Spring Romance: NINE Happily Ever Afters

by Tessa Bailey

  I roll to my side, facing him, and prop up on my elbow. “I like the way you think.” I run my hand over his heated chest. “And I’m always game for more.”

  He turns his face toward me and smiles. “Just give me a moment.”

  I straddle him, reach for the radio and turn it down. He sits up with me in his arms, grabs the covers, and pulls them over both of us as he lies back down. His warm hand strokes down my back, and I rest my hands on his chest and look up at him. His eyes are closed, his expression relaxed. He’s got scruff like he forgot to shave, and I love that he was so focused on getting back to me, fixing things between us, that he forgot the basics.

  I kiss his chest. “Did you repack your suitcase, or is that suitcase from your last trip?”

  “It’s from India. I wanted to go straight to you, but I had to stop at home for Anna and Gabriel.”

  “She told me about Mike. We should go over later.”

  “Yes. How do you feel about food?”

  “I like food.”

  “Excellent.”

  An hour later, we’re sitting in plush white robes in the small dining area of the suite, enjoying a delicious lunch. And then we make plans—big plans—working out the logistics of our lives as true equals and partners. Everything goes through the filter of does this allow us to be our best selves together? Then it’s a yes, otherwise no. He’s at the center of my life, and I’m at the center of his. Our next stop is back to Villroy for his sister Emma’s wedding; then it’s off to New York City for a meeting at the UN before heading back to Tampa.

  My life will soon be three different roles—the wife of a prince, an interior designer and big sister in Florida, and an ambassador for clean water. I’m not officially an ambassador, but, at my request, Phillip will be putting me in charge of spearheading efforts for girls and education. That’s my special project, and I love it.

  “What about kids?” he asks. “I’d definitely like kids.”

  I sit up straight, joy spreading through me. “Yes to kids, after we’re done travelling. Maybe when I’m thirty. Is that okay?” I know he’s twenty-nine. I’m asking him to wait five years.

  “Absolutely. How many?”

  “My mom had a lot of miscarriages. I’m not sure how it will go for me.”

  He takes my hand across the table. “If there’s any difficulty, we could always adopt. We’ve seen all the orphans left behind in devastated areas.”

  My throat chokes. He’s such a good man, and he’s right. “I love that idea. Yes. In that case, four kids.”

  He grins. “I grew up with six brothers and sisters. Big families are fun. We’ll have help too. Maybe my old nanny will be willing to join our family.”

  “If she’s not busy with Anna and Gabriel’s baby.”

  “She’s pregnant?”

  “Not that I heard, but she told me they’re working on it.”

  He snorts. “Working on it. Like fucking could ever be work.” He stands. “C’mere, I need you for very fun purposes. Notice how I didn’t just pick you up like a doll?”

  “Good thing! I just ate. Never toss around a fiancée with a full stomach.”

  He holds out his hand to me. “Ruby.”

  I stand and take his hand. He gives me a tug, pulling me into his arms and kissing me. Then he dips his head, his voice a rumble in my ear, “We’re going to play a game. It’s called screaming orgasm.”

  I smile up at him. “I like this game.”

  He cups my cheek. “I know you do. I invented it in your honor.”

  “You can carry me to the bedroom.”

  He scoops me up, cradled in his arms. “So you like that, do you?”

  I nod. “It’s romantic.”

  He sets me down inside the bedroom, shuts the door, and lifts me so we’re eye to eye, pinning me against the door. I wrap my arms and legs around him. “You and me, Ruby, from here on out. Forever.”

  “Yes,” I manage over the lump in my throat. I’ve never known a man who expressed himself so warmly, so lovingly before. He’s got a big heart.

  His lips meet mine, and my mind shuts down, lost in sensation. Long moments later, he sets me back on my feet and rips my robe off. I rip his off too. He snags a condom from the robe pocket.

  “So prepared!” I exclaim.

  “I have to be when I’m around you.” He finishes rolling it on, grabs me by the waist, lifts me, and impales me onto him. My breath shudders out, and I wrap my legs around his waist, the wall at my back. He uses his grip on my hips, lifting me as he pounds into me. “The advantage of your size,” he rasps. “I can lift you like this.”

  “Don’t stop.”

  And then I go over, my body shuddering around him. He’s got me tight, thrusting over and over. Soft cries escape as the pleasure builds again. He angles me back, his hand sliding between us, stroking me. White-hot sensations rip through me. I dig my fingernails into his shoulders, the intensity nearly unbearable. And then I explode, the scream ripped from my throat. I’m wrecked, collapsed against him, as he thrusts for his own release and slams deep into me one last time, moaning into the side of my neck.

  He lifts his head and kisses me tenderly. Then he turns, still holding me, and walks us to the bed, setting me gently down on the mattress before joining me. He rolls me to my side away from him and then spoons his big warm body behind me. I let out a sigh of pure contentment. I don’t mind him maneuvering my body when he does it for these sexy and loving positions.

  He brushes my hair back from my face and whispers in my ear, “The guards know what you sound like now when you let go, so you can feel free to let go without worrying about them storming the room.”

  I freeze. WHAT? “Phillip?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” His arm bands around my waist, pinning me tight against him like I might leap out of bed and ream him. I’m too spent for that.

  I keep my voice level. “Did we play the screaming orgasm game for the guards’ benefit?”

  “No, darling, that was for you.”

  I relax a little.

  “That was just a convenient side benefit.”

  “Phillip!” I glare at him over my shoulder.

  He kisses me. “Now thank me for your screaming orgasm.”

  I huff and lie back on my side.

  His fingers slide between my legs, and I moan. “Was that a thank-you I heard?” he teases.

  “You will pay,” I growl, and then I gasp. He owns my body, and I love it.

  A long while later, I melt into the mattress, spent. He’s dedicated himself quite thoroughly solely to my pleasure. “Thank you.”

  “There it is!” he crows, lifting his head from between my legs. He shifts to sit next to me on the mattress. “I knew I could get it out of you if I just put my mind to it. And my lips and tongue—”

  I prop up on my elbows and glare at him. “Shhh!”

  “You still haven’t learned your lesson? No inhibitions because of the guards.” He sighs. “We’ll have to start again.”

  I sit up and tackle him. He lets me, falling to his back. Then I kiss him all over his scruffy face.

  His cheeks curve against my lips. “That’s more like it.” And then he just holds me, his arms wrapped tight around me.

  I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart. I’m exactly where I want to be, where I was meant to be, surrounded by love.

  Epilogue

  Phillip

  The following week in the royal dining room…

  I’m bursting to tell my family the big news of our engagement, but I have to wait. We’re gathered at my sister Emma’s rehearsal dinner with her fiancé, Abdul, who is from a small kingdom in Southeast Asia. Their wedding is tomorrow at the chapel here, and Emma will go to live with him after their marriage. He’s rather bland, very proper like our Emma, and seems nice enough. His dark brown hair is neatly parted to the side, and he’s wearing a navy blue suit with a rose-colored tie and pocket square. Emma matches him, wearing a modest long-s
leeved rose dress with a string of pearls. Her long dark brown hair is neatly parted down the middle, her big hazel eyes downcast, her demeanor subdued and rather stiff, her full pink lips pressed into a tight line. I really thought she’d look happier on the occasion she’s waited so many years for. Maybe she’s nervous. She and Abdul were an arranged marriage set up by our mutual kingdoms. She accepted him as her future husband when she was sixteen and had to wait until she turned twenty-five to wed, according to my parents’ wishes. She turned twenty-five last week. The fact that she rarely indulges in alcohol and has definitely had some champagne should’ve relaxed her.

  Maybe it’s because our mother isn’t here. She’s become a recluse, taking her meals in her room. She says she’ll be at the wedding tomorrow, which will be her first public appearance since my father died. Ruby and I visited her in her suite and told her our big news earlier. She gave us her blessing, though she didn’t seem excited. Not much can penetrate the thick cloud of grief that surrounds her. I understand. She’s lost the love of her life.

  As soon as the meal is finished, I stand and walk around to where Emma is seated next to her fiancé. Abdul’s parents and his two sisters are here, as well as all of my siblings. “Congratulations to you both.”

  “Thank you, Phillip,” Emma says in a near monotone.

  I check her eyes. She’s not drunk. I’ve never seen her drunk, but her behavior is so at odds with the happy occasion I wondered if alcohol has a subduing effect on her. Actually, she looks like she checked out. Her eyes are blank.

  “Thank you,” Abdul says in perfect English. “I’m pleased we can finally move forward now that Emma has reached the proper age.”

  “Yes, happy birthday, little sister.” I was away at the time.

  She barely inclines her head.

  I give her shoulder a squeeze. “Would it be okay if I shared some good news with our family, or should I wait for a different occasion? I don’t want to take away from your celebration.”

  “Oh, no, please go ahead,” Emma says.

  I turn to Abdul, who gestures for me to go ahead.

  I head over to Ruby, lean down, and whisper, “I’m going to tell them our news.”

  She smiles and nods.

  I clink a spoon against a glass and the room quiets, my brothers and sisters all turning their attention to me. Gabriel and Anna are here too. She’s not quite herself after losing Mike last week. He died within an hour of her arrival. It seems he’d been hanging on just to say goodbye. She arranged for a quiet funeral, as he’d wanted, and returned home.

  I take everyone in. “On this most happy occasion, I want to extend a warm congratulations to Emma and Abdul.”

  Everyone applauds and murmurs their congratulations. My siblings are less than enthusiastic. They think Emma took the proper princess thing too far, agreeing to an arranged marriage. It was an option my parents broached for all of us. Only Gabriel and Emma would even consider it. They’re two peas in a proper royal pod. I could see it with Gabriel, the heir, but Emma is fifth in line for the throne. She just believed it important to carry on tradition, probably because my proper mother emphasized the point. Those two were always very close. Emma was the daughter my mother hoped for after having four sons.

  I go on. “And I have some more happy news I’d like to share.” I smile down at my beloved. Her cheeks flush pink. I turn back to the group. “Ruby and I are engaged.”

  Everyone cheers, my brothers whistling and hooting. I lean down and kiss Ruby’s smiling, blushing cheek.

  Once the noise dies down, she lifts a hand. “Thank you, everyone. We’re very happy.”

  Anna comes around to hug us both. “Congratulations! Ruby, I’m so, so glad everything worked out. I hope this means you’ll live here on Villroy.”

  “Actually,” Ruby says, “we’re going to be travelling for my work and his, shifting around for a while. Probably until we’re ready to settle down to raise a family.”

  “I wish you so much happiness,” Anna says, her voice more subdued. She gives us a watery smile.

  Gabriel pops out of his seat, comes over to congratulate us, and then guides Anna back to her chair.

  I catch Emma’s eye. “Congratulations,” she says tightly.

  “Thank you, and congratulations to you too. You must be so excited the big day is tomorrow.”

  Abdul listens intently to her answer.

  She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Of course. It’s taken quite a lot of planning, and now it’s finally here.”

  “Nine years,” Abdul says. “That’s a long time to wait.”

  “Right,” I say. “Well, we’re all looking forward to it.”

  Gabriel and Anna take their leave soon after while the rest of us go to the parlor to continue the party. It’s the second week of November and too cool to go up to the rooftop garden. Emma excuses herself promptly at nine, as is her custom, sticking to her usual bedtime. She has a strict schedule for everything, a strict routine of her own devising. I hope marriage loosens her up, though from the look of Abdul, also neat and proper, maybe it’ll just be more of the same. Hell, what do I know? Maybe that’s what she needs.

  * * *

  The next day, I walk with Ruby toward the palace chapel, where Emma will soon be married. Ruby wanted to take a peek before the ceremony and look around. Probably wants to take pictures too. She does love historic architecture and design. And I love her more than I ever thought possible. Last night we all stayed up late in the parlor, drinking and chatting, so my siblings had a chance to get to know Ruby. Each of them, in turn, let me know they thought Ruby was perfect for me. I couldn’t agree more.

  I take Ruby’s hand, entwining our fingers together. She turns to me and smiles, her green eyes bright. I smile back, an ebullient joy filling me as I think of our shared future. I wonder where we’ll ultimately land for a permanent home. At the palace? A separate home on Villroy? Maybe in nearby France? Or in the US? I consider different locations and ways this could work, especially with children. Wherever it is, our home will be filled with love.

  I spot Gabriel and Anna in the hallway dressed in their formal wear of a black tux and peach gown respectively, appearing quite the elegant duo. “Hello,” I call cheerfully. “Beautiful day for a wedding.”

  Gabriel stalks toward me, his expression grim. Anna hurries to catch up with him. I’m instantly on alert. Maybe something’s wrong with Mother. Maybe she’s too upset to come out of her rooms for the wedding after all. This will devastate Emma. They’ve always been close.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “Emma’s gone missing,” Gabriel whispers urgently. “Have you seen her?”

  “No. Did you check with Silvia?” Our sister planned to help Emma get ready.

  “Of course I checked with Silvia,” he snaps. “She said Emma was in her gown and asked for a moment to herself. When Silvia went back to the room, she was gone.”

  “It’s a big palace,” Ruby says. “She must be around here somewhere. Maybe she’s visiting with your mother.”

  “Yes, that,” I say, turning to Ruby with a smile. “You’re brilliant.”

  “She’s not with Mother,” Gabriel says through his teeth. “We checked. We need to spread out and scour the palace without raising any alarms.”

  I nod. “Ruby and I will take the east wing. You and Anna take the west wing.”

  “Do you think she bailed on her wedding?” Ruby whispers.

  Gabriel lifts his chin and says in a haughty voice, “Of course not. She’s likely lost track of time due to pre-wedding nerves. Nothing serious. We’ll reassure her and all will be well.”

  “Actually,” Anna says slowly.

  We all turn to her.

  A muscle ticks in Gabriel’s jaw as he waits for his wife to finish her sentence.

  Anna grimaces. “She might have taken me up on my suggestion to get away and think.”

  Gabriel shakes his head, frowning.

  “Oh, so she’s taki
ng a walk,” I say. “That’s a relief.”

  “It’s worse than that,” Gabriel says in a low voice. “Isn’t it, Anna?”

  Anna instantly flushes guiltily. He knows her so well. “Don’t worry. She’s safe.”

  “You couldn’t have done something before her wedding day?” Gabriel asks tightly.

  Anna gestures wildly. “I tried, but your sister is as stubborn as you and set in her ways. I merely gave her an option, which I did yesterday. She’s the one who chose now to take it.”

  Gabriel looks alarmed and immediately rushes toward the side door that leads outside, probably to track down Emma.

  “Gabriel!” Anna calls, rushing over to him.

  He stops, and they have a heated conversation that I can’t make out from here, and then Gabriel strides outside, Anna hot on his heels.

  Who would’ve thought my proper sister would be a runaway bride?

  “Never a dull moment around here,” Ruby quips.

  I slide an arm around her shoulders and hold her close. “Welcome to my world.”

  She smiles up at me. “I love it, and I love you.”

  I kiss her. “I love you too.”

  She rubs my chest. “And here I thought royal life was so staid and proper.”

  “It is, and it isn’t.”

  “Are you worried about her?”

  “It’s an island. How far could she get?”

  * * *

  Don’t miss the next book in the series Royal Darling, where Emma and a British bad boy rock star collide! Royal Darling is out now!

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or use of this work in any part is forbidden without the express written permission of the author.

  Mouth To Mouth © Tessa Bailey

  Gypsy King © Devney Perry

  The Pawn © Skye Warren

  Hitching The Cowboy © Kennedy Fox

  Our Options Have Changed © Julia Kent and Elisa Reed

  The Initiation © Nikki Sloane