Most of what we told the king was the truth.
Everything in my world felt wrong I barely made it through my wedding and let Liam hold me through the flight home. He was, no matter what happened around us, my rock. I was beginning to love him with all of my heart. He told me once that he loved me, but I wasn’t sure if him saying it was just a way to get me to go through with the wedding.
I fell asleep on Liam’s shoulder as I heard him talking with my girls.
“It was a beautiful wedding,” they gushed. “I’m sure she’ll remember it one day,” Kylie commented as I drifted off to sleep.
“At least we have pictures,” Liam joked, but I heard the sadness in his voice.
When we landed in New York we were off and running. Kylie and I worked for two days to get the clothes fitted to the models and the runway show in place. Liam and I stayed in Alec and Kylie’s New York apartment while they stayed in their loft so that we could all be close to the venue. Madison hung around for moral support which I greatly needed. I didn’t even have time to consider that I was married and at that moment I didn’t care.
Much to my dismay some of Liam’s staff came with us and also stayed in the apartment, namely Liam’s butler James and my stylist, Georg. I came home the night before my fashion week show completely drained and exhausted, but more excited than I had been in a long time to finally be ready for the runway of my life. In fact, I was feeling almost like the me I remembered.
“You should get to bed, Avery,” Liam suggested as I looked over the pictures of the models in their outfits one last time, mentally preparing myself for the next day. “You need your rest.” He sounded so worried.
“Just making sure everything is ready to go,” I assured him as I crawled into bed.
My eyes hurt, my body was aching, and I couldn’t remember the last time I ate or drank water, I was simply living for the work. I didn’t know how to break it to him, but I absolutely did not have the energy to handle his cock that night.
“I’m pretty sure you’ve been ready for this for a very long time.” While he was trying to sound encouraging all I really got from him was a disappointment.
“As soon as the show is over…” I started hoping to alleviate his fears.
“There will be more work and more shows.” He kissed my temple as his cock stabbed my back, ready and hard as it always was.
At least his attraction for me hadn’t suffered from my pregnancy, work demands, and our very newly minted marriage.
“Maybe for a little while,” I whispered. “Remember all the proceeds are going to charity.”
“At some point, my love, you’re going to have to focus that incredible work ethic of yours on your role as a mother and queen.” He didn’t have to remind me.
“I know.”
I turned away from him and scooted across the bed to get away from his hardness and the life I wasn’t sure I wanted. It was the first night since I met him that I’d denied him sex, but he didn’t complain.
“Good night, Avery,” he said quietly. “I can’t wait to see what you’re going to show the world tomorrow.”
I could hardly stand the hurt in his tone, but I was too tired all over my body to deal with it at that moment. I fell asleep before I was even able to respond to him. The next morning, I woke up to his soft voice in my ear.
“It’s time, love. Georg is ready for you.” I turned over to see Liam’s adoring face.
I touched my hand to his scruffy skin, he hadn’t shaved and his facial hair was bristly. I liked that look on him, but I didn’t dare say it. He had an image to keep up, but I liked him a little rough. It reminded me of the man I’d met such a short time ago on St. Patrick’s Day, the man I didn’t know was a prince.
He took my hand and kissed it. “You are going to be amazing.” He kissed me again.
“I hope so,” is all I said feeling like I’d swallowed a bag of bricks.
I got up, showered, and prepared to ravage the runway. Liam was supportive, but had to stay back from my spotlight for two reasons: one, I’m not sure he wanted me in it and two, the less the press knew about us being here together the better. In Ireland, we sort of vanished after the wedding. In the United States, the Irish monarchy was a bit of a myth, so as long as the press didn’t peg me as the newly made princess of Ireland, we’d be safe from his father’s wrath and possible retaliation.