Suddenly Royal
Page 41

“What do you think?” Rose asked.
“It’s beautiful. Certainly puts flying coach to shame.” I ran my fingers over the buttons on a panel next to my chair. “None of these will accidently open a door or flush the toilet, will they?”
“Don’t worry about the doors, but I’m not sure about the toilet.” Rose laughed.
“You can use your new phone to control the lights and call the attendant.” Alex looked at me over the paper he was holding. “Even turn on the television, if you want. There is a large selection of movies. The little icon at the bottom.”
“Oh.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the new phone. There was a text message, so I opened it quickly. There was a picture of Bert in my bed eating cookies, with crumbs everywhere. I laughed and pointed out I wasn’t the one who was going to have to clean it up. I showed the picture to Alex, who smiled.
“Will they come to visit you sometime?”
“I think they’re going to try to come this summer. I’m betting I’ll be back for a wedding soon too.” I smiled thinking about it. “I’m kinda relieved I won’t have to go dress shopping with Jess.” I shuddered.
“Isn’t that supposed to be one of the enjoyable parts?”
“Not for me.” I shook my head. “Jess would drag me to every store in the country to go dress shopping if she could. Of course, I’ll probably end up wearing a puke-green bridesmaid dress now.”
“How long have they been together?”
“Almost four years.” I sighed, remembering how Jess had hated Bert at first. “She thought he was a pompous putz; he thought she was a spoiled shopaholic. Love at first sight. Couldn’t keep their hands off each other.”
He laughed, amused by the obvious contradiction. “Sounds like a movie.”
“A book. Classic love story.” I laughed. “Very Jane Austen.”
“Do you read often?”
“Not as much as I’d like. Lately it’s been all journals and textbooks.” I looked around for Becca. “Actually, I brought my e-reader for the flight. Thought I might actually read something fun for a change.”
“And what kind of book will it be? Romance? Science fiction? Mystery?”
“Paranormal romance.” I sighed. “The Elemental Mystery series by Elizabeth Hunter. The last book came out a while ago and I haven’t had the time to read it yet.”
“So, vampires? Ghosts?” Alex smiled like this amused him.
“Hot, sexy vampires with a good helping of historical mystery. Perfection.” I leaned back in the chair when the engine started. Sarah came up the steps, followed by Becca and Duvall. Sarah took the seat across from Rose and Becca handed me my bag before moving to a couch in the back. A pair of guards came up the steps carrying one of my garment bags and carry-on. I sighed in relief. When the engine had started I’d worried I would have to meet the queen in my blue jeans. As it was I wasn’t sure how I was going to change into my dress in the plane.
“I wish I had been able to meet your father before we left,” Rose mentioned while going over her papers and I realized she was talking to me.
“You were very busy. Maybe you’ll get to in Lilaria.”
“That would be wonderful. Perhaps if he is feeling up to it, you could come out to my estate for dinner.”
“He would love that.” And he would. Getting to go to another country had seemed to excite him.
“Then we’ll set it up!” Rose smiled before turning back to her paperwork.
I fished through my bag for my e-reader and earbuds. I’d loaded the language CD so I could listen to it while I was reading or staring out the window. I really hoped some of it would stick.
Alex settled into his paperwork and I watched out the window as the workers cleared the plane for takeoff. It wasn’t long before we were in the air and I was watching my home disappear.
After a while I pulled my headset off and set down my book. Alex was sketching in a notepad and I’d been curious to see what he was working on. “So, you draw?”
“Some. Not much.” He looked at me over the pad of paper, his eyes thoughtful. “When something strikes me.”
“Can I see?” I leaned over the table and tried to peek at the paper.
“Hm. I don’t know.” He tilted the book away from me. “I’ll play you for it.”
“Play me for it?” I sat back in my seat. “Play what?”
“Don’t do it, Samantha. He never loses.” Rose didn’t look up from her paperwork.
“We’ll see.” I narrowed my eyes at him. He was smiling like he had already won. “What is it?”
“Well, wait a minute. If you win, you get to see my sketch. What do I get if I win?” He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling.
“I warned you.” Rose shook her head and stood up from her seat, stretching. “I think I’m going to try to nap for a while.” She moved back to one of the open benches and pressed a button. It slid out from the wall to make a small bed. I shook my head at the idea of a bed on a plane.
“Well? My prize?” Alex brought my attention back to him.
“What could you possibly want?” I had been thinking he had everything, but as soon as the words left my mouth I realized my mistake. His eyes flashed with triumph and his smile made my blood race.
“Oh, there are a lot of things I want.” His eyes ran over my face. “What are you willing to give?”