“No.” He reached over to me and lowered his head so our foreheads touched. “I saw her naked, but so did everyone in the club. I didn’t touch her. And now wish I’d never been that stupid.”
I’d had a lot of wrong assumptions about him since we met. I cupped his cheek and silently vowed to do better, as I wanted our deal to work. I snuggled closer and asked, “You do?”
“I don’t want you to ever be jealous,” he said and kissed my forehead. “You’ll be the only one for the rest of our days, and I’ll put that in writing.”
Just like that. I was trading my hope for love and happily-ever-after, forever, for what I wanted and needed now: peace, and to join with the sexiest man I’d ever met or would meet. I closed my eyes and said, “Then we have ourselves a deal.”
I half expected he’d do something more. I was intensely aware of him, but he closed his eyes and I soon heard his steady breathing and knew he rested.
I settled into my chair, and as I drifted off, I hoped this was the start of a new life. Maybe it was crazy to say yes as fast as I had, but I’d never get this kind of offer again. And I’d never been this magnetically attracted to anyone before. So, hopefully, this deal was good enough.
Chapter 6
Ryder
The air smelled like lavender and maybe a splash of orange. I immediately opened my eyes and saw that Nicole’s eyes were still closed and her brown hair billowed around her white pillow.
The scent was probably her special blend of essential oils, and it was unique. Most women I met clung to roses in a perfume.
I sat up and stretched, making sure I didn’t wake her. She seemed peaceful and she’d need that energy today.
My father, His Majesty King Sven of Norden, wasn’t the most welcoming person. Though he’d probably welcome his choice of bride for me.
One never knew, though. Father was always formal with me, and our conversations usually ended up in an argument. At least for the past few years.
For now, I quickly brushed my teeth and splashed water on my face. As I exited the small bathroom, I saw she’d sat up and was stretching.
Her face was still sweetly innocent, though. I leaned against the wall beside her and said, “We’re home.”
She held out her hand like I was to take it, so I helped her stand as she said, “I can’t wait to see.”
Then she headed into the bathroom I’d exited, and I went and grabbed us two coffees. She came out and glanced out the port window where a small crowd was gathered beside our limo and red carpet. A velvet rope was strung alongside the carpet to keep them back and let us pass freely. I didn’t blink, as security would handle the details. I passed her the coffee and asked, “Are you ready?”
She tried to smooth her loose black pants and said, “I don’t think I’m dressed for a ceremony.”
“Relax.” I finished my cup and put it down. She glanced into her coffee and then sipped it. I waited till she was done and said, “Just walk to the limo and wave.”
She finished her coffee like she needed the caffeine in the morning—despite how her blog mentioned alternatives. I held that thought back as she didn’t need to know how much I’d read about her, yet. She put the cup down and shook her head. “I should have packed a change of clothes …”
My butler/babysitter came up behind me. I turned around and saw he was carrying a pink dress that would go to her knees. She hugged him and ignored me when she said, “Gio, thank you.”
He actually blushed, and the spots of red on his cheek were funny. I clapped him on the back but he backed away stiffly. “Glad to be of service, my lady.”
She took the dress to the bathroom to change. I crooked my finger at him to return and poured a second cup of coffee for myself as I asked, “Will you get a lady’s maid to help you out when I marry Nicole?”
His gray and white eyebrows went up slightly as he asked, “Am I invited to ‘retire’ to the North Castle with you, sire? You’ve been vocal about wanting to get rid of me for years.”
I winked and said with a slight grin, “You haven’t forgiven me for my college comment, still?”
His stiff upper lip that he’d used to scold me back into place countless times since childhood returned immediately. He straightened his perfectly ironed pants. “You’ve not actually been this close to getting the opportunity, sire.”
From horse riding to swimming lessons, it hadn’t been my parents with me as a boy. I held my coffee and said, “Gio, you’re like the parent I wasn’t born to.”
The bathroom door opened and I gulped my coffee as I waited to see her again. The air had a spark to it.
Gio slipped away from me, though as he left, he said, “I’ll remind you of this conversation later.”
I didn’t glance at him. At that second, I saw her slender bare calf emerge. Then, she appeared in a dress that looked like it was tailor-made for her. Her delight and her sweet disposition radiated throughout the entire plane. I came closer, like she was the flame I needed in my life, and I pressed on my heart. “You look lovely, Nicole.”
