Chapter 18

eighteen

ALEXANDER

Los Angeles, California

United States of America

" W elcome to Hollywood," Anda greeted them as they arrived at the massive house where they were all staying. "Hope you like it here. Security-wise, it was the best we could find for rent near L.A."

Alex greeted them both, then looked up at the house, the bright sky, and the surrounding view before heading inside the calm and cool mansion.

By the look of joy on her face, Rebecca was loving it. "It's wonderful. Is it far to Montecito? I've spoken to our friends there, and we're to have a discreet dinner with them tonight."

"Depends on traffic, but I'd guess less than two hours," Anda replied and glanced at Ethan, who nodded.

"I'll ask Bash to coordinate the security for it. Anda and I are coming too?"

Alex nodded. "They're keen to speak with you especially, Anda. "

Anda winked. "Naturally. I am a fabulous actress after all."

"Among other things," Ethan teased.

"They don't know about that."

"Nor will they find out," Alex said. "We're going to be relaxed at this dinner. No suits or ties or fussy clothes. It's a casual dinner between old friends."

Rebecca settled into a plush couch in an elegant sitting room. "Last time we met the prince was in a formal setting at his palace, where the protocol was much different. No curtsying this time and I'm relieved about it, to be honest. It wears on you after a while."

Alex settled in beside her. "I'm sure they, of all people, understand."

Anda settled on an opposite couch. "Well, I'm glad we've got the day off. I'm still exhausted from all that sightseeing yesterday."

Murmurs of assent echoed through the room.

Rebecca stretched her legs out in front of her. "I haven't walked so much in ages. My legs are definitely sore today, but it was so much fun."

Alex smiled thinking back on yesterday and how much they'd enjoyed visiting museums almost like non-royals. It was especially wonderful to do it with his brother and Anda—his siblings and he rarely did such outings together unless it was a royal event of some kind. While they were on a royal tour, it had been a relaxed day of visiting several museums, eating good food at a local restaurant, and spending time with the people he loved. They'd picked up souvenirs for all their family and staff as well.

Rebecca glanced towards the sparkling pool. "Would it be all right if I went for a swim? Or would we be too exposed outside?"

"Bash said there have been some drones in the area trying to take pictures—a lot of celebrities live up here too—so there's a chance a photo of you in a bathing suit could be leaked."

Rebecca frowned but Alex said, "Go ahead. If you want to swim, swim. In fact, if we do a few posed pictures and release them first, it's hardly a scandal. Let's take control of the story before it even becomes a story."

Rebecca bit her lip. "Will your parents mind? Should we run it by the press office first?"

"No," Alex and Ethan said together, then Alex continued. "Vallerians generally don't shame people for their bodies. A little European sensibility might be good for the American press."

She still looked worried, so he picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. "We'll all go out with you. Let's show them what hot royals really look like."

When he winked, she laughed and squeezed his hand. "All right, you talked me into it. Let's all head to the pool."

VALENTIA DAILY NEWS

RELAXING DAY FOR ROYALS!

A series of posts on the social media pages of several royals are sweeping the globe. The pictures, which show Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alexander, Princess Rebecca, Prince Ethan, and actress Anda Salamanca relaxing by a California pool, have received mixed reactions.

In Valleria, there has been nothing but admiration for the couples, particularly one photo showing both brothers shirtless and laughing with their arms around each other's shoulders, and another photo showing the Princess and Anda in demure one-pieces, relaxing with smiles and fruity drinks.

In America, however, the reaction has been more severe, with some on social media and some conservative news stations stating that their behaviour is ‘unbecoming of a world leader'.

Meanwhile, the Palace has responded to support the couples and remind the naysayers that Vallerian sensibilities differ from those in America, so they see nothing wrong with it.

Other world leaders have been asked to comment, and most are throwing their support behind the royals. "Doing a state visit to another country can be both rigorous and exhausting, and we all find ways to relax and replenish ourselves between events," U.S. President Singh said in a statement. "I'm very pleased they are taking time to stay healthy, and enjoying themselves in our beautiful country."

Regardless of the negative press, the royal tour continues. There will be one final event for Their Royal Highnesses, a charity ball to raise funds for a local children's hospital in Los Angeles.

REBECCA

Los Angeles, California

United States of America

Rebecca leaned against Alex in the car, and watched the scenery outside as they drove back from Montecito to Los Angeles.

Alex brushed his fingers against her chin. "What are you thinking about?"

She shifted slightly but kept looking out the tinted windows. "They seemed really happy, the kids especially. I keep wondering…"

"…how different their lives will be compared to our children, if we have any?"

She nodded.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say I was thinking about it too. But our royal family is different to theirs. We may annoy each other, but we'd never treat a member of our family as they have been treated by theirs."

"Hmm. That's true. Yet, it's not an easy life, living in public service. You love helping people, but all the politics and perceptions and…it gets exhausting, that's all."

"I know, darling. Royal tours are also certainly exhausting. "

"You mentioned something about a vacation before we left for this trip. Is that still possible?"

He grinned like a cat who'd caught his prey. "Oh, yes. I've got something wonderful planned."

"How many world leaders did it take to get it arranged?" she teased.

He chuckled. "Only one, plus one governor of California."

She finally tilted her head back to look at him. "Here? We're taking a break here? Where? When?"

He leaned down to kiss her, long and deep. Even after over a year together, his kisses could still surprise her with how much emotion they carried.

"Tomorrow, darling. We have that fancy charity dinner tomorrow, then we'll escape in the middle of the night. Uh-uh, no more hints tonight. You'll have to wait until we're away before I'll tell you anything more."

"You're such a tease sometimes."

He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear. "And you love it."

She tried and failed to hide a smile. "Only sometimes. Don't get cocky about it."

He chuckled, then flipped them so she was lying on the seat and he was over her. "Want to make out?"

Though she pretended to be put out, she linked her hands around his neck and pulled him close. "Oh, all right."

Their lips roamed across any exposed skin, and his hands slipped underneath her dress and over her legs and ass.

"Alex," she said as she arched her neck and back, her hands pulling up his thin, ultrasoft cashmere sweater and the tee underneath. Dressed more casually, and in a different country, she could almost pretend they weren't royals, that they were just two people in the back of a car enjoying each other and this moment.

"Darling," he gasped. "If you don't want to keep going, you'll need to stop. "

She shook her head, weaving a hand into his hair, and pulling his lips to meet hers again, more urgently this time.

He pulled back on a groan. When she started to protest, he shimmied down the seat, pulling her panties off in the process.

He flipped the skirt of her dress up, then began kissing her thighs, moving slowly up to where she wanted him most.

He didn't break eye contact with her as his lips reached her core. Two dark pools stared at her while his hands spread her legs and opened her up to him more. Only when she was fully panting just from his gaze did he break it and descend on her.

With one hand grappling feebly at the seats, and the other grabbing his hair, she held on as best she could.

Fuck, that man knew what he was doing.

She started grinding against his mouth, but he held her hips in place.

She pursed her lips to keep from crying out. There may have been a privacy screen between them and the driver and protection agent, but it wasn't exactly soundproof.

"Alex, please."

He didn't respond except to keep his torturous pace.

She tugged his hair. "Please," she whispered. She was so close, if he just…

"Oh!" Her back arched as he nipped at her clit. Then she lost his mouth but heard his zipper a moment later.

He lay over her, linking their hands and holding them above her head. He kissed her and she tasted both him and her and even the lingering coffee after dinner.

Mid-kiss, he thrust inside her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Breathless, he pulled away. "This is going to be fast, darling."

"Good."

He was smiling as she leaned up to kiss him, the smile fading as he thrust harder .

The soft material of her dress was no match for it, and she shifted on the seat with each thrust.

He released one of her hands to reach down and toy with her clit again. "Becca. Please."

"Alex." She moaned as her body met his, thrust for thrust. She was sooooo close, but she couldn't…her body wouldn't…

Suddenly she was rolling off the seat, and landed on top of Alex with an "umph!"

She pushed her hair back and looked around, but the car was still moving normally. "Alex?"

Their bodies had disconnected, but now Alex grabbed her hips and she understood his intent.

She lined up his hard cock and slid over it, her skirt keeping everything covered.

He rubbed her clit as she started to ride him and grind against him.

She wished he could play with her nipples, that she could be completely naked and riding a partially clothed Alex…

And simply thinking of that fantasy helped push her over the edge. As her body contracted around him, he sat up and kissed her again, holding her tight even while her hips continued to move on their own.

He touched his forehead to hers. "Take every fucking drop. I want to feel it inside you, I want to see it drip down your leg and know it was me who put it there."

That nearly set her off again, so she continued riding him through the tremors and aftershocks she felt.

Only once her hips stopped moving did he give her a long, sweet kiss. "My wife, how beautiful you look when you ride my cock."

She blushed, she couldn't help it. Alex had done his fair share of dirty talk, but it still surprised her sometimes.

He chuckled and kissed her again. Then he helped her up and they cleaned up as best they could. Thankfully, their clothes weren't too wrinkled nor stained, so they'd be able to get out of the car and into the house without much issue.

They cuddled for the rest of the car ride, his hand resting just below her stomach.