Page 63 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
“No, thanks. I’ll see her tomorrow.” Disappointment settled over the center of his chest. Alejandro wanted to see her now. “Good night.”
He returned to his apartment feeling out of sorts. He played with Boots using the laser pointer, but the kitten had more fun.
The entire time, Alejandro couldn’t stop thinking about Julianna. The passion in her eyes when they kissed. The exhilaration on her face during the race.
He had to see her for a minute. Yvette wasn’t about to let him pass, but he knew another way.
With a flashlight in hand, Alejandro used the secret door in his apartment to enter the tunnels. He wove his way around until he reached the staircase leading to Julianna’s room. Each step brought him closer to her. He stood on the landing and pulled the latch. The secret door opened.
Alejandro had been here before to leave her disguise and other gear she needed. He’d never thought twice about entering her closet.
But this time, he hesitated.
This can’t go anywhere.
I know.
I’m marrying Enrique.
I know that, too.
His conversation with Julianna echoed through his head. Yes, he wanted to see her. Hell, he wanted to kiss her.
But Julianna didn’t want that.
I’m marrying Enrique.
Alejandro might want to see her, but he couldn’t. She was determined to marry his brother. He wasn’t going to do something that both he and Julianna might regret. He knew better than that.
Alejandro closed the secret door.
This was for the…best.
The morning of the race, Julianna had instructed Yvette to tell anyone who came to the door she was suffering from a stomach virus. No one, especially Enrique, would want any part of that.
Hours later, she stood with her hands on the wheel, nervous and excited. Adrenaline coursed through her veins.
They were halfway through the course, running ahead of their closest competitor.
The tension and noise level had increased from yesterday’s match. The winds and waves had, too. Both had turned stronger over the last twenty-four hours. That made her job harder.
Water splashed into the cockpit. A foul weather suit kept her dry. Each member of the crew had a responsibility and knew what to do. Hers was to steer the boat. She focused her attention on the direction the boat sailed. She couldn’t think about anything else.
Or anyone else.
But Jules knew where Alejandro had been since the boat had left the dock. Her gaze was automatically drawn to him at midbow. Water dripped from his hair and his foul weather gear. He looked sexy and in his element. The sheer joy on his face tugged on her heart and her dreams.
One more day of racing. A week until her wedding. And it would be all over.
A sense of loss assailed her. She ignored it. Now wasn’t the time.
Each of the crew worked to keep the La Rueca sailing as fast as she could with adjustments to the sails. Others sat aft, trying to keep the weight on the stern.
The boat sailed downwind, surfing the waves that got bigger by the minute. The up and down motion of the boat reminded her of a thrilling roller coaster ride. More than once her stomach ended up in her throat, but she didn’t mind one bit.
Jules tightened her grip on the wheel. She needed to hold a steady course, but didn’t want to plow into a wave and risk the possibility of broaching.
Water hit her face and dripped down her cheeks. She tasted salt on her lips and in her mouth.
This was what she dreamed about. Freedom in its purest form.
She had no regrets. Well, one. Alejandro. But that wasn’t as much a regret as a what-might-have-been. Kissing him again had left a wound on her heart. One she hoped would heal in time.
“Dragon Rider’s broached,” Sam yelled from the midsection of the bow.
Jules could barely hear him, but she’d heard enough. Their competitor had heeled too far to one side and was lying broadside. Her stomach clenched. She hoped the crew were tied in. It would be easy to capsize or break the mast in these waves.
Everyone searched for the boat. The sails and waves got in the way. The mast must be in the water or someone would see it.
“Does it look like they are going to recover?” Alejandro’s voice sounded strained.
“I see them,” Sam shouted.
“Me, too,” Mike yelled. “They are knocked down.”
