One Night with the Prince (16 page)

“Just let me take care of you.” He said softly. I sighed slightly annoyed but touched that he wanted to. I hated being taken care of, but I wasn’t going to argue right now.

“Let’s get to bed. I think this ‘sleepover’ has had enough surprises and accidents.” Zach said. Nobody argued and Zach climbed into bed with me. He was careful and spooned me from behind.

“What a day.” He sighed against my neck. I laughed sleepily.

“Yeah. And it’s only day one of my friends being here.” I said thoughtfully. He groaned.

Chapter twenty-one

Anna

The morning was uneventful much to Zach’s pleasure and Dem’s displeasure. I told Zach that I wanted this time with my friends and mom, but mom was still in her room and I admit I was slightly reluctant to go and see her.

So I asked Zach if just Danny, Missy, and I could go down to the beach I wanted to go so badly. He kissed my forehead and held me so I was facing him.

“I’d much rather go with you to make sure you’re safe…” He saw my face and sighed, “Alright, but please be careful and I’d appreciate it if you check in every hour.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes mother.” I replied sarcastically.

He laughed softly and kissed me gently, making my want to leave waiver, but I needed this alone time with my friends. I smiled up at him and grabbed my beach bag that the castle provided. It had my iPod, a towel, sunscreen, and some water bottles for when we get thirsty.

“See you later Zach.” I called behind my shoulder as Danny, Missy and I walked out the front door to one of the family’s many cars. Why they need so many I had no clue. But I got to choose and I chose a yellow bug convertible. It was so cute!

The driver was not very happy he had to drive around in a cutie car but when I saw it, well that was the car. The radio was all foreign stuff so I put on my iPod and switched to some Def Leppard.

“Oh Anna! You know me too well.” Danny grinned as ‘Pour some sugar on me’ played. Missy was laughing at us as we both started to do air guitar. It’s nearly impossible for you not to at least want to do air guitar while listening to this song!

“Love is like a bomb! Baby come on get it on! Livin like a lover with a radar phone!” We screamed. I could see the driver was trying not to smile but failing. After a few more songs we made it to the beach. And holy moley it was beautiful!

“Wow.” Missy sighed as we all stared at the clear blue waters ahead of us. The sand was white and various swaying palm trees due to the slight breeze provided shade. This place screamed paradise.

“Well? What are we waiting for?!” I laughed as I dumped my bag down and while running towards the shore. I stripped my over dress off and ran to the awaiting waters. I heard Missy and Dem running behind me as I dived into the water. I was happy I decided I didn’t have to wear the sling, and other than a slight ache, my shoulder was fine.

The water was warm yet cool, and felt amazing! I came up to see Missy and Dem splashing each other.

“Isn’t this amazing!?” I grinned with my hands in the air.

“It’s incredible!” Danny beamed back at me. He was wearing some white and blue board shorts while Missy was wearing a deep red bikini, and I chose green. It was quiet for a moment. Well besides the other people on the beach, but we just enjoyed the silence for a moment well until, “So have you and the hottie prince done it yet?” Danny asked.

I rolled my eyes.

“No we have not. I’m not in love with him, and I’m still weary on the whole subject. Plus you know I want to wait for marriage. Do I care about him; a whole freakin lot. But guys! I can’t help run an entire country!” I scowled at the ocean floor as the water was up to our shoulders. Missy sighed.

“Anna, nobody expects you to run a country. Of course they’ll probably train you, but just forget about the whole title stuff for a moment. Would you let yourself fall in love with Zachias if he wasn’t a prince?” She questioned.

I thought for a moment.
Could I really?
We live in different countries, but he makes my heart sputter every time he’s near, and it hurts like no other to think of me leaving him.

“I think-I think I may already be,” I gulped, “in love with him.” I choked out as I thought about it. He is the only one who can jumble my thoughts with only a touch, or make my stomach flutter when he smiles at me.

I started to hyperventilate.

“Guys! No! I-I can’t! N-No!” I breathed out. Danny and Missy immediately came to my side and dragged me back to shore. They set me down in the sand, and Missy patted my back.

“Honey? Calm down. It’s okay-”

I cut her off.

“No! It’s not okay! We’re going to get married and then he’s going to leave me for some cheap young girl!” I cried out. Danny and Missy looked at me with a soft expression.

“Sweetie, yes that happened to your mom and dad, but it’s not going to happen to you and Zachias. I see the way he looks at you. He’s crazy about you, and he would never do that. You have something special with him, so don’t throw it away for some stupid fear that developed because of your dead beat dad.” Missy said as she stroked my hair. Danny rubbed my arms.

“She’s right you know. Stop worrying about all the technical stuff like living in different countries and what not. Love isn’t about the technical stuff. It’s about feeling and action. When Missy and I arrived here we could see something different about you. You had this glow, and it was only around when Zachias was around.” We heard a voice from behind us.

“They’re both right.” We turned to see my mom standing there with an unreadable expression, “Guys? Can I have a moment alone with Anna?” They nodded and got up to go back in the water to give us privacy. She sat down next to me and sighed.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. The queen came to my room last night, oh and by the way shouldn’t you have your sling on Nala?” She questioned. I gave her a sheepish smile.

“Uh…what were you saying?” I asked. She chuckled and shook her head. What? That stupid sling was getting in my way!

“The queen explained to me the effect you’re having on her son, and how just seeing you two together you’d have to be blind to miss it. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, she’s right.” I gave her a confused face.

“Why don’t you want to admit it?” I asked.

She laughed and poked my side.

“You’re my little girl silly. I know you’re growing up but when I saw how you both looked at each other, even when you were unconscious of yourself doing it, it made me feel like I was losing you.” She explained.

I could feel myself tearing up and I hugged her.

“Mom. You will never lose me! You’re one of my best friends!” I said to reassure her. She smiled a watery smile and kissed my temple.

“Okay sweetie. Well I overheard what you were saying to Danny and Missy…” We both looked to the water where Danny was throwing Missy in the air so she could make a big splash. We both laughed at them, and mom continued,

“Anna, you should never compare your relationship with what happened to your father and I. Every relationship is different, and yes your father and I didn’t work out, but that doesn’t mean Zachias and you won’t.” She reasoned.

I stared at the water for a short while.

“I love him mom. But what if this is all for nothing? He still has to spend his nights with other girls. Other girls who can steal him away from me.” I ranted. She stroked my hair.

“For one, no one can ever be stolen away from you like that. They have to be willing. And the way you two act around each other, I’d say he would fight like hell to stay with you, and two don’t worry about the other girls. They’ve got nothing on you.” She playfully pushed my side gently.

“But don’t you think this is all so fast?” I asked curiously.

“Every person is different. I know when you hear ‘love at first sight’ you probably think it doesn’t exists, but it does honey. Very few people experience it, but it happens. And sweetie? You can’t expect for him to love you with all his heart, if you don’t do the same. So don’t hold back.” She finished.

I looked at her and then leaned my head on her shoulder.

“Thank you mom. I wish you didn’t have to leave at the end of this week.” I sighed. She patted my head.

“I know Nala. But I talked to the queen and she said the ‘competition’ will be over in time for you to come home and graduate. Speaking of which I had arranged for your homework to be sent to you by email.” She said.

“What?! I don’t need to do any stinking homework! I already have all the credits I need!” I cried out. She poked my nose.

“But you still need to do the work.” I rolled my eyes. Mothers. Can’t live with them, and can’t live without them.

Then she squealed and tackled me. “Oh! My baby is in love!”

I laughed at her, and kissed her cheek sloppily. She laughed and wiped off her cheek. I stuck my tongue out at her and smiled.

Danny and Missy came running up smiling.

“I take it the heaviness part of the talk is done?” Danny asked. I laughed and nodded. They plopped themselves beside mom and I and we chatted for a while just soaking up sun’s rays. I lied down on the beach towel that I put down earlier.

My mom hopped up.

“Well kids, I will leave you three alone for now. I promised Lillian that I would have a drink with her back at the castle. We hit it off pretty well last night so talk to you later.” She hugged us goodbye, and I lied back down.

“Red. You’re going to be red if you don’t get out of the sun soon.” Danny chuckled. I rolled my eyes and sat up.

“Well what should we do?” I asked while putting more sunscreen on. I usually burned really bad, and have to reapply sunscreen over and over again otherwise I’d look redder than a tomato.

“How about we just walk around? You know explore?” He offered.

“Like Dora?!” I asked excitedly. Missy laughed at me.

“Yes Anna like Dora.” We stood up and began to walk aimlessly around the beach. Guys kept staring at Missy and I, but we ignored them.

“So…you and Dem huh?” I asked. She blushed and looked away,

“Maybe. I don’t know! He makes me crazy!” She huffed.

I laughed at her. “Dem is crazy while you’re soft spoken and shy…you’re perfect for each other!” I grinned. She smiled a little and I could see a spark in her eyes whenever I mentioned Dem’s name.

“Dem and Missy sitting in a tree!” Danny sang loudly, getting the attention of other beach goers.

“K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” I sang along, screaming at the top of my lungs. She turned bright red and glared at us.

“Shut up!” She hissed under her breath. We laughed at her and I hugged her tightly, Danny joined us. We probably looked like crazy people but we didn’t care. We just continued to horse around.

“I don’t know why you’re ragging on just me Anna. Danny here has a new guy in his life as well.” Missy smiled mischievously at Danny who glared at her. I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh yes! Okay Danny boy…you want to explain to me why you were playing tonsil hockey with Cade, a guy you had just met?” I say sternly. He blushed and chuckled nervously.

“What can I say? I don’t beat around the bush when I see something I want.” He shrugged.

I shook my head at him.

“You are so boy crazy!” I laugh teasingly.

He mocks hurt and puts a hand to his heart.

“I resent that! I am not boy crazy! I prefer the term sexually rambunctious!” He defends. Missy and I laugh at him, bumping hips with each other.

Danny shook his head at us.

“I feel so abused.” He muttered.

I scoff and hit his arm.

“There, now you can call it abuse you twit!” I giggle and Missy gives me a high five.

“That’s it!” He growls and picks me up so I’m over his shoulder. I scream as he spins us around. I hit his back.