Page 34 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
The boat heeled. She leaned over the side to stare at the bow.
As the boat headed upwind, she tacked back and forth to keep the boat moving. With each direction change, the two of them worked together managing the sails with the sheets. Words weren’t necessary. They both knew what to do. Perfectly in sync, like they’d done this a hundred times together. Alejandro continued to be amazed by Julianna’s knowledge and skill.
He’d never seen someone with such a natural talent. She handled the boat as if it were an extension of herself. She seemed to know when the wind was going to change, and the perfect course to set to maximize the boat’s speed.
With the wind on her face, she stared up at the full moon.
His heart lurched. She was truly stunning.
“This is even better than I imagined.” Julianna’s gaze met his. “Being out here on the sea like this… It’s intoxicating.”
He felt the same way being around her. “You steer like you’ve been sailing on the sea your entire life.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I love the way your boat responds.”
“I love the way the boat responds to you.” He wondered how she would respond to him, to his touch, to his kisses.
She eyed him curiously. “I’m sure she responds this way with any helmsman.”
“Guess again,” he admitted. “You handle La Rueca better than anyone else.”
“Including you?”
“Yes.”
She laughed. As before, the sweet sound carried on the wind. Alejandro wanted to reach out and capture it, a song to remind him of this perfect sail.
He wished the evening wouldn’t have to end. As much as he’d like to keep Julianna out here all night, he couldn’t. They’d sailed longer than he intended.
“Come about,” he said. “And head downwind.”
“Can’t we head up a little farther?”
“It’s time to go back.” The disappointment in her eyes knotted his stomach. “You don’t want to sneak into the palace when it’s daylight. If your maid finds a blond wig and pillows in your bed…”
“That would be a disaster.” Julianna gripped the wheel until her knuckles turned white. “Coming about.”
The boat turned around. They sailed with the wind at their backs, running with the wind.
But Julianna no longer smiled. The sparkle disappeared from her eyes. She looked so…resigned.
Alejandro didn’t like the change in her. Being out here on the water had set her free. The sailor with him tonight was the real Julianna. He didn’t want her to put on a princess mask and have to wear it for the rest of her life. “Perhaps another time we can—”
“There can’t be another time.” She sounded dejected, sad. “This is my last sail. At least until Enrique changes his mind.”
Her words echoed through his brain. He firmly rejected them. “I know it’s forbidden and you can’t risk being caught, but you’re so happy out here.”
“It’s my fate.”
Screw fate. Happiness was important, too.
Her last sail?
Not if Alejandro had any say in the matter.
CHAPTER SIX
WITH THE BOAT secured to the dock, Jules stood in the cockpit. She checked a sheet and wrapped it in a figure-eight pattern around a cleat. No way was the rope coming undone. Too bad her future couldn’t be secured as easily.
The sail was over. With a sigh, she glanced at the bow. Soon she would be back in the palace. The thought squeezed her heart.
Below deck, Alejandro rummaged around, looking for a sail bag. Before long it would be time to go.
Emotion welled up inside her. She didn’t want to return to reality yet. Nothing awaited her except a life of duty. Okay, she was being a total drama princess, but this once she would allow herself that luxury.
As the breeze picked up, the mast, standing so tall and strong, caught her attention. She closed her eyes and breathed in the salt air. The wind caressed her face. She could almost believe she was…free.
“Found it,” Alejandro said from below.
Her eyelids flew open.
He climbed into the cockpit. “I need to organize the equipment.”
“I’ll do it for you now.”
“It’s too late.”
