Box Set: Puppy and the Prince Read online

  He kissed me deeply. “Kate, I think I-”

  I held my finger to his lips. “Don’t say it. Please. Just know that I feel the same way too.” I looked at him desperately. “Come back to visit someday?”

  He nodded, and I turned my back before he could see the tears start again.

  There was a pause. “Goodbye Kate.” Then I heard him begin to walk toward the plane.

  Baxter sat down beside me, and began to howl.

  EPILOGUE

  So that was it. We’d had our last little fling. Now it was time for me to get over him, like he’d soon be over me.

  The engine started, a high pitched whine that began to slowly climb. I didn’t turn around. I didn’t want to see him go. It would make it real somehow—as if without seeing it, he might not actually leave.

  It was good that he was going, right? Good that I’d even had the small chance I’d been given? Good that we were leaving on friendly terms.

  They weren’t the terms I wanted. Somewhere between that first kiss and our last, our relationship had changed. Every night we’d spent together had taken me further down a path I’d thought was terrifying, but which in fact was wonderful, and now just made me hollow.

  My plan—of being friends, of long dog walks, of chaperoned dates in the park? That had only made it worse, propelling me head over heels faster than any bedroom trick could ever do. I’d grown to know the real Xander—discovering with pleasure how much joy his laughter brought me; how much more his company meant.

  No. I’d been lying to myself—fooling myself, this last month. Somewhere between that first kiss and our last, I had changed. And I’d never be the same, ever again.

  Baxter’s howl slowly changed to a growl. I looked down to see him backing away from me, lips curled, teeth bared. He was growling at me?

  He barked, then ran forward, nipping my ankle. Ow! “Baxter, what’s wrong?”

  He barked again, then looked from me, to the plane and back again. Xander had reached the bottom of the steps and paused. Baxter ran at me again, but this time I skipped out of the way; tears completely forgotten. “Baxter! What’s gotten into you?”

  He started barking at me, yipping furiously, and then sprinted across the tarmac toward the plane. “Baxter!” I yelled futilely. I started after him at a run.

  He reached the plane well before I did, zipping around Xander and up the stairs in a flash. At the top he turned, looking back at me, and began to bark once more.

  I reached Xander moments later. “I’m so sorry.”

  Xander was looking up at the dog, an expression of wonder on his face. “Don’t be.”

  “I’ll just get the little mutt, then I’ll be out of your way.” I pushed past Xander.

  His hand reached out suddenly, stopping me. “Don’t.”

  “I’m sorry?” I said, turning.

  “Don’t be out of my way.”

  I looked to Baxter, who had stopped barking, then back to Xander. “I don’t understand,” I said, eyes confused.

  His eyes were clear. “I do. Finally,” he said. “The moment I began walking to this plane, I knew something wasn’t right. But I couldn’t place it. I felt empty inside, like I’d suddenly lost half my soul. I felt like crying, and I didn’t know why.”

  He looked to Baxter once more. “And then your dog started barking, and I looked back to see him racing toward me. And I saw you following him. And suddenly, right there and then, I knew.”

  “What?” I asked. I still didn’t understand what he was talking about. All I knew was it felt good to be this close to him again, if only for a moment.

  “If I walked up those stairs alone, only half my soul would come with me.” His eyes looked deep into mine. “You own the other half.”

  I took a step back. He moved toward me once more. “I can’t get on that plane, not without you. I was a fool for not realizing it sooner.” He smiled softly. “Kate, I can’t stay here. I know I have no right to ask you this, but… will you come with me?”

  My hand went to my mouth. “Xander, I-”

  He seized me. “Say yes. Please. Say yes and we’ll work out all the details later.”

  “But you said before I couldn’t come. That things were complicated.”

  “We’ll uncomplicate them.”

  “I’ve got a job—I’ve got two jobs—and a house!”

  “I’m a prince. I’ll write you a permission slip.”

  “Well then what about… what about…” I was beginning to run out of protests. “What about Baxter? I can’t just leave him here!”

  He shook his head. “I wouldn’t want you to. Bring him with you.” Xander took my hands in his, and kissed them. “I know this is sudden. But this last month… I’ve never felt this way before. Together, we’re greater than our individual parts. My life—with all its fabulous wealth and privilege—felt only half lived until I met you.”

  He released my hands. “I hope you feel that way too. But I’ll understand if you don’t.” His hand grasped the staircase railing, then he kissed me and walked up the stairs.

  If I left with Xander I’d be giving up everything. My jobs. My apartment. My life. And all for what? A chance that might not work out? A fling? A relationship only one month old.

  Was I willing to do that?

  Baxter barked at me, impatient, then turned and followed Xander onto the plane. A portal two windows down began to fog up. A wet nose pressed against the glass.

  I nodded. Baxter was right. Everything important to me was already on that plane. It was time for me to join them.

  BOOK 3:

  The Puppy and the Queen

  Xander and Kate are headed to Alonia, determined to make their relationship work no-matter the odds. But the Queen has other plans for Xander. And they most definitely do not involve Kate.

  CHAPTER ONE

  From the air, Alonia was a scenic swath of white mountains and green valleys. From the ground it was even more beautiful; curving roads through big old forests, fields of bright flowers, and villages against a backdrop of mountains.

  “I can’t believe I’m actually here,” I murmured to myself. I pulled my little dog, Baxter, into my lap. “I actually did it.”

  Had it really only been yesterday? Who would have thought that a nurse with two jobs, a dog and not much else, would suddenly find herself on the other side of the world!

  The town we were driving through was straight from The Sound of Music—cobbled streets, beautiful white-washed buildings and flowerpots on every balcony. I kept expecting Julie Andrews to fling open a shutter and burst into song.

  Xander had a smile on his face. “It is nice to be home.” He took a deep breath. “Even the air smells different here.”

  I leaned out the window, displacing Baxter. He was right. The air was cooler, and smelled crisp and clean. I felt more alive breathing it in.

  Baxter wormed his way in front of me once more, opening his mouth to the wind. I stroked the spot behind his ears that he liked so much. He’d been my constant companion ever since I’d found him as a puppy at the pound. I’d begun to think he would be the only man I could ever trust in my life.

  And then Xander had come along. Xander, with his beautiful blue eyes and dark heavy lashes. Xander, the man who had stolen my heart. Xander, the prince.

  Prince. Back home, that had been an abstract concept, good for tickets to the opera and disbelieving looks from my friends. But here? “So you’ve really got a castle.”

  He laughed. “For the hundredth time, yes. You’ll see one of them shortly.”

  “And your mother’s name is Maria.”

  “Yes. Though remember it’s Your Majesty until she tells you otherwise.”

  My face went pale. “Merde,” I said, whispering the French swearword Xander had taught me.

  “It’s no big deal. My mother is lovely.”

  That wasn’t what he’d said the first time he’d told me about her. Before he invited me to join him. My chest tightened. “Does
she even know I’m coming?”

  Xander shifted uncomfortably.

  I stared at him, wide eyed. “So I’m just going to rock up unannounced? What do I do? Curtsy? What the firetruck are we going to talk about?” I looked down at what I was wearing, then groaned. “And I’m in my travel clothes! I must look horrible. I’ve got bags under my eyes and I haven’t had a shower or washed my hair and-”

  “Stop.” Xander took my hand, forcing me to look at him. “Calm down. My mother does know you’re coming. And you look beautiful.”

  “Then what was that look, before?” I asked. I pointed as a frown flitted across his face. “That look right there!”

  “She’s… unsure of you, that’s all. You don’t fit into her plans.”

  “And what are those plans?” I asked suspiciously. Xander had hinted at problems many times before. But he always seemed to avoid explaining himself.

  “You have to understand, many women in the past have sought my money and title. It’s something my mother warned me about even when I was very young.”

  “That’s not an answer,” I said. “What plans?”

  “It doesn’t matter now. It’s not important.”

  “Xander Grenouille. Stop avoiding the question.”

  He shook his head. “It’s not important. You don’t need to know.”

  “And why not?” I demanded. “It sounds like I do.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t. Because it’s not going to happen.”

  “Oh, and why is that?”

  He looked at me. “Because I love you.”

  My mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. Xander loved me. I knew I should press the question, but… Xander loved me!

  He’d never actually told me that. He’d said other things—done other things—that showed it. But he’d never said those three little words.

  Xander loved me. My eyes softened. When he said things like that, nothing else mattered. My whole world might tumble and turn around me, but as long as Xander was holding my hand, I could never get hurt.

  He smiled, and then pointed out the window. “We’re almost here. Look.”

  I blinked, but did as he directed. We’d left the town behind, the road curving to the right of a large lake. “I don’t see-”

  I broke off suddenly as Baxter shifted at the window, revealing a castle on a large hill directly in front of our vehicle. I gasped. It was beautiful, with soft cream walls and black tiled roofs, and soaring arches straight out of a Disney movie. Pennants flapped on turrets at each corner; a larger red and black flag flew high from a central spire. “That’s your home?”

  Xander smiled. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  I nodded, eyes wide. It covered the entire top of the hill; a long, winding road leading from the town at its base to a portcullis in the outer wall.

  “Tell me again why I’m doing this?” I asked, the nerves from before making a reappearance.

  Xander reached across to grasp my hand. “Because I can’t live without you.”

  “Will your mother be waiting for us?”

  He shook his head. “She’s away today. It’s just us and 147 servants.”

  We reached the portcullis and proceeded to a small circular driveway inside. Several staff in black and red livery waited patiently in a line at its apex.

  The door opened.

  The staff snapped to attention.

  “Welcome home Prince Alexander.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  A fluffy cloud licked my face.

  I grumbled, swatting at it. It licked me again and I cracked an eyelid—a black nose filled my vision. “Okay, okay. I’m up!” I inched myself up on the huge bed, pushing Baxter away. “You’re seriously the most annoying dog ever, you know that right?”

  Baxter cocked his head at me. I opened my arms and he bounded into them with an energetic bark. “Yeah, you’d better apologize.”

  I’d slept so well last night; a combination of jet lag and the most glorious bed I’d ever fallen into. I’d been asleep by the time I’d sunk to the bottom of its duck down depths.

  I looked around blearily for Xander before remembering we had separate rooms. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. It was a respect thing—it was technically his mother’s house—but I’d been so looking forward to sleeping beside him! Well, that and other things.

  A soft knock sounded at the door. Baxter barked, and Xander’s head appeared at the frame. “Good morning, how did you sleep?” Baxter leapt from the bed, trotting toward him. Xander stooped down to tussle his head.

  I smiled sleepily. “Well, though I missed you.” Then I gave a puzzled frown. “You know, I never realized Alexander was your full name?”

  He moved into the room, then sat on the edge of my bed. “What do you mean?”

  I shrugged. “I tried googling you when we first met. I couldn’t find a thing! I guess I never thought that Xander would be short for something longer.”

  His fingers ran gently through the tangles of my hair, massaging my scalp. “You’re funny. In a cute way, of course.”

  I felt a small thump as Baxter leapt back onto the bed, then padded across to settle in Xander’s lap. The dog nudged him with his nose, and Xander began to stroke him.

  I eyed the dog, peeved at my stolen massage. “You know he’s just doing that for attention, don’t you?”

  “What?”

  “Sitting in your lap. He only did it because he was jealous you were talking to me.”

  “Really?” Xander asked. His hands stilled on the dog and a cheeky grin crept slowly to his face. “Then what would happen if I did this?”

  He leaned down and kissed me gently on my lips.

  I closed my eyes, drinking in his scent—the smell of coffee, and a cologne that I didn’t recognize, but liked. The kiss lingered. My hands went to his head. Our lips began moving more urgently. Warmth began to flicker between my legs.

  Suddenly a wet nose wormed its way between our bodies. It licked us both across our chins and I recoiled, wiping the slobber away with a grimace. “See?”

  Xander was eyeing Baxter. “After all the things I do for you, this is how you betray me?” He picked the puppy up. “Well I’ve got news for you my little friend. You’re about to go outside.”

  I laughed, but held his arm. “Let him stay, there’ll be time for what you’ve got in mind later. Right now I should really get some breakfast.”

  * * *

  Someone had done a fabulous job filling the wardrobe for me—everything from designer cocktail dresses to casual tees. Although I did eye the multiple drawers of lacy underwear with suspicion—some of the choices seemed more for Xander’s enjoyment than mine. I chased him out of the room to get changed, and then we made our way to breakfast.

  I wasn’t sure what I’d expected of the kitchen—certainly something larger than what my own tiny apartment offered. But this… this was an actual kitchen. The space was larger than my entire apartment. And it was bustling with activity.

  Steam billowed along the roof and a series of ovens took up one entire wall, humming merrily with what looked like roasts inside. Racks of savory muffins wafted delicious scents in my direction, making my mouth water. Pans sizzled, dishes clinked and everywhere, busy staff bustled; chopping, slicing and dicing. One turned toward us. “Bonjour Monsieur!”

  A chorus of hellos went round the room as staff looked up from their duties. “Bonjour Monsieur!”

  “Bonjour Monsieur!”

  “Bonjour Monsieur!”

  Xander answered each greeting with a hello. “Bonjour Charlotta. Bonjour Karl. Bonjour Heidi— comment va ton bébé?” He spoke easily to them, calling each one by name. “Don’t mind us—we’re just taking a quick breakfast.”

  A heavy-set cook bustled toward me, holding two plates. “Que voulez-vous manger?”

  I frowned. “I’m sorry, do you speak English?”

  “Of course madam,” she said, switching fluidly. She had only the slightest accent. “I was
asking what you would like to eat.”

  “Oh. That’s very kind. And please, call me Kate.” I bit my lip. “It was Heidi, right? Um, would it be possible to have one of those amazing smelling muffins?”

  She broke into a grin. “I baked them myself—cheddar, bacon and sweetcorn.” Then she winked at me. “Tell you what, I’ll give you two.” She proceeded to heap three on my plate.

  We sat at a table in the corner of the kitchen and I broke one apart, smearing it with freshly churned butter. Flavor exploded through my mouth when I bit into it. “OMG. these are amazing!”

  Xander frowned. “OMG?”

  “Sorry—it’s a bad habit. It means Oh My Gosh, it’s an expression of amazement. The juniors at work say it.”

  After the muffins I had hot, thick slices of roast lamb with rosemary and mint sauce, and Heidi whipped me up several eggs as well. She served them on thick potato pancakes with bacon, onion and cheese, which she called Rosti. I bit into it with relish. It was crisp on the outside and soft and melting inside, and immediately begged for seconds.

  * * *

  We collected Baxter after breakfast—the little dog ran through the hallways in excitement, snuffling at the myriad strange smells all around while Xander gave me a tour.

  The castle, he explained, was built in the 1400’s by his great, great, great grandfather many times removed. Cannons on top of each outer wall had originally provided protection for villages in the area but were now purely ornamental. An open area at the castle’s heart was still used for parades and outdoor ceremonies today.

  Over time, successive generations had added their own touches to the castle; expanding the walls, making it more comfortable, adding buildings and turrets. At the back of the castle, a beautiful terraced garden flowed from the crest of the hill down to the massive outer wall at its base. He’d explained that generations of princes had courted many a giggling woman there, and then winked at me—telling me he would take me there later.