by Holly Jaymes
I wasn’t about to leave my place today. Today of all days, it would serve me well to stay locked up in the apartment.
I checked my emails, there was nothing from Bas yet. There were no notifications on my phone yet either. Sandra, my new PR agent, had sent me a few texts reassuring me she was going to handle everything when the time came.
Ignoring it all, I went to the kitchen to make myself a large mug of coffee. Even though I just got out of bed, I felt utterly exhausted. I perched myself on the high stool in the kitchen, cradling the hot mug in my hands.
All I wanted to do right now was stare at the clock and count the minutes. I would count the minutes to when I would officially not be connected to Bas in any way. We would have no reason to ever meet again or stay in touch. My purpose in his life was going to be over.
When the bell buzzed, it took me by surprise. Were the paparazzi actually showing up at my door these days? A certain degree of fear gripped me as I made my way to the door. I peered through the peephole, expecting to find cameras outside, but instead, there were three men.
The one in the middle was Bas, flanked by two uniformed men who must have been his security. What was he doing here? I nearly shrieked from the shock of it. I hadn’t seen him in two months!
The bell buzzed again, and I opened the door.
“I need to come in,” Bas said, and I stepped aside. I could sense he was under pressure. There must have been cameras outside that caught him entering my building. Before his security personnel could enter my apartment, Bas shut the door on their faces.
I tightened my kimono around my body. I felt raw and bare because I wasn't wearing any makeup or anything, but Bas was looking at me the way he did when we saw each other for the first time in the woods like he really knew me.
“What are you doing here? You were just supposed to call,” I said, backing away from him.
I wasn’t prepared to be alone with him. I didn’t know how my body was going to react to him now. The pretense of anger that I was able to maintain so well before was now completely gone. Bas floored me, just like he always did. I missed him, and I could bet he saw it on my face too.
“Forgive me, but I had to come and see you first before it was all said and done,” he replied.
He was every bit his handsome and charming self. He was cleanly shaven. His reddish blond hair just a little bit stylishly messy, his shirt sleeves rolled up, and his pants looked tailored. He still had that aura around him, the one that the royal family emanated.
“Why? Why did you want to see me? Is there a problem with the statement?” I asked, my arms still wound around me. It might have looked like I was cold, but in fact, I was feeling very hot indeed.
“No, Ava, the statement is good to go. My people are literally on stand by now, waiting for me to give them the signal and they’ll be releasing it to the press.”
“Then why are you here? What more do you have to say to me now?”
I realized I was beginning to shudder. Didn’t he know he was making it worse for me? It was going to be so much harder for me to just walk away from this.
“I wanted to say I’m sorry for everything, Ava. I’m deeply sorry for what all this has done to your life.”
I stared at him, hoping he just left right now before I started to feel worse or even more desperate.
“And also that I’m in love with you.”
I just blinked at him blankly when I heard those words. What? This had to be some sort of a joke. Or maybe I misheard him.
“Why are you really here, Bas?” I asked him again, and he took a few determined steps towards me.
“Ava, did you hear what I just said to you? I’m in love with you. I have feelings for you. Are you listening?”
I took a deep breath, my heart was pounding. What was he getting at? What did he want from me now?
I said nothing, just glared and he came closer to me, standing inches away from me now.
“This is why I’m here. To tell you that I have feelings for you and I wanted to know if there was ever going to be a chance that you and I…that me and you…” He faltered now, I saw a glance of nervousness in his gaze for a moment like he had made himself vulnerable to me. Was he serious about this?
“What do you want from me?” I asked, and Bas breathed in deeply, widening his chest and slowly, he lifted his hands up towards me. I could sense his hands coming close. Then he stroked my arms gently, and I could feel the warmth of his touch. I was melting. Very soon I was going to turn into a puddle.
“Ava, I don’t want anything more from you. I was wrong to ask you to do this for me. I shouldn’t have put you in this situation. I don’t even know why you agreed to do it…I just thought maybe I could protect you too...”
“I wanted to help you. I thought it would be over soon. I didn’t expect it to turn into this!”
“I know.” He continued to stroke my arms. “And for that, I will always be grateful to you for your kindness and your friendship. You have never asked anything from me.”
“That is not how I work.”
“I know that, and I want to absolve you. I want to find a way to make your life easier and scandal free after this if that is what you really want.”
Slowly, Bas took his hands off me, and I immediately wished that he didn't. My heart was thumping fast in my chest. I was starting to realize there was a possibility this might not all be a joke.
“But if you would consider me worthy of a chance…”
Consider him worthy of a chance?
“I know we got off to a bad start. Things got messy. But that is not how it has to be. I felt something real with you, Ava. Maybe that was the part of me that didn’t want to let go of you yet. Maybe I just wanted to extend our relationship in some way, whatever it was that we had. But now I see it for what it is. I actually have feelings for you.”
“I have feelings for you too,” I blurted before I could stop myself.
Bas was about to say more. I could see he had a lot more to say, but he wasn’t expecting me to confess my feelings this quickly.
I stepped up towards him, adrenaline was rushing in my veins now. My breasts gently grazed against his chest. The chord at my waist that was keeping my kimono together came loose. I only had a cotton slip underneath. I could feel my body aching for him. His hot breath fell on my face.
“Ava…”
He took my face in both his hands and kissed me.
“I should have done this sooner. I should have come over here and forced you to talk to me and saved us all this time.”
I kissed him back, smiling now, my cheeks flushing as we hugged. It felt good to be in his arms again and to feel his warmth and his strength all around me. I could feel his heart beating fast as I lay my head on his chest and closed my eyes. His fingers were in my messy hair.
“I don’t know what I was thinking. Why I was even trying to hide it,” I said.
“It was my fault. I should never have put you in this position. I knew things were different between us from the start. It felt completely different. This plan was all wrong.”
I looked up at him, and Bas was smiling down at me, with his blue eyes shining. Before I could say anything, I saw him falling down on one knee. I was completely overwhelmed and shocked to see Bas pull out an ornate ring box from his pants.
“I want to do it right this time, Ava. This is what the people in my country want, so this is what I want to give them. It's also what I want, more than anything I want to be engaged to you. In truth this time. I want us to take it slow and give each other a chance. I know that you have had difficulty trusting people but you are safe with me. I will guard you and your heart. Do you see yourself as my wife, Ava?”
Bas looked determined as he looked up at me. I was still in shock, but I nodded my head. Of course, I did. I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life with any other man. I knew him, and I trusted him. He made me feel safe, and I knew he would protect me.
“Yes,” I
replied, and he opened the box to reveal the most beautiful ring made of diamonds and emeralds which he slowly slipped on to my finger. It felt heavy and warm on my finger. It was just a little bit loose, but that could be fixed. This ring made me feel beautiful. It made me feel like I had so much responsibility on my shoulders now.
Bas stood up, and we kissed, and I knew I would always have him by my side. It was a whirlwind romance. When I woke up today I didn’t expect to be really engaged to him, but this was what was happening, and I couldn’t have predicted it better for myself. This was a dream come true. In fact, was I dreaming?
I pinched myself, just as Bas’ lips met mine again and nothing changed. Everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. I was still in his arms, and the kiss was really happening. I was going to marry a Prince.
Epilogue
Ava
One year later
Both Bas and I knew we wanted to have the wedding at Salthill Peak, at the place we first met. It was a family tradition for every marriage in the royal family to take place at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, but when did Bas and I ever follow the rules?
Our engagement itself had attracted more attention than any other royal engagement in recent times. I was an unlikely choice for the royal family, everyone agreed, but they couldn’t fault us as a couple. Maybe it was evident to everyone that Bas and I were made for each other.
He made me happy. He made me feel secure, and I knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Even a year later, after we had taken more than sufficient time to make the final decision of getting married. I still couldn’t believe it was actually happening.
I was getting married to a prince, and more importantly to the man of my dreams!
The wedding ceremony itself was going to be televised by a small crew, which would then be distributed to the media. By keeping it out of London, we were able to keep most aspects of the ceremony under control.
Maybe the royal family might not have made these kinds of grave exceptions for others, but everyone seemed to be so happy that Bas had finally decided to settle down, and with a woman, everybody approved of that nobody raised too many objections.
The entire royal family and all our closest friends were in attendance. I invited my father too, though I wasn’t sure if he was going to make it. I wasn’t too concerned about who walked me down the aisle. If dad couldn’t make it to the wedding, I would gladly accept Alfred stepping in. Dad and I hadn’t spoken in several months. When I realized he was excited about my nuptials only because of how it would benefit him, I knew it was time to cut him out of my life. The only thing I could do now was remain civil with him.
As for my mom, the invitations had been sent to her, but I didn’t expect her to show up either. I couldn’t blame her. I didn’t deserve her forgiveness now, not after all these years.
Salthill was decorated and prepared for our big day, and Bas was as involved in the ceremony and the planning as I was. We both wanted it to be just right and according to our tastes. Bas wasn’t interested in a traditional wedding like the rest of his family. He looked at me with his handsome smile that day when we were discussing it with the planners.
“I’m not marrying a traditional woman,” he said and kissed me in front of all of them, making them blush.
Today, as I stepped out of my chambers in my bespoke glittering wedding dress and the long veil, I could see that everything had been arranged to perfection.
People were buzzing all around me, holding up my train, handing me the bouquet, brushing up my makeup as I walked down. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of my mom. She was standing in the row of people who were watching me make my entrance, just at the door.
I couldn’t believe she came!
I was a bundle of nerves. I knew I was under scrutiny. This was what my life would feel like now. I would be watched constantly, my every action analyzed. But I would always have Bas with me, his support and his love. I was never going to feel alone again.
I broke away from the group, just for a few moments and I ran to my mother. She had tears in her eyes, and I hugged her tightly.
“I’m so glad you came, mom,” I whispered in her ear as she cried even more.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, Ava, my love. I am so happy for you.”
My heart filled with love and warmth and I was smiling as I joined the group again. Alfred was waiting to greet me at the door of the banquet hall. My dad didn't show up, just like I predicted. He was throwing some sort of hissy fit, no doubt, but Alfred was beaming warmly at me. I knew he adored me, just like the rest of Bas’ family.
I clung on to his arm for support as we entered the beautiful hall together. The congregation stood up in unison as the music played on the grand piano. At the end of the aisle stood Bas, with his brother. He was in full royal livery, looking more handsome today than he had looked before.
He was the man I was going to marry. The man who had changed my life, even though he insisted I had changed his. He was smiling wide at me. I could see the excitement glittering in his blue eyes.
Everything else seemed like a floating dream. It was the happiest day of my life, and I didn’t even notice all the cameras flashing anymore. The only thing I had eyes for was Bas and the happiness that awaited me.
Alfred kissed me lightly on my cheek before he parted with me at the end of the aisle. Bas gave me his hand so I could step up to him. I watched him through my silver silk veil, and I was filled with love.
Nothing could bring me down again, not as long as I had the love of this man.
Author’s Note
Thank you, thank you, for reading my book, Royally Protected! I’m so grateful and I hope that you enjoyed the story.
Reviews for my books are very important to me as an author. If you enjoyed reading my book I’d be so thankful if you would be willing to write me a review.
Thanks again for your support and for reading me story. I couldn’t do it without you!
XX Holly
Below is where you can review if you like.
Leave a review for Royally PROTECTED here!
About Holly Jaymes
All of Holly's romances involve passionate, alpha males who don't shy away from demonstrating just how they feel about their sassy heroines. Because, let's face it, those are the best kinds of book-boyfriends to have.
Also by Holly Jaymes
Protecting Her
Accidentally Daddy Box Set
Taken
Hot Rod
Daddy Heart M.D.
Daddy Ivy League
Daddy CEO
Daddy Player