ROME
“How did it go?”
“She did not suspect me. I’ll be waiting for her answer tomorrow.”
“And she thought it was a business deal.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s great. Keep it that way. And Rome, I trust you that you will take care of my sister. Just go easy on her.”
“I love her, Prince Thayer. That’s the truth, and it won’t change. I’m just teaching her a lesson.”
“Just no other women. You don’t want to see the look on her face for days.”
I laughed. “Is your advice based on experience?”
“Yes, and it’s still taunting me.” He laughed with me.
“No other women, I promise.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“No. It should be me thanking you.”
“My pleasure.” I ended the call.
“That’s the worse plan you’ve ever come up with. Why not just admit that you don’t want her to marry the scumbag.”
“Just shut up, Linden.”
He shook his head in amusement. “Love. Love makes people do stupid things. And teaching her a lesson? You mean hurting the love of your life. What more stupidest idea than that?”
“I’m not listening to someone who doesn’t even have a girlfriend.”
“Whatever you say, man. Whatever you say.”
***
I twisted and turned in bed. I missed her-her warm body, her kiss, her moan, her fingers digging against my skin, her smile, her laugh. Carly drove me crazy, and my love for her made me do stupid things. And what was stupidest than jerking off while thinking about her? Yeah, I did that, and it didn’t take long until I came, but I didn’t feel the same satisfaction as I was with her.
I woke up early and went out for a run on the trail for a few minutes and left my phone on the charger. When I came back, I didn’t find a call or message from her, only from Mom. I did a quick browse of my email. Nada. I started to get worried.
I checked the time. I still have three hours before my world crumbled down with my plan.
Then my phone rang.
“Langston.”
“Mr. Langston.” Fuck. It was Seth.
“Seth.”
“Her Royal Highness requests your presence in two hours at the private airport.”
“Did she say what it is all about?”
“No, sir.”
“Okay. I’ll free my schedule. Thank you.”
I sent a message to our group chat.
ROME: Be at my house in 1 hour.
SAX: Did she decline your proposal already?
ROME: Just come here.
KYE: The stupidest idea
ROME: Fuck you
LINDEN: Sax can’t come. Adley is back to work.
KYE: I will be there to see your sorry weepy ass, man. I will take a video and post them on YouTube.
ROME: Just the two of you, then.
SAX: Send me that video, Wilder. And Kye, post on your Twitter and tag me.
ROME: You’re wasting my time. See you later.
An hour and a half later, we arrived at the private airport. The private jet was already out of the hangar.
Carly had not arrived yet. I was carrying the ring, hoping her answer was yes.
Ten minutes later, she had not shown up.
“Why is she late?”
“We are early,” Linden said. “Call her.”
“No. We’ll wait.”
“Relax. Your anxiousness is making me edgy. And may I remind you that this is your fucking idea,” Kye said.
“What if she says no?”
“Then it’s not my fault. Do you want sweet revenge? Not like this, bro,” Linden replied.
“What are you suggesting?”
“Just don’t give her an orgasm.”
“Fuck you.” My anger rose to my head.
“Better than making her think you don’t give a damn about her. That’s bullshit.”
“She loves me, yet she will marry that smug face. And I know he will only treat her terribly. That guy may be their superstar, but he will cheat on her.”
“Well, the Princess is in love with someone else. What do you expect? Think about it like Charles and Diana and Camila.”
“That’s why I’d rather consume my anger than let her marry Lord Farquad.”
Linden laughed out loud in the passenger seat.
Kye shook in amusement. “Let me guess. You are the ogre Shrek.”
“Well, I checked his IG account.”
“Stalked, you mean,” Kye said.
“Whatever. He posted nothing but his half-naked ass. I mean, that guy is obsessed with his biceps-”
“And he brags too much. He shows off a lot.”
“Exactly,” I agreed with Linden. “I can’t see anything he posted about charities or something. If you are helping people even for the sake of publicity, he could at least support some causes. All I saw was him on the yacht with half-naked women in his arms.”
“Yeah. That’s what I noticed, too,” Kye agreed.
“Incoming vehicles,” Linden affirmed.
“That’s them.”
We climbed out. Two vehicles parked before us. Her details went out first, then Seth opened the door for her.
“Your Highness,” it was Linden and Kye.
And I switched into a cold, self-centered asshole. “Princess.”
“Hey, guys.” She was more beautiful than ever in blue pants and a white blouse. Her coat hung over her shoulders. “May I speak with Langston for a minute?”
“He’s all yours, ma’am.”
“Take a walk with me.” She looked at me. Her tone was low and controlled. And now she made me worried.
We walked side by side toward the hangar. None of us yet to speak. I waited for her to blow the nuclear bomb in my face.
“I asked for advice from my brother last night.”
And just talked to him last night too. I wondered who called first. Me or her?
“What did he say?”
She stopped and faced me, meeting her gaze. “It doesn’t matter what he said. It’s me who will make a fool of myself and fool my people into pretending to be a happy wife for two or three years.” So this was what made her sad.
I clenched my teeth hard, my jaw hurting.
“So if I will accept your proposal, I have to negotiate.”
I looked at her intently. Her eyes were in deep sorrow. “I wanna hear it.”
“You will give me an heir.” Her words made me freeze.
Stunned, I just stared at her for seconds. My lips parted.
“You will sleep with me until I get pregnant. I don’t want surrogacy or adoption. But I would agree to IVF. That’s after our wedding. Because even if our marriage is a sham, I made my vow, and marriage is a sacred matrimony. I won’t, for the love of God, betray you and sleep with someone else. I can and will control my needs. But that’s all I’m asking. And for two years, my father will not be eager to ask for my heir if I already have one.”
I suddenly remembered the words of the King.
“That’s my counteroffer. I want your decision before I leave.” She turned away and left me standing, still dumbfounded.
I was shocked and delighted about her offer. Well, I would love nothing but to fuck her and make love with her on our honeymoon, but never in a million years would I think she would consider that. And that was what I loved about her. She was never shy to reach out and tell her heart’s desire. She wants an heir from me.
I followed her. “Storm- Princess!”
She stopped and turned to me.
“Marriage is also sacred to me. I will be faithful to my commitment as your husband. And I have no intention of sleeping with another woman while we are bound in marriage. If you wish an heir, I will give you.” I swallowed the bile rising in my throat.
What was so wrong with me? This was the woman I loved, and I was making it hard for both of us.
But I wanted to trust her again. I wanted her full commitment to our marriage, not as her duty to the palace and to fulfill her father’s wish, but to us.
“I will respect you as my wife.”
She smiled sadly. “Very well.”
“I’ll follow you in two or three days. Let me settle some documents before I fly.”
“Take your time.” She then reached out for my hand. “I will forever be in your debt.”
I nodded. I couldn’t form any words as she looked so vulnerable and beautiful.
“Thanks.”
“Thank you, Rome.”
“Before you go, I want you to have this.” I fished the ring from my coat. “I want you to wear this ring. At least, if there’s one thing that is real, it is this. It always belongs to you.”
She took it from me. When she flipped the box open, she smiled thinly and let a tear fall down her cheek. “It’s gorgeous.”
Not as gorgeous as you.
“I’d be honored to have this on my finger.”
Then I gave her the envelope. “I’ll collect it when I fly to you.”