My fingers clung to his thick hair as I closed my eyes and said, “Then we’ll have to figure out what happens tonight. Can we get married without his permission while my sisters are here?”
His lips burned my skin and I wanted nothing more than to be his right now. As the kiss ended, he said, “Yes. I will call the priests. My father has no say in marriages in this country. There is a constitution.”
His mouth went lower and found my girls, who stood at attention for him, as he smacked his lips. I asked breathlessly, “Even if you’re his son?”
He captured my breast in his mouth and suckled. My entire body tingled. As he went for the second one, he said, “Yes. Now let’s not talk about him anymore.”
“Sounds like the perfect plan,” I said and slid off my underwear.
We had time, and I knew for a fact I wanted him. This was all that mattered. We were together.
Chapter 14
Ryder
Nicole spent most of her day talking to her sister Stephanie. I’d waited in our room and checked on my bank account. Soon, I’d not have to ask permission for my investments.
Freedom would be sweet. If Nicole married me, I had everything I wanted. I shut my computer screen. The problem was that I wouldn’t be giving Nicole what I’d promised. And living with restrictions wasn’t something Nicole was used to.
My father’s demands were just the tip of the iceberg on what royal life required.
For the four o’clock appointment, we walked together to the palace. The air around her smelled like her essential oils. As we left the hotel, Nicole crossed her arms and said, “The lawyers are still talking.”
As the guards opened the gates, I put my hands in my pockets and said, “I can meet with my father alone. If I think he’s willing to make concessions, I’ll come and get you.”
“Okay.” She gave me two thumbs up, like we were on the same page. The tension in my shoulders made me hope that was true.
“That’s a good plan,” she said. “Frank thinks if I meet with your father, then I’d change the nature of any contract negotiation.”
I kissed her cheek and saluted her as I stepped back. “I will let him know that he has no control over your social media accounts.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “Thank you, Ryder.”
I stopped again before I headed out and said, “It’s what I promised when we agreed to get married.”
She sashayed to my side and my heart lifted in my chest like she gave oxygen to my lungs. Then, she said, “I did agree to limit your family’s exposure, and I will take down the photo of me and your sister, as that seems to be a sticking point in the contracts.”
Right. She hoped the negotiations with my father would work out. This had nothing to do with me or us. I lowered my head and ignored the sinking feeling in my gut. “I understand.”
She kissed my cheek and said, “Good luck.”
I spun on my heels like I was still in the military and headed toward my father’s private offices.
No one stopped me to correct me on his whereabouts or insist I follow protocol to request an audience. My feet tapped, so he knew I approached, but I still waited for my summons near the door.
My father’s secretary announced my name a moment later then opened the doors, granting me access.
I stepped inside and the secretary left, leaving us alone.
My father wore his royal, blue jacket with the family crest in gold thread on the sleeves, so I knew this was all business with him.
I stilled as I’d been taught. The only person in my life who’d ever greeted me with a hug had been my mother. She’d died years ago, and I still missed her warmth.
So I stood like I was still an army captain while my commanding officer stared at me, and I didn’t blink as I said, “Your Majesty.”
He pointed to the visitors’ chairs like this was an ordinary meeting and said, “Ryder, sit.” As the good son, I did as ordered. Once I was sitting down, he asked me, “Where is your fiancée?”
I widened my feet under my chair but otherwise let my muscles tighten. “She’s outside. It’s not wise for her to be here as her lawyer is negotiating on her behalf right now.”
