Yours Royally (Billionaires and Brides 3)

“I'm so sorry you had to go through that,” Marco said, as he embraced Sabrina.

She held him close, more tightly than ever before. She didn't want to let go.

“I was so scared,” she sobbed into his already soaking shirt.

“Me too,” he said, as he rubbed her back. “Me too.”

But she didn't believe him. He hadn't seemed scared at all the entire time.

“How did you know what to do?” she asked, pulling away just long enough to look him in the eyes.

Marco chuckled. “I grew up on an island. The water is my second home. Sometimes these summer storms come in quickly. It's happened to me before, but the captain should have known better.”

“You've done this before?” she asked.

“Not exactly this, but I have been in similar situations,” Marco said. “Let's just say that wasn't the first time I've had to go help someone who went overboard.”

And once again, Marco proved to Sabrina that he was an even more amazing man that she had thought. A soft smile crossed her face as she pressed her cheek into his chest. She felt like she was hugging Superman.

Chapter 16

Marco

Marco woke up early and crept quietly out of bed, so as not to wake Sabrina. He slipped on some khaki shorts and a polo shirt before making his way out of the cabin. There was a small gift shop down the road about a mile and he intended to go there to buy her something special as a surprise. He felt she deserved something nice after the boat tour had turned into a complete nightmare. Not only that, though, it was their last day in the island. It was his last chance to woo the girl of his dreams and hopefully convince her to go back home with him.

He made the walk down the winding paved road and eventually approached the gift shop. It stood just a few feet off the pavement, surrounded by palm trees. Luckily, it was open. And it seemed pretty popular, based on the handful of cars that were already parked in front of it.

Marco stepped inside, making his way through the maze of coat racks and glass cases that held inexpensive jewelry. He wasn't sure exactly what he was looking for, but he figured he'd know it if he found it.

“Aloha,” a plump man called out from behind the counter.

“Hi there,” Marco replied with a smile.

“How can I help you this morning?” the man asked.

“I'm looking for a gift for my girlfriend,” Marco said. “Any ideas?”

The man stood up from his stool and approached Marco, shaking his hand. “I suggest you take a look in the women's clothing corner. You might find something there.”

“I'll do that,” Marco said. “Thanks for your help.”

Marco turned and went to the back corner of the shop. Most of what he saw there was pretty typical. There were a bunch of swimsuits, hats and sunglasses. He glanced around, but didn't see anything at first. He was abou

t to turn and leave, when something caught his eye. There was a rack of summer dresses that were tucked in the very back. They had been hidden behind the rest of the products. There was one in front, though, that had particularly gained his attention.

“That's beautiful,” he whispered, as he approached the dress and pulled it off of its hangar.

Marco held it in front of him. The dress was light blue, with a vibrate floral pattern on the front made of red and purple colors. It was short-sleeved with a narrow waist, and made of smooth silk.

This would be perfect, he thought. She would look so good in this.

He imagined Sabrina in the dress. He thought about her long legs exposed and how the material would conform to her womanly curves. It made him practically pant right there in the store. He knew right then that he had found the right dress.

Marco spun around and walked straight to the counter. The rotund man had taken his seat back at the stool and greeted him with a smile.

“Ah, that's a great item right there, sir,” the man said. “Your lady is going to love that.”

“I agree,” Marco replied.