Royal Affairs: His Princess of Convenience / Her Royal Wedding Wish / The Secret Princess

“My white purse on the dresser.”

He nodded. “I’ll be right back.” His excitement matched hers. They’d come to paradise and couldn’t wait to get out in it.

She walked toward the galley to thank the steward.

“It’s been my pleasure, Princess.”

Antonio caught up to her with her purse. The steward carried their cases to the entrance of the jet where their pilot was waiting. He shook his hand. “Thank you for a flawless flight.”

“It has been an honor for me to serve you and the princess. There’s a helicopter waiting to fly you to your private resort where every need will be met. In four days I’ll be here to fly you back to Halencia. Enjoy your honeymoon.”

She left the jet with Antonio following her and made her way to the helicopter. The pilot, an islander, greeted them warmly and explained they’d be flying to one of those dark green islands in the distance.

Christina sat in one of the backseats. The second Antonio joined her and buckled up, the rotors screamed to life and they lifted off, flying low over the aquamarine water. The pilot spoke to them over the mic.

“Welcome to Tahiti. The resort has heard that the future king and queen of Halencia are our guests. Word has come that you are much beloved, Princess. No one else will disturb your vacation, but you have a staff to wait on you. Ask for anything.”

“Thank you.”

When she looked back at Antonio, he was staring at her. “Do you know everyone who meets you is so charmed by you that you have them eating out of your hand? I noticed it as we were walking down the aisle after the ceremony. All eyes and smiles were focused on you.”

A blush seeped into her cheeks. “A bride is always the center of attention at a wedding. It’s the way of things.”

“But my bride is exceptional and loved by the people already. If I’m to gain any credibility with the country when I’m king, it will be because of you.”

“Thank you, but you don’t need to say things like that to me.”

“Yes, I do.” The sincerity in his voice convinced her.

Before she knew it, the pilot set down the helicopter on a stretch of the purest white beach she’d ever seen. Another man in shorts and T-shirt was there to take their bags.

“Welcome to Bora Bora, Your Highnesses. I’m Manu and will be serving you. If you want anything, it will be at your disposal. With the powerboat you can go where you wish to fish, scuba dive, hike. Anything you want.”

They shook his hand and followed him to their resort. It turned out to be a massive island bungalow of traditional Polynesian design with a vaulted ceiling situated on stilts over their private lagoon of turquoise water. As they walked inside, the living room looked like a sumptuous palace suite with windows on all sides and glass floors throughout to watch the fish.

There were windows on all sides and two different sundecks facing Bora Bora with platforms so they could step off directly into the lagoon.

Outside were oversize chairs and more glass floor panels. Manu showed them the dining room and kitchen with a refrigerator stocked with snacks and drinks. “There’s food here to enjoy inside or to make a picnic. The spacious bathroom has two tubs and walk-in showers.”

They followed him to the fabulous bedroom, also with a vaulted ceiling, where he put down their cases. Then he showed them out to one of the platforms. “The powerboat is ready and filled to capacity to take you where you want. Come with me to the other platform.”

They followed him. “You have your own two-seater kayak, snorkeling equipment, rubber rafts, whatever you want including towels and sunscreen. The lagoon water is eighty degrees and the nighttime temperature is the same.”

Warmer than a bathtub?

Christina marveled that everything you could ever want had been provided. She thanked Elena silently for taking her to buy some swimming suits.

“I’ll be the person waiting on you. Pick up the phone to order your food or when you need clothes washed or ironed. There’s one in the living room and another one in the bedroom. There’s no internet, no television. If there’s an emergency, you call me on the house phone and I’ll take care of it. Can I answer any questions?”

“Not right now.” Antonio shook his hand. “Thank you, Manu.”

After the islander disappeared, she looked around in wonder. “All of this just for us?” she murmured to her husband. “Only a king could afford to pay the resort enough money to keep the world away.”

He chuckled and turned to her. “What do you want to do first?”

“Let’s unpack and then go for a swim. That water is calling to me.”

* * *

Antonio couldn’t help but admit that this had to be the ultimate getaway. His parents had gone over-the-top on this one, but he’d promised Christina they’d enjoy this outrageous luxury and not count the cost.

It didn’t take long to put their things in closets and drawers. Then she disappeared in the bathroom. While she was out of sight he changed into his boxer-style black bathing trunks. Wanting to create a mood, he went into the living room and searched in the entertainment center for the radio.

When he turned it on, he got Tahitian music, exactly what he wanted. There was a switch that said Outside. He flipped it and suddenly they were surrounded with island music that no doubt could be heard out on the beach.

A smiling Christina came hurrying in wearing a lacy peach-colored beach robe over what looked like a darker peach bikini. Her gorgeous long legs took his breath away. “That’s such romantic music, I think I’m dreaming all this.”

“Fun, isn’t it? Let’s go try out the water.”

He opened the door that led to the platform off the living room. She leaned over the railing to look down at the water. “It’s clear as crystal.” When she reached the edge of the platform, she removed her beach coat and put it over the railing.

“Wait, Christina. You need some sunscreen or you’ll pick up a bad sunburn.”

“You’re right.”

“I’ll get it.” He went over to the basket and brought it to her. “I’ll put some on your back and shoulders.”

She turned her back toward him without hesitation. Her skin felt like satin and he loved rubbing the cream over her. The legitimate excuse to touch her made him wish he didn’t have to stop. Summoning all the self-control he could muster, he handed her the tube so she could do the rest herself.

“Thank you,” she said in a shaky voice. “Now it’s my turn to put some on you, although you’re already tanned.”

He longed to feel her hands on him. His pulse throbbed as he felt her spread the cream over his shoulders and back. After putting the tube on the railing, she jumped in the shallow water and shrieked with joy.

“Oh, Antonio— This is divine!” She splashed the water with her hands and laughed in delight before lying back while her legs did the work of keeping her afloat.

One look at her and he couldn’t reach her soon enough. Bathtub was right. The temperature here stayed around eighty day and night. He swam up next to her, infected by her sounds of excitement. With the Polynesian music filling the air, they were like children who’d discovered the fount of pure pleasure.

Together they moved out deeper into the blue lagoon. He swam under and around her. The glimpses of her exquisitely molded body set his heart pounding.

“Look at that darling little sea turtle!”

Spectacular as it was, he would rather look at her. As they trod water, they caught sight of other types of small fish including a clown fish with orange and white stripes. One discovery turned into another. They played and darted through the water for several hours, concocting silly games to identify the fish they saw. Her prowess as a swimmer was going to make this the adventure of a lifetime.

Since there was no one else around, Antonio felt as if they were the last two people on earth...or the first. Adam and Eve?

He loved the idea of it, loved being with her like this where her guard was down. Her sense of fun was already making this trip unforgettable. “What do you say we go back and drink something icy cold while we sunbathe on the lounge chairs?”

“That sounds perfect. I’ll race you back.”