The Billionaire Prince’s Surprise Son by Leslie North

1

“Congrats on saving that kid’s life, Nic.”

Nic smiled broadly at Jack, the other resident in the hospital’s changing room. With an ease brought on by years of practice, he peeled off sweat-soaked scrubs and gratefully pulled on a pair of worn, clean jeans. “It was touch-and-go there for a while,” Nic said, thinking about the grueling struggle in the operating room. “But we pulled it off.”

“Yeah, I heard. You and Summer made a great team.” Jack checked his watch. “Okay, I’m still on. Get some sleep, yeah?”

Nic nodded, pulling his T-shirt over his head. It was good advice. With the time difference, he had about three hours before he had to have a conference call with his parents’ advisers. It didn’t take him that long to get to his penthouse condo from the hospital, and he should go home and crash while he could. He’d been on shift for thirty hours, just catnapping on an empty gurney in the basement when he could spare a second. He knew, logically, he needed rest.

But the rush that came with fulfilling his life’s purpose—in actually saving a child’s life—flooded enough adrenaline in his system to deadlift his car like a barbell. He felt like he’d never need sleep again. He strode out to the hallway, heading towards the parking lot.

And that’s when he saw her.

Summer Rand.

He’d been working with her for the past month or so, but hadn’t spent a lot of time with her. But the moment he’d seen her, he’d been struck by her. Even in drab hospital scrubs, face devoid of makeup, she was beautiful. Between that tumble of brunette waves, those bright hazel eyes, and a sensual smile that frankly ought to be illegal, he was drawn to her like he’d never been drawn to anyone… and after the parade of models, socialites, and literal princesses he’d been introduced to, that was saying something. It seemed like they’d been circling each other for weeks, gazes snapping together across crowded rooms, little flirty comments in the break room as they passed. The briefest of brushes against each other in crowded hallways. He wondered if he imagined it at times, because he’d never experienced such instant, intense attraction before… and because it was literally the last thing he could afford right now.

She was talking with another doctor, obviously sharing a joke, and let out a peal of laughter that sounded like pure sunshine. His feet were going towards her before he consciously realized it.

“Hey, Summer,” he said, as the doctor walked away with a wave. “Good work in there.”

“Thanks,” she said, that brilliant smile warming him like a fireplace. “I mean, we’ve worked together before, but it was nice to see you in action.”

He felt his cheeks heat a little and grimaced.

“You kicked ass in there, too,” he pointed out, and it wasn’t an empty compliment. She’d kept up with him, and he couldn’t say that about all the residents he’d worked with. In the weeks they’d been working together, he noticed that she was a gifted diagnostician, had a great bedside manner with children, and kept her cool even when all hell was breaking loose.

And that damned million-watt smile…

“What are you doing now?” he asked, surprising himself.

“Getting something to eat,” she said. “I think I’ve had a protein bar and half a bowl of ramen in the past twenty-four hours, and I am starving. What about you?”

He really needed to get back to his place for a few hours’ rest before his next round of responsibilities.

“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in getting some dinner?” he asked instead.

She grinned—but moved just a little closer to him, close enough for him to smell the citrus-and-floral notes of what he assumed was her perfume. “It’s four in the morning.”

“Breakfast, then?” he pressed.

Her eyes gleamed. “You’re on.”

He glanced down, giving her a quick perusal. “Not that I mind,” he said, “but… you might want to change out of your scrubs?”

She quickly did a double-take and blushed, even as she laughed. “Oh, jeez! I didn’t… I wasn’t even thinking. Just give me a minute!” She bolted to the changing room, leaving him waiting in the hallway.

This is a bad idea.

On a number of levels, if he were honest with himself.

First, there was the conference call. His father, the King of Mynia, wanted to orchestrate some new policy around health care, and he wanted both Nic’s opinion and his medical expertise. Besides that, at some point Nic would take the throne, and it would be his job to be familiar with the inner workings of the political system. He really, really ought to try to get some sleep so he could be fresh for what promised to be a long and tedious meeting.

Second, there was Summer herself. Asking her to breakfast? What was he trying to accomplish? Sure, she was cute—well, beautiful, really—but he was only going to be in the States for a few more months. When his residency was over, he’d be gone. He’d been friendly with people, but he hadn’t exactly made friends, especially since he was keeping his real identity a secret. Therefore, it wasn’t like he was starting a relationship with her, even a casual one, because there were simply too many hassles involved.

What was he doing?

“Ready!” she said, shaking him out of his thoughts. She wore a sundress and a pair of canvas sneakers, looking every inch the California girl. She’d obviously splashed water on her face, because she looked bright and fresh and downright delectable.

“Let’s go, then,” he said, trying to ignore the fact that he’d just thought of her as delectable.

They wandered to the staff parking lot, heading to his car. She let out a low whistle. “Jaguar. Must be nice,” she said.

He felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment. “It was, um, a gift. From my family.”

She thankfully let it go. “I drive that beat-up Honda Civic over there,” she said, with another one of her joy-filled laughs. “Where do you want to eat?”

He wasn’t sure what possessed him, but the sound of her laughter, the look of her smile, the brightness of her eyes… he reached out, gently stroking a lock of hair out of her face. “You’re amazing,” he said, and meant it.

Her responding smile was like warmed honey, shot through with a hint of wickedness. She nudged him with her shoulder, the press of her side against his sending zings of awareness through him. “You’re not so bad, yourself.”

He turned to face her, keeping in mind how close he was. How close they were. She didn’t step away, instead turning to mirror him, their faces just inches apart.

“We saved a life tonight,” she murmured, hazel eyes bright as diamonds. And he knew she felt it, too—not just the adrenaline rush, but that profound feeling of rightness. That what they’d done mattered. It was the most important thing in his life.

And right now, it was something they shared.

If they’d had sparks before, in the weeks leading up to this, they now had a downright electric current arcing between the two of them like a Jacob’s Ladder. He reached his hands out, slowly, almost hypnotically, stroking down her arms. Lifting one hand to cup her cheek, stroking the downy softness beneath his thumb. And her hands went to his chest, smoothing her palms up his shirt before linking behind his neck. She tilted her head up, those full lips parting, and his body, honest to God, trembled as he grasped her hips, tugging her until she was pulled flush against him.

She closed her eyes, and he felt her go up on her toes just the slightest bit.

It was all the agreement he needed. He pressed his lips to hers, and what started as a slow, smooth, delicious exploration turned explosive the moment he teased her mouth with his tongue and she opened to him. He crushed his mouth to hers, tilting his head to get better access, holding her tight and taut against his quickly hardening body. He heard her give a little moan of excitement as she pressed herself against him, her fingers tangling in his hair to hold him against her.

He barely registered the fact that they’d fallen against his car until the car alarm went off, jolting them both. He growled, his breathing hard and uneven, as he shut the damned thing off. He looked back at Summer, whose eyes had gone luminous and large in the early morning light.

“Oh my God,” she murmured. “I knew you’d be like this.”

“Like what?” He was having a hard time keeping thoughts together.

Her smile was almost shy. “Irresistible,” she half-whispered.

His arms tightened around her, and he couldn’t help pressing one more hard, fast, fierce kiss against her already kiss-swollen mouth. Against his chest, he could feel her heart beating just as fast and out-of-control as his own.

“Maybe… there’s something else we can do?” he suggested. “Besides breakfast?”

He couldn’t believe he’d put it out there so bluntly. But their chemistry was so explosive, and he was already so punchy, any filters of propriety or even common sense had long since disintegrated.

She grinned. “Maybe we could go to your place?”

That brought him up short. If she’d reacted curiously to his car, his penthouse condo would probably cause more problems and questions, ones he could ill afford. “My place is a mess,” he quickly lied. “Maybe yours?”

“I live pretty close, just follow me.”

There was no traffic at 4 a.m., so they made it to her place in no time. She lived in a crappy apartment building ten minutes away from the hospital, a three-story walk-up with a view of a dumpster. “It’s not much, but it’s home,” she said.

He glanced around. It was neat as a pin, but somehow strangely impersonal. No family photos, very few mementos. His own condo was rented, and he was only staying there for a few months, but he still traveled with some framed photos of the family he missed so dearly. Was she just minimalist?

He was about to ask her, when he turned to find her standing in front of her open bedroom door. She smiled at him, a beckoning smile, full of sensual promise. He watched as she pulled her sundress over her head, revealing sky-blue boy-cut panties and a white bra. It wasn’t deliberately enticing matching lingerie, but somehow it revved his engine more than any seduction gear ever could. Especially when she bit that full lower lip, looking just the tiniest bit hesitant, waiting for his approval.

“Wow,” he breathed, and her resulting smile made him feel like a goddamned hero.

He toed off his shoes, shed his shirt, and then pounced, glorying in her laughing response as he nuzzled her into the bedsheets. She buried her hands in his hair, tugging him to her, her body writhing underneath his as he covered her like a blanket and pressed hot kisses over every inch of skin he could reach. He felt surrounded by her, her smell, her softness, her intoxicating taste. As soon as their lips met again, that explosive chemistry going off like a neutron bomb, all thoughts fled.

* * *

Two hours later, Nic couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so sated. He thought maybe he could blame it on the adrenaline, but honestly—it was her. Summer. The way the two of them had meshed was simply amazing. She was a generous lover, and he’d found himself going to lengths he hadn’t with any mere hookup or one-night stand. She was stunningly responsive. He could have spent the rest of the day with her, the rest of the week, and been a happy man.

You’ve got one hour till that conference call.

He sighed. It had been the best sex he’d had in longer than he could remember, perhaps ever. But now it was over, and he had to go back to the real world.

Summer turned to him, her cheeks flushed, her expression soft, and her smile warm. “How about a nap, and then we can grab some breakfast? I’m not on shift until tomorrow.”

“Neither am I.” With real regret, he reached for his clothes. “But…”

He glanced over to see her expression fall. “But… oh. Right.” Her expression was flat.

He hated that he’d caused her any sort of hurt, and wondered why he felt that so strongly, but he brushed the thought aside. “I have a thing I have to do this morning…”

“Don’t. Just don’t.” She smiled, but it wasn’t one of her bright smiles. It looked brittle and didn’t reach her eyes. “Guess I’ll see you around.”

He couldn’t help himself. He leaned down, stroking her cheek. “What I was going to say was, I can’t do breakfast—but maybe we could do dinner?”

He’d caught her off guard. “Dinner?” she repeated blankly.

“Yeah. You know. Like a proper date.”

Nic, what are you doing?

She smiled, a shy smile that hit him right in the sternum. “I’d like that.”

“I’ll pick you up. Around seven. Okay?” When she nodded, he leaned down and kissed her. “Now I really have to go. See you tonight.”

She was smiling and snuggling into the blankets, sending him a sleepy “bye” as he shut the door behind him. Immediately, his conscience screamed at him as he got into his car.

You’re not going to be here! You’re not even using your real identity! What are you doing?

He closed his eyes, resting his head on the steering wheel.

Yes, it was foolish. He wasn’t going to have time to start anything with Summer. He shouldn’t do this.

He thought back to the sight of her, beautiful and sleepy, nestled in the tangled sheets.

He couldn’t help himself, he realized. He was doing this anyway.