The Sheik & the Princess Bride

“The good life,” she said with a smile. “I doubt anything is ever going to top this.”

She leaned on the balcony and stared down at the dark gardens. Slim shadows darted in and out of bushes. Cats, she thought grimly. No doubt out to kill. Why on earth would anyone think creatures like that were pet-worthy?

“What has you so concerned?” Jefri said as he came out of the darkness and moved next to her at the railing. “You are frowning.”

His unexpected appearance startled her, although not enough to make her duck back inside. She had a brief thought that she was in her nightgown, but then reminded herself that she’d been a lot more uncovered in her evening gown.

“There,” she said pointing toward the garden. “Cats.”

He chuckled. “I will protect you from any who attempt to attack you.” He glanced around. “Where is Muffin?”

“Sleeping. She needs her beauty sleep.”

“Tell me she does not have one of those black sleep masks.”

Billie laughed. “She doesn’t.”

“Good.”

He leaned against the railing, his shoulder close to her own.

“Did you enjoy your evening with us?” he asked.

“Very much so.” She glanced at him, taking in the dark slacks and the formal white shirt he’d unbuttoned. The tie was gone, as was the jacket, and he’d rolled his sleeves up to his elbows.

“I’ve never dined with royalty before,” she said. “I thought I’d be more nervous but everyone made me feel very comfortable.”

“I was concerned you thought there were too many questions.”

“Not at all. I thought everyone was interested and genuine rather than grilling me.”

“We are like other families?”

“Except for the prince thing.”

“So you were impressed.”

She smiled. “Not exactly.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Why not?”

“Come on. How impressed could I be by wealth and a title when we both know I could blow you out of the sky in thirty-eight seconds?”

“Good point. However, I could impress you in other ways.”

Oh, yeah, that was a serious possibility.

“I’m just the hired help,” she said instead, and did her best to act casually. “In a few months, I’ll be gone and you’ll rule your own skies.”

“Do you like that aspect of your job? Going from place to place?”

“Sometimes.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I enjoy seeing the world, but sometimes I wouldn’t mind having a permanent base of operations. The problem with that is I’ve yet to find a way to combine home and hearth with what I love to do.”

“The flying.”

“Exactly.”

“How did you learn to fly?” he asked.

“My dad had always taken me up with him. I was handling single engine planes by the time I was ten. My mom tried to hold me back, which worked until she died. Then there was no one telling my dad no. I worked my way up to jets pretty quickly.” She turned her head and smiled at him. “Having a mini air force in the family helped. What about you?”

“I have always loved flying. My father indulged me with lessons when I was twelve. I’m sure he thought it was something I would outgrow.”

“But you didn’t.”

“You’re right. The more I flew, the more I loved it. I wanted to join an air force, but we did not have one here in Bahania and no other country would allow me to train. They did not want the responsibility of a king’s son.”

“Huh. I never thought there would be discrimination against royalty.”

“You would be surprised.”

“Maybe, but don’t expect any sympathy.”

“I am not.” He turned so he faced her. “Your life has not been traditional.”

“I know. I’m glad for what I’ve experienced, but it hasn’t come free. I’m going to be thirty in a few years. I’d like to get married and start on the whole baby thing, but I don’t actually meet the kind of guys who would be interested in me.”

He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s the whole blow up in the sky thing. Most men don’t like it and compensate one of two ways. They get way too aggressive with me on the ground, or they ignore me. No one is ever just a guy.”

Although Jefri was making a good showing, she thought. If only he wasn’t a real prince.

“You are not making any sense,” he told her.

“Sense or not, what’s what is. The men I work with don’t see me as an available female.”

“Perhaps they are not willing to take on your brothers.”

Billie stared at him. “Excuse me?”

“Your brothers. Doyle warned me away from you this afternoon. After our flight.”

She heard the words, but she couldn’t believe them. “He what?”

“The message was extremely clear.”

“I…He…” She pressed her lips together and reached for a rational, coherent thought. “That lying, cheating, scummy pinhead,” she muttered.