A Royal Christmas for the Marine - Signed Paperback

Chapter One: Theo

“That was quite possibly the most boring meeting I’ve ever attended,” I said, unbuttoning my suit jacket and removing it before tossing it on a nearby chair.

Greer, my private secretary, gave me a thin-lipped smile. “I believe you say that daily, Your Highness.”

I sighed. “I believe you’re right. What else is on the agenda for today?”

Stepping over to the small sofa in the center of my suite’s sitting area, I collapsed onto it, loosening my tie as I went. Normally, I could hold it together for a long day of royal duties and wait to remove my jacket and tie until my business was concluded. But today? Today was different. Today, I was a ball of nervous energy, masquerading as the crown prince of Arnada.

“You’ll be glad to hear that it will be a bit more pleasant for the remainder of the day.” Greer opened his black leather folio and scanned my schedule, clearing his throat before reading from it. “The meeting with His Excellency the Viscount was the end of your engagements on behalf of the Queen for today. Next, you’ll attend a meeting with the director of the wildlife conservancy. After that, you have a working lunch on the terrace to discuss the upcoming initiative to provide more funding for a program that benefits families below the poverty line.”

“Will there be media coverage?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Nodding, I waved a hand and mentally prepared myself for all of the watchful eyes coming my way. “Continue.”

“After lunch, you meet with the director of the school where the playground is being constructed to discuss your vision and see how it’s coming along,” Greer said. “The ribbon-cutting ceremony is still scheduled for a few days before Christmas.”

“That will be good timing for the children,” I said, grateful that we were able to fit this project in on such short notice.

“Indeed, sir.”

Greer was right, having a meeting about this project was a more pleasant item on my never-ending to-do list. It was a project that was near and dear to me, especially considering the holidays were fast approaching.

A couple of months ago, I’d been visiting a preschool for underprivileged children for a regularly scheduled event when I noticed that their outdoor play structure was closed. When I’d asked about it, they’d told me it was in need of repair and would be closed until further notice. I knew the school didn’t have the budget for the repairs, so when I got in the car to leave, I had Greer arrange to take care of it.

I’d asked for a completion date of Christmas, knowing it was a long shot, considering the scope of the project. But then as we discussed the weather at Christmas in Arnada—very cold and snowy—the idea evolved. Now, we weren’t simply repairing their old, outdated play structure. We were tearing it down and building an indoor playground that the children would be able to use in the winter. But with an outdoor structure, too, since the weather in Arnada was beautiful the rest of the year.

“And after that?” I asked, eager to see where I’d have a break in my schedule that would coincide with the other major event I couldn’t get off my mind.

Greer closed the folio and held it to his chest. “I’m happy to report you’ll have several hours free after that. There’s a state dinner at seven with the Duke and Duchess of Ettington, but between your last meeting and then, you may do as you please.”

Sitting up straighter, I pulled out my phone. “What time?”

“Your meeting should conclude by three o’clock.”

I immediately calculated the time difference between Arnada and California. We were ten hours ahead of them, so if I had time at three, it would be five in the morning, MotoSpice’s time. Which was perfect, because she’d be just waking up for work. And with any luck, she’d be just as excited to talk to me today as I was to talk to her.

“Have you chosen which photo to send to your American mystery woman?” Greer asked as if plucking the line of thought straight from my mind.

I wrinkled my nose, navigating to the photo of me in a simple, navy-blue button-down shirt with a pint of beer in my hand. Greer stepped closer, so I held it out for him to see. “This one?”

He nodded once. “Excellent choice, Your Highness. The beer is a nice touch. Americans love beer.”

I snorted as I stared down at the photo. It only mattered to me what MotoSpice would think of it. She was the only American I was worried about impressing today. I wanted to appear cheerful and approachable, while still refined. Did this photo say that? Were those even the best qualities to go for, or should I be more concerned with looking as dashing as possible?

Today was the thirtieth day that I’d been texting with MotoSpice on an online blind dating app called First Comes Love. This was significant because it meant that today we’d get to finally see each other’s pictures. It had been thirty days of long talks and such good flirting that I almost forgot we were a world apart, and I couldn’t wait to see the photo of the girl who had my heart in her mysterious hands.

I’d discovered the app when my sister, Zara, started attending events put on by First Comes Love while she was visiting America. At the time, I thought she was trying to find love so she wouldn’t have to go through with her impending arranged marriage. Being the protective big brother that I am, I did some digging into the company so I could make sure it wasn’t a big scam or a trafficking ring or something.

I hadn’t intended to find love on their app, that was for sure. And joining it wasn’t exactly necessary for checking up on my sister. But when I saw the blind dating premise of the app, I was inexplicably curious about the concept behind it.

When someone joined the First Comes Love dating app, they created a profile with only a username and an avatar in place of their real name and photo. My username was Phoenix and I’d chosen an icon of the mythical bird for my avatar. It was my call sign in the Royal Air Force after I survived a small plane crash, which was the coolest thing that had ever happened to me, despite the fact that I’d gotten in big trouble with my mother for it. But hey, that was what happened when you were the future king of a small European country.

Beyond the username and avatar, the only things potential matches knew about each other in the app were things like hobbies, likes and dislikes, and hopes and dreams. I’d filled all of that out while trying to find the perfect balance between honest and vague. That was what drew me to the app in the first place. The anonymity that was impossible for me to achieve, being the crown prince of Arnada.

Everyone in our country, and many in the surrounding ones, knew who I was. But Americans? Nope. Not really. Their eyes were more focused on certain uber-famous counterparts in larger countries. Even the princes of Luxembourg and Denmark got more attention than I did, making this blind dating app the perfect way to talk to a woman without wondering if she was only interested in me because I was a prince.

So, I’d filled out my bio with my actual hobbies and interests. Things like polo, piloting small aircraft, and fencing. I also enjoyed fine wine, travel, and philanthropy. My tastes were a little on the refined side when compared to a lot of the hobbies of American men in the app, but I’d also included that I liked a good beer and game of billiards, thinking that would help.

Thus, it was the latter two of my hobbies that made MotoSpice slide into my inbox right after I’d joined. According to her profile, she was a US Marine, a football enthusiast—the American version, I presumed—and an enneagram 3. But I didn’t know what that meant until we had a long talk about it later when she’d encouraged me to take the test. She’d been thrilled to find out I was a 6. Apparently, we were both hard workers, but she said I had a sense of loyalty in all things that made me a great catch. Hopefully, the prince thing wouldn’t hurt either. But she didn’t know about that yet.

Solely through texting, we’d hit it off right away. I’d been honest about the fact that I wasn’t American, but that I found out about the app through my sister who lived in Southern California. We hadn’t had any big conversations about whether I planned to move to the States, though, which was good. Because, unlike my sister who was in the process of giving up her royal title for the chance to become a pediatrician in America, I was the future king of our small country, so I needed to stay put.

I clicked over to the app, opening the thread of messages between MotoSpice and me. It would be several hours before she’d wake up for work, but at least I would know she’d wake up to this text and it might make her smile. At least, I hoped it would.

Me: Today is the big day. Are you ready?

Tucking my phone into my pocket, I leaned back against the couch and looked up at Greer. “How long until my next meeting?”

“Fifteen minutes, sir.”

“Right.”

I closed my eyes, trying to calm my nerves. But no sooner than I took one even breath, my phone buzzed in my pocket. That couldn’t be her, could it? I fumbled and pulled the phone out, heart beating rapidly in my chest. I hadn’t expected her to text me back at this hour. What was it, nearly midnight her time? We’d said goodnight (for her) two hours ago.

MotoSpice: Technically, in fifteen minutes it will be the big day.

Me: Having trouble sleeping?

MotoSpice: Yep.

Me: Nervous about tomorrow?

MotoSpice: Very.

I frowned at the screen, feeling for her. Not only was it the thirtieth day of us chatting, but MotoSpice was also going before a medical review board tomorrow where they would determine her fate as a Marine. She’d injured her knee playing football with some of her fellow Marines six months ago. She’d had surgery and done the rehabilitation work, but she was still on desk duty. All she wanted was for them to send her back to full duty. Unfortunately, they were considering medically separating her instead.

Me: Keep your chin up, sweets. It will all work out.

MotoSpice: How can you be so sure?

Me: Because you’re amazing. They won’t want to lose you. I just know it.

She sent back an emoji of a face with two red hearts where its eyes should be, and I grinned down at my phone. Man, I couldn’t wait to see what she looked like. In my mind, I tried to picture her as she’d described herself to me once.

She’d said she had long brown hair, but she always wore it in a bun for work so she had no idea how to style it. She’d told me she had a medium build, athletic, strong, able to keep up with the best of them when they’d hike or run. She’d let me know that her eyes were a deep, chocolate brown, and even though these were basics that didn’t tell me much, I spent a considerable amount of time trying to piece them together.

Me: I have a meeting in a few minutes, then a quick break before my next one. But I’ll have a long break at five in the morning your time. Would you like to make it a plan to share our photos then?

I hadn’t told MotoSpice what I did for a living (if you will), but I’d told her I worked in politics in my small European country. There was a bit of an understanding in the first thirty days of talking to someone on this app that you were supposed to be intentionally vague so the other person couldn’t just put the clues together and look you up. It was part of the fun. She hadn’t pressed me for more info, and I hadn’t felt guilty about not telling her who I was. So far. But at some point, and maybe even today, I knew I’d have to tell her. At least we’d had thirty days of meaningful conversations behind us at this point, so I knew she liked me for me.

MotoSpice: We could share the photos then, or maybe we can just FaceTime during your break?

Me: Skip the photos altogether?

MotoSpice: Hmm, no. Let’s still send them. Send me your photo right before you go into your meeting. I’ll send you mine for you to see when it’s over. Then we can FaceTime on your break. Sound good?

I smirked, and as it always did, my stomach clenched in response to her directness. One thing I loved about MotoSpice: she was bold. Knew what she wanted. Didn’t know I was a prince, and therefore wasn’t afraid to lead the way. Most of the women I dated deferred to me in all things. What we’d eat, where we’d go, how we’d get there. It was like they were happy just to be in my presence and wanted to show me they were down for anything. On the surface, I appreciated and understood it. But a deeper part of me loved the way this woman naturally took charge. I didn’t need to rule everything.

Me: Sounds good.

My eyes flashed to the time at the top of my phone. Just a few more minutes and I’d send her my photo. I went back to the picture app again and looked it over. There was nothing in the background or on my person that would give away my status as Arnadan royalty. It wasn’t that I was keeping it from her, but still. I wanted to tell her when I was ready. What if she recognized me? Or worse, did a reverse image search on Google?

“Greer,” I said, texting him the photo. “Do a reverse image search of this photo on Google and see if anything comes up.”

Greer took his phone out and did as I’d asked, while I got up to fix my tie and put my suit jacket back on. I turned to face him, and he shook his head. “Not much, except that the gentleman in the photograph looks an awful lot like the crown prince of Arnada.”

I hung my head. “That won’t do. Let’s try another.”

Pulling my photo app up again, I navigated to a picture of me wearing sunglasses and a black V-neck shirt, sitting casually in the garden. I sent that one to Greer and waited while he ran the search again.

“Ah, much better. Send this one.”

“No mention of the real me?”

“Not one. Perhaps it’s the sunglasses.”

Nodding once, I checked the time again. Two more minutes. “Okay, here goes nothing.” I went back to the dating app and pulled up my messages with MotoSpice.

Me: Are you still awake?

MotoSpice: Duh. I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep now if you paid me.

“We should start walking to the study to greet your guest, Your Highness,” Greer said, gesturing to the door. “Text and walk.”

“Good call,” I replied.

Me: How soon after I send mine will you send yours?

MotoSpice: Will you be checking your phone during this meeting?

Me: I shouldn’t.

MotoSpice: Then I’ll wait a bit, just to torture you.

I almost groaned as I followed Greer down the long, gilded hallways of the palace to greet the director of the wildlife conservancy. If I could just fast-forward time to my break later...

The clock struck ten for me, and a big flashing trophy appeared on the screen in the place where we normally received a notification that we were one step closer to sending photos. Then, a camera icon appeared where the calendar tracker used to be.

Me: Wow, that was cool.

MotoSpice: Stop stalling and send the goods!

Me: I’m running late for my meeting now, maybe I should wait.

MotoSpice: PHOENIX. Send it!

With a grin, I tapped the camera icon, attached my photo, and hit send. Then I looked up to find the middle-aged woman with whom I was about to meet had extended her hand for me to shake. I slipped my phone into my pocket with an internal scream. This was going to be a long meeting.

❤️ Royal Romance

❤️ Military Hero

❤️ Romantic Comedy

❤️ Online Dating

❤️ Secret Identity

❤️ Small-Town Vibes

First Comes Love

📚 A Match for the Marine - Dex & Amy

📚 A Blind Date for the Marine - Mateo & Claire

📚 A Princess for the Marine - Huck & Zara

📚 A Royal Christmas for the Marine - Theo & Maya

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this

"Loved this series. In fact I have enjoyed every book I have read by this amazing author. Her humor and understanding of the characters is so good you feel like she is telling you stories about people she knows."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it

"Each book gets better and better!! Its been delightful reading this series... now onto another group of Marines 😘 excited"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another wonderful book by Jess Mastorakos!!!

"I have read all of the books by Jess Mastorakos and loved this one just as much as her others! The royal trope is not my favorite and I still enjoyed this book so much. I loved Theo and Maya together. I also thought it was fun having the marine be a woman in this book!"