The Prince's Bride

“Sorry,” she says, lifting her head up. “We were having so much fun and now…”

“Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault your father’s a total prick.”

“I just wish he wouldn’t affect me like this. I should be used to it by now.”

Shaking my head, I say, “I don’t think anyone would ever get used to being tossed aside by their father.”

She lets out a deep sigh, then says, “I suppose not. I just wish we hadn’t run into him. You had this wonderful day planned out and now it’s ruined.”

“It’s actually a good thing it happened.”

She lifts her head and gives me a questioning look.

“Not that I want to see you so upset, I don’t mean that. I mean this has given me a chance to see firsthand who took away your ability to trust and it’s made me even more determined to prove to you that not every man will let you down.”

“When you talk like that, I want so badly to believe you,” she whispers. “You have no idea how much I wish all of this could be real.”

“It is real. It’s more real than anything I’ve ever known.” I lower my mouth to hers and wait for her to kiss me.

She does as I hoped, but this time it’s a kiss of love, of pain, of understanding. We stay like this, holding each other as I try to kiss away her sadness. The sun goes down leaving us in the dark and the air cools down, causing her to shiver.

She touches my face with her hand. “I don’t want to go home tonight.”

“Good, because I don’t want to take you home.”

“Can we go back to your place?”

“I have a better idea.”

Chapter 9

Addison

My mouth drops when the bellhop opens the double doors to the Presidential Suite. Henry got us a room at the Ritz-Carlton for the night. Everyone here must know who he is because I’ve never been treated so well when I’ve checked into a hotel. Well, I suppose that might be because I’ve only ever stayed in motels before. But even there, the people working could tell I was trailer trash.

Henry grins and tugs my hand to get my feet moving. “Come on. The view from here is incredible.”

His excitement is contagious and I suddenly feel like seeing my father was a million years ago. We rush over to the French doors and Henry opens them so we can walk out onto the enormous balcony. A cool breeze hits my skin and wakes me up, making me feel somehow more alive than I’ve ever been. I stare out at the sparkling lights that seem to go on for miles and suddenly my problems seem insignificant. “It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he says, wrapping his arms around me and pressing himself against my back to warm me.

“I love it. I may never want to leave,” I say, turning my head and resting my cheek against his.

“If you think this place is amazing, I can’t wait to show you the world, Addie.” He nuzzles against my cheek. “The wilds of Africa, the Brazilian rain forest, the Great Barrier Reef, Paris, London. We’re going to see it all and do it all together.”

“Promise?” I turn in his arms so I’m facing him now.

“I promise,” he says, giving me a long, deep kiss. “If you’ll let me, I’ll give you the world.”

“I just might let you,” I whisper.

We kiss until my panties are soaked with desire and my entire body is humming with lust. “Let’s go inside,” I say, finally. “I want you to make love to me.”

“Are you sure you’re ready, Addison? Because when we do this, it means forever.”

“I’m ready. I want forever with you.”

A huge grin crosses his face and he picks me up under my knees, then carries me back into the warmth of the room. Kicking the door shut behind him, he carries me to the enormous en suite and sets me down on the counter.