The Heir_Billionaire Royal Read online

  The Heir

  Billionaire Royals of Torren

  Sophia Summers

  Contents

  Billionaire Royals of Terron

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Billionaire Royals of Terron

  The Heir

  By Sophia Summers

  Copyright ©Sophia Summers 2018

  First eBook edition 2018

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner except with written permission from the author, Sophia Summers.

  http://www.sophiasummers.com

  This is a work of fiction. All perceived similarities are coincidental and not intended by the author. All characters, places, incidents and dialogue are used fictitiously or are a part of the author’s imagination.

  Cover Design By: Victorine Lieske

  To anyone who loves a quick, fun story that inspires them to be better.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you Michelle Pennington. Victorine Lieske. Elana Johnson.

  1

  Jo Finley wiggled her toes with restless energy, contemplating two troublesome things. Ten years and nothing had changed in Shady Lake, South Carolina. And after a full week here, she did not once miss her boyfriend.

  One year of dating and studying and catching most meals together, it felt…nice to be away. The more she thought about him, a slow dread grew and settled in her gut. She had to end things with Kevin.

  She sat outside with her best friend, Sierra in the beautiful weather of early March at the Tiki Rumble Marina restaurant. The water stretched out, calm and still to her front, an occasional fish rippling the mirror image. She let the calm seep inside. Heaven knows, after the week she just had, she needed to relax.

  A man approached the bar at her far right.

  Her interest piqued. What she needed was a distraction.

  His tall, broad body leaned over the top, and he began a conversation with Sam, the bartender/daytime chef. She only caught his profile, but for the first time in a long time, someone besides Kevin caught her eye. She checked him out, from his deck shoes, well-defined calves—the man looked like a cyclist—tight shirt that stretched across his back, to his thick, blond hair. A happy twist warmed her insides, and she grinned.

  Sierra hadn’t seen him. She sipped her drink, staring out across the boats in their slips at the docks behind them. “I’m happy you’re back, Jo. This town would be a sorry place if your marina went under.”

  Jo’s heart clenched, and she looked away—embarrassed, guilty, just plain sad. She hadn’t known her father had let things fall apart. “Thanks for clueing me in to how bad it’d gotten.”

  Sierra’s eyes filled with concern. “Sorry I didn’t know sooner. How is he?”

  Jo’s father was now on in-house hospice care. His dementia took a firm hold the moment Jo arrived home from school, as if he had held on strong as long as he could. She swallowed a huge gulp of water to try to stem her tears. “He’s resting.”

  “What will you do?”

  Jo shrugged. She didn’t know, and she couldn’t talk about it anymore. She wanted to save the marina and take care of her father. But taking the leave of absence from her university was hard and highly unusual. Kevin had been understanding about a long-distance relationship. She knew he was hoping to take things to the next level, and had hinted about marriage. She reminded herself with a sigh that she would need to correct his expectations.

  Sierra stood. “My break’s almost over. We still on for tonight?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Sierra.” Jo stopped her before she walked away. Then she laughed, at a loss. How did you tell your best friend she was the absolute best? “Just thanks.”

  They hugged for a long moment and Jo was so grateful again that her friend was around this summer.

  “It’s going to be OK.” Sierra squeezed her extra tight.

  When Sierra left, Jo pulled out her latest book to relax before she had to get back to the financials. Lost in the chapter, the world around her faded until a shadow crossed her page. She shifted so the book was once again in the sunlight, but the shadow moved to further block her light, followed by a deep, shiver-causing chuckle.

  She held a hand up to block the sun from her eyes and had to blink several times before she realized what she was seeing.

  Deep electric blue eyes, thick blond hair, strong jawline, broad shoulders. The guy at the bar—so much better looking up close.

  “Is this seat taken?” His grin melted her insides.

  Realizing she was staring, and a little hesitant at the intrusion, she stammered, “Um, yes, sure, I mean, no, it’s not taken.” She swallowed and slid her romance novel into her deck bag, sure this guy might even be on the cover. Her face heated.

  His tall frame dwarfed one of the wide deck chairs at her table. “The view is stunning.” He pointed off to the left. “Especially that bit over there.”

  She wished he would say more. His formal way of speaking, his precise pronunciation mixed with his deep, reverberating voice did things to her stomach. “It’s my favorite spot.” They both looked out over the water. Then the dreaded pause. She looked at him and then away. Awkward. Say something. A million thoughts raced through her mind, but none of them interesting. Ugh. I’ve never been good at talking to hot guys. I’m so over this. Kevin was at least comfortable. She stood. “I need to get back to work.” Then she stopped. “Sorry, that sounded so…”

  He shook his head. “I’ll never live it down.”

  She stopped.

  His eyes filled with pretend sadness.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve never been shut down so quickly. My brothers, when they get wind of this, they’ll torment me.”

  She laughed, totally unsympathetic. She was sure there were plenty of women in the world pining for this guy. “Jo Finley.” She held out her hand.

  His hand covered hers, his strong smooth palm cradling her own.

  Comforting. Her small hand in his felt safe.

  He brought it to his lips and a zing of energy coursed up her arm.

  Surprised, but not offended, she smiled at the old-fashioned gesture.

  “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Nick.” His accent was slight, and she couldn’t quite place it.

  Greek? Italian, maybe Spanish. He looked like a sculpted Greek miracle, but with blond hair. If she weren’t tied to Kevin, she might get into this guy. She searched his open and confident face, eyes smiling at her, expectant. He knew the effect he had. Satisfaction that she wasn’t about to fall all over him like every other female made her smirk.

  But he surprised her. He glanced down, his cheeks coloring. “I’m actually sorry for disturbing you. I admit to needing some assistance, and the guy at the bar said you would know.”

  Her face heated in embarrassment for her thoughts. He wasn’t trying to hit on her. A tickle of hurt pride needled at her earlier satisfaction. Why wasn’t he? But she swallowed it down. “How can I help?”

  “My store, a couple streets over—The Sweet Treats?” He ran a hand through his hair. “I was told to find the key with Brand Wilson.”

  “Oh, that’s easy. He’s likely in the gym. I’m hea
ded that way if you want me to show you how to get there.”

  Nick walked beside her and seemed more flustered than frustrated. She wondered how much experience he had running a store.

  “You say you own it?” A prickle of dread nudged her. She loved Sweet Treats and couldn’t bear for it to become one more nationwide chain.

  “I do, new purchase. I’m here to get it up and running better before I return home.”

  Relief warmed her. “I’m happy to hear this. When the Dickersons had to sell, I worried we would lose the store. It’s a local icon. Spent all my money on treats there as a kid.”

  They passed by her boat. “Let me just step in here and get my things.”

  “Is this beauty yours?” His eyes appraised her.

  “She is. We’ve had her since her first sail.” Jo didn’t try to hide her grin of pride.

  He stepped nearer and stooped to run his hand along the wood at their feet. “Beautiful grain on the wood. They don’t make them like this anymore.” When he stood, he was much closer than before. “Will you take her out this week?”

  “I hope to.” A gust of wind flew her hair all over the place. “I go out every day there’s a good wind.”

  “A woman who knows her way around boats.” His eyes—friendly, inviting, warm. He reached up and moved an errant strand from her eyelashes.

  She bit her lip. She could not get caught up in his charm. Kevin was smart and capable and handsome too, in his own nerdy way, and successful. And they were still a thing. And this guy, he knew his way around women like she did boats. She inched back, grabbing for the railing, missed, and teetered on the edge of the dock.

  “Whoa, watch out.” Nick reached forward to steady her, but his foot rolled over the top of a water bottle.

  She threw her deck bag down at their feet and grabbed at him as they both lost balance.

  Then he tripped forward, barreled into her, and they tumbled over the edge into icy cold March lake water.

  Horrified, she surfaced. “Oh! It’s cold!” Breathless, she tread water.

  “Hold on.” Laughing, he reached a hand up to the decking and raised himself up.

  Then he lay across the boards, lowering a hand for her. “Here!”

  She reached for it. “Hurry!”

  He pulled her up with one arm till she could reach the deck. Then she tried to raise herself, lifting one leg up, pulling the rest of her body onto the wood. She sat up, water pooling under her and dripping through the slats, feeling absurd. Her white shirt clung, the lines of her embarrassingly floral bra clearly visible. She wrapped her arms across her chest.

  He rummaged through a backpack and pulled out a sweatshirt, “Here. Put this on.” He shivered.

  Then he pulled his dripping shirt off. It fell with a slop onto the deck. She averted her eyes from a solid, packed chest. Of course he had perfect abs. He shook his hair and ran a hand through it several times. And …done. He looked perfect yet again. Oh, to be a man.

  She shivered. Hair hanging in her face, she felt like a drowned puppy. She pulled his sweatshirt over her head, stalling while it covered her face. It smelled like heaven. Her eyes peeked out. He was watching her with an amused quirk of his lips.

  “Thank you.” She looked away, then caught his eye and burst out laughing. “Hopefully the other residents go easier on you. Or maybe you get this kind of greeting from everyone?” She watched him, surprised at how much she wanted him to like her. He didn’t have to be into her, but she did want him to be impressed.

  He winked. “No, not at all. I’m sorry I didn’t catch you.”

  “It’s my fault.” She shook her head and moved to stand, embarrassment starting to take over. She wanted to hurry into the boat and hide.

  He reached to help her up. “Your skin is ice.”

  “I have to get out of these clothes.”

  “Of course, I’ll wait.”

  She turned to him in surprise, tilting her head, eyebrows raised.

  Then he reddened, a delicious and charming blush spread down to his neck. “No.” He laughed. “You were gonna show me?” He pointed up the dock toward the shops.

  She waved her hand. “Oh right. The gym. It’s easy. Up there on the right. If you ask at the front desk, they can tell you where Brand is.”

  He hesitated. “I’m here through the summer. I’d love to get to know the town, the people, become a part of things.”

  She liked that. So many came for the summer and stuck to themselves and then left again. Here was a man trying to make his mark. And anyone who could save Sweet Treats was a friend.

  “It’s a family town, really, but there are a few of us singles around still.”

  “Could I join you sometime?”

  She searched his face. He seemed open, friendly, perhaps just interested in a group of friends to pass the summer.

  “Of course.” She reached into her purse. “Here’s my card. It has my school address, but the phone number is my cell.”

  “Vanderbilt? MBA. Excellent.” He eyed her with open admiration and a newer spark of interest.

  So he was into boats and smart girls. Maybe they had more in common than she thought.

  “Thank you. I’m almost finished, trying to complete a fellowship there.”

  His mouth turned down. “See, you are exactly the kind of person who should be running my store.”

  When she tipped her head in question, he shrugged.

  “I was just regretting my history major and doctorate in international affairs.”

  “What! No, that’s excellent. I’m sure you can figure it out.” She shifted her deck bag to the other shoulder. “I do have some experience with business ownership if you want to talk some things through with me.”

  He nodded. “Thank you. I’d like that.” He walked down the dock from her, then paused and came back. Leaning in so that his crisp smell of soap filled the air around them, he said, “You are shivering. I’m sorry. I promise, I’m going.” He waited until she was looking into his eyes. A thrill rose inside at their closeness and she curled her toes in her wet sandals.

  “I’m not only looking for business talk or help in finding the key to my store.” His eyes studied hers and a soft twinkle grew in them. “Fate’s been good to me today. The first knowledgeable and intelligent person I meet on this peninsula is also a beautiful woman.”

  She grinned before she could stop herself. How long had it been since she had been so thoroughly complimented?

  “Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “Give me a call.”

  He winked and turned to walk away.

  2

  Nick rotated his shoulders, walking from Sweet Treats, down the docks to his boat. Even after the physical work of running his sailboat, or the workouts his trainer put him through, or his time spent in the military for his country, his muscles still ached from one day working in retail. Standing all day, shifting boxes of product around, setting up displays. He was sore and exhausted. All he wanted was Ginny, his masseuse, and then a long soak, with hot tub jets powering into his muscles.

  He groaned. Unfortunately neither was anywhere near Shady Lake, South Carolina. Instead, he was heading to the cramped quarters of the boat he had chartered for the summer, a far cry from even his smallest yacht. And he would return to the store tomorrow and the next day and every day this summer.

  The town of Shady Lake filled a peninsula on the edge of a large bay. The entrance to the bay was so small many considered it a lake. Few knew about this stunning gem, a perfect place for him to hide.

  His phone rang. “Hello, Mother.”

  “How are you, dear? It isn’t too terrible, is it?” To his mother, everything but their palace must be terrible.

  “Not terrible at all. I actually plan to keep this store. It adds to the charm in the town and I’d hate for it to go under.” He thought of how Jo’s eyes had lit when he told her he meant to revive it.

  His father joined them. “You will turn a profit though, correct?”<
br />
  “Of course. I wouldn’t be a Torren otherwise.”

  “That’s my son.”

  His mother sniffed. “All this talk of turning profits. It’s so crass.”

  “Mother. If I’m to spend a whole summer here, it may as well benefit someone.”

  “I suppose. I hope that horrid Angelika gives up quickly. Perhaps I shall set her up with

  one of the other princes. I’m sure those Baldeez brothers might enjoy her.”

  “I’ve got to go, Mother. I’m sure it will be fine.”

  He had promised his parents not to get involved with anyone, to stay quiet and clean. And already he was fidgeting, nervous. And the boredom. He didn’t know if he would survive a whole summer without some sort of diversion. Hopefully what Jo told him was true, that there was a group. And if they didn’t play hard, he could show them a few things. He smirked. As long as he was quiet and careful, this summer could be just as exciting as his planned months on the Mediterranean with the Baldeez brothers.

  Jo could be diversion enough on her own. He smiled thinking of her. Stunning, long dark hair, hanging all around her, bright green eyes, tanned skin. She looked less American, more like she belonged in his country. She wasn’t overly enamored with him, which he found curious. Maybe that was one of the benefits of being in America. People here had no idea who he was.

  Walking back from the store, he planned to take the boat out, watch the sun go down on the water. After the mundane tedium, he could use some quiet.

  The dock was empty. All the boats were in their slips, but one. Her boat. Remembering it, he smiled. Beautifully cared for, a classic.