I stopped and lowered my voice so the guards didn’t hear us. “Nicole, there is nothing we can do now, but if you want to try, I won’t stop you.”
She patted my cheek. “Have faith, Ryder.”
“Sounds nice, coming from you,” I said, and followed behind her.
Tonight, we were leaving the royal palace. Tomorrow, my father would call me back, but it would be too late. I’d marry Nicole if she’d have me, and while we wouldn’t get what we’d planned anymore, we would still help each other.
And hopefully, this was good enough—as losing her might be worse than losing my title.
Chapter 13
Nicole
The best part of this morning held me tight. Ryder and I had shared one room and one bed. My heart whispered that he was everything I’d ever want.
However, my regular life and routines came to mind. At home, I’d have posted something about a healthy breakfast, shared a photo of the morning and jumped into my shared yoga routine that I always did with the live camera.
Since I’d met Ryder, though, my life was off-center. And our deal had fundamentally changed for me when we went to bed.
His touch wasn’t just a cold-hearted business deal, and his kiss made me ache for more.
I slipped my arm off his bare, muscular chest and stared at the white ceiling of the hotel room. Then, I jumped up and went to get our breakfast, which should have been delivered by now.
A royal missive was on top of the food platter that I brought in from the hall and put on the small table. Adrenaline in my veins had my brain overreacting. I tried some deep-breathing exercises to calm down.
I returned to the bed and stared at Ryder, who slept only in his royal, blue boxer briefs that had his family crest embroidered on one leg. He was even more handsome without the worry of the day on him.
I swallowed. I had intended to go do some of my morning yoga routine when a strong hand squeezed mine and that sexy voice of his said, “Good morning.”
I batted my eyes and stared into those magnetic embers of his, with the twinkle that had me believing in fairy tales where we lived happily ever after, forever.
But I needed to get my feet on the ground, so I pulled away and stood up as I said, “Morning.”
He covered his eyes like he wasn’t ready to get up and asked, “It’s day already?”
I trotted over to the table and grabbed the letter with the palace stamp on it. I tossed it in his hand and said, “Yes, and we had a royal decree delivered with our breakfast.”
He opened it like this was a normal bill that came all the time. Once he’d read it, he massaged his temples then tossed the letter onto the bed behind him. “I expected my father to say something. Guess it’s time to talk.”
“Yes.” My heart ached and whispered that we needed to stay here, together. I lowered my head like that might stop the doubts in my mind.
“Last night was wonderful,” I said. I took his hand in mine and gazed up at him. The words were all true, but we needed to be serious. “You’re amazing, Ryder, but I agreed to marry you, in part, so I can boost my social media traffic, which will let me take more breaks so I can write my book.”
He motioned for us to sit at the table, and I let him go to sit across from him. “If I quit, I’ll help you cash in on the story,” he said. “Then you’re still free to do whatever you want and use your social media all you want. I have job offers if I quit being a royal. I won’t be poor for long.”
Yet, this plan wouldn’t give me the chance for a private life. I needed to figure out what would be best for me, but wouldn’t destroy Ryder in the process. I took the lid off the tray and found a plate of small sandwiches. I offered him one and poured the coffee. “It’s not the same thing.”
He took the coffee and sipped it black. He then put it down and folded his hands. “I know it’s not. If you don’t want to marry me, I understand.”
My heart twisted. I wanted Ryder, but like this? I’d tear him away from his family. And, yes, he said he could live without them, but I wasn’t sure. His sister clearly loved him and enjoyed his company, and I couldn’t live without having my sisters in my life. I swallowed and my skin radiated my indecision as I nibbled on my sandwich. Once I finished, I said, “Let me try to send my lawyers to see your father’s team.”
His eyes widened. “You actually have lawyers?”
Last night, after he’d fallen asleep, I’d texted my sister and she had already set this up for me. I picked up my coffee and said, “I’ve talked to Indigo. Frank’s a lawyer who works for her husband. He helped my sister Ridley with a major problem, and now he’s on his way to Norden and will represent my side in the negotiations.”
The black brew was delicious. Better than what I made at home. He rested his head on his palms and asked, “If Father doesn’t agree?”
I wasn’t sure. Did I marry him? My heart whispered “yes”, but my brain screamed that I needed to be smart. Once he’d been stripped of his title and duties, like he wanted, we’d easily be short term. After all, he’d never said he loved me. The thought burned into me like that was the biggest question of all, and the one that I refused to ask. I shrugged, without an answer right now. “Then we don’t have a place to retire to.”
