He led her out by the hand and her nose twitched as she smelled the roasted chicken and mashed potatoes. He brought her to the kitchen and put on the oven mitts, showing her that dinner was ready. She found a wine bottle and glasses as she laughed and asked, “Did you plan that too?”
He took the dinner to the dining room table and returned for the plates. “Would it make you like me more or less if I said I did?”
She followed with the wine, but stopped to grab the bottle opener. “Because you knew my plane had landed?”
He set the table and she opened the bottle, pouring the glasses as they sat down. His cheeks were red as he said, “Or because I was hungry myself, but it’s better if we eat together.”
And then kisses and more kisses. Possibly forever. She tasted the dinner and the chicken was soft and melting in her mouth which made her crave all of it. She slowed down though and politely asked, “For your sister and future brother-in-law’s party, is it upstairs as usual?”
He shook his head. “No, they rented the Rusty Pelican for the night.”
Wow. This was the end of danger and intrigue. The Bentleys were truly free now to live their lives. She sipped her wine. “The Bentleys are going out?”
He finished his mashed potatoes. “Tomorrow is the election. So it’s a family weekend, if you don’t mind.”
She reached for his arm and squeezed his biceps as she said, “Are you joking? I love being a Bentley.”
He stared at her without moving a muscle. “You made me happy claiming that you were my wife the entire trip you were away.”
Sarah's face felt flushed. She glanced down and said in a lower voice, “I needed to see my parents and my sister. She looked really bad.”
“I’m sorry.” He took her hand in his, wrapping their fingers together.
He wasn’t the bad one here. He was perfect and for some reason he loved her, the real her. It was like her heart was glowing on the inside as her entire body felt warm. “You have no reason to be sorry. You’re a great guy.”
Both of them finished their plates and then brought them to the kitchen. She turned toward him. “I think we’re done with dinner.”
“So what’s the plan now, Sarah?” The moon was visible in the sky outside the window.
No more talking. They’d done enough. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “I get to show you how much I love you.”
He leaned down and kissed her. Her toes curled and she didn’t care because for once she had everything, right here, with Beau.
Beau checked his security logs as he finished dressing. Sarah was in the bathroom, but the shower was off. She’d be out in a second. He scrolled through his programs and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
His aunt, in Hoskell, had given another interview to the press where she'd discussed how much of a lady Sarah was when they’d met.
Mariam Shahpour even said she’d vote for his father.
No threats registered anywhere.
They were free.
The bathroom door opened and Sarah came out wearing an elegant knee-length black dress, her hair swept up.
She linked hands with his and they went down to the lobby.
Her fingers were still bare.
It was time to change that but a limo ride didn’t feel right.
Beau let the square box in his pocket bump against his thigh for the ride, ensuring he sat opposite her so she wouldn't feel it.
As they approached the exclusive restaurant that overlooked the bay and the Intracoastal both, limos were lined up. Finally it was their turn.
Paparazzi took their photos like they were stars, but they’d never film a movie or be singers.
He was just happy to be alive, and with Sarah at his side. Nothing else mattered.
He held the door for her to the restaurant and they entered.
The restaurant was darker than usual, but then a moment later confetti fell from the ceiling and camera lights clicked like everyone was capturing the moment on the stage his sister was on to greet everyone for the party.
Elle clearly made a wedding splash.
This was absolutely her. His sister had always been the life of the party, but she was more centered when she was with Navid.
And like she'd been waiting for them once they entered the party, Elle left her fiancé and her soon-to-be-stepdaughter and stage seating, and hugged both him and Sarah. She spoke loud over the speakers that played one of her favorite pop songs from ten years ago. “You’re very late.”
Sarah wore a faint blush as she glanced at him. He kissed his sister’s cheeks and said, “Sarah’s flight was slightly detained.”
Elle motioned for them to follow. Anything away from the speakers would be good. She brought them to a balcony where the rest of the family was gathered. Elle asked in a softer tone, “How was your family, Sarah?”
Sarah’s nose wrinkled as she shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about them. We came to wish you a happy engagement.”
Elle pointed toward the waiter with the champagne flutes as fireworks began to explode over the bay. “Thank you. Get a drink. I should get back to Navid now but enjoy.”
Elle walked back to Navid and Margot, kissing her fiancé.
Beau couldn’t stop looking at his beautiful wife as she watched the fireworks his sister had no-doubt ordered. He laced his fingers with hers and said, “Sarah, you’re glowing.”
The waiter interrupted whatever she might have said with champagne flutes. They both took one but as he left, she pushed her hair behind her ear and he saw her cheeks were blushing as she said, “I’m happy. I’m here with you. And we’re celebrating a wedding that we actually get to go celebrate without guns or bad guys or anything.”
They’d won. Everything was great. His brother Oliver and Rachel were here on a date, without their son tonight. Roy and Caitlyn were staring at his cell phone, laughing at something. Dylan and Lois, both in black, hid in a corner together. Jake and Eva danced and his parents were sitting in chairs like they were already ruling the place as Elle pointed out the fireworks to her small group.
His family was good and so was he, next to Sarah. No one else had ever made him feel like this. “Yes. Elle and Navid seem so happy.”
Sarah finished a sip of champagne. “It’s hard to imagine.”
Huh? His eyes narrowed as he asked, “What’s hard to imagine?”
She met his gaze and her brown eyes sparkled as she said, “That your sister and her husband aren’t already married, and living happily-ever-after.”
His hand rested on her hip as he remembered how she was sweeter than this champagne. “Aren’t we all?”
“You’re right.” She released a soft sigh that made her lips more enticing. He needed to taste her once more, so he lowered his head and claimed what he wanted.
Her fingers ran through his hair until the kiss ended.
But he didn’t want to let her go. Beau put his glass down and motioned with his head toward the dance floor inside. “Come dance with me.”
The fireworks went into their overture as she put her own glass down too--she gazed up at them as they exploded overhead in brilliant color. “Beau, everything is so perfect.”
“Almost,” he said, and waited for her.
She turned toward him and the dance floor. She gave him a questioning look as he led her to a corner of the balcony near the door toward the ballroom, but behind some potted plants for privacy.
His heart beat faster but she followed. “What’s going on? Why are we hiding?”
Now was a good time. He wanted this change to last, forever. “We’ve been through a lot, Sarah, and this will make you nervous but hear me out. I think it’s time for a change.”
He reached into his pocket but she didn’t seem to notice. She stared intently into his eyes as if trying to read them. He held up the small velvet box. She pressed her lips together. “What change are you talking about?”
He massaged her shoulder. “Don’t make a
big deal. This is my sister’s night, after all.”
The fireworks continued to brighten everything, even their dark corner, but she asked, “You’re worrying me. We agreed to stay married and together, earlier.”
The last thing he wanted to do was cause her to pout. He smiled and said, “We did and I’m happy.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “Then what?”
He showed her his hand that had the box in it and opened it.
Her eyes watered as she glanced down and then at him as he explained, “This is a ring I’m supposed to give my princess to wear on special occasions, like tonight.”
She picked up the huge amethyst stone that represented his place in line. He helped her put it on her finger as she said, “I see.”
The stone would weigh her hand down and she wouldn't be able to use it for much with that large of a ring. He took out another one, a princess cut smaller diamond that he’d bought for her to wear every day. “I also picked this a while ago for you to wear around doing normal things. Sarah, I want you to stay my wife, forever. These aren’t just jewelry for show. ”
She instantly reached out to hug him and kissed his cheek. “Beau, I love them. I love you. And I’ll always wear one of these, though we need to get you a ring too.”
Good. She wanted their marriage to last forever. “You can pick one out for me.”
“I will. Now let’s get back inside. I want to dance.” She slipped her finger in with both rings so she might dazzle and his hand.
Once again they walked in together, but this was what he'd wanted and thought he couldn't have--Sarah at his side.
Sarah fixed her form-fitting yellow and green flowered silk dress that his mother had ordered for her. She was using the office as a makeshift dressing room to test out gowns, including the gold but it was too fancy for American TV. Ava had asked them all to dress like princesses of old, but modern versions in case they actually won.
And she wouldn't argue with the queen.
Ever.
Ten o’clock had come so fast and she was running late.
They’d eaten breakfast hours ago. She’d registered for her classes, bought her books, and changed out of her pajamas.
Beau knocked on the office door they’d share and asked, “Are we ready?” Beau waited as she left her desk by the window with the morning sun brightening her corner.
“Navid has the projection screen already going.”
Right. He’d been upstairs already. As they left the office, she dashed into the kitchen and grabbed a large bag filled with four smaller bags. “I’ve got the popcorn. Let’s go.”
He walked with her toward their shoes and asked, “Wait? What?”
She handed him the bag as she slid her feet into her green flats. “Popcorn is never at your family parties and personally I’ve been missing it. I can’t be the only one wanting some when we celebrate.”
He gave it back so he could fix his shoes as he said, “You can have the chef…”
His voice trailed off. He must have seen her lips pressed together so she said, “This is big deal and a huge day for your father and your family. Popcorn is what I eat when I’m waiting for good news.”
He shrugged, not agreeing with her but he didn’t argue as he carried the popcorn out the door. . “Sounds good.”
Security guards were all smiling in the halls. She and Beau rode up without incident and Navid opened the door for them. Elle hugged them and motioned toward the living room which was set up as a movie theater. “Beau. Sarah. Just in time. Grab seats.”
Eva took one of the bags from Beau as she said, “Oh, popcorn.”
Sarah passed out the bags to Lois and Caitlyn, leaving them only one. Sarah said, “I brought enough to share.”
Beau winked at her--was that an admission that she was right? He led her to the open chairs. As they settled down and she opened her bag, she glanced toward his parents. Ali and Ava were seated right in the center, holding hands and not moving. Sarah stopped nibbling on her popcorn and said, “Your parents seem nervous.”
Beau glanced over but then said, “We’re just in time. The numbers are coming in.”
Sarah held her breath.
The Bentley’s lives could change again, any moment. She didn’t move as the TV showed the voting numbers and it was clear.
His parents started crying.
Beau stood with his brothers and said, “The country has voted to restore the monarchy!”
Life was never boring here. She stood, clapped, and asked, “What does this mean?”
Beau beamed like he was excited as he said, “It means my parents are returning to Hoskell.”
Yes. But she had a life here. Her stomach twisted as she asked, “And us?”
Beau kissed her cheeks and said like he read her worries on her face, “We go and visit, when you don’t have classes.”
Then they made their way to his parents and she hugged Ali tight. “I’m so happy for you.”
His father kissed her cheek. “You’re a real princess now, Sarah.”
She laughed and said more to Beau as his father was already hugging Eva, “That sounds so strange, but good. I love being a Bentley.” Beau took her hand.
He held her close and said, “And I love that you’re mine.”
The rest of the world didn’t matter. She was happy, here, in his arms.
Also by Victoria Arabpour Pinder
Returning for Valentine’s (FREE if you go to my website)
The House of Morgan
Secret Crush
Secret Baby
Secret Bet
Secret Wish
Secret Dad
Secret Heir
Secret Tryst
Secret Date
Secret Romeo
Secret Caress
Secret Match
Secret Bridesmaid
Secret Admirer
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 1-3
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 4-6
Princes of Avce
Forbidden Crown
Forbidden Prince
Forbidden Royal
Forbidden Duke
Forbidden Earl
Forbidden Monsieur
Forbidden Marquis
Forbidden Count
Forbidden King
Forbidden Bastard
Forbidden Noble
Princes of Avce 1-3
Princes of Avce 4-6
The Hawke Fortune
Tempting Gabe
Tempting James
Tempting Conner
Tempting Harry
Tempting Navid
Brothers in Revenge Prequel
Irresistibly Lost
Irresistibly Found
Brothers in Revenge
Irresistibly Charming
Irresistibly Tough
Irresistibly Played
Irresistibly Rugged
Irresistibly Strong
Irresistibly Dashing
Hidden Angels
Hidden Gabriel
Hidden Raphael
Hidden Michael
Hidden Dane
The Marshall Family Saga
Favorite Crush
Favorite Mistake
Favorite Sin
Favorite Scandal
The Collins Brothers
Chaperoning Paris
Borrowing the Doctor
Electing Love
Keeping the Spy
Keeping the Captain
Then if you also like
Science Fiction/Fantasy Romance
Hidden Dragon Series
Call of the Dragon
Dawn of the Dragon
Escape of the Dragon (Coming Soon)
The Queen Gene
Whispers of a Throne
Storm of the Throne (coming soon)
Earthseekers Mission
Makeup May Change Your Life
The Zoastra Affair
Ancient Greek Heroes
Mything You
&nbs
p; Mything the Throne
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston then moved to Miami. Eventually, found that writing is her passion. She always wrote stories to entertain herself. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, but when she sat down to see what she enjoyed doing, writing became obvious.
Visit my website and download a free novel
www.victoriapinder.com
[email protected]
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