It took Flynn several seconds to notice the extremely awkward glances from the Crown’s agents as they left. But he didn’t care.
Her cheeks pinked from his comment, along with her smile widening. “I’m not sure I’d want you to take off that tux. You look born to wear it.”
“I can leave it on while I make love to you, if you’d like.”
She bit her lip and her gaze swept him up and down in temptation.
“But the extra pins and jewels are a bit much,” he added. “They’d probably drag me down to the bottom of the bay.”
He was now close enough for her to reach out and touch his chest. Her fingers grazed along the silk sash and stopped at the silver star. His heart jumped at her touch.
“May I kiss the queen again?” he asked, barely above a whisper.
She lifted her gaze to his eyes and beamed. “Always.”
He feathered his lips across hers, making his way from one corner of her mouth to the other. Every little pant and gasp from her stretched his manhood thicker in his pants. All of those tiny sounds of pleasure belonged to him. Only with him.
Holding on to her waist was a challenge, her bustle so thick he could barely feel her hips under all the slips, petticoats, and fabric. But he pulled her into him, trying to press closer against her luscious body.
She opened her mouth for him, and his tongue slipped in, anxious to see if a queen tasted any different than his precious Alanna. Sweet, exotic, and still just like coconuts. The scent of heaven, if it had one.
With a blush on her cheeks, she pulled back and gazed into his eyes. “Are you ready to become a prince?”
“If I have to,” he sighed mockingly.
She smirked.
“I’ll be whatever you need me to be. As long as you love me for me. Just as I intend to love you…for you.”
Alanna caressed his chin, and her delicate pink nail polish reminded him of the first day he met her. On those docks, desperate for a ride off the island. So small and fragile, but with a spirit he couldn’t stop staring at in wonder.
“This won’t be easy,” she warned with a lower tone. “You already know that. The times where I have to be queen over being Alanna, I’ll need your help then, too. Sometimes to help solve a problem, others to just be there.”
He held her hand and covered her knuckles with his palm. I’ll always be here. Wherever she is, I’ll be there.
“I need you to be my place of peace,” she continued. “Where I can return from the chaos. Where I can be Alanna.”
His smile was slow, gradually spreading across his face. “Then you’re in luck. Because I’ll always see you as my Alanna.”
“Good. Then when you’re ready to make it official, marry me.” She winked at him. “We can perform the ceremony on the sailboat.”
He chuckled. “You have a way of making men submit, without even asking.” The same words he used on their first night together. Her commanding presence intimidated him then, just as much as it did now.
“To those I love, yes.” She touched her lips to his once more.
Finally, I’m right where I belong.
André held out his arm in the throne room, waiting for Gemma to take it. A lavish banquet with over a hundred guests waited for them and their new queen, to usher in the new era of Solana.
“With your permission, Your Highness,” Stefano interrupted. “May I have a moment with Gemma?”
“Of course.” Gemma kissed André on the cheek, saving the smell of his cologne to fuel her for later. She followed Stefano through the double doors onto the balcony. “Are you going to take him up on his offer?”
He led her to the balustrade and put his hand in his pocket. “Actually, that is up to you.”
She tilted her head.
He glanced up at her tiara with a smile. “Promise me when you become an official princess, you won’t change who you are.”
She smirked. “Like I could if I tried.”
“Well, perhaps stem the foul language occasionally.”
“That, I won’t guarantee.”
He chuckled.
“Does that mean you’re leaving?” Gemma’s heart slipped. Even the thought of Stefano’s absence was like losing her parents again. Here’s where the bottom drops out.
“You tell me.” He pulled out a piece of paper and held it up.
“What’s this?”
He gave it to her. “Vasco’s whereabouts.”
Gemma stiffened. He could’ve knocked her over with a single breath. “How did you get this?”
“Does it matter?”
She eyed the paper without unfolding it. “How long have you had this?”
“Since this morning.”
She was about to open it, but stopped.
“If you want,” he continued, “we can go after him. Finish everything. It’s up to you.”
The years of practiced hardness as a royal guard couldn’t hide the gentleness in his gaze. He was giving her a chance at closure, for which she had fought so hard and nearly died trying to attain.
The familiar tug of vengeance kindled in her stomach. A man like Vasco didn’t deserve to be breathing on this planet, for all his atrocities. The ticket to justice grasped between her fingers, and it had been a long time since she’d kicked anyone’s ass.
The breeze brushed her face again, the palm trees bending to its will. The garden’s rosy scent caught in the wind, snuffing that desire. It filled her with a peace she’d never felt before. Ever. Until she turned to André, standing just inside the bay doors. He leaned against the jamb in his uniform and sash, looking good enough to devour. A strand of his hair fell over his brow, and his smoldering smile devastated her all over again.
In the span of a blink, her life played out in her mind. Afternoons riding horses in the surf, picnics on the beach, and endless mattress wrestling sessions with André under the covers. A good life, one of which to be proud. Worthy. With him.
My city boy.
She ripped the paper in half, and let the breeze take them from her fingers.
“I have everything I need right here.”
THE END
Royals of Solana
May you find everything you need, right where you are
Susan Sheehey writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense adventure. Water plays a crucial element in all of her novels, and she’s a strong advocate for Autism awareness & acceptance. She squeezes in writing time between chauffeuring around her two boys, and guzzling down French vanilla coffee. Her beloved husband keeps her relatively sane, and full of laughter. She and her family live in Texas.
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Other Novels by Susan Sheehey
Audrey’s Promise
ROYALS OF SOLANA series
Prince of Solana
Jewel of Solana
Crown of Solana
Coming Soon
Contemporary Romance Novella series
Knights of Texas
Crown of Solana Page 28