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Chapter 17
HENRYK
I was on the outside, looking in—not literally, because there no way I’d be able to watch without jumping in—and I didn’t like the feeling. At all. Not that it wasn’t a trend in my life. My entire existence since I was born was that of someone always looking in but never a part of the action.
But it was enough for now. I wanted it to be anyway, wished it was enough. I couldn’t hear them, thank God. They were in her room. Together. I was on the beach with Ray, sitting in loungers. We were watching the water roll onto the sand, and I was wishing I was in there with her. With them.
“What’s wrong with you?” Ray asked as he looked over at me, his beer poised for a sip.
“Nothing.”
He laughed and I rolled my eyes. I knew what was coming from him—some witty observation about my mood and the overallvibeI was projecting.
“Sounds like you’re trying to summon a dust storm with all that sighing.” He looked at me and smiled like he was Shakespeare, creating an image with his words.
“That’s the best you can do?” I groaned. “I just gave up the chance of a lifetime. I should be in there sowing my wild oats before I give up my life to God and country and a woman who would never dream of participating in a three—no,foursome. Or do you just want me to pass you a beer?”
He threw his head back and cackled with laughter. “Yes.” I reached down to get him a beer. “To all of it.”
When I handed him the bottle, he smiled and twisted off the top.
“You gave up the opportunity of a lifetime. You should be in there sowing your wild oats before you marry what’s her name. A woman, by the way, who is never going to let you bring anyone but her into your bedroom.” He lifted his glass. “And thank you for the beer.”
He was right. Of course, he was. He was always right, and it did me absolutely no fucking good. I would have much preferred he shut the hell up and let me lament my loss without his bits of commentary. Especially plagiarized commentary I spoon-fed him.
I sat silently, hoping the sound of the waves would lull me into peacefulness. I waited, but it didn’t work.
“You can head inside, Ray. I’ll be fine.”
I had the moon and the waves and a few more beers. There was even a light breeze.
He stood. “I know that you want to do what’s best for the monarchy and for Lichtenstein.”
I looked up at him and nodded because he was right. I absolutely wanted to do what was best for my country and my family. The problem was, I had no idea what that was or how to make it happen.
“Well, your highness, who says that marrying that girl is what’s best?”
And like Ray always did, he walked away. Disappeared into the hotel’s main floor then went to his room, which was somewhere else entirely.
He could’ve stayed with the rest of us. I would have preferred it, and of course, would have paid for any suite he wanted. But Ray had his own idea of what was appropriate for him. And according to him, a staff member staying in the suite with us was above and beyond.
I stayed out until the morning sun streaked the sky in ambers and oranges. Then I dragged myself off the beach with all my empty beer bottles and went to my room. I slept until Erin knocked on the door and came in to sit beside me on the bed.
I yawned and sat up, scrubbing my hands over my face. “Morning.”
“I missed you last night,” she said, then smiled and lifted my hand to thread her fingers with mine.
Erin was beautiful. Her eyes, the shine of her hair, the smile. She was also graceful and elegant. Kind and sincere. She was everything a woman should be and her body was just a bonus. I still couldn’t believe I’d passed up the chance to be with her, to see her thrashing and wriggling with passion.
“I can’t... Lichtenstein is counting on me.”
She scooted closer. “I didn’t invite Lichtenstein into my room last night. I invited you.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek then stood. “Come out and eat breakfast with us.”
I nodded as she walked to the door. “Erin, I wish I could’ve been there too.” But there was no going back now. No way to undo my no-show.
She walked out and shut the door behind her. I showered and dressed for the day even though all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and start another fantastic dream about Erin.
By the time I walked down to the common area and sat beside Silas at the table, breakfast had already been served. Erin had one foot up on her chair and she was tearing a bagel into pieces, while Viktor and Silas ate platefuls of eggs and bacon and even pancakes.
