career and her prince.

Except he wasn’t her prince. He was going to marry someone from European royalty or at least blue blood. Someone his father would approve as the future queen of their beloved country.

But while he was in Texas, he was hers. She didn’t have to use her imagination very much to indulge that fantasy.

ON THURSDAY they ate a hearty breakfast of pancakes and sausage with Aunt Marcy and Uncle Bob, then headed out for a tour of the island around ten o’clock. Kerry thought Alexi might enjoy the Victorian sights, since he’d grown up in such historical settings. England was steeped in tradition, and Belegovia probably had one of those old, drafty castles. A few of the houses in the historical district were made of stone and looked like castles.

“Where should we go first?” Kerry asked, driving her new car. Actually, the Saturn was three years old, but it still smelled new. Aunt Marcy’s mother had never so much as nibbled a French fry inside this sedan.

“Have you gone on any of the tours or visited any of these sights? I’d like for you to see something new.”

Oh, I like what I’m seeing right now, she wanted to say, but kept quiet as she negotiated the narrow streets of the residential section. “Let’s go to the Bishop’s Palace.” The huge mansion looked like a castle. “I’ve never toured that house and it’s supposed to be spectacular.”

Galveston wasn’t that large, and within a few minutes they arrived at the huge red stone mansion. A new tour wasn’t starting for ten minutes, but after Alexi offered a substantial contribution to the historical society that operated Bishop’s Palace, a private tour was offered.

He looked perfectly comfortable in his “Hank clothes,” walking beside the middle-aged tour guide, making the woman blush and stammer with his compliments and charm. Kerry watched it and smiled, thinking she’d created a monster by encouraging him to use a Texas accent and swagger like a cowboy. While Alexi appeared every inch a prince, Alexi as Hank could charm the spines off a cactus.

After the tour they drove to the Strand, which had a unique Victorian waterfront charm. There was one really nice hotel with a restaurant, but Alexi opted for soft drinks, burgers and fries they could eat outside, to take advantage of the warm weather. Since the tourist season hadn’t started yet, they had the small patio to themselves.

The Strand was only a block from the piers. The smell of saltwater mingled with city odors such as exhaust and food, but the mix wasn’t unpleasant.

“This trip was just what I needed,” he announced as he polished off his burger—very neatly, Kerry noticed as she struggled with her second paper napkin. He’d lapsed into his “prince” mode, but she didn’t remind him since they were alone.

“What were you expecting when you hopped into my car?” she asked. After spending all day with him yesterday, kissed him on the beach, then spent most of the night fantasizing about him, she felt comfortable asking the question. Although she never forgot he was a prince, he seemed much more of an ordinary person.

An ordinary person with excellent manners and lots of money, charm, good looks, etc.

“The wonderful thing about my impulsive action is that I didn’t have any expectations. Oh, I wanted very much to get to know you. And, I must admit, I wanted to tweak Gwendolyn’s nose just a bit to make up for her scheduling of the public appearances in San Antonio. But as for what we’d see and do, I had no idea.” He spread his arms and smiled. “I was perfectly willing to leave myself in your hands.”

Kerry smiled. “I could have been a crazy woman. Or someone who’d go to the tabloids with the story. Or any number of other unpleasant possibilities.”

He shook his head. “I knew you weren’t. I’m an excellent judge of character and I trust my instincts.”

“So you’re not…disappointed?”

“Not at all! Why would you think such a thing?”

“I don’t know. I thought maybe you were expecting a woman who was a little more…demonstrative.”

He appeared confused, so she forged ahead. “You know, affectionate.”

“I find you very affectionate. You are especially loving with your aunt and uncle, which is a charming quality.”

“No, I meant with you. Someone who would jump in the sack with you because you’re a prince.”

He appeared genuinely surprised. “Don’t be silly. That wasn’t what I expected at all.” His expression softened, and he leaned closer. “Although if you get the urge, by all means, I’ll cooperate fully.”

Kerry laughed, knowing he was joking…sort of. “I’m not a prude, but I don’t…I mean, I’m not into one-night stands.”

“I never thought you were, Kerry Lynn Jacks,” he said, covering her hand with his. “You are delightfully honest and refreshing. I’m having a wonderful time, although I do rather miss the king-size beds in those nice hotels.”

“I’m sorry about that. If you’d rather, I can tell Aunt Marcy and Uncle Bob that you have an old rodeo injury and need a firmer mattress. They’d understand if you want to go to a hotel.”

“No, I wouldn’t think of it. The couch bed is fine for tonight.”

“What else would you like to do while you’re in Texas? I have one more free day and a fairly new car to chauffeur you around.”

“Tell me, if I weren’t along, what would you want to do?” he asked, squeezing her hand slightly.

“Me? Well, I’m not sure. Probably just hang out at the beach, then head back home.”

“But if you could do anything, what would you like?”

She had to think about it for a minute. Sipping her soft drink, she stared out at the brick street lined with Victorian buildings. She’d always been drawn to old architecture, and one thing she’d wanted to do was stay in one of those beautiful, gingerbread houses built around or before the turn of the century.

“I suppose if this were my vacation and I had the time and money, I’d like to go to a bed-and-breakfast. One of those really nice ones with two or three stories and wide porches and lots of bric-a-brac, as my mother would say. With big trees and lacy curtains. There are a lot of them in East Texas.”

“Then that’s what we shall do,” he announced.

“Oh, but—”

“No, I insist. My treat. We’ll find a lovely bed-and-breakfast wherever you’d prefer. It will be my graduation present to you.”

“That sounds…wonderful.” But would they be staying in separate rooms, or would he want to find a place with a king-size bed that two could share?

LATER THAT NIGHT, after sightseeing, a dip in the Gulf—when Alexi learned that Kerry wore a modest one-piece instead of a bikini—and dinner at the family’s favorite restaurant, Gaido’s, they settled into the living room to watch the evening news. Kerry had stated earlier that she needed to check on the weather since they’d be driving tomorrow.

The idea to go to a bed-and-breakfast had been an impromptu one, but something Alexi felt was a great opportunity. While he enjoyed getting to know Kerry’s family, he longed for more time alone with her, where he could be himself. Where they could talk without fear of anyone discovering his deception. Where he could fantasize about coming back to Texas, or having her fly to Europe, so they could continue their relationship. He didn’t know where this attraction was going, but he wanted to find out.

He hoped they had enough time before he had to choose a bride. Once he was engaged, he wouldn’t dishonor his future wife or Kerry by having an affair.

“Would anyone like popcorn?” Bob asked.

Everyone groaned. “I couldn’t eat another bite,” Alexi stated, making sure he rubbed his stomach and put a little extra twang on the word bite.

Kerry grinned at him. “Me, either.”

Alexi felt perfectly relaxed in his role as “Mack,” although he still had to be careful when he spoke. Kerry usually found a way to remind him gently when he began to speak, which helped tremendously. Sometimes he forgot to be so “over the top” as Hank McCauley, but no one seemed to notice. As he’d heard somewhere, people saw what they expected to see; a man dressed in boots, jeans and a Western shirt was a cowboy.

Not that he was a real cowboy, but he did feel differently than he had yesterday morning, before running away with Kerry. Perhaps the relaxed pace of life in Texas, perhaps the intimate homey atmosphere of the Jackses’ home. For whatever reason, he felt more attuned with his “softer side.” He’d never really known what that silly phrase meant until now. The tender feelings he rarely had time to acknowledge seemed to swell with each hour spent around Kerry and her relatives.

“Look, there’s a story about the prince who’s visiting Texas!” Marcy exclaimed. “I’ll bet Charlene is just about to wet…er, I mean she’d be jumping for joy to have some real, live royalty so near.”

Alexi tried to hide his amazement as he saw “himself” admire some animals at a zoo, then hold a baby and grin at the doctors at a hospital. Whoever was wearing his clothes was doing a damn fine job. Even the hair looked perfect.

“Prince Alexi of Belegovia made two appearances in San Antonio today,” the reporter stated, “charming the local residents. His spokesperson stated that the prince is suffering from laryngitis, but wouldn’t think of missing his public appearances.” A shot of Lady Gwendolyn at what appeared to be a press conference at the hospital, with “the prince” leaning close and whispering in her ear, gave a clue as to how she was pulling off this deception.

“Why, that prince looks just like you, Mack!” Bob stated.

“He sure does!” Marcy added.

“I’ve heard that everyone has a double,” Kerry said.

“Yes, but—” Marcy began.

“What an interesting story,” Kerry commented tightly, jumping up from the sofa. “Mack, would you like to take another walk along the beach?”

“Excellent idea,” he said, forgetting to use his Texas accent. Three pairs of eyes stared at him.

“Was my imitation of the foreign prince that bad?” Alexi asked with a grin.

Only someone who knew him relatively well would realize that smile was bogus. And so was his claim that he’d been imitating the prince. He’d forgotten to use his Texas accent, but to give him credit, he’d covered his blunder really well.

Uncle Bob laughed and Aunt Marcy smiled. “I don’t know if you sound like him or not. He has laryngitis, remember?”

“Right,” Alexi drawled. “Well, Kerry darlin’, are you ready for our walk on the beach?”

“I sure am.” She’d better get him out of the house before he drawled himself into another problem. She was also really interested to hear how and why his public-relations director had talked Hank into cooperating. Hank wasn’t easy to talk into things he didn’t want to do.

Kerry picked up her key from the side table, and Alexi took her hand as they walked out the front door.

“We’ll leave the light on for you two kids,” Uncle Bob called out.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Kerry turned to Alexi. “How did she talk Hank into impersonating you? That’s just not like him.”

“Lady Gwendolyn can be very persuasive. I must admit, I never thought she’d use your friend in my place. I assumed she’d simply cancel the events. As I said before, they were hardly major appearances. We were simply killing time until we heard whether we’d be going to Crawford or back to Belegovia.”

“Do you think she offered him money?”

Alexi shrugged. “Perhaps. You seem inordinately interested in your former boyfriend’s motives.”

“I am not! I’m just surprised. I mean, here I am with you in Galveston, and the newscasters say you’re in San Antonio. And darn it, Hank really looks like you!”

“Yes, he did. Compliments of Milos Anatole, my valet, and Lady Gwendolyn, no doubt. They can work wonders with anyone.”

“Hey, Hank is pretty cultured. He’s just not good with languages. No matter how much anyone worked with him, he couldn’t fake a British accent.”

“Few people could. Even professional actors use voice coaches, and they often work together for months.” He shrugged. “I can probably fake a Texas accent because I did live in the States for five years, plus I’m multilingual due to my upbringing.”

“What languages do you speak?”

“English, of course, French and Belegovian. I can speak Russian, but not fluently.”

“Why so many?”

“Belegovia is an old country with our own language, but due to the Soviet occupation, the language is dying. It was forbidden for nearly forty years—two generations. Most of the people now speak Russian, with some who also speak English and French. My father is taking the country into a multilingual society similar to Switzerland, which has three official languages.”

“Wow. I had no idea just deciding what to speak would be so difficult.”

“If you were to come to Belegovia,” he said casually, “you wouldn’t have trouble talking to most people. The people have embraced English since they appreciate the fact my grandfather and his family were given refuge there. We are also developing a tourist industry geared to English speakers.”

He grinned. “Besides, they’d love your Texas accent. They’d ask you all kinds of questions about your culture, mostly based on old television shows. The fact that you live in a rural area would intrigue them.”

“Great,” she said with a chuckle. “It’s good to know that Europeans think we’re all from the 1950’s Westerns or the 1980’s Dallas series.”

“J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing on a cattle drive,” Alexi quipped. “It boggles the mind.”

Kerry laughed and leaned toward him on the uneven sidewalk. He put his arm around her, supposedly to steady her, but left it there as they strolled down Seawall Boulevard.

“Maybe you’d better call Gwendolyn and let her know where you are,” she said. “She seemed really annoyed with you, and besides, we need to know what the plan is. I mean, how long can Hank go on being you? What if the president calls? He can’t meet the president, pretending to be you.”

“No, he can’t,” Alexi said with a sigh. “I suppose I will have to call sooner or later, but I’m not looking forward to hearing her lecture.”

“You sound like a very naughty little boy.”

“Really? Would you like to spank me?” he teased.

Kerry punched his arm. “Stop it. I’m trying to be serious.”

They walked down the wooden steps to the beach. The sound of the surf was stronger tonight. A storm was probably churning up the Gulf of Mexico.

“I don’t want to be serious,” Alexi said as he took her hand. “I want to be carefree, and that’s exactly how you make me feel.”

Kerry felt herself frown, but she hoped the darkness hid her expression. Her father had been carefree. He hadn’t wanted to be serious about his family, his responsibilities. And one day he’d simply loaded up his truck and driven off, leaving them wondering where he was, what he was doing and whether he’d ever come back.

Alexi had driven off from Lady Gwendolyn and his responsibilities. He hadn’t even called to tell her that he was fine! The poor woman was probably pulling her hair out right now, afraid that Hank would mess up and everyone would know that he wasn’t the prince.

Kerry had been nervous that her aunt and uncle would find out that Alexi wasn’t really her former boyfriend, but the repercussions were hardly serious. They’d never call a cheesy tabloid to tell them about the runaway prince. But if Hank were discovered, everyone would look bad.

Kerry suspected that the king would be especially angry.

How could Alexi do this to them? “I know you want to be carefree, but you do have responsibilities. Don’t you think you should at least call and tell the poor woman that you haven’t been abducted by aliens or murdered by a Texas chainsaw waitress?”

“My dear Kerry,” he said, pulling her into his arms, “I live for my responsibilities on a daily basis. I’m even going to marry one of the women my father has approved, just to provide my country with an heir and a spare. Please, don’t lecture me on duty. Please, don’t deny me this one short trip before I go back to my life.”

She hadn’t thought of his life that way. Perhaps he wasn’t running away, just temporarily retreating. “Is it really so awful?” she whispered against his chest, unable to stay upset with him when she could feel his heat and hear his heart beat beneath her ear.

“It’s wonderful, actually. I love the fact that we are doing something constructive for a nation that has been suppressed for so long. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be a simple, ordinary man every so often. That I can’t explore my attraction to a very lovely Texas lady.”