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A Common Kind of Love

By: liljean



Chapter 1

Douglas teetered through the crowd back his two friends at the table in the middle of the square. Please don't let me trip and pour this beer in someone's lap, he thought. It was a huge outdoor festival for Oktoberfest, he and his two buddies Dhani and Alberto, who they called Al had decided to take a trip to Germany to experience the true Oktoberfest and it was an experience. Throngs of people, tons of beer, loud music, and good food. He was having a good time, he needed to get away after he'd found his fiancée Tiffani in bed with another man, he'd called off the wedding and he needed time with his boys. She'd begged and pleaded, apologizing profusely for her bad judgment but he'd had enough, he couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't remember what he'd ever seen in her in the first place. As he approached the table Dhani and Al were chatting up two girls, one of whom had Doug's seat. 

"Hey guys, I got your beers. Can I set them down?" he asked a bit miffed.

"Oh, sure sit them right here." Al said not looking up at him but still engaging in conversation with a blonde.

Dhani was chatting up some brunette with the biggest pair of breasts Doug had ever seen. How does she stand with those things, she must just topple over every time she walks, he thought.

"Guys, please I need to set these down and I need to sit down too."

"Oh, yea man" Dhani made space at the table, Doug pushed in next him. "Damn man can you give a brother some room." Dhani said looking annoyed. 

Doug dropped the glasses the table and beer bounced right out of them on his friends one-night stand prospects. The girls jumped back a little screeching, they mumbled something and gave Doug a scornful look and walked away. That's what you get you harpies, he thought, trying to take my seat.

"Man, look you what you did." Al chastised him "we almost had them in the bag."

"Yea, man what's up with the cock-blocking." Dhani shouted.

"Listen, man I'm not here to hook up any German hoochies. I thought we were here for some guy time, to hang out, drink beer, talking to women is cool and all but letting them take my seat is wrong." Doug was annoyed with his friends. 

He'd asked them on this little vacation with him for support after his break up with Tiffani, but now they were acting if this was their poon-tang vacation jaunt. 

"Alright, dude, we're sorry man. This was supposed to be a vacation to come and support our boy after the Tiffani debacle. But, personally I'm glad you got rid of her." Dhani told him.

Al spoke up, "Yea, man she was a beeyotch, with a capital B. You're lucky you found out before the wedding because it would have been real heartache if you found out she was a slut after it."

Doug sighed, he really didn't feel lucky, he still felt heartbroken he'd dated Tiffani 5 years he thought she was the one. He'd proposed and she was so happy she cried. They'd been planning the wedding for next May and he was totally into it, how could she have betrayed him. Well, Doug had decided he was off women, off women for a long time. 

Naomi sat there between her younger sister, Zoe and her personal assistant Fredericka just looking around. This venue was packed, tons of people, lots of them drunk since many started early in the day and a rowdy atmosphere. It was what she was looking for, something to take her away from the pressures of home. Trying to live up the image of Princess Naomi of Bocara was wearing away at her.

"Okay, what about that one, Freddy?" Naomi looked over to where Zoe pointed to in her question to Freddy.

"No, no not him, mon. Look, look at his hands, they're smaller than mine." Freddy shook her head in disgust.

"Well, what do you think Naomi?" Zoe asked her about the guy she was pointing out.

"I think you two should stop judging men by their hand size." She admonished, her sister and Freddy had some weird thing about hand size equating to sexual prowess. She thought it was ridiculous.

"Oh, my glass is getting empty." Zoe whined "I better get up for a refill, that waitress doesn't come around here enough."

"She's a beer wench you ninny and I'll get up and go get us both another round of beers. How about you Freddy, looks like you're still nursing yours?"

"Not yet, I'm taking my time savoring the flavor." She said.

"It's just beer, it has no flavor," Naomi said and laughed as she got up from the table. She wasn't a fan of beer but it was kind of the drink of choice at Oktoberfest.

She was walking through the crowd grateful to be away from her sister and Freddy for a moment, they were really two peas in a pod, always on the make. Actually, Naomi thought it was would be great to find a guy here in Germany to have a little away from home fling on her holiday but she hadn't come across anyone she found remotely interesting, attractive, yes, interesting, no. And the least she could do is find an interesting man to have sex with and take the edge off on her vacation. She was getting jostled by the crowd while walking through, she spotted three guys at a table, talking and laughing having a good time. Well, at least two looked they were having a good time, the black guy and Hispanic guy looked like that were having a great time, the other guy, the white guy looked like a little like his dog just died but he was trying to pretend it didn't happen. As she approached she noticed them watching her.

"Ooohhh whew, man she is all kinds of fine." Dhani was scoping the chick walking towards them. She was about 5'9", with chocolate brown skin, black hair cut in a bob, the longest legs any of them had ever seen wearing a black ski jacket with a fur hood, tight dark wash jeans, and some black high heeled boots with fur around the top and she was stepping like royalty.

Al was looking at her and commented "I wouldn't mind taking that to bed tonight, I'd rock her world."

As she approached, Doug saw that she was looking at them. Dhani was staring and Al was just plain gawking at her, Doug gave her the once over when his eyes drifted back up to her pretty face he noticed she was staring him straight in the eye, he smiled, she didn't smile back. She looked up and kept on walking past. They turned and looked as she walked away, Doug thought boy does she have a booty on her, you could bounce a quarter off that ass. 

"Did you see that look, she's an ice queen." Dhani said trying to dismiss her.

"All she needs is a player like to me to warm her up, I'd melt all that ice." Al said grinning to himself.

"Fool, the only thing you'd play with her is the funky piano with your enchilada ass." Dhani smirked at Al, Doug started to crack up. They'd been friends since college so the race thing was not a big deal. Dhani and Doug had been roommates and Al their suitemate. Dhani and Doug were both into track and field during college, with Dhani doing shotput and Doug running, Al had just been a playboy which he was to this day. Doug really loved these guys, they'd seen each other through a lot. They didn't live in the same city anymore but they were still close and could count on one another. Al was a hotshot attorney in Boston with more woman than he could shake a stick at it, still the playboy, although his family had been in the United States since it's inception almost he used to do the fake accent to get girls in college and surprisingly they fell for it. Dhani was the big man, always had been probably always would be, standing 6'5" in flat feet he was tall and huge with muscles on his muscles but he was great guy, he'd been married but had been divorced for the last 3 years. He was professor of African American history at University of Tennessee, although his ex-wife, Suzanne had been white, he was a proud black man and wouldn't let you forget it. Doug lived in Atlanta, Georgia where he was a doctor working for the Center for Disease Control. They were homeboys, best of friends and always had each other's back. 

Doug wondered if they'd have his back if he went over and said hello to that sexy ice queen. Race wasn't a big deal with him, he'd dated all kinds girls, he had just happened to fall in love a petite blonde, he thought was innocent and sexy as the girl next door. Yea, she was the girl next door alright, next door if it was whorehouse. He thought he was off women, but after seeing the fine and vuluptous ice queen maybe he had to re-think that decision. 

"I think I'm going to go over and talk to her" Doug told his friends boldly.

"What white boy, forget it. You don't even have that kind of game." Al responded.

Dhani chuckled, "Doug, man if you think you can do it, go head and take a shot but I hate to see my friend get his balls handed to him."

Doug got up ready to make his move and as he began to walk from the table, he turned and replied, "the only handed balls here are going to be my balls in her hand." And he walked away confidently.

A Common Kind of Love Ch. 02



Naomi noticed him in her peripheral vision, he was coming her way. Might as well just be bold she thought, so she turned completely around and stared at him full on. 

Doug was a tad shocked when he saw her turn around and stare at him as he walked up towards huge bar area. But, he wasn't disappointed, she stood with her hip out sexy and luscious, her body was long but she wasn't a skinny beanpole. Which was good, because he'd always liked women with some meat on their bones just more to hold on to during the naughty parts. He had to just imagine what she looked like under that jacket but if those two protrusions on her chest told him anything she was well-endowed, very well indeed, her hips were round and looked as if they tapered into a small waist and those legs were just his undoing, they looked toned under those jeans, I bet they went on forever he thought. 

He couldn't keep his eyes from devouring her body as he looked up at her face again he noticed as before she wasn't smiling, uh-oh he thought. Even though her smile was hidden, the beauty of her face was not. She had this wonderful smooth skin, creamy like melted chocolate and large almond-shaped eyes and they were this wonderful piercing brown, the color of pecans almost. Perfect nose, not tiny but not extremely wide, those full kissable lips, the bottom slightly larger than the top and it looked so suckable Doug fantasized about taking that bottom lip and making it his own. She had coal black hair, stick straight and parted on one side, the front was longer than the back just past her shoulders and it was thick. Did he really think he was going to give up women for any period of time with this woman walking the earth, she just had this regal air about her, she seemed almost unapproachable but Doug had been known for his risk-taker bravado and it had never failed him. 

She still hadn't smiled at him, he wondered if she actually smiled or were her teeth crooked or yellow or something. No, he banished that thought she looks like perfection why would her teeth be any different. He kept moving towards her slowly approaching with a little swagger in his step.

Naomi was watching him as he moved closer to her, he had real grace for a man so tall, he stood maybe 6'2" or 6'3" she guessed. She noticed his eyes drinking her in and she thought, well let him get a good look at me and this way I can get a good look at him. As she looked him up and down she thought to herself, my goodness he looks ready to ride. Her face never betrayed her thoughts though, the one thing that you learn being a Princess is how to always look stoic, it's a requirement. You can never let anyone be aware in the slightest of what you're thinking. She just looked as her eyes moved down his body, taking him in and back up again but her head never stretched a muscle. 

He was tall, she liked tall men, her father was a tall, big man she figured that's were she got it from. King Milo was tall, big with caramel skin and light brown eyes and an intimidating glare. She was glad he didn't have one of those, he wasn't particularly tanned the way all the white people are when they come to Bocara Island and when they leave but it looked like he spent some time in the sun, he had slight golden tint to his skin. His body was lean and muscular, she could tell even with the clothes on, when you've seen tourist after tourist invade your island home for their vacation pleasure, you know bodies. He was wearing what looked like brown motorcycle boots, jeans that left nothing to the imagination, a large brown bomber jacket and a burgundy turtleneck sweater under it. His chest and shoulders were wide, the jacket hid his arms but they were still massive, he looked like he worked out, good she wanted him to be in good shape. He had a long neck with a small adam's apple protruding out it looked fairly lickable thought Naomi. 

Then she got to the best part his face, that face, he looked like a male model except he was prettier than any she'd seen, he had chestnut brown hair a little shaggy but it looked cute on him in tousled little boy kind of way. A nose that was almost straight but it looked like it may have been broken once before, nice firm lips, an angular strong jaw, and deep set eyes, she couldn't tell if they were blue or grey when she looked at him before, maybe they were both. As she perused his face at her leisure, he smiled and those two big dimples appeared. She sucked in a breath, but shielded the reaction so he couldn't see it, he was beautiful. He reminded her of young Hugh Jackman, one of her favorite movie stars although as a Princess it would be gauche to say so out loud. That's okay for now she would just think it and think it hard.

When he finally stood in front of her, she looked up at him and turned her back to him. 

Doug was confused. She was just staring at me like the last pork chop on the plate, now she plays the uninterested role, oh this chick is just too much, he thought to himself. She looked back over her shoulder and smiled and said "hello."

Finally he thought a grin, her teeth and smile are perfect, "Uh, hey how you doing?" Doug asks trying to play it smooth now that he's heard her voice he's ready to pop a woody, it's deep and sexy like her he suspects.

"I'm fine, just enjoying the fest." She answers nonchalantly. She turns back toward the crowded bar area shuffling closer to maybe getting a drink. She closes her eyes taking in the sound of that masculine timbre that is his voice, it's smooth and a little cocky and that wonderful smell, he just smells, clean, the way a man should. She's beginning to like him.

"That's good, you shouldn't have come up here to get a beer. It's way too crowded. What's going on with your server?" he comments.

Naomi tells him somewhat peeved, "I don't know she doesn't come around much, maybe she's not interested in serving us because we're a bunch of girls." That porno star version of a Heidi look alike they had as a beer wench had been snotty to them all day. 

Doug laughs a little, a deep rumble she enjoys hearing, "Oh, that's wrong. Hey, let's see if I can muscle through this crowd and get you some quicker service."

She turns to look at him and notices that his eyes have turned more grey than blue they must change according to his mood. He looked in full determination mode now he wanted to make his way through this crowd so he takes her hand in his and starts nudging his way through. Naomi almost pulls her hand back, taking the hand of a Princess without her offering it was akin to sacrilege in her country. But, she had to remember while she was on this vacation, at this Oktoberfest celebration, she was not a Princess. So she just went with him as he dragged her through the crowd to the front, she admired his determination, Americans she thought they don't let anything or anyone stand in there way. 

She hears him every once in awhile say, "watch it man, I'm trying to get through," "excuse me please we're coming by," or the always polite, "uh, you need to move." She just smiles to herself but they do get up to the front even though there were some German swear words she heard as they passed. 

"So how many do you need?" he asked as the bartender came up to them. 

Naomi thought all the time she'd been gone, Freddy had probably stopped nursing her beer and it was gone. "Three." 

He turned to the guy behind the bar dressed in lederhosen and said, "Yea, can I get three Hofbraus." The guy asked him something and he repeated, "Yea, I said three" and put up three fingers to illustrate. After the guy turned to start filling those gigantic glasses they called steins, he turned on her again and smiled. He was hot, maybe he could qualify for her vacation fling, she wondered.

"What you thinking?" he asked.

"Hmmm, why ask that?" she looked up at him confused.

"Cause your brows came together like you were deep in thought and when I want to know something I ask."

She could admire that trait but she wasn't telling him what she was thinking. "Nothing. Just wondering why this place is so crowded," she looked around and he looked also.

"Hey, it's Oktoberfest, time to party." He shouted loudly as he pumped his fist in the air. 

Naomi laughed, he seemed like a lot of fun. The bartender came back with the three steins and he gathered them between his fingers into his hands and hefted them up. 

"You need some help carrying those?" she asked putting her hands out towards him.

"No problem, just help me make our way out of here. I'm cool carrying this." She noticed he had strong, big hands, very deft fingers, maybe that hand ridiculousness Freddy and Zoe kept spouting had some truth behind it. She maneuvered their way through the crowded bar area and back towards their table, once they got close to where his two friend were sitting, she turned to him and said "Oh, thank you so much that was truly chivalrous of you. " she smiled a him, he noticed she had slight English accent very faint though.

"It was nothing, my lady." He said.

She reached for the beer steins to relieve him of them before they went their separate ways. 

"Oh no, I'll take these to your table. It's not a problem."

"You sure?" she asked, "it's not far just a little ways up but you don't have to do that."

"Hey, why don't I just go all the way and ask if my friends and myself can join you, that's if you have room at your table?" he asked with a cute smirk.

"Oh, okay. Why don't you. I'm here with my little sister and best friend but if you don't mind sitting with three girls from out of town, why not?"

He thought I don't mind sitting with three girls from out of town as long as one of the three is you, sweetheart. He walked towards where Dhani and Al were still sitting, Dhani looked up first, "Well you finally back, where your ball..." he stopped mid-sentence as he noticed the ice queen standing behind Doug looking friendly.

"Hi." She said and waved at him. 

He just stared and waved back and turned to look at Al, who just shrugged his shoulders. 

"Hey guys, I just helped this wonderful young lady get some beers up at the bar and as a reward she has decided to invite us to join her table. So, we're going to join..." he looked at Naomi realizing he had neglected to ask her name, smooth move Doug, he thought.

She noticed him looking confused at her and she realized he didn't know her name "it's Naomi, Naomi Windsor." 

"...Naomi at her table, get up."

As he spoke to his friend over his shoulder she presented her hand to him as royalty would. He looked at her a little like she was crazy, oh my god, thought Naomi you're not a princess now. So she took his hand and just shook it. 

He grasped and shook her hand, she noticed how soft his were, no manual labor for this handsome man, "Well, I'm Doug. Doug Harper. This is my friend Dhani Jefferson." He pointed to large black guy, "and my other friend, Al Ortiz," and pointed to his Hispanic friend who was shorter and thin, he smiled at Naomi like a predatory snake she was a bit shaken by the look from him. "Okay guys gather up those steins, we're moving."

"Man, I'm comfortable right here." Al started to argue.

Dhani came around and dragged him from the seat, "Now, you're uncomfortable fool, come on let's move," and shoved him towards in the path that Doug and Naomi were walking. 

As they came through the crowd jostling and laughing, Naomi thought this Oktoberfest is finally getting fun. She spotted Zoe and Freddy stretching with their might, probably trying to ogle some man's behind, if anyone knew she and Zoe were Princesses and Freddy was part of the royal household it would have worldwide scandal, well almost. 

"I'm back guys." Noami announced to a startled Zoe and Freddy. The nearly jumped over their seats.

"Oh mercy," Freddy screamed "you could have caused me my death, girl." She leaned over to look at three gentlemen standing like gracious baboons at her back.

Zoe jumped right up and started to introduce herself, "Hi, I'm Zoe, who are you?" she was like a little girl full of energy and curiousity, Naomi wished she still had that naïve outlook on the world.

Naomi stepped to the side and introduced the guys. The shook Zoe's hand politely although Al was looking her over like a new automobile. 

Freddy stepped up sure and confident as always, "I'm Freddy, nice to meet you gentlemen. I hope you'll be us joining during the festival." Although Freddy was also kind, she was rather suspicious, one of her many jobs as personal assistant for Naomi and Zoe was to be weary of people, she never knew who was a potential danger to the girls. Which meant that unfortunately Freddy didn't pay close attention to her own life especially her love life. Dhani moved closer to Freddy to sit next to her at the table, as he moved in she looked at him suspiciously, Naomi noticed her glare.

"Freddy, would you move over a little and allow Dhani to sit down, he's a big guy he needs some room." She pleaded with Freddy.

Freddy glanced at her and rolled her eyes and sat down. 

Zoe was already in full conversation mode with Doug and Al, her little sister was a complete chatterbox, "well where you guys from? We're from Bocara, have you guys heard of it? It's in the Caribbean, we live on the big island, Big Bocara. It's really pretty."

"Zoe! Please, these guys can barely process the conversation." Naomi lectures her, she loves her little sister but she can have a bad case of diarrhea of the mouth. 

"Oh, I'm sorry." Zoe smiles at them and they smile back.

"We're just some guys on vacation, hanging out doing guy stuff, drinking beer, eating bad food," Doug says to the ladies.

"And talking to the beautiful women," Al chimes in eyeing Zoe up and down.

Naomi found something about him disconcerting, she looked at Freddy who just looked completed waylaid at Al's words.

"We're not here for that specifically," Dhani interrupted Al's sad mack, "it's just to hang out as boys." 
Dhani knew not to give any more details of why they'd exactly come on this trip. 

"Are you from the states?" Zoe asked excited she loved anything and everything about America. Naomi found that she wasn't really that impressed with the big shot attitudes and rudeness of Americans especially when they came to visit Bocara, she'd barely been to the United States only for government business although she found the South friendly and really beautiful.

"Yes, we are..." answered Doug heartily. He looked proud to be an American, "I'm from Atlanta, Georgia. Al's from Boston and our boy, Dhani lives in Tennessee."

"Wow, you guys are from all the over the country." Zoe looked eagerly at each one of the men hoping for tales of the U.S. "I visited a little while ago, I went on trip to New York for...school" Zoe made sure to keep their cover.

"What kind of work do you lovely ladies do? Probably something certainly fitting of your beauty." Al's smooth tongue glided the words across like silk. Naomi kept an eye on him because he was keeping much too close an eye on her baby sister. 

Naomi spoke up first, in this game of charades they played each time they went on private holiday she was the best, "Zoe is in school as she said previously, she's finishing law school."

"Really, I'm an attorney in Boston" Al seemed too pleased to find out they shared that interest he moved in closer to Zoe and Naomi moved in closer her too. 

Doug was getting perturbed at Al's playboy act, it was way too unsophisticated for someone so old and trying to play love them and leave them with Naomi's much younger sister was making him feel like kicking a hole in Al's pants.

He leaned back to speak with Dhani for a second, who looked as if he was trying to chat up Naomi's friend, Freddy, "D, man can you do something about Al because in about two minutes I'm going drag him down the road by his collar like a delinquent."

Dhani sighed and turned to Al, "Al, man can I talk to you for a second over here?"

Al rose as Dhani shifted himself to ease from the table and take Al over to the side for a talk. Zoe watched as they talked and so did Naomi from the corner of her eye but Doug wasn't paying the show much attention, he knew what Dhani was going to tell Al and he was not going to like it but that's cool he'd get over it, cry a little bit but he'd live. Dhani was raising his hands in the air over Al's head and Al was standing up on his toes to gain height on the big man but he couldn't overpower his voice. 

The last thing heard was from Dhani "...and that's it man, that's all I'm going to take out of you today. You better get your action straight or you're going to be roaming around Germany alone." Dhani turned and stomped away back to the table, before he set down he apologized, "I'm sorry ladies, sometimes Al can get little loose." 

Al came back to table looking like a spoiled baby, arms folded, lip poked out, Naomi had never seen a grown man act in such a manner, Father would never let that go without any repercussions she thought and tsked.

Doug leaned over "don't mind him he's just a spoiled brat, too much money, too much doting," he laughed.

Al sat down and sulked, Zoe tried to talk to him but he didn't want to talk so Zoe talked to Doug and Naomi while Dhani and Freddy restarted there own conversation.

"So, Zoe you're going to law school, where at?" Doug asks her curiously.

"I'm going to Bartleby University, completing my degree there."
"Never heard of it," Doug said looking curiously.

"Oh, it's an old University Doug, it's been on our island for hundreds of years established by the English."

"I see, your island is under British rule."

"No!" Zoe and Naomi shouted, Freddy looked over to their conversation.

"Did someone say we were under British rule?" Freddy was very sensitive about the sovereignty of the island. Her family had battled as freed slaves for Bocara to become sovereign. "We are not under British rule anymore. We were, but we are not now, that's all." And she turned and continued her conversation with Dhani who looked a little scared.

"Man you better leave this island beauty alone, she's going to pull out a can of whoop-ass on you." Dhani warned Doug, Al started laughing, good thing thought Doug at least he'll lighten up and stop being a cry baby.

"Hey it was mistake, I'm sorry, I was misinformed I didn't know." 

Naomi and Zoe smiled at him, "that's okay" said Naomi, "we didn't want to scare you but we're very protective of the reputation of our kingdom, we are all from there and our families have great stake in the country and it's well-being," more than he even knew.

"Hey, that's cool nothing is wrong is being proud of where you come from, by the way what do you do?"

Naomi always had a quick answer for this question, "I work for the government."

"Government worker huh, pushing papers and stuff like that." 

"Yea, pushing papers and stuff like that," but it was far from it, Naomi was the Assistant Prime Minister of the Trade, Business and Tourism her father insisted that they both work somewhere in a government entity, they needed to know how the government worked before they ran it. Zoe was working in the Justice Ministry currently and would hopefully sit as a counselor or judge. 

"I work for the government too," Doug told her.

"Really," said Naomi surprised, "what do you do?"

"I'm doctor at the Center for Disease Control."

"A doctor, very prestigious. You do research regarding communicable disease?"

"Yes, I do. I really like what I do and feel like I contribute something to the world with my degree."

"Where did you attend school?" 

"Well, we all went to UCLA together," he nodded towards Dhani and Al, "and I went to medical school at the University of Washington in Seattle. Where'd you go to school?" might as well get all the boring questions out of the way he figured.




A Common Kind of Love Ch. 02



"I have an advanced degree from Oxford."

His eyes opened wide and he shook his head, he was impressed an Oxford graduate. Doug thought to himself, this woman is really a find, an island beauty, who worked for the government, was very nice, well spoken, well educated, she may be somebody to take home to mom his smile was widening. 

This bad day was starting to look up and as he looked at Naomi, it was starting to look up in the most delightful ways specifically due to him meeting her.



A Common Kind of Love Ch. 03



After spending the rest of the afternoon and evening eating and drinking with Naomi and her companions, Doug was feeling the call of sleep. He looked at his watch it was 8 pm, usually he was much better at staying awake but this had been a long day of fun and frolic. He looked over at Naomi and smiled then tried to suppress a yawn but it didn't get by her view. 

"You're tired Douglas aren't you?" she said to him concerned. 

He really liked the way she called him Douglas no one but his Nana called him Douglas, she felt it was strong name that didn't need to be shortened for convenience. But Naomi said in a way that his Nana never had and it made him have feelings in places that Nana's were not allowed to go. 

"Yea, it's a been long day," he said but quickly added, "but a really great one since I met you and your sister and Freddy." He made sure to put emphasis on the 'you' portion of his sentence. He was really beginning to like Naomi and wanted to get to know here better. 

Naomi was just looking at him as he stared at her, she was finding herself more taken with him every moment, he had the most beautiful eyes and she wanted to stare at those all day. Dhani and Freddy were having a great time they'd walked off a while back and came back to the table with two more beers laughing hysterically. Al and Zoe were not faring better, about half way through the conversation they had some kind of argument over the death penalty that left them both annoyed by the other one. After that Zoe spent time between participating in Doug and Naomi's conversation or Dhani and Freddy's and Al just sat there drank beer and sulked. Odd as it was, Naomi was starting to feel sorry for him she knew her sister could be a little stubborn but she was lovable and as sulky as Al could be she could see that he had a sweet side. Although, he hadn't spoken a lot during the day to Zoe he'd asked her on numerous occasions whether she needed a drink and always got up to get if for her and he paid for it. Naomi thought that was more than most men would do for a woman that didn't talk to them. 

Doug thought this had been a wonderful day he'd met his dream match and was feeling better about his prospects in the category of love. Dhani seemed to having a remarkably great time with Freddy, those two had hit it off almost immediately and had pretty much been acting as if no one else at the table existed most of the evening. Al, however, was not having any luck with Zoe and Doug felt kind of bad for him for all his childish antics and arrogance sometimes, there was no better person to have as a friend than Al and when he was committed to one person which wasn't often he was really committed. He could see in Al's eyes that he was really feeling Zoe he just didn't know how to get through to her and his smooth moves and machismo charm were not working with her at all. Naomi brought his mind back to present and better looking company. 

"We have to depart Doug," she said looking around at the girls at the table, Zoe immediately got up gathering her things, "I'm rather tired myself and need to get some rest." 

She even spoke like royalty who used 'depart' in a sentence he thought "You have things to do tomorrow?" he asked her. 

"Not much, thinking about some touring but not really sure." 

"Can I ask you something, Naomi?" Doug wanted badly to spend some more time with her. 

She turned back towards him after gathering her things from the table. "Sure you can?" 

"I'd like for you to spend the day with me tomorrow." 

She looked confused for a second, "with all you guys, all of us?" she asked. 

"Oh no, no offense to Zoe and Freddy," neither one of the ladies seemed to take any, in fact they were both smiling, "but just you and I, hang out, do some touring together around the city. What do you say?" 

Zoe spoke up before Naomi could answer, "I say yes." 

Naomi turned to her sister and trained her glare on her, "He wasn't asking you Zoe," she turned back to Doug and said, "yes, they sounds great. You guys will be okay on your own tomorrow, won't you?" 

"Chile, we'll be fine tomorrow on our own we're two grown women." Freddy said and laughed. 

"Yea, you guys will be okay, won't you? Al? Dhani?" Doug asked looking at them with pleading in his eyes. They knew what to do. 

"Yea man, we're cool we may just hang with the ladies tomorrow." Dhani suggested. 

"That might be a good idea." Al said all the while looking at Zoe, she wasn't looking at him and she didn't look happy about the idea. 

"Great, then we have everything set. What time can I pick you up at your hotel?" Doug asked her. 

"Hotel?" Naomi answered. She couldn't let him see where they were staying. Her parents had a small castle in the German countryside with full staff for their visit. She told him quickly, "That's okay, I'll meet you at your hotel and we can leave from there." 

"Okay, if that's what you want." Doug thought that was strange, he wondered why she didn't want him to pick her up maybe they were staying in what she thought was a subpar hotel, oh well he thought. 

"Douglas, can you and the guys walk us to our cars, they're parked a little ways away from the festival." She turned to get ready to walk away. 

"Sure." Doug and the guys along with the ladies started in the direction of their cars.

As they walked they continued to chat and discuss further their plans for the next day. When they finally arrived at the girls' car, Doug was taken aback. 

"Okay, guys this is us." Naomi said taking the keys from her purse, although as a Princess she didn't drive herself often she had forced her Father to let her take driving lessons as a teenager and she enjoyed driving herself places when she had the chance and this holiday had been one of those chances. Zoe had driven herself in also, she figured Zoe was headed to some night spot because Freddy was getting into her car not Naomi's. 

"Wow!" Al said looking at Dhani. Dhani's eyes were in large circles and his mouth hung open. 

"These are your cars?" Doug said trying not to sound too shocked. 

"Yes, they are." Naomi assured him. Zoe just laughed like the question was silly. 

Doug just kept looking at the cars, they each had an Aston Martin, Zoe's was steel grey Vanquish and Naomi's was black db9, both were new. He looked at Naomi again. She just looked at him and smiled "Douglas I'll see you tomorrow at 11:00 am at your hotel, okay?" 

"Yea, yea tomorrow at 11 am, remember ask for Room 1445," as he stared almost mesmerized those beautiful pieces of machinery.

"1445, I'll remember." She reached out to embrace him as Dhani was hugging Freddy and kissing her on the cheek. Naomi embraced Doug and he kissed her full on the lips, he just felt an overwhelming need to taste those succulent lips of hers. She pulled back at first but then thought he was such a good kisser why not just give in so she kissed him back. It wasn't a hard kiss, just light and sweet, she could just taste the hint of beer and bratwurst still on his breath not the best taste but not bad either. He just slipped her little tongue not too much he didn't want a porno kiss this first time but his tongue just swept the inside of her lips and then he pulled back. He opened his eyes and she was staring back him, looking a little shy as he looked around and saw everyone staring at them. 

"Ehem, well we better get going too. I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful lady." He winked at her as he turned to leave with the guys. 

Zoe got in and started up and took off down the road like a bat of hell. Naomi waved at Doug and he waved back as she started up and left. 

"Damn man," Dhani said. Doug looked over at him as they watched the cars drive out of sight. "What kind of government work does she do, because I need to do that. Even her sister has an Aston Martin. Did you see those cars?" 

"Yea I did," Doug knew Aston Martin's weren't inexpensive by any means and even renting one wouldn't be cheap, he wondered what she did also because whatever it was she was being paid well for it. "We should have made them pay for drinks," Doug joked and they all started to laugh. 

Doug and Naomi had an afternoon together of sightseeing and just walking around the town taking pictures, checking out store fronts, and eating here and there. Doug had bought some souvenirs to take home to his mom and dad, sisters, niece and nephew. He was sure they would enjoy the special purchases, although he'd gotten the kids t-shirts because he never knew what to buy teenagers. His two sisters were older, his sister Maggie was married to her husband George they had a daughter, Angela who was 15 years old. His other sister, Yvette and her partner, Pollyanna (that was her real name) had adopted their son, Rhett, who was now 17 years old. Doug was really close to his family and was thrilled to get the job at the CDC, because he'd be closer to home and family when he moved to Atlanta, closer to his hometown Macon, Georgia. 

He learned a lot about Naomi that day, her dad also worked for the government doing community work and her mom was a stay at home mom who volunteered in several different organizations on her island. Her country was made of four island states, Big Bocara, Little Bocara, Taccaro, and Nycara the smallest of the four islands. She loved her home and knew tons about its history, it had been settled by the English in the 1500's and when the slave trade started they brought slaves to the islands and in 1856 the slaves rebelled and a huge war started, the Allegiance War the war lasted a few months but the slaves won their freedom and the country won its independence and set up its own monarchy starting with its first king, King Albert the Magnificent he was a called. Allegiance Day was celebrated every April. She'd told Doug that it was one of the biggest festivals of the year, the others being Rabbit Day, Festival of Feasts which would be coming up when she returned home from holiday, and Carnivale, which everyone knows what Carnivale is. Doug noticed her eyes always lit up when she spoke of her home, she was extremely proud of her heritage. Her country wasn't rich by any means it had a lot of poverty but the people were proud and strong. 

They'd done so much that day and had discovered wonderful things about each other. She'd found out that as child Doug had a pretend friend named "Robbie" who would tell him to do crazy things like jump into the dryer while it was on and make attempts to ride his bike on the roof of his house. He said he'd gotten a few spankings for that but with a butt like his Naomi figured he could take them. Doug has always felt out of sorts with two older sisters, his mom was a teacher and his dad sold insurance so he wasn't at home a lot. So he was basically raised by women. 

Naomi told him about her fascination with Star Trek and that she owned every episode on DVD and had all the books written regarding the series. She also spoke a few different languages including French, Spanish and she was learning Japanese. 

"Say something to me French?" he told her as they were sitting a restaurant getting ready to order dinner. They'd decided to have dinner and then figure out what to do for the evening.

"Why?" she said to him exasperated but she thought it was cute that he asked.

"Because it's French, the language of love and I want to hear you say something sweet to me in it."

"Okay," she thought for a moment and came up with, "Vos chaussettes sont propres et votre alimentation n'empestent pas," she giggled as she watched his eyes light up with glee.

"That sounded great" he said a little breathless, "what did you say?"

"Your socks are clean and your feet do not stink," Naomi started to laugh hard she was bent forward in her chair losing it.

Doug's eyebrows knitted together. 

"Oh, I'm sorry Douglas, I didn't mean to offend you," she thought he was upset by what she said.

He just broke out with a huge smile and started laughing himself and they both just went into hysterical laughing. It was quite a sight, Naomi was holding her side she was laughing so hard and Doug was leaning back in his seat with big guffaws. The calmed down and caught their breath. 

"Well, I must say having clean socks and non-stinky feet never sounded that sexy," he said looking at her longingly across the table. Naomi just peeked from under her lids, he was very sexy and she felt like maybe this night was going to lead to something more.

Doug just looked over at her thinking to himself, he hoped she was thinking what he was thinking because if she was she was thinking it, she was hungry and for more than dinner. He'd only known her for short while and he felt something very basic for her, he was thinking maybe he needed to figure out a way to make her something more than a vacation fling, but he wondered how he would do that. He figured he didn't have to solve that problem now but he needed to figure it out because when he went home to Georgia, he still wanted Naomi as a part of his life. 

They ordered dinner and drinks and just continued to talk, after dinner they roamed the streets of the city just checking out night life and street performers there were so many things going on. They were thinking of visiting Berlin by train the next day and maybe staying away for a night. Naomi wasn't sure how Freddy would feel about that, Freddy was a friend but she was also Naomi's personal assistant and she took that job seriously. Spending a day with Doug was one thing, staying in another city where she couldn't watch over Naomi with him was another. She figured as Doug stepped up behind her and put his arms around her tightly and snuggled into her back, she'd think about that problem later. He felt so warm and solid behind her, they watched some performers do an acrobatics show in the square. 

Doug nestled in closely to Naomi, she felt so good with her back to his front. Her ass nestled perfectly in his crotch, maybe too perfectly as he began to feel his cock awaken from its neutral state. Keep it together dude, Doug thought he didn't want to offend her by having his hard on meet her soft side. But she felt so good against him so he just snuggled up closer, she was wearing jeans again today but this pair were white and he was amazed she'd kept them that way all day. She had on a pair of brown leather boots over them with a spike heel and sweater jacket with a fur hood and she had her hair pulled back into a ponytail and a pair large gold hoop earrings on. He'd opted for wearing a pair of black corduroy jeans, black sneakers, a black cashmere coat, a bright yellow cable knit sweater and a black scarf. He cuddled up closer to her.

"You warm, Naomi?" he asked by her ear he felt her shiver a bit as the words left his mouth to reach her.

She turned her head towards his face, "I'm fine Douglas. Very warm here in your arms." She rubbed her gloved hands up and down his arms, they were massive she thought how would they feel naked with her hands rubbing up and down them. She leaned back into his body and felt a familiar lump by her backside. "Douglas!" she turned and looked at him with grin on her face.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry really I am but you are a beautiful, sexy, very close woman to me and I tried to keep it under control but he's got a mind of his own today," he looked at her for mercy for his predicament.

She laughed, "that's okay, you may be able to ease his mind later this evening," she left the hint in the air as she was turned in his arms looking him directly in his eye. She turned back towards the performers.

Doug almost wanted to start jumping up and down like a lunatic this beautiful woman was willing to share herself with him. His cock got harder. He had to wonder, Tiffani had cheated on him, maybe he wasn't able to satisfy someone this beautiful sexually or any woman for that matter. He was starting to worry. 

Naomi knew what she was doing, she just wanted a little holiday fling something to tide her over before she had to marry Duke Randolph Inglebrook, as a child she had been betrothed to the Duke and Duchess of Endleman's son, Randolph. Naomi always thought the idea of betrothal was ridiculous in this day and time but her Father believed in tradition and duty. When she became Queen he'd only be Prince Randolph but that would be a jump in his status at least on paper. Randolph was abhorrent to Naomi, he was dumb, crass, classless, and he wasn't even that good-looking the least she could have would be someone nice to look at. He was completely dull and had slept with every woman in the country in Bocara and a many from around the world, at least that's what she'd heard he couldn't or wouldn't say out of the papers. She didn't want him for a husband but she didn't want to disappoint King Milo either. 

Zoe was lucky she could marry just about anyone she wanted, as long as he met with her Father's approval, which actually may not be that lucky. Her Father was harsh and very demanding. She wished she could find someone like Douglas and marry him, now he would be a proper prince, but the idea of a white American as Prince of Bocara, her Father would die on the spot. She knew what she was doing, she'd have this little fling with Douglas and in a week she'd be home resuming her duties as Princess of Bocara. She didn't want to hurt Douglas but she figured he knew this was only a short term thing, they don't even live in the same country, it couldn't go anywhere or could it? That was question she decided she'd rather not know the answer to. 

She turned in Doug's arms and looked up at him as he looked down at her, he was truly smitten. He wasn't sure if he had regained the confidence to make love to her, Tiffani had really damaged his pride when he found her cheating but he knew he couldn't tell her no if she asked him to make love her. 

"Naomi," he looked at her deeply.

"Yea, Douglas." She said with a small smile on her lips, she was taking in his whole face and then landing on those eyes that were turning greyer in the twilight.

"I really enjoyed this day with you. This has been one of the best days of my vacation actually it's been one of the best days of the last few months." He thought she looked surprised he would say that but he went on, "You are one of the most amazing women I've met in a long time and your kindness, gentleness and beauty have just made me more attracted to you. I just wanted you to know that."

"Thank you, Douglas. This has been a great day and you're a really funny and handsome man. As I get to know you, I'm liking you even more. You're so..." she was about to say more but he kissed her and not like the kiss from previous night, this was probing his tongued cascaded into her mouth and their tongues dueled for supremacy. Their lips pressed hard against one another, they could feel the passionate longing. He was rubbing his hands down her body and she had wrapped her arms around his neck, he picked her up off the ground and settled her bottom in his arms. After the kiss, Naomi was little shaky on her legs and Doug looked liked he wanted to rip her clothes off and have sex with her in the middle of the square. 

"Naomi, would you like for me to take you back to your hotel and we'll just see each other tomorrow." Doug thought if he didn't get her away from him right now, he was going to lose his mind. 

"No, I want to go back to your hotel with you, Douglas" she said definitively.

Douglas looked at her, put his arm around her body protectively and they walked towards his hotel. Naomi tried to reassure herself she could handle this, no one would get hurt and it would all work out.



A Common Kind of Love Ch. 04



"When I came this morning to pick you up, I thought there would be a 14th floor," Naomi mentioned as they rode the elevator to the top floor of his hotel, the Ritz-Carlton.

"I found it odd too that there wasn't a 14th floor but the hotel is set up in sectors. I think it's the German way of thinking, which I find odd sometimes," he smiled at her.

Naomi laughed as the elevator went to his floor she was feeling a little nervous. They'd held hands back to the hotel and tried their best to just do a lot of small talk but they both knew what was about to happen. Naomi was nervous because it had been awhile for her it wasn't as if she had tons of experience doing this. She'd only had 3 boyfriends in her life, because her status as a princess and none of those had ended on good terms. She'd only had 2 other lovers, 2 of the 3 boyfriends. Although she had found she had enjoyed sex with in her last relationship over three years ago, she thought that maybe she shouldn't go through with this tonight with Douglas. She wasn't the sort of girl who just took on lovers as a side project she'd been in committed relationships previously. This casual thing was new to her, but it was kind of exciting. He leaned against the elevator wall, watching the numbers as they clicked passed it was almost time for them to get off. When they got to Doug's floor he let Naomi pass first then he got off the elevator. He stepped in front and led her to his room, once inside Naomi found it very nice but the Ritz-Carlton always was she'd stayed at many around the world. Very modern and chic, she stepped through the door as Doug held it open for her. Then she heard to soft click as it closed, she turned to see him with his back to her locking it. 

He turned to Naomi and saw she was eyeing him nervously, "why don't you come in and sit down and make yourself comfortable. I may have something in this bar to drink, would you like something?" he said as he went around the bar and opened a tiny refrigerator.

"Can I have a gin and tonic?" she never really drank hard liquor but this occasion was calling for it.

Doug looked up in surprise, "gin and tonic, whatever the lady wants." He started to put ice cubs in short glass, the distinct clinking made Naomi jump. She was on edge, she thought to herself, 'just calm down, he's just a man' a really gorgeous man she thought. He was pouring the tonic in over the gin when he looked up and smiled at her. Naomi figured she should get up and get the drink, she rose from her seat to walk toward the bar when Doug told her, "no, you sit there and relax. I swear this glass is not heavy I can bring it over to you."

She grinned a bit as he walked over to her on the couch and handed her the glass and sat down with his own. As Naomi watched him move so fluidly she thought he did have the natural grace of an athlete. He stretched his legs in front of him and leaned back into the corner of the couch. Naomi took a swallow of her gin and tonic she didn't even taste it go down. He was watching her with that feral glare and his lips curved up into a seductive smile as he took sips from his glass. Naomi started to stir restless on the couch. She pulled her legs under her and started to look around the room.

"This is a really beautiful suite, Doug. Are you enjoying it?" she asked to try to start some kind of small talk up again.

"I like it's very nice, I don't do anything but sleep in it and take a shower but it has a really nice balcony would you like to see it?"

Naomi was relieved, something so she wouldn't just be sitting on this couch like a ninny, "sure, that would be great." 

They both set their drinks on the coffee table and rose. He walked over and opened the door to the balcony. They stepped through and he stepped over to the glass railing, "look, it's a lake then there's the pool set in the middle of the lake."

She stepped over tentatively Naomi had a small fear of heights that she'd forgotten about. She usually took some kind of medication to calm her when she took flights and had to stand at high places. 

Doug was watching her, she kept stepping really slowly and cautiously towards the railing she didn't make it all the over before she stopped and stretched herself to see over the side.

"You're afraid of heights," he guessed and smiled to himself.

She looked at him and thought how could he think this was amusing, she was almost in full out terror mode, "yes, I'm afraid of heights. What did you think I don't like to look at water?" She frowned at him and turned and went back into the suite.

Doug followed her quickly and caught her by the arm and turned her around. She had on layered t-shirts and her breasts looked delicious with that cotton material stretched taunt over them. 

"I'm sorry Naomi, baby. It's not a big deal, you should have told me I wouldn't have suggested we go out to the balcony." He pulled her tightly against him into his arms. He put his head on her head, "I hope you forgive me," he said into her ear as he kissed it.

Naomi thought with the way she felt in his arms and his soft lips on her ear, she could forgive just about anything he did right now.

"It's okay. I just hate to show weakness, that's all."

He spoke into her ear again as he kissed it, "Baby, that's not weak, that's human. You're still the sexiest thing walking on two feet even if you can't stand heights." He kissed her ear then let the kisses trail down to her neck.

Naomi could feel her body start to melt against him, her hands went up and down his solid back. She pulled her head back and he looked at her deep in her eyes. His eyes were turning grey again she figured that must happen when he's feeling intense about something. He lowered his head and kissed her softly, letting his lips only touch hers lightly. Doug could feel himself being overcome with passion for this woman, his manhood had been standing proud for awhile.

"Naomi," he said against her lips.

"Umm hmm," she mumbled their lips and tongues still seeking out one another as they spoke in between kisses.

"I'm not good at beating around the bush," he said moaning a bit as her tongue trailed down his neck to that wonderful sensitive spot on it. "So, I'm just going to say it. I really do want to make love to you tonight, do you want that?"

Naomi's head rose and she looked at Doug directly to make sure he understood how serious she was, "Douglas I want to make love to you right now more than I want to breathe."

He smiled at her and she smiled in return. He took her t-shirts from over her head and there she was standing with those bountiful b-cups in white bra with tiny pink flowers all over it. He looked at her and thought, my goodness she's so innocent and so damn sexy at the same time. He knew he was in trouble. Her breasts were caressed by that material, her skin was so beautiful like smooth sweet chocolate, he never seen skin have such a glow. He looked up at her again she looked worried like she wasn't sure what to do or what he was thinking. He decided to ease her mind, he took off his sweater and began to unbutton his shirt but before he knew it she was in front of him, those beautiful long fingers easing the buttons from their restraints. As his shirt fell open her soft hand glided across his chest lightly as she familiarized herself with the feel of him.

Naomi had almost passed out as she opened his shirt it was so unlike her to be so bold. She was princess, they weren't supposed to be forward but she felt like tonight she just wanted to be a woman just a regular woman. His chest was gorgeous, honed from exercise lightly sprinkled with brown hair she actually found that it made him much more masculine. Her eyes went up to catch his expression and he looked as if he was in pure ecstasy, she'd never quite seen a look like that on a man's face, he was enjoying her touch tremendously she figured. 

Doug had decided to make her feel as good as he was feeling. He touched her shoulders massaging them a bit his hands moved down her supple arms. Those breasts were the most beautiful things he'd seen in long time, so he took his fingers and trailed them across the tops of her bosom. Her breathing hitched a little, she was excited and so was he and the odd thing was they both still had their most of their clothes on.

Doug smiled as her and her touched her, "I think we need to get out of the rest of these clothes. Don't you think so?"

"Yes, I think you're right," Naomi giggled a bit and sat on the couch to remove her shoes.

"No, you won't be removing anything this evening, that's my job," Doug said taking charge. He kneeled before her and unzipped and removed her boots, it was not an easy task but he was strong. He pulled her to her feet and Naomi looked at his hands as he undid her zipper and slid it down. She could feel the goose bumps rise on her skin, she was so nervous. 

Doug's hands are shaking a bit, it's not as if it's been forever since he'd made love to a woman but one this sexy and beautiful he was so scared he'd do something wrong, whatever he did to make Tiffani cheat on him wrong. But she is absolutely the fineness, most beautiful thing he'd seen walking on two feet. He pulls her pants to her feet and she stepped out of them. Doug's eyes just peruse her body, she's wearing a pair of boy shorts underwear that matches her bra but with a ass like hers, there's nothing about them that is anything like shorts. He can appreciate the sight later, he starts to take his clothes off and fast. 

Naomi is shocked he took his time with undressing her, now he's undressing himself like his clothes are on fire, "Doug I want to help you undress."

"No time, these...things... have to come off," he talking between pulling off pants, socks, and throwing that unbuttoned shirt to the side. 

Naomi was grinning to herself, but he was some of kind of gorgeous once he was there in just a pair of boxer shorts. "Oh!" she said more to herself than him. 

He looked up, "something wrong?"

"No, no Douglas nothing is wrong everything is right, absolutely, positively right."

Good, he swept her up in his arms and kissed as he walked the short distance to the bed. He deposited her gingerly on the bed Naomi scooted up a bit and laid in the middle against those cotton soft pillows. She sat on her elbows and admired his male beauty and he was beautiful. Tall and slightly tanned, chest full of ripples from those rock hard muscles, he had long muscular legs, very lean and sculpted body. She loved the way that shaggy hair of his hung in his face like a little boy with the body of full grown man. He did have the face of little boy except his eyes in his eyes, in those Naomi saw all the hunger of a man.

As she lay there on his bed, Doug thought he'd died and gone to Naomi heaven. She looked so sensual, with all those luscious curves, hips that just rounded off so nicely to those beautiful toned legs. He decided to go for what he knew he leaned over and started to crawl up alongside her body, touching her as he went. Naomi squirmed a little, laughing in a low tone, he liked that, he liked women who knew how to have fun in bed. 

"You waiting on me to make a move?" he asked looking up at her with her head rested on the pillow.

"Yes, I am, are you ever going to?" she said in a drool tone.

"Oh now it's on," He flung himself on top of her and Naomi was shocked with the sudden contact. She broke out fit of giggles as he tickled her.

"Oh stop, stop it Douglas," she was laughing and squirming underneath him. 

Then if happened she brushed something hard and not his leg, she stiffened.

He stopped and looked down at her into those cocoa brown eyes, "see what you're doing to me." Doug began to kiss her and run his hands along her body, trying his best to reach ever possible spot on that tender, soft skin. She smelled so good like honeysuckle, he could have sniffed her all day but he had other things to do. 

Naomi grabbed his shoulders and her elegant hands drifted along his arms, making mental note of the muscles that shaped those beautiful appendages. He was kissing her all over her face and neck going slowly almost savoring the taste for later. Naomi felt his mouth move over hers as she prepared herself to kiss him, he put his mouth flush against hers pressed against hard, his tongue probing her mouth intimately. The kiss was taking on urgency. Naomi's body was on fire, her slit slippery from her own juices his hands making trails of heat along her skin, she started to rid herself of the remainder of her clothes, but her hands couldn't move as fast as his. Before she knew if he'd relieved her of her underwear and her bra, she lay naked under him panting and moaning. 

Doug didn't want to miss a minute of this, that's why he'd left the lights on in the room, he was glad she wasn't like a lot of women that needed to be in total darkness to make love. But why would she, her body was testament to how God made all things in his image of perfection. Her breasts were firm, his hand went down to knead them slowly then his head followed. His sucked in her hard berry nipple, it felt so good in his mouth soft and sweet. He felt her hands on his head, in his hair holding him there as he worshipped that breast. His fingers traveled along her flat stomach and he didn't have to wait to long before he found her treasure, she was shaved, which surprised him, a felt a small strip of hair running along her slit. His fingers found their way into her folds and he massaged her before he pushed into her opening. He was hot and wet, he needed to get in there and soon or he'd go mad. He fumbled around in his drawer on the nightstand and found his stash of condoms, luckily he put them there he didn't think he could get up and try to dig the ones out of this wallet. He pulled his underwear down and as he did so rose a little off of her body.

Naomi peaked between them to see what his penis looked like and she was not disappointed. It was a good size, very thick with a red mushroom head. She'd never seen the penis of white man before, so she was curious to see if it looked different it actually didn't just color wise it was the only difference. She saw his head go down and look between them then back up at her.

"You like what you see?" he asked.

She sensed some trepidation in his voice so she eagerly told him, "yes, I love it. I want to feel it."

"Give me a moment to put this condom on and you will."

He had the condom and was opening it with his teeth as Naomi took her hand and began to stroke his cock. He stopped mid-tear, his breath coming harder, his head hitting the pillows for a moment. 

"Baby you have to stop that or I will not be able to satisfy you in the way you deserve," he pleaded with her.

But Naomi didn't stop, now that they were here she felt brazen and bold she wanted to touch him to feel him in her hands. His moans were getting louder he grabbed both her hands with his and pulled them off his manhood.

"You have to stop," he said again raggedly. Doug was on the verge of exploding all over her and he didn't want that kind of embarrassment.

He slipped on the condom and started to rub himself against her slit. Naomi held on to his shoulders grabbing him tightly. He kept rubbing himself, lightly at first but now harder. Her head went back into the pillows and she closed her eyes her body eager for his invasion. Doug was kissing her neck and chest and had moved down to breasts once again, kneading them in his hand and kissing her mouth while against her lips he was softly saying words of ecstasy.

"You feel just like heaven, baby. Oh you are so sweet, so beautiful and so sweet."

Naomi could barely comprehend him she was caught up in the feel of him. He kissed her hard and deep and as he did so he entered her slowly. Doug didn't want to miss a moment of her walls encasing him tightly she felt so incredible and gripped him with everything she had.

Naomi felt the head of his cock enter her and then he came down slowly, it was almost like torture. He felt so wonderful too good almost no man had ever felt this good entering her. Not that she had much to go on, but what she did have had never been like this. She never wanted this feeling to end, they looked at each other and she began to move slowly her body writhing under the delicious weight of his. 

Doug felt her move and pulled back and pushed forward still not moving too fast, savoring the feeling of a woman so sweet. They stared at each other while they made love, Tiffani never looked at him when they had sex she would usually turn away or close her eyes but Naomi just stared at him lovingly. He saw a small smile come onto her lips and he smiled back. This was the happiest place on earth he thought, he could feel her silky smooth legs rub up and down his sides and wrap around him. That just allowed him to enter her more deeply, the feeling more intense. He could feel her beneath him, her body rolling in rhythm with his own. His hands went underneath her ass and lifted her slightly for a better angle he massaged that soft flesh and rubbed her cheeks as he ground into her.

Naomi knew in any moment she was going over the edge, she was about to come apart. Her hands slide up and down his back and grabbed those tight buns and held on for dear life. He was kissing her intensely and groaning almost growling as he penetrated her softness over and over again.

"Damn Naomi, I never knew it could feel like this," he said to her.

Naomi's head was back and her eyes had drifted close, "I didn't either, this is...spectacular" she let out a deep breath. 

Doug just rode her harder and deeper, her body meeting his with every stroke, he knew he wasn't going to last long but he needed to make sure he lasted longer than her. So he brought her up butt even higher and rested on his knees as he leaned into her body.

All of sudden, Naomi felt a surge through her lions, she had never felt anything that intense. Her orgasm sailed over her smooth and powerful, her body seized up and she was stiff for a moment not even breathing just reveling. The feeling so powerful, she thought that maybe her eyesight had gone blurry because she couldn't really see. Just as fast as it had come it was ebbing away and she breathed out, "Oh my god!" she shouted.

Doug knew she'd had an orgasm because her walls her milking his cock so he let go and pumped all of his essence into that condom. He growled low in his throat, a grunt of manly satisfaction. He thought for a moment if it's this good with a condom how would it be skin to skin. He stilled himself for a moment let himself soften within her. He slid out making sure to grab the condom so it wouldn't come off, he didn't want any accidents. When they had children together it would be on purpose, 'whoa where did that thought come from,' he chastised himself. He rolled over to her side and deposited the used condom into trash container. He turned back towards her she was there with her eyes closed with a dreamy look on her face. He gathered her up in his arms and stroked her back.

"You feel okay, babe?" he asked he knew she did but he wanted to hear it.

"I feel fabulous, that was fantastic Douglas," she opened her eyes and looked up at him his eyes had turned slightly more blue than grey, "you're superb. Can we do that again?"

He laughed, boy she was hungry, "yes, we can but you have to give me a minute I need to catch my breath and steady my heart rate," he told her clutching his chest.

She laughed at him, Naomi adored that he was such a jokester, "I can understand that I need a moment myself. I have to tell you it's been a while since I've made love to anyone and you're only the third man I've ever made love to in my life. But I'm glad it was you."

Doug looked surprised her body responded like someone who was experienced in the art of lovemaking but he was happy he could make her comeback a memorable one. 




A Common Kind of Love Ch. 04



"Wow, well I'm honored. I'm glad I can make it special for you. You're a really special and wonderful woman so your body should be worshipped."

Naomi smiled big she set her head against his chest and felt his light sweat and his heart pounding beneath that hard mass of muscle. Her hands rubbed up and down him slowly as she could felt his hands go up and down her back, every once in a while caressing her butt.

"You like that?" she asked him wickedly.

He smacked it lightly and she jumped, "yes, I like it a lot. I've always liked women with some cushion on their backside, nicer to watch and much nicer to hold," he said squeezing her bottom.

Naomi giggled and smacked his chest.

"Hey, you asked if I liked it I just wanted to show you how much I appreciate your womanly curves," he kissed her on her forehead.

"I'm glad you do. They do love to be appreciated. But you know other things love to be appreciated too," she lifted her head and looked at him slyly. Naomi had decided since she'd already done this might as well go all the way.

Doug looked at her and thought well she's not as innocent as she pretends to be and he was glad of it. He broke out in big cheese-eating grin with those gorgeous dimples prominent. 

"I'll show you how I appreciate other things."

Doug slid down her body to the juncture in between her thighs. He began to kiss her inner thighs softly. Naomi moaned and opened her legs wider so he could gain more access. Doug kissed and licked her thighs, tasting her sweetness. His mouth caressed her outer lips lightly and breathed in the scent that was distinctly her own, he was going to enjoy pleasuring her. He licked her slit and Naomi moans were turning into full out gasps of joy, he opened her to his ministrations and licked and sucked her folds his tongue delving into her to enjoy the flavor. She tasted salty and sweet, a really erotic combination.

Naomi had never felt anything like Doug's tongue and mouth. Her other two lovers weren't really keen on pleasuring a woman like this, although they always wanted to have her give them a blow job. They would do it if pushed. But never like this. He seemed to be enjoying it like a man at his last meal. She could hear him making mmm noises throughout the act, so as he enjoyed himself she enjoyed herself. Putting her hands into his hair and pushing him in slightly. She didn't have to do much, he got the hint and went full throttle, licking her clit like it was lollipop, the feeling was intense like a gigantic nerve ball right in the center of her body her stomach was starting to do flips and her legs started to shake a little then a lot.

Doug could feel her legs shake and he knew it would just be matter of moments, she'd come all his tongue and he was happy to lap it up. 

Naomi felt the entire lower half of body shake uncontrollably of it's own volition as she came again, she was moaning loudly and panting "Douglas, oh Douglas, oh you're wonderful." 

Somehow Doug was able to hold onto her legs, which was not an easy feat, they were strong but he didn't want her to kick him by accident. He keep lapping her core, trying to gather every last drop on his tongue. She finally stopped moving and all he could hear was her breathing, he licked her again and raised his head. She was completely in her own world of bliss, where he wanted her to be and she looked beautiful with those emotions on her face. He felt a little cocky that he was the one that had put them there. He rose and settled himself over her again and kissed her letting his tongue glide along the seal of her lips to open them. His kiss was slow and sweet and promising more to come for the night.

"This is far from over, sweetheart," he told as his lips left hers as he began to rub his hard cock against her wet folds. 

Naomi smiled and he kissed her again as their night of passion was just beginning. 



A Common Kind of Love Ch. 05



Naomi woke to the quiet sound of Rihanna's "Umbrella" she knew that was Freddie calling her cell phone, oh no she thought she didn't want a lecture this early, she turned to see that it was 7:00 am, she and Doug had been up a good portion of the night making love and sleeping in between. She looked over at him laid on his side facing her snoring lightly, his hair blocking his face he looked absolutely adorable she thought. Her phone was still playing the ringtone so she scooted off the bed silently to dig in her purse and find that pesky phone.

"Hello." She said quietly as she answered.

"Where in the hell are you?" she heard Freddie's Caribbean accent screech from the other side of the phone.

"Wait a moment Freddie, I need some privacy," she walked across the room to the bathroom to make sure she didn't wake Douglas with her conversation. She took a seat on the edge of the bathtub and let Freddie continue her grilling, "okay Freddie. Go ahead."

"Where are you at?"

"Where do you think I am? I spent the night with Douglas last night."

"What? Are you insane, that was risky," Freddie says, she hated when Naomi did things like this she couldn't protect her if she was out gallivanting in the streets. "Naomi, you know better than that. But, you're okay, aren't you?"

"I'm fine, Freddy. I'm 30 years old I can take care of myself."

"But you know your mother and father would skin me alive, if they knew I let you go around with some guy all day alone. Although he's a nice, handsome guy if the tabloid press ever caught wind of this, it would be the end, what an embarrassment to your country."

Naomi sighed. Everything in the end came down to duty to Bocara Island. "I understand that Freddie but nothing happened, we had a nice time and enjoyed each other's company as two adults should, I don't need a lecture now."

Freddie clucked her tongued at Naomi. She thought that Naomi barely knew what she needed that's why she was there. 

"Naomi, I know this is supposed to be just a little fling before you return home and the engagement to Randolph is announced but be cautious, chile. Be careful of this man's feelings. He seems really into you, you shouldn't play with his affection."

"Oh, Freddie now you're just being silly. Douglas understands perfectly well this is not going beyond Wolfsburg, Germany." Naomi says more quietly because she isn't sure he does know because she hadn't told him yet because she was becoming less sure of that fact every moment they spent together.

"Yea, right tell me anything while you're looking at me," Freddie said in an annoyed tone.

Naomi could picture that smirk on her face as she spoke, "Well, I'm not looking at you and I'm handling this fine. Freddie, I have to go Douglas may wake up and I don't want him to catch me on the phone in some covert conversation with you. I have to go. I'll tell you more when I return to the castle."

"Okay, I'll let you go but you can't stay gone all day I need to see you and if your father calls or his secretary I'll cover for you. I don't know why I do this I should just let you get the throttling from him you deserve."

Naomi laughed, Freddie was so suited to play mother hen, "You do because you love me and we're best friends. Bye Freddie."

"Bye."

Naomi ended the call and got up to look at herself in the mirror before she went back to bed with Doug. She thought she looked dreadful, 'no man wants to awaken to this' she scolded herself, her comb was in her purse and that would be too much trouble so she decided to just run her fingers through her hair in hopes that it would at least look semi-straight.

"What are you doing, Naomi?" she pondered as she looked at herself. She was a princess who was having a vacation fling with a man she was beginning to like a lot, maybe even love. But she knew when she returned home her engagement would be announced and she would be the future wife of Randolph, a man not only that she didn't love but that she didn't even like. "Every girl thinks she wants to be a princess, it's certainly not all it's cracked up to be. This life is highly overrated." She sighed to herself and slipped back into the main part of the room and eased her phone into her bag. As she slide between the sheets to cuddle up to Doug again, he woke for a second and looked at her and smiled that beautiful bright smile.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Douglas" she said as she looked at his sleepy face.

"What time is it?" he said looking around for the clock.

"It's a little after 7 am. We could sleep a little longer if you like?"

"Yea, I like. Now, come over here and bring that sexy body closer so you keep me warm," he grabbed her around the waist to pull her in close to him and rubbed his body against hers.

Naomi giggled softly as she settled into his body, "Settle down and go back to sleep you dirty boy," she teased.

"I'm only dirty because you made me that way," he said yawning in her ear.

Naomi smiled to herself, for now he was going to be her prince even if the possibility of that actually happening was impossible. They both settled into each other, rubbing and caressing the other's body until they fell asleep once again. 

When Naomi arrived back at the castle Freddie and Zoe were waiting for her as she opened her bedroom door.

"My goodness, don't you two have anything to do besides stalk me." Naomi was a tad upset they were there she just wanted some time alone to rest and think about what was happening or what was not supposed to be happening between she and Doug.

"Nope, we don't. I'd just like to know what my big sister has been up to that she shows up here at 12:30 in the afternoon."

"Me too," chimed in Freddie not looking pleased herself, but Naomi noticed something about Freddie being miffed that had nothing to do with her late arrival, she wondered what was going on with her.

"This is a private matter and although I love you both dearly, I'm not going to share the details of an intimate evening spent with Douglas."

Zoe clicked her tongue in disapproval, "You've never been any fun. If I had a fling with a hot guy I'd give you all the details."

"I'm sure you would, Zoe but the difference is I wouldn't want to know about your details. It's always a good thing you're still a virgin."

Freddie chimed in, "well, my dear you're not and this is not a good idea, Naomi. You're playing with another person's feelings and a nice person at that, I think you're going to regret this."

"Douglas and I have discussed the nature of this relationship, Freddie and he understands this just fun and we'll being going our separate ways soon." Naomi lied through her teeth. She had to say something to get Freddie off her back. 

Freddie looked suspicious but responded, "Okay, whatever you say. I hope you know what you're doing not for his sake, Naomi but for yours." Freddie rose from the chaise lounge and walked out of the room.

Naomi just looked at her as she left she threw her things on the floor and fell on the bed with Zoe. "I'm so tired Zoe. Why is she mad at me?"

"Oh, she's not mad. You know how Freddie is, high strung, that's her job to be high strung." They both laughed at the accurate description of Freddie. "I think she was just a little pissed because I think she wanted to spend some time with Dhani today and...well with you staying out all night and morning she had to put those plans on hold."

Naomi rose from the bed and propped herself on her elbows, "Dhani? Douglas' friend Dhani?"

Zoe looked at her curiously, "well how many other Dhanis do you think we know? Of course, Doug's friend, they had more of a connection than we thought they did."

Naomi fell back to the bed, she didn't want to interfere with her friend's chances for happiness especially when she was so wishy washy about her own plans. 

The phone on the desk in Naomi's room rang, she ran over to pick to it up, "Yes."

"My lady, King Milo is on the line and is eager to speak with you."

Darn, thought Naomi she was not in the mood for her Father. She hurried and attempted to brighten her mood by smiling, she would need that moment of peppiness.

"Hello, Father."

Zoe looked at her and mouthed "Is that Papa?" with a look of dread on her face. Naomi shook her head yes. Zoe crept out of the room, 'Judas' Naomi thought.

"Naomi. What is this I hear about you being out of the castle overnight?"

Naomi sighed, 'Darn security, what a bunch of tattle tales,' she thought.

"I can explain Father."

"Please do," he said sternly into the phone.

"Father, I was just out having a good time that's all. The clubs stay open late here, so I didn't get in until early this morning."

"Naomi that is something I would expect of Zoe not you. You have to remember that you're a princess and as such you represent the crown and this country."

"Yes, Father." Naomi had heard this speech so many times she knew it by heart, but she always hated to hear the disappointment in her Father's voice as he said it.

"I understand that you are on holiday and would like to relax, but you can never get too comfortable Naomi. You must always remember you have a duty, you are not a commoner. You are royalty, even while relaxing you must be cognizant of that fact at all times. The last thing the royal family needs is a scandal. Where was Fredericka during all this nonsense?"

"I had given her the night off, Freddie is a grown woman and my assistant Father, not my nurse maid," she breathed deeply the pressure and weight of her life as royalty was starting to overwhelm her senses again. 

"Daughter, please be more careful and make sure that you keep Freddie near if things go awry she knows how to handle situations correctly." 

Naomi sighed she hated being treated like a 5 year old but her Father insisted on making sure that she and Zoe were watched closely, she more than Zoe since she was next to be Queen. "I understand, Father and I would of course never do anything to shame you, the crown or Bocara."

"You know I am very proud of you Naomi, you are my highest hope for the continuation of our family's rule. I expect that you and Randolph will be a perfect royal couple. Are you excited about the announcement of the engagement during the Festival of Feasts?"

"Yes, Father, I am very excited. I think it will be good for the country," Naomi lied. She was good at lying to her Father especially when it came to Randolph and her impending sham of a marriage to him. She could hear her Father's smile on the other end of the line. He was happy about the marriage but was absolutely thrilled about the prospect of Naomi adding children to the lineage.

"Good, we're getting things prepared for the engagement announcement as we speak. Your mother and I are both pleased that the engagement will finally be taking place."

"I am too, Father," Naomi droned in a flat voice.

"Well, daughter I must ring off. I have some business to attend to in the morning. Please tell Zoe, hello and that I love her. Enjoy the remainder of your holiday and we will see you back home in a few days. I love you."

"I love you, too Father. Good-bye."

"Good-bye, my dear."

As Naomi hung up the phone, she slouched in the chair behind the desk. The weight of it all, her status as part of the royal family of Bocara, her impending engagement to Randolph, her duty to her countrymen, and then there was her potential for falling in love with Douglas. She rose and flung herself across the bed and began to weep. 

Doug sat with Dhani and Al as they had a dinner together. 

"Well, man, have you called her yet?" Dhani asked.

"Yes, I've talked to her since we parted this afternoon. She was having dinner with her sister and Freddie then turning in early. She said she was tired, I guess I do that to women," Doug said grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"No, you don't that to women. You actually bore them into tiredness," Al joked to him. 

Dhani started laughing and Doug punched Al in the arm. Doug wasn't worried about it he knew Al was joking, that's just the way their friendship worked. He had spoken to Naomi for about an hour earlier in the day, she sounded okay but he could tell she had been crying he heard it in her voice. He didn't ask about it, he figured if she wanted to tell him she would volunteer the information herself but she didn't. He was hoping it didn't have anything to do with him but how could it. They'd had a fabulous evening and an even better night and morning. His mind went back to the sounds she made as he made to love to her and that delicious wonderful body of hers writhing beneath him as he was overcome with passion at their joining. 

"Hey, man, snap out of it. She got your nose all open this soon?" Al was looking at him like he was insane and rolling his eyes.

"Leave him alone, Al. The man is in love. We can't fault him for that, she is fine and seems real cool."

"She is cool, man really cool. I'm really starting to like her."

Al looked shocked, "aww, come on man you just got rid of that barracuda Tiffani, I know you're not already trying to replace her." 

"Al, listen I'm not like you. I'm not into the spreading my love around thing."

"What? I'm not spreading my love around. I'm just discriminating about who I give my love too and if she's not worthy she's just not worthy and I move on to next worthy candidate."

Dhani laughed and said, "yea right, man how many girlfriends have you had in the last year? What? Like six or seven and some at the same time. Aren't you dating two chicks, now?" Dhani and Doug started laughing, Al just smiled guiltily.

"Yes and they know the deal with me, I tell them how it is. Well, what's up with you Dhani? Don't hate because I'm out there handling business and you're sitting at home with your books every night," Al teased.

"You know I haven't exactly been lonely but I'm not out always strutting mine around like a prize poodle, but you know I don't lack for female companionship. Right now, there may be one female in particular."

Doug looked at Dhani and furrowed his brow in confusion. Al just started to chuckle to himself.

"What are talking you about female in particular?" Doug wanted further explanation.

Dhani shrugged a little, he was always really laid back and low key and the most mellow of the group but boy if you got him mad, he was raging bull. 

"Just somebody, listen man, you've been so busy mooning over Naomi I wasn't really able to let you in on my own budding romance."

"Get out of here, man. With you?"

Dhani looked down and smiled, "with Freddie, man."

Doug's eyes went wide with surprise and Al broke into hearty laughter at the look on Doug's face. 

"You weren't expecting that," Al said.

"Naw, no way man. That's awesome, that's great. You deserve it Dhani, you're a great guy she'd be lucky to have you, man."

"Yea, I know," Dhani said while popping his collar, he was the humblest guy they knew and didn't take himself seriously at all. "We've been talking a little and the day we spent together with Al and Zoe, we got to know each other much better. I like her, she's my kind of girl, feisty, down to earth, strong, smart and I'm digging the freckles too, they're cute."

Doug smiled, he was happy for his friend but he was still thinking about Naomi and their blossoming relationship.

"But what about you and Naomi, Doug? What are you planning on doing when this vacation is over? Freddie said they'd be leaving in about a week to go back home, what's up then?" Dhani asked with concern, he and Freddie had decided they'd keep in close contact maybe visit each other but he was worried about Doug's plans.

"Man, I don't know. She keeps things kind of close to the vest, you know. She's not real open. I don't ask those questions, because I think I'm afraid of the answers. I sometimes get the feeling she's keeping something from me, I don't know what but whatever it is it seems important. Either of you guys find anything kind of odd about her, maybe deceptive?"

Dhani just looked at him and told him, "Doug, don't mess this up. There's nothing wrong with her. Maybe she wants to go slow, what you've known her for a couple of days. Just enjoy it. Don't make her into Tiffani man, that skank is gone let it be done and over with."

"I agree, Doug. She's nice, fine as heck, and she likes you. Run with it man." Al patted him on back. 

"She's great woman, don't go getting all nuts. Not every woman is Tiffani and that's a good thing," Dhani said looking at him seriously.

"Fo' shizzle," Al said and fist bumped Dhani.

Doug made a face at Al's comment, "Oh please don't do that Al, don't try to be hip you just sound ridiculous. Like the ridiculous rich kid that you are." 

They all started to laugh. Doug was thinking how lucky he was to have these guys in his life. If it had not been for them when all the craziness with Tiffani's infidelity happened he would have cracked up. His family had been great support to him, but his buddies, his homeboys that had gotten him out of the funk and depression that her betrayal had caused. He really thought that he would never be able to trust another woman or even be bothered with another woman then came Naomi.

"You guys are right, though. I'm going to let her go at her own pace. She's been kind of sheltered by her parents, I think and this may be the first time she's done anything like this."

"Like what?" asked Dhani.

"Become physical with somebody so soon," Doug decided to let them in on that information he'd gotten from her.

"I don't think her sister has been physical with anybody at all," Al interjected.

"You interested in her sister, Al?" Doug asked, he wanted to know, all he needed was Al playing mack daddy to mess up his relationship with Naomi. 

Al looked a little unsure but answered, "no way man, she's way too young and inexperienced for me. I was just trying to be a gentleman the other day. Anyway she's too opinionated, thinks she knows so much. That's not my kind of woman, I like them pliable and experienced."

"Umm hmm," Dhani smirked, "man, she's just the kind of the woman you need, whip your behind into shape and have you running back for more."

Dhani and Doug laughed, they enjoyed needling Al sometimes he was such a spoiled rich kid it was fun to mess with him. Both Doug and Dhani came from middle class backgrounds, but Al's parents were wealthy his family owned a thriving Mexican foods manufacturing business out in Los Angeles, his dad also had a winery in Sonoma Valley. He was a good guy but he was the youngest boy in a family of six children and was overly indulged by his parents and siblings. 

"Anyway, when are we going to Berlin?" Al asked. "You got time lover boy?" he looked over at Doug.

"Of course, you guys want to invite the girls? I was talking about it with Naomi, you guys cool with that?"

"You know I am. What about you Al?"

Al sighed, he didn't relish the thought of having to hang out with Zoe again but he didn't exactly hate it either, she was cute and very sexy. "Okay, I'm in."

"Cool, I'll call Naomi and we'll get this set up. I'm excited we're going to have some fun I think."

Doug was looking forward to any time he could spend with Naomi. He'd been thinking it over but now that he'd talked to his friends he was sure he wanted to tell her that he was thinking they should continue their relationship once this vacation was over. He wanted to get to know her a lot better and if she wanted to do that more slowly he was willing to take his time, because this was a girl he did not want to lose. 





Thanks everybody for your support of my story and your comments, please keep them coming. This is my first story on here and I'm hoping to write others and I'm trying to get better at it so constructive criticism is welcome. Doug and Naomi got a little ways to go in their romance but it'll be worth it in the end. Thanks again, guys. 



A Common Kind of Love Ch. 06



They'd all packed up some clothing and taken the train into Berlin. They'd been there two days and this was there last night in Berlin. The guys had been staying at a hotel, while the girls had taken up residence in a small mansion a little outside the city. As usual, they had a staff and attendants just as things should be for royalty but Doug had no idea where they were staying and he also wondered why they weren't staying in the city in a hotel.

Although they had quarters outside the city, Naomi had been spending her nights and mornings in Doug's suite, their intimate moments had become more intense and frequent. They were each enjoying the other's company as well as the other's body. Naomi found herself swooning because Douglas was an excellent lover, very giving. She'd been enjoying spending time with him and although she thought she could keep her emotions under control, she felt them slipping into a comfortable relationship. She had to keep a hold of this situation because there really was no way for them to be together and she was leaving in a couple of days to return to her life in Bocara and this magical time during her German holiday would be over. She was sure that Douglas knew this was just a fling, but she kept getting this gnawing feeling he was thinking something more he just hadn't revealed what it was. They were going to go out that night with Freddie, Dhani, Zoe and Al to have a big dinner and partake in some of the wild night life of Berlin but they had been in Doug's hotel room after an afternoon of touring and shopping lounging in each other's arms after making love.

Doug looked over at Naomi, "what time are we supposed to be going to dinner?" he asked. He was in pure bliss and really didn't want this time to end, he had no interest in going out tonight but they'd made plans and he didn't want to be a spoil sport.

Naomi looked over at the clock it was almost 6:15 pm, "I think we're supposed to be meeting for dinner at 8 or so but maybe I should call Freddie, she's always planning things out. She plans a good part of my life."

Doug watched as Naomi rose from the bed and went over to her purse to get her phone and call Freddie. He'd noticed that she would say things like 'Freddie planning her life' and he just thought it was rather funny and odd. Why would your best friend plan your life, he'd thought. He kept getting the feeling she was keeping something from him but he felt that since it was so early in their relationship he didn't have the right to pry especially since he wasn't positive. Naomi was walking back toward the bed and his eyes couldn't do anything but stare longingly at her body, she was exquisite but he knew she had no idea how exquisite. She was just a lot of soft, supple curves and creamy mocha skin, her stomach was flat and her breasts were enough to make a man give his left testicle to get his mouth on them and he had, he'd spent lots of time sucking and licking her breasts he held deep adoration for them. He also loved that backside. Her ass was perfect, curvy hips that flared out into a luscious bubble butt. His hands couldn't hold enough of her or touch enough of her as she approached the bed he eased up on his elbows.

"Well, I got the time. We're all supposed to meet in the lobby of the hotel at 8 pm. I knew she'd know she knows everything," Naomi smiled at him then she noticed he was looking at her with that lustful glare. "What are you looking at?" she asked.

"You," he said nonchalantly "I'm looking at how lovely you are and I'm thinking I want to make love to you again."

"Douglas, we just did that. We really need to get ready to go out. We don't want to be late, Freddie hates it when I'm late and so do I."

"I swear I'll make it quick, we won't be late but darling I have to have some of your sweetness again. I'll die if I don't," he said jokingly with a pleading look in his eyes.

Naomi put her head back and laughed, he was so sexy and cute. He did look extremely tasty with half the covers on his body his manhood peaking out a little more because it had come to attention. 

She smiled seductively at him and said, "Well maybe if you make it quick and make it good. I'll be nice to you."

"I like nice," Doug said smiling from ear to ear. 

Naomi crawled up the bed toward him and pulled back the covers to reveal his magnificent muscular form, "Okay now that I think about it, maybe you don't have to do it quickly. Who cares if we're late?" She climbed on top of Douglas to enjoy the ride. 

They'd had a great night and they all decided to go to a nightclub. It was fairly dark inside and the music was blaring. Zoe had taken off a little while back, complaining of a headache but Naomi had a feeling she didn't want to spend another moment in the company of Al. Al headed back to the hotel moments after she left, he was feigning tiredness. Those two had been going at it all night, one snipe after another, Naomi had the feeling that Al was getting to Zoe in a way her sister wasn't prepared to acknowledge. Dhani and Freddie had been on the dance floor the majority of the night, those two looked good together. They also seemed to be becoming really close. It pleased Naomi to see at least someone could possibly walk away from this holiday with the love of a lifetime. She looked over at Douglas he was relaxing with a drink in his hand and smiled back at her. She wondered what was going to happen when it was time for them to say good-bye. After their love making today she was finding it harder and harder to think about telling him that they wouldn't be continuing their 'friendship'. But she was also getting a weird feeling like someone was watching her she couldn't figure out why but she was. She'd had it for the last couple of days in Berlin, but maybe she was just being paranoid. One of the many results of being a royal was the feeling of being constantly watched especially in situations where she wanted to be incognito. 

"You alright, sweetheart," Doug asked her, she looked worried and kept looking around the club as if she were looking for someone.

"I'm fine, Douglas," she turned and smiled back at him, "do you want to dance? I'd love to get you out on the floor." She got up from her seat and started to move her hips backing up toward the dance floor and beckoning Doug to come with her.

Doug looked at her and smiled, she looked so alluring and sexy moving out on that dance floor. He was shaking his head in the negative, he wasn't big on dancing and didn't feel prepared to embarrass himself but he wasn't feeling too bad as he watched her move her hips in that short black dress, it had sparkles at the hem in black and charcoal gray and she had on a pair of black peep toe shoes with an ankle strap, to him she looked like sex. Since he wasn't going to join her on the dance floor she shrugged her shoulders and turned around to move to the music. When she danced he could tell she was from an island, she let herself go, she moved so fluid as if the music and she were kindred, one almost. Doug could feel his mouth go a little dry, he picked up his drink and took a gulp of it but it didn't help with the fire that was growing inside, his cock was responding eagerly to the sight of her. His eyes sweep over the beautiful woman that was his as she danced alone on the floor, guys would creep up from the darkness of the room to try to make a play but she'd only push them away, hold them back. He then realized that the show she was putting on was just for him, for his eyes only and it thrilled him as nothing ever had. Doug sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out, as a wave of something came over him, something he hadn't felt even with Tiffani, he loved this woman he was madly in love with her. It excited him and scared him all at the same time. He had to make sure that she knew before she left, that she was going to be his for the rest of their lives.

Naomi watched Doug as she danced she was putting on this show for him. Being an island princess meant one thing she knew how to move her hips and body to any syncopated rhythm. As she moved around dancing in circles to the beat, she could see his eyes moving with her, he was lifting his glass to drink but would sometimes stop mid-way to watch her. She could see his left hand moving down towards the spot where his cock was encased, she thought it was erotic and kind of daring. Here she was dancing to the beat and this gorgeous man was sitting in his chair in the middle of a club and about to stroke his cock. She smiled saucily to herself she hadn't felt this powerful as a woman ever in her life. She was all about propriety and protocol in public, never making a wanton display of herself as a princess, this felt good and right. As she moved on the floor, Naomi thought she saw a flash of light, she looked around rapidly wondering where it came from, she still moved but for some reason she could not shake the feeling of someone watching her. She thought that maybe her dancing for Douglas in such an open display wasn't as good an idea as she thought, maybe the champagne she'd been drinking was causing her to make unwise choices. She moved off the floor back towards the seat where Doug was sitting in full rapt attention.

"Hey, why'd you come back? You looked great out on that dance floor, you can really move and you're really sexy too," he said as he rose from his seat. He pulled Naomi close to him and rubbed his growing erection into her stomach.

Naomi felt his lengthening manhood against her and started to feel a bit flush she felt beads of sweat forming on her temples from the dancing. At least she thought it was the dancing. Doug pulled her in for a deep kiss as his hands moved down to cup her ass and squeeze it lightly. Naomi was so caught up in the kiss she felt like she was floating right out of those Manolo Blahnik's when suddenly she felt the flash of light again. Her eyes opened and she pulled her lips away from Doug's which surprised him, she looked around again but she couldn't really see well in this dark club but she'd felt the flash behind her eyelids, someone was watching them. She looked at Douglas and a feeling of fear and uncertainty came over her. She didn't want him caught in her mess.

"What's wrong, Naomi? You've been acting funny all night, baby. Are you sure you're okay?" Doug looked at her worried. She had been really jumpy this evening and he couldn't figure out why.

Naomi couldn't tell him what she thought but she knew it was time to go. "I'm fine Douglas, sweetheart. I think I'm getting tired or maybe it was all the champagne," she tried to laugh a little to ease his mind.

He smiled at her and held her hands close to his chest, "that's okay honey, we can get outta here. I'll get Dhani and Freddie off the dance floor. Well, more like drag them off the dance floor and we'll head out."

Doug walked into the throng of people on the dance floor and rustled up Dhani and Freddie, who came back with him laughing and looking like they'd had the best time of their young lives. Naomi looked at Freddie with a worried look on her face, signaling to her that she felt something was amiss. 

"You guys, Dhani and I are going to the coat check to get your coats and then we'll leave, okay?" Doug told the girls.

"That's fine," Naomi spoke to Doug.

Freddie looked at them and did a little wave to Dhani as she giggled. She turned to Naomi and asked, "What's wrong, chile?"

"I don't know, Freddie. I keep getting the feeling that someone is watching me, that someone is taking pictures of me. I can't seem to get over it, but I think it's time we leave."

Freddie started to look around and scan the crowd usually she was really good at telling if someone was watching them but being occupied with the chocolate sexiness of Dhani she hadn't noticed anything. She didn't want to let her friend down but most of all she didn't want to let her princess down. 

The guys came back carrying their coats and wraps. Doug helped Naomi into her wrap and squeezed her shoulders as he bent over to kiss her neck, "when we get back to that hotel, I'm going to do some naughty things to you. I also have something very important I want to talk to you about." 

Naomi looked back at him with confusion on her brow, "what?" she asked.

"I'll tell you at the hotel, don't worry it's good, really good," and he smiled deeply at her.

Naomi looked into his eyes, she didn't know what to do she saw it, she saw it in his eyes, he was falling in love with her. She knew it was happening but she wasn't sure, she didn't want to think about the possibility. Now, what was she going to do?

Dhani and Freddie led as they walked out of the nightclub doors with Doug and Naomi close behind. As they stepped out into the cold night air, it happened, the one thing that Naomi thought she had escaped on her holiday. 

"Princess Naomi, can you tell us about your young man?" she heard someone shout from the crowd. Then bulbs started to flash all around her and camera lights blinded her.

Oh no, she thought, the newspaper and tv, how did they find her, how did they find her here. She heard Douglas shout, "what the hell is all this?" he looked completely stunned and totally confused. She couldn't explain to him, she couldn't explain any of this circus that was going on around them. 

"Princess Naomi, who's the guy?" "Are you two going to be married?" "What about your fiancée in Bocara?" the screams and the bright lights were too much for her. All of sudden she felt Freddie snatch her out of Douglas' grasp and lead her to a cab at the curb, as they were getting in car she turned to see Douglas as cameras flashed and took pictures of him and Dhani, he looked so confused and utterly hurt. Dhani took him by the shoulders and hustled him back into the nightclub as Freddie shoved her into the car and they drove off. 

As the car sped away she turned to look at Freddie "Oh my goodness, Freddie. What have I done? What have I done?" as she burst into uncontrollable tears.

In the foyer of the club Doug just stood with Dhani in front of him. "I don't know if they're gonna leave man, maybe we need to take a back exit out of this place." He turned to ask the maitre'd about a back exit. As they walked through the club to the exit, Doug couldn't think, he couldn't breath he felt as if he might collapse. She had a fiancée, she was a princess?

Outside as they walked to catch a cab back to the hotel he turned to Dhani and in an angry tone he almost screamed, "What the hell is going on, Dhani? She has a damn fiancée? What was that about Princess Naomi? What's happening, man?"

In the cab, Dhani looked guiltily at the floor he didn't want to face Doug because unlike Doug he knew most of the story, everything but the fiancée part. 

"You better start talking Dhani or I'm going to knock the hell out of you."

Dhani knew that was empty threat but he knew Doug was mad. "Listen man, it's like this Naomi and her sister are Princesses. They are royalty and Freddie is not only her friend but her personal assistant. They'd just been vacationing here undercover."

"What? Why didn't you tell me?" Doug was livid, madder than he'd been in a long time.

"Because Freddie made me promise."

"Oh, Freddie's more important than your boy? Is that it?" he shouted at Dhani.

"Yea, in fact, she is important she's real important, Doug. Man I didn't know you were falling for this chick I just thought you were having fun. I mean you just got rid of Tiffani, I didn't think you'd get back on the horse this soon," he shrugged his shoulders in apology, not really knowing what to say to ease the pain his friend was feeling.

Doug punched the back of the seat and the driver looked back to shout something to him in German. He didn't care his heart had been stepped on once again and by a princess to boot.

"Doug you okay man?" Dhani asked him concerned.

He looked at Dhani with tears almost in his eyes, "No, I'm pretty far from being okay. I was going to tell her tonight that I loved her and I wanted us to start a relationship. But I guess I can't start a relationship with an engaged island princess," he put his head in his hands and ran them through his hair, "I'm such a dumbass, I've been screwed again and she didn't even use K-Y jelly." 

Doug leaned back in his seat and Dhani figured it was best that they ride to the hotel in silence. 

Naomi, Zoe and Freddie were on the royal family's private jet on their way back to Bocara Island. Naomi had tried to contact Douglas at his hotel, but he refused to take her calls. She wanted so badly to explain that it had been a big mistake and she wasn't meaning to trick or deceive him but he wasn't hearing any of it. Freddie had spoken to Dhani after the incident at the nightclub and he'd told her that Doug was immensely hurt by Naomi's deception and wasn't feeling up to talking to her at all. Naomi had been crying on and off these last couple of days of the holiday. They'd gotten back to Wolfsberg and she couldn't concentrate. She'd stayed at the castle and not done any more touring or shopping while Freddie and Zoe had gotten the last of theirs in. Zoe had even spoken to Al, who was none to happy about how this whole deal had gone down. He'd told her the whole story of Doug's broken engagement and the betrayal by his fiancée and Zoe relayed the story to her. Everything she said just made her feel more like an evil bitch and deceitful and wretched, she wanted to die. On the plane ride home, Zoe and Freddie had been trying to reassure her that after a period of cooling off, she'd probably be able to talk to Douglas again and explain things but she wasn't positive about that. She'd done something she never wanted to do to him, she'd hurt him in a selfish way. Her own selfishness had hurt him and now she couldn't take it back, if only she'd spoken up earlier. She sat in her plush seat with a glass of mineral water in front of her, she hadn't even touched. She hadn't been eating or drinking much in the past few days. She looked out the window and just tried to think of the wonderful times they'd had with one another because she'd probably never see him again.  

Douglas had gotten back to Atlanta on a Saturday in a state of almost shock. He hadn't gone anywhere with his boys after they got back to Wolfsberg, he'd just stayed in his room. Naomi had tried to call him but he wasn't taking any of her calls. 'That selfish slut' he thought to himself those first hours, he'd been so mad he'd almost beat the bellboy to a pulp for bringing up the wrong room service order. He'd spent that time drinking and drowning himself in pity. He couldn't believe it. He'd fallen in love with another damn harlot. What was his problem, he could definitely pick them. 'Maybe I should stop going for the pretty girls' he lamented to himself on the plane ride back to the United States, 'they're nothing but trouble'. He couldn't believe he was so stupid, he knew something was wrong but he went against his instincts. Dhani had tried to explain and placate him but after his deception he was barely speaking to Dhani in civil tones. Al had come by to do the 'all women ain't nothing but bitches' speech but he didn't want to hear that one either because deep in his heart he was still in love with Naomi which was surprising because after Tiffani's deception he'd fell immediately out of love with her. But there was just something about Naomi her demeanor, her kindness, her care, and warmth that had sucked him in and gained his love. 

He'd gone to a newsstand in Wolfsberg to see if he could get a copy of a paper with the story of her discovery in Germany, there hadn't been a ton of them but the papers from her island home had been splashed with pictures of Naomi and himself with tawdry headlines like "Island Princess and American stud on Romp in Germany" "Princess Naomi caught in Holiday Affair". 




A Common Kind of Love Ch. 06



It was pretty tacky, pictures of him and her in the club as she danced for him and he kissed her. It was embarrassing for him and he wasn't even famous but for her it was probably devastating, then again that's what she gets for being a liar he thought. Liars always get caught at some point and she was as big a liar as Tiffani maybe worse. His heart had almost been wrenched from his chest when he discovered the depth of her deception. He wasn't feeling in the mood to talk to anyone, he'd heard from his sister that the story had been on some gossip show she watched in the U.S. so he was minor celebrity. The news kept getting worse. 

When he'd arrived home, his townhouse was just as he had left it quiet and still. His next door neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone had picked up his mail while he was away, when he knocked on their door to get it, Mrs. Gladstone answered with a concerned look on her face. 'Oh no' he thought she's heard too, this was becoming a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.

"Hello Doug, dear," she said with that syrupy sweet southern accent of hers, she'd been a debutante in her day but those days were long gone and she was all coiffed dyed blonde hair, garish rouge, and red lipstick now. "How are you doing, darling?"

He answered without much emotion, "I'm fine Mrs. Gladstone. Can I get my mail? I've got to unpack." He wasn't feeling up to some long conversation with her.

"Of course, darling. It's right here on the table," she turned to shuffle toward her foyer table to pick up a folder filled with his mail. As she turned to hand him his bills and junk mail she patted him on the arm, "I'm so sorry dear, I saw on that show 'Night Copy' that you were caught over there in Germany with some engaged princess. What was going on darling?" her question was part concern but more nosiness. 

"Mrs. Gladstone, I'd ask that you please respect my privacy and not mention that to me again. Thank you."

She looked a tad insulted and said haughtily, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stick my nose in your business. You have a good day," and she closed the door in Doug's face. 

Doug turned and stomped back over his house. He let himself in and slammed the door so hard the whole house shook. "Goddammit, I cannot believe she fucking did this to me. Why, Naomi, why?" he shouted looking up at ceiling in the anguish closing his eyes trying to relieve some of the pain he was in. 

Later that evening as Doug sat in the dark of his den listening to music trying to erase Naomi from his permanent memory, he heard the doorbell ring. 

"I wonder who that is I hope it's not Maggie. She's too sisterly for her own good," he picked up the remote and turned off the stereo. He ambled toward the front door, he really wasn't in the mood for company but if it was his sister she'd set on that doorbell till he answered. As he peered through the peephole, he was surprised to see who it was, Tiffani. Of all the people to come by, he didn't need this now. He opened the door and there she stood all 5'3" of her petite skinny frame. He'd been so in love with her when they met, she was perfection to him, so girly and helpless he thought he liked that at the time. She had a heart-shaped face, little bow lips, long blonde hair that she wore straight, and light blue eyes. She was every American boy's fantasy girl with a nice frame, although Doug had recently taken a liking to tall mocha colored princesses with full lips and pecan hued eyes and asses that made you want to worship them. 

"Hello, Tiffani, what are you doing here?" he said as he looked more through her than at her.

"Oh, Doug, honey I saw what happened on tv and I had to get over here to see if I could be of comfort," she swept right past him and sashayed her way into his house.

He turned to look at her like she was crazy but she didn't notice, he closed the door and stood there in the foyer as she went into the living room to sit down.

"Doug you must tell me what that awful woman did to you. You know you just can't trust those kinds of women. I've told you that before, I know you've had that jungle fever thing previously and hanging out with that Dhani Jefferson didn't help. But, those kinds of women are just not meant for men for like you."

Tiffani had never liked Dhani or Al for that matter. She didn't do ethnic she used to tell Doug. Now, as he stood there and looked at her spewing venomous hate from that lying mouth of hers, it was all Doug could do not to toss her out on her flat ass. He couldn't fathom to himself what he'd ever seen in this woman she was a hideous human being.

"Now, that you're back and have all of that out of your system. Maybe we can start fresh again, you know I made a huge mistake by stepping out on you with that Brian, he wasn't for me and now I know it. I want you back, Doug. You and I were always meant to be and now I remember how good we were together and how much I love you," she was sitting there getting way too comfortable kind of lounging back on his couch with her mini skirt hiking up as she did so.

Does this woman have no shame, Doug thought. He couldn't believe what she was saying, his heart was broken and all she could do was think about herself; he realized he didn't just dump her because she was unfaithful, he dumped her because she was a self-centered, egotistical bitch and had always been.

"Tiffani, get the hell out of here," he said with force. 

"Wha..." she was in absolute shock that he'd spoken to her like that, she was only trying to help, "What do you mean Doug? I'm only trying to comfort you."

"I don't need your kind of comfort. I don't need anything from you. I want you outta my house right this minute before I bounce you out on that non-existent behind of yours. Are you effing nuts?" He was looking at her like she'd lost her mind, he couldn't take it anymore.

She stood up abruptly and pushed past him, huffing and acting as if she were insulted, "I was just trying to help. I thought you could use a friend, a shoulder to cry on."

"I wouldn't cry on your shoulder if it was the last one on earth and we are not and never will be friends."

"Oh Doug, how could you say that," she stood in front of him batting her lashes like she used to when he was mad at her and she wanted her way, she wasn't going to get it this time. She put her hand on his chest and he took his hand and removed it.

"I mean it Tiffani I don't need this or you right now. You are an awful hateful, vengeful, spiteful shrew and I don't know what I ever saw in you. The more I look at you at this moment, the uglier you get."

She sucked in a shocked breath, "Doug, you've lost your mind. Tons of men want me you're just too stupid to know that. I'd been cheating you the whole time we were together. You were never man enough to satisfy me and I just took pity on you after I saw how humiliated you looked on tv after that black bit..."

"If you say one more word, I'm not going to be held responsible for what I do to you."

She flashed a hateful look at him and put her coat on to go. Doug held the door open for her to leave.

As she left she turned back to him, "You'll be back. They always come back to me. She isn't even one of me, even if she is royalty," she swung that blonde mane and stomped down the steps.

He slammed the door for the second time that day, "You wish you were half of her, Tiffani. You wish" he said after the door closed. 

Naomi's arrival home was not a joyous occasion when she got there, she noticed that many of the staff and servants just looked at her then turned their heads hoping not to get caught staring. Only Petunia who oversaw all the staff in the house greeted her with any kind of smile, as Efrem put her bags in her room at the back of the house. Naomi didn't stay in the main house once she turned 25 she couldn't fathom staying in that house anymore. She stayed in a cottage out back on the grounds. She did have most of her meals in the main house with her family but she felt a little more independent living in the cottage, there was no way in Hades her father would have ever let her move off the grounds of Albert Estates, that was the name of the royal palace and the surrounding grounds. It was a large estate with several quarters for servants, a stable for horses, a tennis court, two pool areas, and 3 guest houses besides the small cottage that she occupied along with lots of land for roaming. If she wanted, she'd never have to leave Albert Estates but most of the time she was there she just felt suffocated and confined. She was hoping the holiday to Germany would help with that instead she'd shamed her country, her family and the royal name. 

She sat in her living room, when she heard a tiny knock on the door of the cottage.

"Come in," she replied she doubted it was her father, King Milo, he didn't ever come to her she was always summoned to him. She was grateful she wasn't in the main house right now it would have been terrible and awkward. 

Naomi's mom, Queen Evie, peeked her head inside, "Can I come in, sugar plum?" that was her mom's pet name for Naomi, Zoe's was 'cookie'. 

Naomi was sitting on her divan trying to chill out for a moment, but she was glad to see her momma, she rushed to get up and get to the door for a big hug. She got one. Her mother hugged her hard as she started to tear up again. Naomi was a little taller than her mother but her mom looked up at her to wipe away her tears. Naomi's momma was an island beauty. Both Naomi and Zoe got their looks from her, although Zoe looked more like their mother. She had been Miss Bocara Island as a young woman, she had short hair now it was brown with lots of gray in it she always looked so distinguished. She had eyes the color of honey and caramel skin, Zoe had inherited all those features from her. Naomi was the color of her Father, that chocolate mocha skin tone, with his dark brown eyes and black hair although his had grayed significantly also in his old age. 

"Oh, sugar plum you know I don't like to see my beautiful babies cry. You're too pretty to cry," she said as she wiped away the tears with her hand. Naomi could always count on her mother to try and lift her spirits. She was the wisest, kindest, and most beautiful woman that Naomi knew. She was an excellent queen but no one could hold a candle to her in Naomi's eyes as a mother. "Come on let's go over here and sit down and you can tell momma all about it, okay." 

Naomi walked over to the divan with her mother's arm around her and set down. She really didn't know where to start but she thought the best place would be at the beginning.

"Momma, it started so innocently we meet at an Oktoberfest gathering and he was sooo cute..."

About an hour later after she'd gotten it all out, Naomi's mom looked at her with love and something akin to pity in her eyes. Naomi had told how she and Douglas met, the time they spent together, how she'd kept the truth of her identity from him, and how it all came out. She decided to leave out the more intimate details but from the look on her mother's face, she'd guessed they'd hadn't just had a chaste kiss at the door and called it a night. 

"Naomi, you know I love you very much but you did a bad thing," her momma shook her head and tsked, "You should have been honest. It never works when you try to deceive people, you know that. Now, this has all come out in the papers on the television and the PR folks have gone into overdrive. Where was Freddie?"

"Momma, Freddie can't be responsible for me all the time, she has her own life."

"Her life is supposed to be your life" the Queen said in a louder tone, Queen Evie rarely ever raised her voice as royalty it just wasn't something she did. 

"Oh, momma don't be so mean. She did do her job, it was me that decided not to reveal to Douglas who I was. Can you tell me how Father is taking all this."

Her momma sighed and put her head down, "he's absolutely livid. I thought I saw smoke coming from his ears last night."

Naomi's shoulders slumped, she knew he'd be mad but she just couldn't be sure how mad now that she knew this was bad. Maybe she could leave again but there was no way to do that, in a few days was the beginning of the Festival of Feasts which lasted a week. 

"Has he said anything?" she looked at her mother cautiously.

"Nothing really. I'm sorry to tell you that, sugar plum but he hasn't said a word. He won't talk to me about it and he's just been talking to publicist and handlers trying to get everything straightened out. He's been trying to calm the nerves of the Duke and Duchess. It's been a little bit of chaos around here. He's in damage control mode. Remember the debacle with the Minister of Finance a few years ago and his penchant for underage women of the night, yes that's his mode now."

Naomi looked worried and her brow went up, oh the Minister of Finance and the prostitution thing had her Father in a full blown tizzy. He snapped at anyone who said anything, she'd avoided him during that for weeks. But she couldn't avoid him now, she was the cause of this and she had to face him. 

"Naomi, sugar plum, can I ask you something?" Queen Evie looked at her with grave concern.

"Yes, momma, what is it?"

"Are you in love with this Douglas?"

Naomi sank back into the cushions, she'd been thinking about that ever since that night at the club in Berlin when this whole mess began and she'd come to a tragic conclusion that she was in love with him but what did that matter.

"Yes, I am, very much so. But it doesn't matter there is no way for us to be together."

Her momma leaned in to hug her close, "you know, sugar plum, there is always a way but you have to be patient and keep the faith. True love always wins out."

Naomi leaned into her mother and looked up at her, "but how, momma, how will this ever work out. He hates me, I'm betrothed to Randolph the dull dolt and I'm announcing my engagement in a few days."

Her momma laughed heartily to herself at the description of Randolph, she had to agree. She was not excited at the prospect of him becoming her son. "Naomi, I'm your mother I know these things. It can be done, don't worry. If you love Douglas, he knows you do and he'll come around. As for the betrothal, those things are so antiquated, who cares about that, I can work on your Father."

Naomi looked up at her momma excitedly, if she could be released from this promise of marriage to Randolph then she could pursue Douglas, let's hope he still wanted something to do with her. 



A Common Kind of Love Ch. 07



Thanks everybody for hanging in there with me, back from vacation and ready to continue. Thanks to my editor, I appreciate their time and effort. Thanks to you guys that are reading and commenting and voting for my story, I appreciate your time and effort too. EMD



Naomi sat in her Father's study as he paced around the room looking pensive and angry. The royal family's publicist and one of the ministers of the House of Gentry were both sitting also looking at her Father as he paced. She knew them both, the publicist, Sheila Graham was originally from New York and usually boisterous, always with something to say. Minister Killian was part of the Foreign Relations Ministry, why he was here, she wasn't sure. She'd been summoned the Sunday morning after her arrival back in Bocara to her Father's office. He was mad, angrier than she'd ever seen him. If he could turn red, he would have, but he couldn't so he just breathed deeply. It looked as if he was trying to calm himself down before he spoke. This would be first time she'd spoken to him at any length since her arrival back from Germany.

"Naomi, I must first express my deep disappointment at your actions in Germany," he said in an even but hard tone.

'Oh no' Naomi thought, not the disappointment speech, she hated this one. He could have slapped her and it would have been easier. The disappointment speech just rendered her so guilt ridden she could barely show her face in public. 

King Milo stepped to the side of Naomi's chair and looked down at her, meaning to intimidate her and it was certainly working well. His dark eyes held anger but more than that they held disappointment at the poor choices she had made during her holiday. He sighed deeply his chest heaving, his head was down and his eyes closed. He was attempting to gain his composure, she wasn't a five year old anymore, but she felt like one. He was trying to treat her as any adult in his cabinet and royal household when they made a mistake, but she was his daughter and he loved her and wanted her to be happy. He could never quite understand why she always seemed so eager to snub her nose at being a royal. She played her role as Princess very well, but he knew she wasn't always happy about the life they led. She wouldn't dare say it out loud but sometimes he knew she would brood silently and especially when she did things like this that were passive aggressive to show her feelings about this life. He knew it was difficult to be a royal since as a young man, he had also had troubles with his fate but by the time he was her age he had accepted that this was his life and there was no getting out of it. It had been his fate and duty to be king of Bocara Island, he just couldn't understand why Naomi seemed bent on railing against this duty. He could see her out of the corner of his eye, she was scared, but the look on her face still held a hint of defiance. 'I'll be darned' he thought to himself she was him as a young man, all bravado with no sense of duty. Well, she must learn her duty and she will learn it now.

"This stunt you pulled during your holiday has shamed our country and the royal household deeply. I must say, I know you have better sense than this Naomi, to lie to me about the goings on in Germany, to sneak off with some commoner, a white American of all things. We have been making calls, asking for favors hoping to get this news to simmer down and not go into full scandal mode, but it's already close." He chose that time to look at her with hard eyes and Naomi just stared up, she knew not to look away when her Father spoke it would be her downfall. 

"Do you have anything to say for yourself, Naomi?" it was more of a rhetorical question because no matter what she said there was no way to explain this away. 

"No, sir."

"I am trying to ease tensions between us and the Duke and Duchess of Endlemen who are threatening to call off the royal engagement."

In her mind, Naomi was thinking she would have been relieved if she could get this engagement called off, but she knew the handlers would smooth that over and it would still take place.

"They are thoroughly embarrassed and are not pleased thinking that their son may be marrying a princess without purity."

"What?" Naomi almost shouted, she couldn't believe it, that tramp son of theirs, and they had the audacity to besmirch her reputation.

Her Father's eyes flashed fire at her, "What did you say? You have no right to be upset with anyone at this moment young lady. Your mother and I have to put up with the insinuations and gossip about our household and our own daughter running wild as a buck in Germany. Now is not the time for any more foolishness from you Naomi. We will go through with this engagement as planned at the end of the Festival of Feasts and you will be there for all the celebrations and you will stand, be cordial and polite and wave and keep your bloody mouth shut. Do you understand me?" his voice was rose as he gave the speech.

Naomi knew now was not the time to try out her newfound bravery, "Yes, sir I understand"

"Minister Killian and I will be giving a press conference tomorrow. You will be there. Ms. Graham will be preparing a statement for you to make. You will be apologizing most profusely in it and begging for mercy and forgiveness of the Bocaran people. Do you understand?"

Naomi looked over at Minister Killian and Ms. Graham, who both looked liked they wanted to be somewhere else. 

"Yes, I understand."

"You have embarrassed this country and this family enough with this stupid dalliance of yours. It is unbelievable that you did not think beyond your own selfish desires and what this would do to your country and our reputation as the monarchy. I don't know if I can trust you now."

In her ears her father sounded so sad, she was sad too because the time she had spent with Douglas had been way more than a stupid dalliance. But she knew her father would never understand that she had fallen in love with this commoner, this white guy from America, who had the sweetest ocean blue eyes that turned stormy grey when he was full of passion, and tousled brown hair and who kissed her like she was the only thing that mattered to him. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes as her Father dismissed her from his office. She left silently, she knew in a few hours she'd be receiving the speech from Ms. Graham, words that would leave her empty and grim. She didn't want to apologize for falling in love. As she walked to the back of the palace and out to the outer grounds she let the tears fall. None of this was right or fair, she loved him and knew he loved her too but she was about to become engaged to a man she hardly knew and didn't want to know any better. She ran to the gardens and sat on her favorite bench. It was an old wooden bench with many names and sayings that had been craved into it over the years. She used to come out here in her childhood when she needed to think and to look among the beautiful tropical blooms of her island and let her mind wander. She wasn't sure what to do, she had turned something good into something tragic and now she couldn't take it back. She'd still been trying to contact Douglas off and on but he didn't answer her calls or return any of her e-mails. She put her head in her hands and just cried because she was trapped and she couldn't get out. She was never going to be happy no matter what she did she'd just have to be Princess Naomi, there was no self, only her country and her duty to it. 

Doug hadn't been sleeping and tonight wasn't any different. Naomi had been calling and sending e-mails but his pride couldn't let him talk to her. It was too much, the pain was too deep or maybe it was just his ego at having been made a dumbass by some woman again. But although he felt so much anger at what she had done, he'd been keeping up with what was going on with her on her island. He'd seen that she'd given a press conference a few days ago to apologize and ask for forgiveness for her mistake. Was that what he was, a mistake on her way to the altar. It also looked like she was still about to get engaged to some guy that looked like he had been dropped from a bad pimp movie, his name was Randolph. 'Who names someone Randolph' Doug mused and he was as arrogant as he seemed distant. Doug could tell that he didn't love Naomi and she sure didn't love him. His words in the news were dismissive and hurtful towards her all the while trying to seem heartbroken at her supposed betrayal. But from what Doug had read about him he was an around the world playboy, seen with many women of every color imaginable on his arm. 'What a dickhead' he thought and she has to marry this asshole. Even she didn't deserve this kind of life, one with a husband that has no respect for her or her family. 

He was mad but at the same time he was sad at the possibility of what they could have had with each other. He knew he felt sad because he loved her and something in him told him that she loved him. During the press conference she looked so lost, so sad, he saw it in her face and wondered why no one else noticed as they bombarded her with camera lights and shouted invasive questions at her. She had been gracious and elegant just as royalty should be but he could see in those beautiful coffee colored eyes that she was sad, almost like she'd been knocked out for the count. 

He lay in his bed missing her, it was the middle of the night and he couldn't sleep, he kept dreaming of her. Her face, those beautiful soft full lips, that smooth sweet body that fit so perfectly with his own and those delicate hands that had caressed his body with such tenderness. He missed having her in his bed beside him although she'd never been in this bed, it still didn't seem right not to have her right beside him. Doug turned over and ran his hand over the pillow and closed his eyes to continue his fitful night of sleep. 

The next day at work, he was in the lab testing some cultures he'd received regarding a possible strain of whooping cough. 

"Damn," he said to himself he'd done this test twice and was messing up the culture each time. His mind was so consumed with Naomi. He'd really been doing a lousy job at work and that wasn't good. People's lives depended on his work he needed to get this right.

"You okay, Dr. Harper," his research assistant, Kody asked him. Kody was a good kid, just out of college with a wife and baby of his own. It was hard to believe the kid was only 23 years old. When Doug was the only things on his mind were partying and women even though he was in med school. He was always surprised he made it all the way through, those were some wild days. 

"Yea, Kody I'm great. I just cannot get this culture right for this X-17-7 culture test. I haven't been sleeping great and I think it's starting to effect me a little."

"I know what you mean Dr. Harper. When my son got colic, man I was up all night sometimes. It's tough."

"Oh, I wish it was something as legitimate as a colicky baby but my matter is just of the romantic kind."

"Awww, man that's even worse. A baby will get over colic, getting over a broken heart is harder."

He watched as Kody walked away, for a young kid he was quite insightful. He hadn't been that insightful maybe ever, but now as he sat on the stool looking over another ruined culture, he couldn't help but think he had to do something about this. He had to talk to her, bring closure to this or she'd haunt him forever. But how would he do that, his phone started to vibrate in his pocket. He was wondering if it was her again trying to call him as he pulled it out, instead he noticed that it was Dhani. He'd talked to his friend briefly over this time and forgave him for keeping the secret from him but he was still a little hurt by it.

"Hey Big Man, what's up?" Doug spoke as soon as he opened his phone.

"Nothing man. I'm calling to check on my boy. You know I still feel bad. Part of this is my fault. I still feel like you haven't completely forgiven me. "

Doug was walking towards his small office in the back of the lab, "You're forgiven man, get over it. I'm still trying to deal with it myself. She's been calling and I haven't been answering."

"She has," Dhani said with a little worry in his voice, he knew Doug could be a sensitive guy and this had really hurt him, "Well I talked to Freddie. You wanna know what she said?"

Doug thought for a minute as he sat behind his desk, did he want to know, the hurt part of him was screaming no but the part that still had deep longings for that beautiful chocolate goddess said hell ya. He sighed "Yea, go ahead and tell me."

"Freddie told me, she's heartbroken man. Her father has been giving her hell and she's just tore up about you and how she feels about you. It's taken a toll on her dude."

"So what," he automatically said, she's sad and heartbroken, she did this not him.

"Man, ain't the girl suffered enough," Dhani spoke with agitation in his voice Doug's stubbornness was starting to get old, "ain't you suffered enough?"

Doug didn't know about her, but he certainly felt like he had. 

"So what do you suggest Dhani, I get on a plane go down and try to see her?"

"Yea," Dhani said nonchalantly.

"Man, are you serious?"

"Hell to the yea, I'm serious. Either you two need to fuck or fight, one or the other but it's got to go down. I don't really have any more time off but I could get Friday off and take the plane to Bocara with you for support. It'll also give me a chance to see my girl, Freddie. So this ain't just for you. I miss her and want to see her."

"Well, I do still have sabbatical time I could take, but this is such short notice. But then again I've been screwing up so much at work, they'd probably be happy to see me gone again."

"What you gonna do, Doug?"

Doug thought this would be a chance to get everything out in the open, he'd been left with so many questions and it was driving him nuts not to have answers. 

"Alright man I'll do it. But you know they're having that big festival there. I'm sure we can buy plane tickets, but what about hotel rooms."

"Listen, I have a friend in the royal household if they can't get a hotel room, who can?" Dhani said laughing.

But Doug wasn't amused. He was going to her country to see her again. He was finally going to figure out whether this had all been some joke to her. Either she'd send his heart soaring or crush it forever and he was terrified either way. 

Naomi was sitting in the kitchen early Saturday morning. The Grand Parade was taking place this morning at 10 am and she would be in it with Zoe and Freddie. She was sitting at the huge butcher block table in the center of the kitchen, it was around 6 am and most of the kitchen staff was just getting up to prepare breakfast. She was nervous about the parade this morning and still thinking about Douglas so she hadn't slept well. As she sipped orange juice, she pondered what she was possibly going to do to stop the engagement announcement next Saturday when the Festival of Feasts ended. She hadn't come up with anything that she thought might convince her Father to delay the announcement. She was relieved she didn't have to ride in this parade with Randolph; she thought her Father might really feel like punishing her and subject her to his boorish company for the morning. She had given up on calling Douglas since he wasn't answering and now she was trying to come to grips with the fact that he'd probably put her and this debacle behind him and gone on with his life. 'He'll make some lucky woman a great husband one day,' she thought but it hurt her heart to think that it would never be her. 

"Noami, chile' how are you this morning?" she felt Freddie's arms encircle her neck, giving her a hug. She put her hands up to grasp on to Freddie's and squeezed them.

"I'm doing okay, as well as I could be with the start of the festival. I'm just not in the celebrating spirit, you know?"

Freddie went over and poured herself a cup of coffee as a few of the kitchen staff bustled around them making sure to look busy and not eavesdrop on their conversation.

"I know, Naomi. I know you're having a hard time with this. I want to give you good news but I don't have any," Freddie sat on the stool next to her and looked at her with sympathetic eyes.

"It's okay. I'm beginning to realize that it is probably over. He's never going to forgive me or talk to me again. I don't know why I did that to him, why I deceived him and acted as if it were no big deal," she looked over at Freddie with such regret, "but you told me, didn't you? You warned me about playing with his feelings and in the end I got played. Hmpf." It was a sad realization she was trying to protect her own heart and it ended up getting broken anyway.

Freddie put her arm around her and pulled her close, "Oh, I'm not going to do the 'I told you so' Naomi. You thought you were doing the right thing, it just turned out that it wasn't."

"But you know what Freddie, I knew in my mind I was doing the wrong thing and I thought I could make it turn out right. I'm just a stupid Princess, who's selfish and shallow and mean and dumb."

Freddie turned to her and said sternly as possible, "You listen to me, chile'. You are not stupid, selfish, shallow, dumb, and certainly not mean. You're my Princess and my friend and I love you. So you made a mistake, now you can learn from it."

Naomi smiled back at Freddie. She was the best personal assistant ever and an even better friend.

"I guess you're right Freddie. Anyway, I don't want to think about that now. I still have to prepare for this parade this morning. By the way, how are you and Dhani doing?"

Freddie perked right up at the mention of her hunk of man, Dhani. They had been getting to know each other better and talked all the time. Freddie knew what was going on with Doug because Dhani told her, but she decided it would be best not to reveal that to Naomi, she was still really fragile and the news of Doug's anger wouldn't help with the situation at all. 

"Dhani is fabulous, just fabulous. Oh Naomi I'm falling head over heels in love with him. I don't know how it happened, you know how I am so stern and careful and practical. But this man has me melting at the sound of his name. He is spectacular. I don't know what I'm going to do when he gets..." Freddie stopped short she didn't want to reveal to Naomi that Dhani was here and she thought Doug was here with him.

Naomi looked up from her juice, "When he gets what?"

"Oh, when he gets his Christmas break. That's what I mean. We're going to try to spend that time together."

But as Naomi looked at Freddie she could tell she was leaving a portion of her statement out. She wondered what she was hiding.

"That's great Freddie, you deserve it. He's such a sweet and gentle guy but very strong, I know you feel safe with him. I wish I had that in my life. Well I did, but I messed that up." Naomi rose to take her glass to the counter.

Freddie came behind her to deposit her coffee cup on the counter. "Don't you worry Naomi things will work out for you. I just know it."

"I'm glad you feel it will because I don't feel anything close to that. I better get back to the cottage, the dress divas will be there in a few to clothe me in royal attire," Naomi smiled but Freddie noticed it didn't reach her eyes.

"I'll see you when the carriage arrives to whisk us away my Princess," Freddie called to her as she left the kitchen. She was hoping that she wouldn't be mad with her and the little surprise that may have arrived on Bocara last night. 

The Grand Parade was winding through the narrow streets of Big Bocara, twisting and turning through the huge crowds that had turned out as usual. Shouting and celebrating as they passed by. Although it was the first part of November, it was still quite warm; it was in the upper 70's today. Naomi, Zoe and Freddie sat in the back of a large white carriage following another large white horse drawn carriage carrying her mother and father. Naomi had on a white suit, they always dressed spectacular for this event with suits designed in Milan, the suit was a three piece pantsuit, with a vest and wide legged pants and a long white dress jacket. She was wearing a large white sun hat on her head that covered her eyes slightly because she wasn't allowed to wear sunglasses. Zoe had on a canary yellow suit that had a short skirt and short jacket with a beautiful silk blouse underneath, she also had a hat but it was bunched in the front revealing a lot of her beautiful caramel skin of hers to the elements. Freddie was sitting in the opposite seat in the carriage facing backwards, she had on a robin's egg blue dress that flowed around her thighs and ended just below her knees and sunglasses. 




A Common Kind of Love Ch. 07



Naomi and Zoe were doing their duty of waving and smiling to the crowd as they navigated through the streets of Big Bocara. She was always proud to be from here, the people of this small island nation loved it and they loved the royal family. She did feel some shame that she had embarrassed them but they'd seemed to have forgiven her and were throwing flowers at the carriage as it meandered down the lanes. 

She leaned into to Freddie and said, "My goodness, it's hot. I think I might be starting to sweat."

Freddie immediately whipped out a handkerchief for her to dab her dampness. A Princess must never be seen sweating. She wiped her forehead under her hat she wanted some water but she'd have to wait a little before she could take another drink from the bottled water under the seats of the carriage. Naomi could see her father and mother in the carriage in front of them. Her father was stately in full black suit with top hat and tails, while her mother wore a beautiful gown in pink which was very light and breezy with pink gloves. She was also wearing a beautifully decorated pink hat with flowers adorning it. 

Zoe was sitting beside her, trying her best to keep that short skirt from riding up too high. Naomi saw her struggle as she continuously kept pulling it down to her knees. She had told her not to wear a skirt that short because she knew from experience it was hell during parades and ceremonies to have something that short on and attempt to look ladylike, that's why this year she'd opted for a pantsuit. But she was burning up and wanted so badly to toss this hat, her hair would be a matted mess after the parade, she thought. She was turning in her seat to look back and wave at the crowd when she noticed someone in the front standing on the corner, was that who she thought it was, was that...Dhani?

She whipped around quickly to turn questioning eyes on Freddie, "Freddie is that Dhani on that corner?"

Freddie looked guiltily over to her, "Mmm, I don't know?"

Zoe turned and her skirt almost went up so high all the citizens of Big Bocara would have seen her business, "Where, where's he at?" she shouted.

Naomi looked at Freddie again and her eyes narrowed into slits, "Don't play with me, Freddie, that's him."

Zoe burst out and pointed, "That is him, that's him. I'd know that brick wall anywhere."

"Zoe, turn around," Naomi grabbed her and pulled her down in the seat. At that moment Naomi saw King Milo turn and put his steely glare on her as a warning, before he turned again to continue waving at his subjects.

Naomi and Zoe got back into their wave pattern but she was still waiting for an answer from Freddie. She looked at Freddie but couldn't see her eyes under those sunglasses but she noticed she was fidgeting with her hands and Freddie only did that when she was nervous  about something which was never.

"Was that him, Freddie?"

"Yes, that was him Naomi. He's come down to visit me," she said trying not to reveal the other part of this surprise visit.

"Is Douglas with him?" she wanted to get straight to the point. Zoe was leaning in trying to listen as she waved to the crowds on the streets.

"Yes, Doug is with him."

Zoe's eyes got wide as saucers, "Oh. My. God." she said. 

Naomi sighed and her shoulders slumped, her hand dropped into her lap. She didn't know whether to be excited or scared or angry, she felt like she was all of them at once.

Freddie put her hand on Naomi's, "I'm sorry I knew, but he told me not to tell you. I didn't think we'd see him on the street but then again how do you not notice Dhani. Doug didn't want you to know. They're staying at the Hilton King Albert Resort on Coral Point."

Naomi looked up and turned to stare blankly at the crowd. She removed her hands from under Freddie's and turned to start waving again. She wasn't sure she was ready to face Douglas again, although she had been calling him. But for him to just show up out of the blue was another story entirely. She couldn't avoid him, she had to talk to him, she had to see him and she decided that she wouldn't wait any longer. It would be tonight. 



A Common Kind of Love Ch. 08



Inside Naomi's cottage the mood was pensive to say the least, Zoe sat on the divan staring at a pacing Naomi as Freddie sat in a chair worrying her bottom lip, you didn't see Naomi lose it often but she looked as if she was about to blow. The dressers had come in after they returned from the opening ceremony to begin the Festival of Feasts, to rid her of her clothing and take her outfit to be cleaned. She'd changed into a pair of khaki light linen pants and a t-shirt. She didn't know what to do, she could be mad at Freddie but this was what she wanted, sort of, a chance to see him and talk to him. She turned sharply and stopped short in front of the chair containing Freddie's nervous figure. Freddie's mop of tight brown reddish blonde curls bounced up as she stared down at her. 

"Freddie, I'm not mad," she said in calm voice.

Freddie and Zoe both released a sigh of relief, "ah good mon, I'm sorry Naomi. I didn't know what to do. Dhani asked that I not say anything and I know you didn't need this sort of business on your mind before the opening ceremony."

Naomi nodded in agreement, "you're right. I thought this is what I wanted but now that he's here and I can talk to him live and in person, I'm not sure I know what to say."

"Tell him you're sorry. You made a mistake and you want to make it up to him," Zoe told her.

She loved her sister's positive outlook on life but she knew it was never going to be that easy. She smiled towards Zoe, "that's wonderful advice Zoe. I don't think he'll bite, but that is wonderful advice."

Zoe shrugged, "is Al here with them?" she asked Freddie in an eager tone.

Freddie looked at her surprised, "No, he's not Zoe. I think he had a trial coming up. So it's just Dhani and Doug."

Naomi heard a little disappointment noted in Zoe's voice. She was getting the feeling that her sister was having some blossoming feeling for a certain handsome Hispanic attorney. Boy, her father was going to have a fit with them becoming interracial dating ambassadors she chuckled to herself.

"What's so funny," Freddie asked.

"Nothing, Freddie. Nothing at all, well maybe something is funny the lunacy of this all," she looked around at them and threw her hands in the air in a gesture of defeat, "I love him. I love him, you guys with all that I have, with all that I am but we don't have a chance in hell of ever being together. What am I supposed to do?" 

She slumped next to Zoe on the couch and just looked at both of them.

"Do you think you can get out of the engagement to Randolph?" Freddie said with hopeful eyes.

"I don't know Freddie. I don't think this promised marriage has anything to do with the laws of the country but you know my father. He lives by his own code and his code says he made a promise of betrothal to the Duke and Duchess of Endlemen and I'm going to keep it whether I want to or not. Momma said that she'd talk to him about it."

"Really, mom's going to talk to him about it? Wow," Zoe was shocked since her mother didn't regularly defy her husband but when it came to her babies I guess she was willing to take the risk.

"Yea, that's what I thought too, Zoe. But she thinks this whole arrangement is archaic and kind of stupid. Also, I don't think she likes Randolph that much." Naomi laughed.

"My god, who would like him, he's such a prick, excuse my language," Freddie said. 

They all laughed for a moment, it was odd for someone to be disliked by everyone. 

"Okay, enough of that until momma speaks to him I'm still going to have go through with the engagement. But now my issue is, what do I do about Douglas?" 

"Go see him. He needs for you to see him and you need to soon." Zoe urged her.

Freddie nodded in total agreement, "I know I need to see him. I'll get out here sometime tonight and make my way over to the hotel and talk to him. I need to call first." Naomi eyed the clock it was around 9:45 pm she hoped he'd be in for the conversation. 

"Freddie can you hand me the phone," she stuck her hand out to take the phone from Freddie.

"Is it okay for us to stay and listen to this?" she asked.

"You two better stay, I need you for morale support," she squeezed Zoe's leg tightly. 

Zoe hugged her, "okay we'll stay but we'll be quiet. You can do it, you can do it."

Naomi dialed the number for the King Albert resort; "Hilton King Albert Resort, how may I direct your call?" came a professional voice over the line.

"May I have Douglas Harper's room, please?" Naomi could feel her palms start to sweat around the phone. She was getting nervous almost feeling sick to her stomach, 'please don't let him hang up in my face she silently prayed. 

"Yes, ma'am just a moment."

She heard some innocuous background music and then a ring and he picked up, "Hello." 

"Hello, Douglas," she said tentatively.

Doug's whole body stiffened, he hadn't heard her in real-time in awhile only her recorded voice over the phone but it just wasn't as sweet as hearing her now speaking to him live. He breathed in deep, his body was wracked with pain from the heartache and he almost wanted to slam the phone in her face. But, what good would that do, he came down here to see her, to talk to her and that's just what he was going to do. 

"Hello Naomi," he said stiffly.

She was scared. She'd never heard him sound like this, no emotion, no anything, just kind of somber.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine and yourself?"

"I'm doing okay. Freddie informed me you were here and I decided to call."

"You did, that's good. Thought you could sneak in an explanation for that shit over in Germany," he couldn't help himself, the hurt made the meanness in his tone come so easily.

Naomi ignored the remark, she couldn't blame him for being angry he had every right to that feeling, "Douglas, I want to explain that to you."

"Explain. Well, I am all atwitter at the prospect of you explaining," he told her sarcastically.

"Do you mind if I come by tonight?"

Doug panicked for a second, he thought he'd have some more time to kind of prepare himself, get his reaction speech together for her sorry explanation. "Okay, you can come by, I'm in room 805."

"I'll be there in an hour. Good bye."

"Good bye Naomi." He hung up the phone before he revealed the desperation in his voice.

He wanted to see her so badly, his body was warring with two emotions this overcoming need to hurt her like she had him but he also just wanted to love her, hold her, kiss those beautiful lips and make love to her till she screamed his name over and over again. He thought maybe he shouldn't have done this, his emotions were in a whirlwind and he wasn't sure he'd be able to control himself either way he went.

Naomi sat there looking between Zoe and Freddie holding the phone between her fingers so tight she thought she'd break it. She was going to see him, he didn't sound happy but she may as well do this now, it wasn't as if he was going be happier to see her as time went on. 

"Freddie, where's that scooter of yours?" 

"In one of the storages over by quarters."

"Get it for me, will you, I want to be as discreet as possible with this and if I leave on your scooter, the guards will probably think it's you."

Freddie jumped up out the chair, "no problem and good luck," she blew a kiss to her friend.

Naomi turned to Zoe as she said, "well, big sister here's your chance to change the future."

"Or my chance to ruin it," she got up to get ready to shower before she changed and left. 

She had left the palace in under a few minutes. Previously it would only take a little while to get to the King Albert Resort, she had gotten by the guards quite easily so she'd been relieved by the luck. She'd done something she'd done in her teenage years to her bed, left pillows in it to look as if she was sound asleep. The last thing she needed was someone spying on her and noticing that she was missing. It would make the palace go into full emergency mode. The night wind felt good on her skin, she felt warm on the inside and the cooler breeze helped ease the slight warm tingle she was feeling at the prospect of seeing Douglas again. She was extremely excited at the idea of seeing his face. She hadn't seen him since that awful night in Germany. It hadn't been that long ago but it was certainly not long enough for some of his anger to subside. That didn't matter she thought, he was here and she had a chance to speak to him and explain how everything had gone so horribly wrong. How she really didn't mean to hurt him or upset him and that it had all been a terrible mistake. Yes, she knew she'd be able to convince him that she loved him. Although she thought she'd be able to convince him that their love could conquer this whole mess, she didn't have any clue what she could do about her father and the impending engagement but she had time to figure that out, she could certainly do that if she needed too. 

She pulled up to the parking lot of the hotel, she changed into a black loose fitting silk pants and long sleeved black tunic light sweater with a pair of black ballet flats. She had shades to cover her eyes but they weren't particularly dark and a scarf wrapped around her head. She was undercover as she felt she needed to be. The parking lot was bustling, there were tons of people on the island for the festival, it was only around 11 pm or so. The place was abuzz still with the celebration of the day, she could hear calypso music in the background and laughter and loud voices, the party would probably continue well into the wee hours of the morning. That's how Bocarans did it and tomorrow morning the church would be filled to the brim with people even after just a few hours of sleep, celebration and reverence would be one in the same.

She stopped in a parking space and jumped off the scooter, she had to do something extremely nice for Freddie for lending her the scooter because they both could be in terrible trouble if anyone at the palace ever found out. She didn't wear a helmet, she lived a little dangerously but this was her home she knew the streets and knew the drivers. She sat there on the scooter for a moment willing her body to move off and walk into the hotel. She finally lifted her leg and got off and walked towards the doors of the hotel, no one seemed to take notice of her and she was glad she really didn't want to be recognized. The doorman opened the door and smiled and greeted her as she entered. She returned the smile but didn't make a sound she wasn't sure if she could get any words out now, this crushing feeling of anxiety started to come over her. 'Get yourself together Naomi. You know the man, you can talk to him' all her thoughts and energy were centered on Douglas and what was about to happen. She stepped up to the front desk and asked for his room number.

A pretty woman with skin the color of toffee and hazel eyes told her, "Mr. Harper is in Room number 805, would you like me to ring it for?"

"No thank you." Naomi told her quickly but politely, she didn't want him to have any warning she was on her way up at that moment. She walked towards the elevator and let the operator know she wanted to go to floor 8. As she arrived, she looked at the wall outside the lift to give her instructions on which way to go to get to his room. She walked to the left swiftly and watched as the numbers went by and got bigger, the air in the hallway was starting to constrict and the light sweater she had on was becoming itchy the scarf wrapped around her neck felt as if it was choking her. She stepped up to his door and stood there for a moment. Could she really do this, could she face him again. Before she had the opportunity to answer her own question the door flew open and there stood Douglas with an ice bucket in his hand.

As always he looking achingly beautiful, his hair was slightly disheveled and falling into his face, giving him that little boy look she loved about him. His eyes grew wide at finding her on the other side of the doorway, he stammered for a second.

"Ummm, come on in Naomi," he said with a surprised hesitancy.

Naomi walked past him into the hotel room, it was a small suite and she stood there in the middle of the floor not really knowing what to do or say now that she was here. She heard his door close and she turned abruptly to see him stepping closer to her he set the ice bucket down on a table. She could see his eyes studying her taking her in as if this was the first time he'd ever seen her, his eyes closed slightly and he licked his lips. Naomi was breathing deep trying to steady herself, she didn't know what she'd feel but she didn't think she'd feel this when she saw him, full on lust. He was standing there in a pair of cargo shorts and a t-shirt in bare feet. He looked a little tan but those blue eyes were turning grey and she knew he wanted the same thing she wanted.

Doug just stood there and looked at her, the outfit she had on wasn't anything spectacular but on her body it was screaming sex. He thought when she came here he'd be angrier and would lash out at her, but instead the only thing he wanted to do was relieve her of those clothes, take her in his arms and kiss her till they both forgot how they ever got in this mess. He told himself 'I'll think about being angry with her later.' He stepped up to her and took her in his arms abruptly she was shocked by his quick action. Her breath came out in a gasp. He stood there for a moment, studying the details of that beautiful face, he brought his right hand up and took off her sunglasses and scarf and threw them carelessly on the dresser. He took that hand and ran it through her soft curls, she looked so gorgeous and he wanted her. He bent to kiss her and he noticed that her eyes closed she must have been longing for what he'd been longing for. Before he kissed her and proceeded to make love to her he told her, "I've missed you so much and I want you so badly and you're about to be mine." His lips crushed hers and all he could feel was her softness and the eagerness of her touch. He'd felt like he'd just come home in her arms. 

Doug looked at Naomi cradled in his arms, they'd just made love and it had been spectacular, their bodies had been made for each other but he wasn't sure about their hearts. She lay sleeping soundly next to him on his chest. He'd been looking down at her, those thick black curls all over his body, she felt so good against him, so right. Although he hadn't thought much before taking her into his bed he was thinking now that they were there. He suddenly felt a wave of guilt and anger it was time for some answers. She looked so sweet and innocent cradled in his arms but after what had taken place the last time he saw her, he wasn't sure whether that was true or just a ruse to make men fall in love with her. 

"Naomi," he shook her slightly "Naomi, it's time to get up," he said in a flat tone. 

Naomi's eyes started to bat slightly and she yawned deeply and stretched at being disturbed from her peaceful slumber. 

She looked up at him confused, that look of passion had been replaced by a look of annoyance, "what's wrong Douglas?" Naomi was blinking in confusion. It was the middle of the night.

Doug rose from the bed and started to put on his underwear. He had his back to Naomi and she admired that nice tight butt of his, she smiled to herself. He was the most perfect specimen of maleness she had ever seen.

He turned towards her abruptly. Naomi noticed his brow had come together menacingly and his mouth was in a stiff line. He took a deep breath and told her in a soft voice, "Naomi, you need to go. Right now, I want you out of here," his voice was rising as he spoke.

Naomi sprung up from beneath the covers, the blanket fell from her breasts and they were exposed to Doug's eyesight. His breath caught again and he felt a pang of guilt at his brusque tone with her. 

"What are you talking about Douglas? I thought we'd have the chance to talk," Naomi was speaking in a flurry of words, she wasn't ready for this night to end she hadn't explained herself to him.

Doug turned around so he wasn't facing Naomi, he couldn't look at her and be this cruel, he loved her and probably always would but trust had been broken and she belonged to someone else and he had no chance of being the one she belonged to.  

"Naomi, there's nothing else to talk about, it's over. You can never be mine and this night has just made the pain I was feeling worse."

Naomi stared at that strong massive back. She wanted him to turn and look at her. She wanted to look into his eyes.

"Douglas would you please turn around and look at me?" she had pure desperation in her voice. She rose from the bed and came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him, "sweetheart, I love you. I know we can work this out."

"Work what out," Douglas wrenched his body away from her but he still couldn't turn towards her. "There is nothing to work out, you're a goddamned princess and I'm just some chump used for a little fun. We can't be married. Have you forgotten you have a fiancé? Get out of here Naomi before I throw you out."

Naomi continued to look at his back. He was sagging as if he was just tired. She started to cry and her body started to convulse from her deep sobs, she gathered her clothing and went into the bathroom to dress. When she opened the door she noticed that Douglas was standing on the balcony of the room, staring over the side. She walked toward the door, it was closed tight. She was still crying and her sadness and regret were overwhelming her. She turned quickly and ran out of the room to the elevator, she was crying so hard she could hardly see straight. She jumped on the scooter and took off into the dark night.

Doug stood and watched as Naomi ran crying into the parking lot, she jumped on a yellow scooter and took off almost hitting a pole while driving off. He jumped at her near accident, thinking to himself 'oh my god!' He nearly jumped off the side of the balcony and knew he would have if she'd been in an accident. His whole body was in tortured pain at her leaving and at the thought that this would be the last time he ever saw her. He felt the wetness on his cheek, he was crying. He reached up and wiped away the tears and realized he hadn't cried in years, he hadn't even cried when he found out about Tiffani's betrayal. He turned to go into the room with tears streaming down his face at his lost love. His life would never be the same. 

Over the next few days Naomi was barely seen, Freddie tried once to bring her something to eat and got shouted right out of her cottage. Freddie couldn't believe it, she'd never seen Naomi that upset, she'd never heard her use that kind of tone. Naomi was usually so sweet, friendly, quite soft-spoken at moments but the voice she used with Freddie was more in the mode of demon-possessed. After that Freddie advised all the house staff to leave her alone. She'd spoken with the Queen and Zoe also and they all decided to give her some time.

She hadn't appeared at any other events with the royal family it had been reported that she had been ill but her Father was insisting that she appear at the final event on Saturday. The closing ceremony for Festival of Feasts began on Saturday morning at 8:00 am, the royal family would stand on the large balcony of the House of Commons, her Father would make a ceremonial speech and they would wave at the crowd gathered. The only difference was this year the announcement of her engagement to Randolph would be the topper for the closing ceremony. It was a gala event, she and Zoe would be in full dress gowns at 8 in the morning, she'd be wearing one her crowns and would probably be completely uncomfortable and to top it all off she'd have to stand there and smile and hold Randolph's hand as her Father announced the engagement. She was sick just thinking about it. 




A Common Kind of Love Ch. 08



Saturday morning, Naomi was sitting in her cottage dressed in a gold strapless gown, the dressers and makeup artist had come down that morning to get her ready for the final ceremony. They had worked in complete silence and only spoke in hushed tones to request that she do things for them, raise her arm or lift a leg. Naomi wasn't angry anymore just sad and her whole body ached from the crying she had been doing this week. She'd finally eaten a bowl of Chef Bernard's seafood soup last night, one of her favorites. 

She looked up as Zoe entered, her little sister looked like a ray of sunshine Zoe was absolutely beautiful in a halter gown that flowed all around her in fuchsia. She smiled and Zoe smiled back.

"You okay, sweetheart?" Zoe said to her softly. She was still standing by the door tentatively waiting for Naomi to say something. She hadn't been out to the cottage in a couple of days, but she had occasionally walked past to peek in the windows and make sure her big sister was doing fine. 

Naomi smiled again but it didn't reach her eyes, in those she only held pain, "I'm fine, Zoe. Don't worry I won't be biting off anyone's head. I'm just a little tired."

Zoe came in and sat down by her and put her arm around her it was surprising but after a few days of not eating, her sister was feeling and looking a little skinny. Her skin didn't have that beautiful chocolate glow and her eyes were still puffy and red. She figured the make-up artist Gigi had tried to cover up those signs of an upset princess but it looked impossible. Zoe just hugged her tighter, she knew Naomi's heartbreak was fresh so she wasn't going to speak of it or of the conversation she'd had with Al who expressed that Doug was totally heartbroken and functioning on almost automatic to get through the days. He'd told her he wasn't this upset when he and his ex-fiancé had broken up. Love was a tricky business.

She looked over at Naomi and said in the brightest voice possible, "come on gorgeous it's time to go and be seen by our subjects." She chuckled a little at her matter of fact delivery. Zoe sometimes found all this pomp and circumstance a little silly. 

"You go ahead Zoe and I'll be out in a moment."

"Alright, don't take too long. I don't want to send a search party in for you," she smiled down at Naomi as she rose to leave.

Naomi just wanted a moment alone before she had to take part of this farce engagement. She got up from her divan and walked into the bedroom to get her clutch and take a last look at her image in the full length mirror. She stood there in front of the mirror and looked at her sad, tired, heartbroken image. Now, she had to put herself into the princess zone, she smiled at herself but she knew that faded fake smile wasn't the woman she knew. 'It will have to do,' she thought 'what a disaster this is going to be and why do I have to participate in it.' She picked up her clutch and left, it was on now.

On the wide balcony of the House of Commons where Naomi stood it was sweltering. Her head was hurting at a level she hadn't felt ever. The Prime Minister was droning on about something about the country's goals and history, she'd tuned him out a while back. She was waiting for her Father to speak and announce this farce engagement and she could go back to the coolness of her cottage hopefully. She was hot and now becoming irritated. Her Father was dressed in a beautiful navy blue suit with a red sash across his chest. Her Mother was in white dress with capped sleeves and a full hoop skirt and the glittering gold crown was perched on her head. Zoe stood next to her mother and she stood next to her father as Randolph stood next to her in a gray suit. Her eyes would cut to him every once in awhile, he looked bored and stupid she thought. His mother and father stood behind him, smiling as if they had just discovered the lost treasure of Little Bird Bay. It was all she could do not to roll her eyes. 

Her Father started to speak and Naomi stood taller and paid attention. Randolph chose that moment to take Naomi's hand, she felt his hand grasp hers and she felt as if she wanted to wrench it away. His palm was so sweaty and it crept her out. She kept wiggling her fingers to relieve some of the wetness of his sweaty hands. Her head was hurting so bad and her eyes were starting to hurt. She was having a hard time focusing and was starting to feel weak. Freddie noticed that Naomi looked a little piqued, she was a little worried. Naomi was feeling queasy and her head was starting to pound. Her Father's voice was fading in and out and the audience of happy, cheery faces of Bocarans and visitors were becoming fuzzy. She felt herself fading out and the next thing she knew everything went black. 

Naomi woke up with concerned faces standing over her. Freddie was fanning her as she lay there. Her mother sat next her holding her head with a look of total fear on her face. Her father looked at her very concerned, rubbing her arm. The royal family's physician Dr. Oswald looked her over and took her temperature and vital signs. 

"Oh darling, are you okay?" her mother said with fear in her voice.

"I'm fine, momma. What happened?" Naomi asked.

"You fainted, Naomi." Dr. Oswald answered her.

Zoe stood at the end of the couch being held by Freddie as she silently cried. Naomi felt so guilty for worrying her family. 

"Fainted, oh my goodness. How'd that happen?" she asked.

"Probably from not eating this week. I've gotten a little background on your week, so I think you were just tired and not eating and the heat were dangerous combination for you," Dr. Oswald told her.

"I'm so sorry," Naomi said as she looked at her concerned family. 

Her mother rubbed her hand and kissed it, "that's okay, sugar plum. We're all just happy you are feeling better just rest for a moment."

Naomi noticed Randolph and his parents in the corner looking annoyed. His mother was speaking in low tones to his father and looking at Naomi periodically with her lips pursed, she wasn't that attractive of a woman and that sour look on her face wasn't helping. 

Naomi looked over at her father, he looked so forlorn. Naomi had never seen him look so scared, it made her scared and he started to regret being so selfish over this last week, tears came to her eyes.

"Darling daughter, don't cry. I am just relieved that you are awake again," her father told her as he wiped away her tears, he turned to Zoe and said, "Zoe, I don't want you crying either. I will have to put my foot down."

Zoe giggled through her tears.

"What's going on Naomi? I am the king of this country but first and foremost, I am your father."

Naomi looked over at the Duke and Duchess of Endlemen with Randolph, the Duke and Duchess were looking at her intently waiting for her answer. Randolph just looked bored and stupid as usual. 

"Father, can we have some privacy? I'd rather everyone not hear this." She looked over at the Duke and Duchess.

Her father stood up and his voice of authority told everyone "Leave," he turned and looked at the Duke, Duchess and Prime Minister and Dr. Oswald. They gathered themselves together and exited the room. 

Her mother stayed next to her as she rose up to sit upright on the couch. Naomi took a deep breath. She was very nervous about saying this but now was her pivotal moment.

Her father turned towards her and stood back, "Naomi, I want to know what's going on right now. Over the last few weeks, you've just changed and it's starting to be very upsetting to me and your mother."

"It's starting to be upsetting to you, Milo. I know what's going on."

He turned to look at her mother with a frown and her mother rolled her eyes at him. Naomi smiled a little bit. The dynamic between her parents was so cute. That's what she wanted for her life and her marriage, that's what she wanted between herself and Douglas in their marriage. Yes, she had to say something.

"Father, I love you very much," her father shook his head in a gesture for her to hurry up and get to it, "and I would never defy you but I cannot marry Randolph. I don't love him. I love someone else."

He put his head down in frustration, "Douglas."

Naomi furrowed her brow and looked over at her mother, "Naomi, sugar plum I've spoken to your father about this on several occasions. He may not be good at talking to you but I don't let him not know what's going on with my girls ," she smiled that beautiful sweet smile at Naomi.

"Oh momma! Thank you so much," she said as she hugged her mother tightly. 

"You're welcome darling, you know I love my babies," she said as she looked at Zoe.

"We love you too, Mom," Zoe said, "well, now what?"

Naomi looked over at her father, he was pacing the floor, "Naomi, has all been arranged. I just cannot go back on my word. I know you aren't exactly in love with Randolph but those kinds of things can grow over time."

Her mother rose from the couch, "oh, Milo please give me a break," her father looked at her mother with wide eyes, "those kinds of feelings cannot grow with a man that is a womanizing bore, don't look shocked Milo you know it's true. That boy is unworthy of ever becoming a part of the royal family. You know you don't like him either."

Her father looked down in shame with a small smile on his face. 

"No, he's not my favorite person. I'm so disappointed with him when I made this agreement with the Duke and Duchess, I thought they would do a better job of parenting him," he shook his head as spoke.

"Milo, I know you did the betrothal agreement but you are the king and that means something. You have the authority to make an agreement but you also have the power to end an agreement if parts are not being met. You can do this Milo. You love your daughter and she deserves the best, give her a chance to find that. How is being in a loveless miserable marriage good for the leader of this country?"

He stopped and turned to look at Naomi and her mother and sighed, "you're right, Evie. It's not good and I certainly don't want my sweetheart to me unhappy. So, if I don't do this your mother will make my life loveless and miserable for the remainder of it. Naomi, you don't have to go through with the engagement or marriage to Randolph," Naomi leapt off the couch and hugged her father. He hugged her back and smiled at her mother over her shoulder.

"Thank you so much father. Thank you, I'm so relieved." She was relieved that she didn't have to marry Randolph but what did this mean for her and Douglas. Could he ever forgive her?

*

Sorry everybody, it's been a long-time coming but I've been a little busy living my own real life romance. Thanks for hanging in there with me and the story. Thank you to my editor, K, you rock. Make sure to leave comments. EMD



A Common Kind of Love Ch. 09



Chapter 9

Six Months Later...

It had been some months since the cancelling of Naomi's impending engagement to Randolph when her life finally had settled down. After all the speculation had died down about her possibly being pregnant or having some dreaded disease which resulted in her passing out, life had returned to some semblance of normalcy. The Duke and Duchess weren't pleased with her decision but they couldn't possibly make too big a stink about it since they still wanted favor with the royal household. Randolph wasn't sad about it in the least and went on with his gallivanting. A few weeks after the cancellation of the engagement he was caught in a scandal, he was found in a hotel room with two underage girls, they were tourists from Finland. Naomi was pleased that her Father let her dodge the bullet by not marrying him. 

During the months a few events had taken place. Freddie and Dhani had become engaged over the Christmas holiday. It had been a shocker for Freddie, but he'd been planning it for awhile and had asked her to marry him on Christmas day. So Freddie had been in full force for planning a wedding. She'd chosen Naomi as her maid of honor so she'd been busy also along with Zoe and Queen Evie who had stepped into the role of Freddie's mother since her mother had passed as a child. Freddie who was usually all business had been walking around giddy as a schoolgirl. She'd been living in Tennessee part time with Dhani and coming back and forth to the island. The royal household had friends at the State Department who were helping her become a citizen of the United States. She'd also been training her replacements as Zoe and Naomi's personal assistant. They'd decided to hire two assistants so the princesses wouldn't be sharing one anymore. Naomi's new assistant, Carla, was a very nice sweet girl from the island with dark skin the color of ebony almost, she was tall and thin with short hair colored blonde. Zoe's new assistant was an ex-patriot from England, her name was Julie and she was petite a tad on the portly side but cute and bubbly with shoulder length strawberry blonde hair. She and Zoe were about the same age so they'd become best friends instantaneously.

Naomi had been so happy about Freddie's engagement and did not begrudge her friend a moment of happiness but she couldn't help but wonder and think about Douglas. She'd hear things here and there while she was in Tennessee helping Freddie with the wedding and being fitted for her dress. She'd heard he'd recently been promoted to position of a director in his department and that he dated a few women but hadn't found anyone special. He was going to be Dhani's best man but she hadn't seen him on any of her visits to Tennessee.

She was sitting on their private jet pondering what was going to happen now that the wedding was a few days away and she'd finally see him again after a long six months. Zoe and Queen Evie were making this trip also, her father unfortunately had business to attend to and would not be able to make the wedding but he had flown Freddie's father out on the private jet a few days ago to attend the wedding as a gesture of goodwill and a way to ask to be forgiven. 

"Are you doing okay, Sugar Plum?" her mother asked as she sat across from her on the plane. Her mother's long time personal assistant, Martha had come with them to help them on the trip. 

"I'm doing fine, momma. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you seem a little preoccupied, nervous maybe?" she said with concern in her voice.

Naomi chuckled softly, "yes, maybe I am," she looked at her mother. Queen Evie could see sadness in her face. "This will be the first time I've seen Douglas in six months and I am all nerves."

"Her mother reached out to take her hands, "Darling, don't worry. It's just that you still love him so it may be awkward at first but I believe he still loves you. No man that doesn't love a woman very deeply reacts as he did when you last saw him. He was just hurt but it doesn't mean he doesn't love you anymore."

Naomi smiled a sad smile to her mother. She thought to herself, 'well, I guess we're going to see about that, aren't we?'

It was a beautiful spring day in Nashville, Tennessee. They'd had the rehearsal dinner the day before and Naomi had finally seen Douglas. He'd shown up with a date, an Asian woman named Simone who was petite with long dark hair, very cute Naomi had thought to herself as she looked at her. Douglas looked wonderful as usual in casual khaki slacks and a navy blue polo shirt, he'd cut his hair shorter but he still looked exceedingly beautiful. She'd tried to avoid eye contact with him but they couldn't help it. Every once in awhile their eyes would lock and she'd see those ocean blue beauties turn a little stormy grey. 

"Hello, Douglas," she'd caught him right before dinner.

Douglas turned and was surprised to see Naomi in front of him. He'd seen her come in a few moments ago accompanied by her sister and mother. She looked fabulous, but she always looked fabulous. She was dressed in a beautiful bright yellow sundress that lifted those beautiful breasts of hers and let that smooth chocolate brown skin peek from underneath. He licked his lips, he was feeling thirsty all of a sudden so he took a sip of his drink.

"Hi Naomi, how are you?" he tried to sound nonchalant as if the sight of her wasn't giving him the woody of a lifetime. 

"I'm doing fine and yourself?"

"I'm great, doing wonderful," his date slid in close to him and he turned to her, "oh, Naomi this is my...friend, Simone. And Simone this is my friend Naomi"

At least he called me friend, thought Naomi. 

Naomi put her hand out to shake the woman's hand but Simone only looked at it, "nice to meet you Simone."

Simone just looked Naomi up and down as if to dismiss her as she said, "you too. Douglas, sweetheart can we go and take a seat I'm getting tired."

Douglas looked annoyed, "sure, go right ahead and sit over at that table," he then pointed it out for her.

"Aren't you going to come with me?" she said in a whiny tone.

"I'll be over in a minute Simone, but I'd like to finish talking to Naomi."

"Okay, I'll be waiting for you," then she leaned up to give him a slight kiss on his lips.

Naomi was close to losing her composure but she couldn't, this was her friend's rehearsal dinner and there wouldn't be any scenes here. 

Douglas was embarrassed by the kiss, he'd only been seeing Simone for about a week or two and she was becoming way too clingy for him. He met her at the gym and she seemed nice and he thought she would probably be a good way for him not to be dateless for Dhani's wedding. He wasn't sure if Naomi was bringing a date but if she did he wouldn't be some dope. He'd heard months previous from Dhani that her engagement had been called off but his pride couldn't have him slinking back to her to begin their relationship again. He did have to admit that he was relieved when he realized she hadn't come with anyone. 

"You look beautiful Naomi," he told her and she knew he meant it. 

"Thank you. You were always so generous with compliments."

"It's easy to be generous with compliments with someone who deserves them," he smiled and that dimple came out. Naomi had to press her legs together not to come on the spot. 

She put her head down and blushed a bit, "Douglas, please stop. I don't deserve it especially after the way I treated you."

Douglas' smiled faded a little, the pain he'd felt had finally subsided. But he stood there and looked at her, his love had not faded at all, it was just as strong.

"That's okay, that's all over now. We can start again, can't we?"

"I guess we can. I'm so sorry for what I put you through Douglas. You must know I never meant to hurt you, ever. Please accept my apology."

"I do, Naomi," he pulled her into a tight hug. Douglas felt as if he never wanted to let her go, she smelled so good so sweet. The way she smelled was the same way she smelled the last time he saw her, like lavender. Every time he smelled that scent it only reminded him how much he loved her and missed her. "I do," he said into her ear softly.

Naomi pulled away she could feel tears coming to her eyes. 

"I guess I'll let you get back to your date," she said in a rush and turned to walk away.

Douglas watched her as she went to sit by Zoe and her mother. He still loved her and he wasn't going to be a silly fool and let her get away again. 

The wedding had turned out absolutely gorgeous. Freddie looked beautiful in an ivory spaghetti strap silk gown that flowed out behind her with a deep V in the back. It was simple but that had always been Freddie's style. The hairdresser had put her hair up and it was adorned with orchids, she looked beautiful. She'd chosen a deep purple for her bridesmaid dresses and Naomi's maid of honor dress, each dressed was similar to hers except tea length and made to fit whatever body type you were. Naomi's was straight with part of her back exposed. Dhani's sister, Sheila who was a full figured girl chose an A-line with her back covered, Naomi thought it was a smart and thoughtful move by Freddie to let the women chose dresses that would complement their figure.

Naomi had cried for most of the ceremony, so had Dhani for that matter. It was beautiful, they'd written their own vows and they were so wonderfully sincere and beautiful it could only do one thing...bring tears to your eyes. 

The ceremony was held at Dhani's church, Bethel AME and the reception was held at the Blackberry Farm Hotel in Walland, where Naomi, Zoe, Martha and Queen Evie and some other guests were staying while in town. 

The reception was grand and beautiful. The room was decorated in beautiful ivory and purple, with beautiful flowers of the Bocaran Island decorating the room. It was lit by the glow of candlelight as the reception was taking place in the evening. Dhani and Freddie had decided to get a DJ and he was playing a variety of music, some pop, jazz, hip and hop and the old standards. Freddie and Dhani had chosen "Always and Forever" by Luther Vandross as their first dance and Freddie had chosen "Unforgettable" the duet between Natalie and Nat King Cole to dance with her father, while Dhani had danced to Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amore" with his mother as their dance together. Dhani's family had been wonderful hosts they'd welcomed Freddie into the family with open arms. Dhani's parents were so cute together. You could tell they loved each other and their family very much. Dhani had an older sister, Sheila and twin younger brothers, Kadeem and Jamal who were as accomplished as he was each with families of their own. Dhani's son had acted as the ring bearer and his ex-wife and her new husband also attended the wedding, it was a full family affair and the feelings of love could be felt throughout the room.

But along with the feelings of love, were also feelings of some serious lust going on between Douglas and Naomi. Doug had decided to forego bringing Simone as a date. He had put an end to that potential relationship before it had started to get too serious. He also wanted the opportunity to try his luck at getting closer to Naomi this evening. 

Naomi sat alone at her table, her mother had retired to their room because she was feeling tired. Zoe was cutting it up on the dance floor with Al who was one of the groomsmen. She'd noticed earlier that those two were getting a lot closer.

She noticed that Douglas had come without Simone, which she was grateful for, she should have been ashamed but she hadn't been too fond of that woman since she'd met her. She thought he looked wonderful in his black Hugo Boss suit with the beautiful silk purple necktie. She found herself unable to stop staring at him longingly. Yes, it was inappropriate for a princess to stare with such open lust at a man even her own husband but she couldn't help it, he looked like he'd just stepped out the pages of a GQ magazine. He'd slicked his hair back off his face and those eyes had been that beautiful grey all day, that suit fit him perfectly and she thought to herself, 'he does make that suit look good and looks even better walking towards me. Oh my god, he's coming towards me'. Naomi tried to look as if she was preoccupied with her piece of wedding cake and glass of champagne. 

Douglas stood next to Naomi's chair staring down at her, he noticed that as he walked towards her she seem to realize it and suddenly became completely fascinated by that piece of lemon wedding cake on her plate. He chuckled to himself, okay if she wanted to play coy, he'd play. 

"Naomi," he said to her as he touched her shoulder, she turned her head towards him, "may I have this dance?" he asked and he held out his hand for hers.

"Certainly," she said as she rose from her chair and took his hands.

Just as they'd been before, his hands were supple and firm. He took her into his arms and held her tightly to him. The DJ had just started to play "The Way You Look Tonight" by Tony Bennett. Douglas held her close as they swayed. He decided to be a little daring and settle his hands in the middle of her back and just above her buttocks as he caressed her gently.

Naomi felt as if she was melting in his arms, her whole body was hot and he felt so good, so solid in her arms. He smelled so good, a wonderful combination of citrus and musk like a man. She closed her eyes and just inhaled him deeply. She never wanted this dance to end, she loved him so much. Naomi separated their bodies as the music changed to something a little livelier. She smiled up at him, "thank you so much for the dance. It was fabulous."

"I like to think of myself as the modern Fred Astaire," he said as he did a little twirl to show his dance skills.

Naomi laughed, she always enjoyed that he didn't take himself too seriously. "You're a nut, Douglas."

"I know but that's why you love me."

Naomi looked at him with her eyes wide, did he just say 'that's why you love me'. She guessed she wasn't doing such a good job at hiding it. 

"Douglas, I think we need to talk."

He looked at her and shook his head, "you bet your beautiful ass we do, how about in my room?"

Naomi agreed as he took her hand and led them up to his suite in the hotel. As Freddie danced with her new gorgeous husband she noticed Doug and Naomi hand in hand leaving the ballroom, she jabbed Dhani in the stomach, "honey look over there."

Dhani turned and watched as his best friend and the love of his life left the room holding hands. He turned to Freddie, "well looks like we may be attending another wedding soon," he said and smiled as he kissed Mrs. Jefferson deeply. 

As they walked into Doug's room he commented, "Wow! We seem to spend a lot of time in hotel rooms. It would be nice to have you in my house for once."

Naomi laughed at the words but she noted what he was saying about having her in his home, she wanted to have him in hers too. She wanted to have him in their home. 

"Why don't you have a seat, Naomi? You thirsty?" he asked as he removed his coat. His tie had already been removed and the top buttons of his dress shirt were undone. 

"No, not really," she told him as she sat down on the couch in the sitting area.

He shrugged his shoulders, "not a problem, I think I'm done drinking for the night. Maybe I'll make myself a nice glass of water in a second. I guess we better talk."

She smile at him, "yea, I think we should before we go any further. I think we may have rushed things the last time we met in private."

"Yea, I guess we did," he smirked at her.

Naomi had almost forgotten how cute he was when he had that little smart aleck smirk on his face. She wanted to do something very unprincess-like and jump his bones but they needed to have a conversation before anything went further, as lovers or as friends.

"Douglas, I wanted to apologize..." she started to say.

He put his hand up to signal for her to stop, "You don't need to apologize again. I've already forgiven you a million times over. Naomi, I was wrong for what I did to you. I was just so hurt, after what happened with my ex-fiancé I couldn't fathom trying to go through that pain again. So instead of acting like an adult, I reverted back to my 5 year old self," Doug started to snicker.

Naomi scooted closer to him on the couch and took his hands in hers, "It's okay, you definitely do not have to apologize. You reacted as you should have. I was deceitful and selfish and I deserved it. You must understand Douglas, the only thing I've been my whole life is a princess. Now, I must say I wasn't spoiled but I was extremely privileged and plans were made for my life from the day I was birthed into this world," Naomi could feel tears coming to her eyes thinking of the regret, "but I never meant to hurt you. I thought I would just have a little vacation fling and it would be over with and I could go back to being a princess. Think of how surprised I was when instead of having a fling, I fall in love with this wonderful and special man." 

Douglas looked at her intently. He saw the tears falling down her cheeks and reached up to wipe them away.

"Douglas, you're just the greatest thing that ever happened to me and before I could express that everything turned bad. I love you, so much and I want to spend..."

Before she could get another word out, Douglas had captured her mouth in a soul searing kiss. His kiss took possession of her and Naomi abandoned herself to it. 

He broke the kiss but missed her succulent lips as soon as he did, "I love you, too Naomi. All this time I've only loved you. I didn't know what I was going to do with the rest of my life if you weren't in it. I have no idea how we're going to do this, how I'm going to love and date a princess but dammit I'll do whatever I have to be with you. Climb the highest mountain, traverse the deepest valley. You're mine now baby and I ain't ever letting you get away."

Naomi lips spread into the biggest smile she'd ever had, he was going to climb the highest mountain to be with her. It didn't matter what happened, they'd work through it. She knew her father wouldn't be pleased but she wasn't going to let that stop her, she wasn't going to mess this up no matter who tried to stand in their way. Naomi stood up in front of him as he sat on the couch watching her, it had been a long time since she'd felt him in an intimate way and she couldn't wait another moment. She dropped her dress into a puddle at her feet and stood before him in only a lace purple thong. 

Douglas knew he'd just died and gone to heaven and he didn't plan on leaving anytime soon. She stood there for a moment, nervous about the way he was looking at her. Naomi glanced down at herself to make sure everything was in place and looking good. Her head popped back up to look at Douglas with questioning eyes. 

"Naomi, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." He pulled her onto his lap and started to run his hands down her back to her thighs. Her body was so soft and smooth, that beautiful chocolate skin he loved so much to touch tasted just as sweet as ever, "ooohhhh Naomi, my god you are the sexiest thing I've ever had the pleasure of indulging in. Sweetheart I love you more than words could ever say but I'm about to show you how much I love you."

Naomi spoke into Douglas' ear, "I love you so deeply darling, so deeply. Please show me how much you love me and I'll do the same for you."

Douglas moaned low in his throat, his dick was hard as stone and he wanted so badly to be joined with Naomi in the tango of passionate lovemaking but he'd wait. He wanted her fully sated before he took her to new heights in their experience. He rose from the couch with her securely nestled in his arms, Naomi had wrapped her legs around his torso and her arms were snug around his neck. She kissed him deep and hard, their tongues locked in an intimate battle to pleasure each other. Douglas cupped her ass firmly and squeezed, he thought about how much he'd missed that soft gorgeous body especially that wonderful rotund behind her ass was pure perfection, his favorite part of her besides that beautiful face. 




A Common Kind of Love Ch. 09



Douglas bent his head to take her stiff nipple into his mouth. He sucked longingly on the blackberry bud nipple. She tasted and felt so incredible, the last time they'd made love he'd held back because of his pain but now that his pain was gone he could make love to her with a renewed fervor. Her skin felt like silk as his hands wandered all over her supple body.

Naomi was in ecstasy, she'd been dreaming about being with Douglas again but this was beyond her greatest fantasy. The hard planes of his beautiful body felt so wonderful. It was spectacular to be in his strong arms again. She could feel his lips as they suckled at her breasts and his slick tongue laved her nipple. His ministrations on her body were slow torture, his taking his sweet time with her. She could feel his cock against her thigh hard and heavy, her sweet spot was dripping like rainwater. She was ready for him to take her, to bring her pleasure she'd been longing for these many months. He was kissing her down her stomach making his way down to bring her a tender caress. He took his teeth and removed her underwear slowly down her shapely legs. Naomi thought she was ready for what his sweet tongue was about to do, she could feel her body tingle with excitement. Her cavern was becoming wetter and wetter as his tongued danced circles around her clit. Naomi's body had never experienced the kind of pleasure it had every time she made love with Douglas. They were perfect for one another. Their bodies were in synch and fit in every way. She could feel him as he brought her to new heights of carnal pleasure she didn't know even existed. She felt her inner walls tighten and the muscles of her thighs started to quiver uncontrollably. Her breath was coming rapidly and her moans were wild with lust, "yes, yes, yes Douglas. Right there...that's it. Love me darling, love me." 

Douglas was focused on her body's responses to his mouth as he loved her. Her body was starting to shake, she was moaning wildly. Doug's eyes came up to focus on her beautiful face, as her eyes closed and she succumbed to her orgasm. He saw the relief of the release on her face, he smiled to himself. He enjoyed bringing her pleasure tremendously, to see her come almost made him come in his underwear but he was intending on coming in her tight pussy tonight. He rose from her body and Naomi's head rose slightly very slow, she looked at him with half lidded eyes. She was having a hard time focusing, the orgasm that Douglas had introduced to her body had almost knocked her completely out. He was stripping himself of the remainder of his clothing and as he did Naomi eyes cleared up to focus on his cock standing straight with a throbbing red tip, it looked as if he was going to pop.

Douglas looked down to see what Naomi had noticed, "sweetheart, he's been missing that sweet snatch so now he's gonna indulge." He smiled wickedly and jumped on Naomi's body, she giggled loudly as he started to kiss her all over her face and neck. She was enjoying his play so much, she wasn't prepared as he entered her swiftly, her breath rushed out and she moaned deeply at his entrance, he felt so good and made her feel so full her body tightened around his cock. Douglas pumped in and out of her slowly, she felt so good it was like coming home. Douglas had to concentrate to control his orgasm, as he entered her he wanted so badly to let go but he still desired to bring her to another deep release that would mean he would have to wait. 

Naomi could feel his slow strokes and she wrapped her arms and legs around him tighter, her long legs encircled him tightly. She could hear her own breathe deeply in her own ears and also Douglas' sighs as his body attempted to reach it's ecstasy with her. She felt herself begin to fall into the release he offered, she wanted so badly to go over the edge. She could feel it building inside her, brick after delicious brick of her orgasm. She was going to lose it in a second but she noticed that Douglas' movements in and out of her welcoming and wet body were becoming harder and more frequent. She could feel his cock expand inside of her and his voice was got hoarse. 

"Oh my god, Naomi, oh you feel so good, so tight. I'm going to lose it, come with me, come with me," he sang out.

"Yes, yes fill me with your seed."

"Oh god!"

Douglas felt himself spill into the warm cavern of her sweet pussy and as he let go she let go in a rush. His body fell heavily on hers he was worn out from that tremendous orgasm that had been building over the last six months. He felt relief and a rush of unconditional love, he rolled over next to her and immediately missed the warm and softness of her body but he didn't want to crush her.

Naomi wanted to reach out for him she wanted to keep his body close to her as he rolled over next to her she felt bereft at his loss. She turned to look at him and he smiled deeply at her, that dimple came out and she could see the glow all around him. He was so handsome but more than that he was just her, he was just her...her love. She needed him desperately and she swore to herself at that moment as she looked in those beautiful blue-grey eyes, he was hers, her man and she was going to fight for their love. It didn't matter that she was a princess. She was first and foremost a woman in love with a wonderful man who loved her deeply in return. She'd been wanting this all her life, although she didn't even realize it until it found her. She'd always done her duty, her entire life was based on duty and she loved the Bocaran people and her service to them would go on till the day she died. But just this once she was going to do something as a duty to herself, she was going to give herself completely to this man and love him with every fiber of her being.

Douglas smiled at her and said, "You know, you look absolutely lovely after you've been well loved. I want to see that look on your face forever."

She blushed a little and put her head down. Douglas took his finger and raised her head. 

"Naomi, I love you more than I ever knew I was capable of. You're everything to me."

She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest, "I love you too, Douglas. I can't stop myself and I don't think I want to. I want to be with you always. I don't know how we'll work it out but I can't take us being separated again. After you threw me out of your room the last time we were together I was sick with sadness. I don't ever want to experience that feeling again."

"I know this complicated with you being a princess but we can get through it. What matters is we love each other and we'll fight for our love."

"Yes, I'm going to fight for you. My father is going to have a heart attack," she lay back on the bed and sighed. She was so worn out with her constant battles with her father.

Douglas pulled her on top of him, "he'll be okay and we'll be okay. I'm going to stand at your side and love you through this. I want you for my partner for life. I want you to be my wife."

Naomi eyes widened, "what? Your wife?"

Douglas laughed heartily, "you've got to be joking, Naomi do you really think I just want you as a simple girlfriend, I love you way more than that," he looked deeply into her eyes looking at her as if she was ridiculous. "If I'm ever going to be taken seriously by your father, your family or your countrymen I'm going to have to make an honest woman out of you."

Naomi squeezed him tightly around the neck and they rolled over on the bed kissing and stroking one another. She was so happy, a few months ago after their meeting in Bocara she had no guarantees she'd ever be anything to him ever again. Now, it's come true she was going to be his wife and he was going to be her husband. She didn't know how any of this was going to work itself out with her government but she'd give up everything to be with him, he was worth it and even more. 

They kissed each other and their tongues danced in each other's mouth. Naomi's body started to heat up again and become slick with her juices. Douglas' fingers reached down and slid into her and felt her hot wet tightness, she was ready for him to take her again and Douglas was glad to do so. She was going to be his wife, his for life. Douglas told her as he kissed her softly, "the last thing I thought I'd find on that vacation was a princess."

Naomi whispered in his ear as he entered her slowly, "yea, the last thing I thought I'd find is a real prince," she smiled and let her body languish with his. 

The Next Morning...

In Room 11, Al was slowly waking from a restless sleep. He'd drank way too much last night and it was coming back to haunt him like a mofo. He tried to raise his head slightly from the pillow but his head wasn't hearing it, it pounded like he had a jackhammer digging into his brain. 'If god lets me live I'll never drink again,' he thought to himself. He turned his head to the side away from the window and noticed long sable brown hair resting on the pillow next to him. The body attached to the hair turned over and he realized it was Zoe. "Oh shit," he looked under the covers and noticed they were both minus their clothing. Al slapped his hand against his head and the pain shot through it like a razor, 'what the hell happened last night,' he thought. He wracked his brain but it wasn't coming back but he did remember something...Zoe was a virgin. 'What have I done?' he thought this was an impending disaster.

He looked over as he noticed Zoe's eyes start to blink open, as she started to focus more he noticed her eyes were widening as she was realizing where she was. He decided to just smile stupidly maybe that would make her feel.

"Oh my god, what are you doing in my bed?" she screamed as she jumped up and saw she was naked she grabbed the sheet off the bed and wrapped her body in it and ran into the bathroom.

Al couldn't help but notice that bangin' body, she was more than fine. She was exquisite. But now what the hell was he going to do, a virgin, this was about to be more drama than Hollywood. Al sat up and swung his feet over the side of the bed and put his head in his hands. Now he had to calm Zoe down because she was crying hysterically in the bathroom. Al thought this may be the biggest disaster of his life.

He walked towards the bathroom, " Zoe, Zoe sweetie it's okay," but he rolled his eyes as he said it because he didn't believe that lie himself.



A Common Kind of Love Ch. 10



Chapter 10

EPILOGUE

Naomi stood on the veranda of her new home the Calderon Estate on Tocara, she looked over at Calderon Bay it was beautiful out there this time of day as the sun set in the west and made the sky an amazing glowing orange and pink. She was so tremendously happy now that she was Mrs. Douglas Harper. She and Douglas had eloped to Tahiti and had gotten married on the beach, only she and he were present. It was a beautiful ceremony and they each shed some tears at the thought that they were finally being joined in matrimony. She had to come up with an amazing lie to tell her father who had wondered why she hadn't returned after Dhani and Freddie's wedding. She'd told him that she had decided to stay in Knoxville and help Freddie get settled. How he'd fallen for that she wasn't sure, because after their wedding Dhani and Freddie had taken off for Greece for a month long honeymoon. 

She and Douglas had spent almost three weeks in Tahiti languishing in a hut perched on top of the ocean, making love, talking, basking in the sun, swimming and eating their fill. She had such a wonderful time just discovering so many things about him. He was more amazing than she'd thought at first. He'd resigned from his new position at the CDC, they were sad to lose him but he knew that he needed to be where his wife was since she was royalty and if no Minister in Parliament objected he soon may have been himself. 

When they'd finally returned to Bocara Island and told her father about their marriage, Naomi thought he was going to have a heart attack. She'd never seen him so upset, the veins in his neck started to throb. Her mother and Zoe were completely thrilled by the news, but her mother wanted to plan a big wedding for the island to share in. After about a week, her father calmed down. He and Douglas had a long talk and her father explained in no uncertain terms what was expected of him as his new son and as Prince Douglas of Bocara. Douglas had some reservations about his new royal title but if he had to choose between that and being without Naomi he'd take on the title happily. King Milo had to call in some political favors in Parliament but their marriage had not been objected to. Most of the folks in Parliament wanted to stay on her father's good side so they knew better than to object to his daughter's choice of husband. 

Bocarans had taken to the new Prince with love and full acceptance. The islanders loved their Princesses so it wasn't hard for them to love Princess Naomi's choice in a life mate. The wedding had been a huge event at St. Mark's Cathedral, the unofficial religion of the island was Catholicism and a huge Roman Catholic wedding was called for. Naomi had settled with her fate as Princess, she went along with the planners and her mother's wishes. She'd had the true wedding of her dreams in Tahiti so she didn't mind all the decadence of this wedding. She knew she had a duty to the people of Bocara to do it big and let them celebrate her marriage, she was happy to make them happy and have them be a part of the special love she and Douglas shared. It was inevitable, regarding some things she'd just have to include the people since she'd always be Princess Naomi to Bocarans. 

The wedding had been the event of the year, her mother had it put together in record time. She didn't want it to get out that her daughter was already married to Douglas since it would be a scandal. So while she waited to marry Douglas again they lived separately. It had been a strain on their relationship and an amazing sacrifice for him, not being able to be with his wife every night but he understood they had to keep up appearances. They were seen together at different events in the country, holding hands and being cozy. During those events Douglas really just wanted to take her into a quiet corner and rip her clothes off and make love to her like tomorrow would never come. The day of the wedding Naomi surprisingly didn't have any jitters, how could she, she'd already married this man, this was just a repeat for the crowds. She and her mother had gone to India to have her dress made by the designer that designed the dress for the First Lady of the United States, Naeem Khan, for the India State Dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Mrs. Gursharan Kaur a few months prior. Naomi and her mother had seen it on television as the news covered the event, they'd both been blown away at the elegance and beauty of the gown and wanted something similar for Naomi's wedding just bigger and on a grander scale. He'd designed a beautiful white dressed with silver inlay, it flowed around her like a river and had a six foot train, the dress had sheer long sleeves with delicate silver inlay and a sweetheart neckline, and she'd worn royal jewels from the vault. The necklace was platinum with diamonds and beautiful diamond hanging earrings and as a Princess, an intricate diamond tiara. The jewelry and crown weighed a little less than 15 pounds, her neck was a tad strained. 

The church was filled with family and guest, political and otherwise. Douglas' family had been flown in on the royal private jets. They'd stayed at a guest house on the royal estate. She'd met his family on their first night in town and her father had prepared a formal dinner welcoming them into the household. Doug's mother and father had been reserved at first but Queen Evie had made them feel welcome and although her father could be stodgy sometimes because of his station in life, on that evening he'd loosened up and was very welcoming and warm to Douglas' family. His grandmother and grandfather were the funniest and cutest little old people she'd ever seen. It was cute to watch Douglas with his Nana as he called her, she loved that Naomi called him Douglas which no one else in his family did. His sisters and their families had also come, she knew neither of her parents would know what to make of his sister and her girlfriend but they were cordial. His sister Margaret, Maggie as they called her was really funny and made jokes the entire night mostly at Douglas' expense but he took it all in stride. His sisters teased him a lot since he was the baby of the family and told really wonderful stories about them all growing up together. It was a wonderful night, they'd all gotten to know each other and it seemed as if the family was going to get along swimmingly. His remaining family Aunts, Uncles and cousins were flown out a few days before the wedding and put up in a hotel. 

The wedding had been broadcast on the television. The entire ceremony which had taken about two hours had been televised. Douglas was so handsome in his gray waist coat although he fidgeted with the collar the entire ceremony. She'd chosen Zoe as her maid of honor even though she'd been Freddie's she couldn't see picking anyone but Zoe for that important job, she loved her sister dearly. It was an absolutely formal occasion with everyone dressed for the cameras. Her mother and new mother looked gorgeous in baby pink. Her mother was wearing an elaborate hat she'd ordered from London. Her bridal party was dressed in pink gowns all designed by Naeem Khan. Dhani was Doug's best man and his groomsmen including Al were all in gray waistcoats looking completely dapper. She remembered the look in Douglas' eyes as she walked down the aisle of the church arm and arm with her father, she was so awestruck at the look of absolute everlasting love he gave her, he smiled at her with the pleasure of a child on Christmas morning, it was pure and genuine. She was glad he'd found her in this supposed 'commoner' manner, she'd found the most uncommon of loves. 

The reception had turned into an all night celebration for the people of her country. After the ceremony she and Douglas had walked out to cheers and celebration, flower petals thrown all around her and a Bocaran military brigade saluting them as they left the church. They rode through the streets to shouts of congratulations being overwhelmed with feelings of love from the people, Naomi had teared up on the ride she'd never realized how much the Bocaran people loved her and how much that love meant to her. She was their Princess and she was immensely proud to be that at this moment. 

She came out of her memories as Esther, Calderon Estate's household manager, approached her on the veranda. 

Naomi turned as she noticed Esther, "good evening Esther how are you this evening?"

"Good evening, your highness. I am doing well. I came out to inform you that I gave instructions to the kitchen regarding this evening's dinner menu and the chauffeur has left to pick up your guests for this evening's dinner party. They should be arriving shortly."

"Thank you so much, Esther," she smiled at her. Esther turned and re-entered the great room of the home. 

Naomi had been excited all this week about the prospect of seeing her guests. She'd missed her best friend Freddie, she was so pleased that Freddie's life had turned out so wonderfully for her she certainly deserved. As children she and Zoe had played with Freddie most of their childhood, she was Naomi's closest friend almost like a sister to her and Zoe. Freddie's father, Quentin, had been a landscaper for the royal family and frequently brought Freddie to work with him so the girls could play together. After Naomi had returned home from school in England and Zoe no longer needed a governess. It was just a natural transition to have Freddie come in and be their personal assistant. Naomi now had her own personal assistant, Carla and a personal secretary, Minerva. Even Douglas had an assistant although he was still trying to get use to Nieman, who could sometimes be a little overbearing. 

Naomi felt arms come around her waist and firm lips at the pulse in her neck. 

"Hello, Mrs. Harper."

Naomi loved to hear that coming from those shapely lips of his. She turned in his arms and put them around his neck securely, "hello Mr. Harper." She kissed him firmly as his hands roamed her back and stopped at her round bulbous derriere. 

"Boy, I got one fine feeling wife."

Naomi chuckled, one of the best things about him was his playful nature he made being married a joy each and every day. He swung her around in his arms as he lifted her from the ground. Naomi was taken aback for a moment, she wanted to be careful she had some big news for her husband and guests tonight. 

"You are a silly man, aren't you? I was just standing here staring out at this beautiful, we're so blessed to have this home."

Doug put his arms around Naomi's waist and looked at the sun setting on the bay. 

"I'm so lucky to have this to share with you," he held her tightly to him, "when will Dhani and Freddie get here?"

"Jack went to pick them up from the ferry station a few minutes ago. They should be here in a little while. I'll be so happy to see those two." She turned excitedly and said, "And I really can't wait to see how Freddie's fat belly looks."

They both started to laugh at the image of a pregnant Freddie, she was now six months pregnant and looked like she was about to pop at any moment. She'd found out early in her pregnancy that she was carrying twin boys and Dhani was going to be a proud papa again. Naomi thought about her own news she planned on sharing tonight with her husband and guests. 

Naomi smiled up Douglas, "I can't wait to see..."

"Your highness," Naomi turned as she saw the maid at the door of the veranda, "your guests have arrived."

"Thank you, Audrey. Could you please show them out to the veranda and have the kitchen bring out appetizers for our guests."

"Yes, ma'am right away. May I get you anything Prince Douglas?"

Doug looked at Audrey, his eyes narrowing slightly it was still weird to hear 'Prince' before his name every time someone said it. "No, not right now, thank you Audrey."

Audrey turned on her heels and left quickly to bring out their guests. 

As they approached, Naomi and Douglas could hear the voices of Dhani and Freddie bickering over something regarding Freddie's shoes.

"...they are too high Freddie," he told her in an annoyed voice.

"Shush, Dhani nothing is wrong with these shoes. You're like an old grandmama. Stop hovering over every little thing I do, I'll be fine. It's not like these are six inch stripper heels."

Naomi chuckled to herself and felt Douglas laugh heartily as well. Those two could bicker over anything including whether it was night or day but you could always feel the love that dwelled between them. 

As Freddie caught sight of Naomi outside the open french-doors, a smile as big as she'd ever seen came across her face. 

Naomi ran to her and gathered her up in a big hug they'd barely been able to speak before the tears started. Dhani looked at Douglas and rolled his eyes, 'women' he thought. Douglas started to laugh and meet his best friend mid way on the verandah. They hugged each other like the long lost brothers with hearty pats on the backs. Douglas was so happy to see Dhani he missed his friend a lot, they didn't get to talk or see each other as much but he was glad they'd shown up to visit.

Dhani pulled back, "What's up man? How's life treating the Prince?"

Douglas smirked, "how's life treating the King?"

Dhani popped his invisible collar, "it's all good, it's all good."

They hugged again and just laughed at their good fortune. The ladies finally pulled apart and wiped their tears, Naomi was looking at Freddie's protruding belly and rubbing it. They went arm and arm to go sit down as the kitchen staff brought out appetizers.

A few hours and drinks later for the guys, they were sitting inside talking and playing catch up on what was happening in their lives. 

"Well, that's awesome man. I am so glad to hear that, you deserve it Dhani. You've worked hard in your life and if anyone deserves this, you do man. How does the college feel about it?"

"They're sad, they're losing one of their prized professors but man, I have to follow the opportunity especially with the two new little ones on the way," Dhani turned to wink at his glowing wife and she waved back coyly. "But when they offered me the assistant dean of African American Studies at Prairie View A & M, I had to take it. A historically black college offering this to me, it would have been an insult to my ancestors if I would have turned it down."

"So, you're moving to Texas, wow!"

"Yea, wow is right the town is only about an inch thick," he chuckled, "but it's only a hop, skip, and a jump and you're in Houston. So right now we're looking for a house in Katy, Texas." 

"Freddie's okay with this?"

Dhani looked over at Freddie, she was talking a mile a minute to Naomi, "as you can see, Freddie's fine. After the twins are born she's going to stay home with them until it's time for them to go to school. So, it's gonna be good. So..." he said jabbing Douglas in the arm, "how about you what's happening with Prince Douglas," he laughed. "Man, I can't believe it my boy went from being a scrub to being a Prince, it's a trip."

Douglas smiled at his good friend. It was trip for him too. 

"It's good, still trying to get used to all this 'royalty' stuff but it's not bad. I like working with Bocara's Health Ministry, consulting on different projects the government is trying to bring down the pike. But even more than that, I love the opportunity to run the Hope Clinics," Doug puffed up with pride. "Those are the best and the best use of my time. I'd always wanted the chance to help those that are underprivileged get the kind of health care we take for granted back in the states."

"Well, whatcha doing? Whatcha working on?"

"Lots of stuff, it's been a task just trying to make sure that people actually come into the clinic when they need to. Some of the folks in the villages don't trust doctors, especially some white dude with an American accent."

Doug had had an uphill battle getting some of the islands residents in the remote villages to come into the clinic for check-ups. He was still struggling on some levels but he'd made a lot of progress over the past few months. 

"It's been tough but we're doing good things. I get some of my old colleagues from the CDC to come down on occasion and volunteer their services especially when it comes to HIV, AIDS education and treatment. I've finally hooked up with Doctors Without Borders and they are going to start sending folks down."

"Aw man, that sounds fantastic. You're doing it up big here aren't you?"

"Well, you could say that," Doug joked, "but the best part of my life is sitting over there." They both turned to look at the women they loved and adored. "I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost her Dhani. Every time I come back from my days working at the clinic, it's like being greeted by sunshine. She's my everything. She's my purpose for living."

At that moment Naomi got up from her seat across from Freddie to sit by her gorgeous husband. Freddie came over and sat on Dhani's lap and he hugged her tightly big belly and all. 

"What are you two getting into, mon?" Freddie said in her island accent she'd lost some of it and taken up with a southern one. 

"Oh nothing, man stuff," Dhani told her. Her brow wrinkled as she looked at him curiously. 

"There's no boy stuff," she said.

"I didn't say boy stuff, I said man stuff," he deepened his voice to appear more commanding.

Freddie just tsked and rolled her eyes, "anyway...speaking of 'gettin' into' how is Zoe doing?" She looked over at Naomi who looked over at Douglas and smiled.

"Zoe's just being Zoe," she looked at Freddie as if to say 'and you know what that means'.

They all started to laugh, Doug fell over onto Naomi holding his sides he was laughing so hard.

After they calmed down, Naomi explained, "Well, she left a couple of weeks ago to start her assistant professor position at Harvard Law School. And well...Al's been looking in on her a little she told me."

"Yea, he's been looking in on her because I told his dumb ass to look in on her," Douglas rose slightly from his seat as he rumbled on. "That's my sister and he could pretend all he wants that he doesn't like her but after that debacle the night of you guys wedding, he better look in on her or I'm gonna look in on him and that ain't gonna pretty."

Naomi smiled, Douglas could be very overprotective when it came to her and Zoe, she found it surprisingly charming. "She's going to be fine, darling. She's doing well in Boston so far but when I spoke to her a few days ago she is just really, really cold."

They all started to laugh at the image of a shivering Zoe. Douglas hugged her close to him and kissed her cheek. 

Naomi put her hands on his legs and looked at him. Douglas smiled at her a little confused as to why all of sudden she looked so happy and was looking at him.

"Douglas," she took his hands in hers, "this night is more than just an opportunity for us to enjoy the company of our good friends, it's also a chance for me to make an announcement amongst people I love."

"Okay, what's going on sweetheart?"

"Well, you know my personal physician and I have been visiting frequently lately?"

"Yea, I know," Douglas looked over at Dhani and Freddie who were grinning like Cheshire cats. "Why you two looking like that?" he asked them in confusion. They just smiled even harder.

His eyes settled back on Naomi's beautiful face she looked gorgeous as usual, his island princess he couldn't fathom how he was so lucky to have her in his life. 

"Douglas I went to the doctor about three weeks ago and he told me, we're going to have a baby," she smiled wide at Douglas. 

Doug was in shock for a moment, had he heard her right 'baby, they were going to have a baby'. 

He swallowed hard, "did you just say baby?" he questioned. Naomi shook her head in the positive. Doug jumped up from the sofa hauling Naomi up into his arms, "woo hoo, I'm gonna be a daddy." He jumped and danced around with Naomi in his arms, he kissed her soundly on the mouth. 




A Common Kind of Love Ch. 10



"Douglas, please let me go," she laughed as he jumped with her in his arms.

Doug realized he needed to stop jostling his now pregnant wife, "oh I'm sorry darling. I didn't mean to jerk you all around," he put her down gently on the ground. "But I'm so damn excited, I'm going to be a dad. That's awesome!" he shouted and kissed her again. Doug turned to shake hands with Dhani and give his friend a hug. He hugged a very pregnant Freddie also he couldn't wait until Naomi looked like she did with his child in her belly.

"Congratulations, man it's great news. We're really happy for you," Dhani told him as he looked at his best friend standing there with his new bride.

Freddie hugged Naomi again and told them both, "yes, we are very happy for you," she looked at them both as she rubbed her stomach, "you two are in for quite a wonderful adventure."

Naomi stood hugging her husband, "yes, I know we are. I cannot wait for the baby to get here. I'm really excited, a little scared but more excited."

"Oh don't worry chile, between me and your mama you'll have tons of support and lots of advice," Freddie reassured her.

"Yes, sweetheart you don't have to worry about a thing, you'll get nothing but support from me and I'll treat you like the princess mommy you certainly are," Doug smiled over at her. He didn't ever realize that his heart could be filled with this much love and care for one person but Naomi brought out all the best in him.

"Well, I'm sorry honey that I told Dhani and Freddie first but I wanted it to be a surprise for you. But when I found out I had to tell someone."

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "am I always the last person to know stuff about this woman?" he said in reference to when they met her not telling him she was royalty. 

She smacked him playfully on his chest, "no you are not, Mr. Harper. My parents also have no idea about this and neither does Zoe but I'll be telling them all very soon."

"Good, I don't want to always be the last to know," Doug said and laughed. 

"We're just so thrilled for you both," Dhani said, "now my little boys will have a friend to come visit and play with her in Bocara."

"And my little boy will have the same," Doug said proudly sticking his chest out a little.

"And how do you know it's going to be a boy?" Naomi asked.

"Because, baby I only make boys," he said with some bravado.

"Oh, you're so silly," she smiled up at him, "it'll be a little while before we know all that but all I'm hoping for now is a healthy baby."

"Amen to that," Freddie replied. 

They all smiled and laughed at the happiness they'd found with their mates and their friends.

Later that evening after Freddie and Dhani had gone back to their hotel, Naomi and Doug lay in each other's arms after some celebratory lovemaking. He was particularly gentle with her this evening but Naomi reassured him that he wasn't going to hurt the baby, she'd already asked the doctor. 

Doug held her satisfied body closer to his. Her smooth mocha skin had a slight sheen on it from their earlier exertions. He kissed her softly on her temple. Naomi had settled into him and was nodding off.

"Before you fall asleep on me," he told her, "I just want you to know that I am the happiest and most blessed man on this earth."

"Oh, I wasn't falling asleep, well...I was but I'm glad to know that, I feel the same way also except ten times more. You make every single day Douglas a happy ending."

She bent her head up and he kissed her deeply. They'd each found the love that they'd longed for and now they were living happily ever after. 

THE END

Thanks everyone for hanging in there till the end and for all the encouragement, I enjoyed sharing my story with you. I want to thank KH for the editing help, you've been a fabulous editor. Please know that my other story will be completed and I'll be back to tell the Zoe and Al's story too. Thank you, everybody. EMD