He had no right for her to trust him like this. Getting her to leave him was going to be hard.
Aaden put his hand on the papers to stop her from just signing without reading. Johnson must have seen the same thing with her actions because he said, “Please read the prenup.” Johnson turned toward him and coughed. “Mr. Bentley, Miss McKenney was specifically mentioned in your parents’ will.”
Aaden sat up in alarm. “You never mentioned her.”
Johnson shrugged and took out an envelope with his name written in his mother’s handwriting as he said, “You never mentioned there was a chance you’d marry her until last night when you told me to draw up the papers.”
Aaden stared at it and half-wondered if this was some trick. He didn’t move to take the envelope but asked, “What did it say?”
Johnson waved the letter and envelope at him like he should take it. “Here. I’ll let you read it yourself.”
Aaden accepted the sealed envelope. He ripped it open and read his mother’s words.
Sienna finished signing her papers. “What does it say, Aaden?”
His heart caved in his chest. How he wished he’d at least spoken to his mother one more time; her words on the page were unreal. How could it be? He tipped the envelope and two bands fell into his palm.
He recognized his mother’s tone as he held the rings his grandmother had left him to give his bride. Back then his mother had refused to give him even that, but now with a letter from beyond the grave, she was trying to make amends? He swallowed, believing every word. He put the letter down and met Sienna’s gaze. “That they were sorry they interfered and that they are happy for us now.”
Unshed tears welled in her eyes. Sienna always had a soft heart when it came to family. She put the pen down and said, “Seriously? Can I read it?”
“Here.” He waited until she handed the prenup to Johnson and then she reached for the letter in his hand. He remained quiet as Sienna read his mother’s apology. Today seemed almost surreal and as soon as they married, it would be even more. When she finished, she smiled at him, gave him back the letter and said, “Aaden, this letter is super nice of them.”
He folded it and put it in the envelope and then tucked it in his back pocket. He stood and ignored his lawyer as he offered his hand to Sienna. “Doesn’t matter. Let’s get to the chapel as planned.”
“Wait.” She stood on her own but then stared at him instead of moving. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Right. Now he needed to pay her back the blood money he’d received for leaving her. At least now it was a way to protect her, so it was a start to helping him forgive his own past. He took that envelope out of his breast pocket inside his light gray suit. “Oh, here is your first half.”
She took it without looking at it but she stared at him. “That wasn’t what I meant but thank you.”
Again, he tried to walk but she stood still and right in path he intended to lead her. So he stopped and asked, “What did you mean then?”
She motioned toward the lawyer who was cleaning up the contracts and pressed against his hands that held the gold bands. “They left us their rings. I think you…we can use them today, like your mother planned.”
“After she tried to stop us.” Right. Part of the old crown jewels from when his family actually ruled anything. He put them in his pocket. This changed the simple gold bands he’d bought to use at the chapel, and his pocket felt like it burned with his grandmother’s rings that he’d asked for years ago. Sienna’s bright smile kept him grounded, but he adjusted his suit pocket to include his mother’s words and the family rings. Once he felt they were secure inside his person and didn’t just fall away, like what he expected Sienna to do to his heart six months from now, he said to his lawyer, “Thanks.”
Johnson stood, his papers in order. “I’ll get to filing the updates. Please message me with a copy of your wedding certificate.”
“Done,” Aaden promised. Marrying Sienna was a business deal. He knew better than to hope for more.
This time when he guided Sienna away, she walked beside him. As they neared the chapel door, he leaned own and whispered in her ear. “Tonight, I’m going to need you to be the strong one. Keep the door closed, Sienna.”
“Sure, sure, whatever you say.” She winked like his words were a joke, but she followed him inside, pointed toward a bridal dressing room and held up her new dress. “Be right back.”
Fair enough. How to convince her that this wedding was in name only? Somehow, he needed to resist her. He waited till she closed the door and then went to pay for the wedding package. This was one hundred percent legal, and he’d enjoy the perks of finally getting what he wanted. Sienna for the next few months as his wife. Now he just needed to convince her to leave him once the will requirements were met and she had the means to protect herself.
“I do.” The words swirled in her head as Sienna answered the question of “do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
For as long as she remembered she’d imagined her wedding and the vows written to epitomize the moment of complete love and joy. Now that moment had come and gone, and she’d just repeated the words.
Aaden said the same thing. Tonight, he was right. They needed to really talk.
The wedding was like a dream come true, all said at sunset on this tropical island. Not even in her dreams had she imagined that much sparkling ocean from the setting sun outside.
Aaden’s arms slipped around her waist. Sienna sighed as he pulled her closer and the justice of the peace said, “You may kiss the bride.”
This was it. They were now married. She closed her eyes and her lips puckered.
A millisecond later his lips met hers and fireworks she’d not experienced in years rushed through her.
He still kissed like he could shoot her straight to heaven itself.
His strong arms kept her grounded, though in the bared shouldered dress she wore, she felt almost naked already in his arms. As the kiss ended, she held onto his waist for support and whispered, “Aaden, I’m slightly scared. I don’t want us to make mistakes.”
“Don’t be.” He picked her up, carrying her as he walked out of the chapel. “We’ll figure this out.”
He didn’t stop as they crossed the lobby and he headed straight to the elevator banks.
She scooted out of his arms and tested her legs as they waited to get inside the elevator. Luckily the doors opened, and he pressed the button for the penthouse. Her heart raced as the doors closed, leaving them alone. Finally, she broke the silence and said, “All my life, I wanted you and now we’re married. Aaden, I…”
She wasn’t sure how she’d say what was in her heart. Would she tell him that she’d always loved him while they were inside the elevator to their room? No. She could wait two minutes and do it without security cameras listening to them.
He winked at her like he knew what she'd say already as he said, “Let’s go to the wedding suite I booked for us.”
She closed her eyes and hoped her heart calmed down. This was crazy. When she remembered how, for the past two years, just how lifeless her world was without him and how lonely she’d been, her heart caved. No. This time she’d tell him how she felt and hope he felt the same. “What if I’d chosen a different hotel a few months ago? None of this would be possible.”
“My detectives were looking for you. It wasn’t hard to find out where you’d go.” He took her hands. “Besides, don’t think about the what if, Sienna, because I can imagine worst case scenarios.” His lips met hers again and for that moment, she couldn’t imagine or think of anything. As his kiss ended, it took her mind a minute to understand his words. “My biggest regret is not marrying you the last time I had the opportunity.” Everything he said came back to her as he put his arms under her knees and picked her up. “But that just ended. Let’s go inside.”
The penthouse would unlock with his card so he juggled holding her while getting it until she rea
ched into his pocket and took it out. She swiped it open. Once inside he set her down near the door, and guided her to the window with the expansive ocean view.
She glanced to the hall closet and saw her suitcase brought by the staff per her request She twirled around the room and gazed out toward the huge moon that seemed to float above the ocean.
The twinkling stars gave the view an almost magical feeling. She scooted closer to the only man she’d ever wanted and ran her hand down his side. “This is beautiful, Aaden.”
His lips tightened as he stared at her. “You deserve better.”
“I only wanted you.” Even more important to her right now was her new husband. She tugged on his belt buckle and directed him toward the living area. As she sat on the couch, he joined her and sat beside her. She slipped off her shoes. Danger didn’t matter if she had to live without him again. She let out a breath and said, “Aaden, I need to say something you might not like.”
“Okay, what?”
Right. No words about his feelings had been said and she tried to ignore the warning in her veins. The white pillows of the couch cushioned her, but the bright lights of the chandelier above them partially put her under a spotlight. She swallowed and wished for candlelight, but that wasn’t to be.
Sienna took his hand so he didn’t get the wrong idea—that she didn’t want him—but she had to start at the beginning and share her feelings, about him, and this marriage and what she wanted in the future.
“Part of me hated you. When I saw you sitting there, part of me wanted to run out the door and not speak to you, ever again.”
“I’d have deserved that.” He nodded like he accepted what she had to say without question and he simply moved his leg on the cushion, comfortable and at ease. Instead of arguing or coming up with some crazy story of his, he asked, “What stopped you?”
But now the hard part began. It took her a second to feel confidence flow in her bloodstream, but then she nodded. It was time to tell the whole truth. “I stayed because I fell in love with you as a girl and that trumped everything else.” Her heart beat raced. “Despite everything, I still love you.”
His body tensed. She continued, “It’s why I married you today. I don’t want a divorce. I just want you.”
He cupped her face in his hand and stared down at her until she looked up at him. He kissed her other cheek. “Sienna, I didn’t marry you for the money. I married you to keep you safe. We will hire security because it’s obvious to everyone how I feel about you.”
Stillness grew in every cell of her body. And she couldn’t move, even if she wanted to This wasn’t what she expected. Was she even breathing? Her heartbeat was wild so probably, so she pressed her hand on his thigh. “It’s not obvious to me.”
The softness of his tailored pants met her fingers and the smell of his cologne made her feel wanted.
She didn’t dare take a breath as she waited for him to explain. “I married you so I had a chance to get back what I’d lost. I have been in love with you since the day we met and that has never changed.”
Laughter escaped her throat. She then squeezed his thigh with his muscle tightening beneath her palm and felt the stirrings in her heart. No matter what he said next, this was the truth. He loved her. His eyes spoke to her soul. Wow. She closed her eyes to memorize this exact moment and the first moment they ever met. The past and the present merged in her mind when she said, “The day you borrowed my pen without asking for it.”
He winked at her and then kissed her nose. “It was a way to get your attention.”
Her lips tingled for a kiss and she wouldn’t stop there. She jumped up to find her purse and the cashier’s check. Without a single regret, she returned the envelope he’d give her. “I want to give this money back to you. It sounds like we need to figure out security together .”
Beneath the olive tone of his skin, his face paled. He tried to hand it back to her. “No.”
She refused, sitting back down, hip to hip. “I didn’t marry you for the money, Aaden. Let’s use this to make sure we’re both safe as I don’t want to lose you either.”
He put the check on the side table behind him. Her skin became warm butter about to be used in baking a cake as he gazed at her with love. “Sienna, you shouldn’t be in danger. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you’re hurt.”
Her body buzzed and wanted his touch. All she wanted was him. Their bed waited in the next room. “It’s no different for me, and from what you said, you are in far more danger.”
His phone beeped with text after text after text. She reached behind him and pulled out his phone from his back pocket. He took it from her and silenced it, but it didn’t stop whoever was trying to contact him.
Whatever was happening must be important. She sat back and pointed to his phone. “And your phone is exploding. I hope your sister and brother are okay.”
“It’s not their numbers.” He leaned forward to kiss her.
She put two fingers against his lips. Once he knew what was so important, and he turned off the phone, they’d both be happier. “Just check the messages. I’ll get ready and change into something more comfortable.” Maybe a silk robe in the closet?
With a nod, he glanced away and toward his phone. “I’ll read…”
She walked toward her bag to get a nightgown or at least the dress off. Her strapless bra and underwear were satin and lace—she’d hadn’t packed anything sexy for her single-lady vacation.
Aaden said, “Woah.”
She stopped in her tracks and turned around. “What happened?”
He glanced up but she could tell he seemed lost. She returned to his side and sat back down as he said, “My cousins and my aunt and uncle were all arrested.”
Now that his parents were gone, all he had was extended family and her. She massaged his tight shoulder. “Why?”
He ran his hand through his thick dark hair. “For money laundering and stealing on Wall Street more than 250 billion dollars.”
“What? That’s a lot of money.”
He hardened his stare and sat straight. “And they probably have that money on their own and more without needing to steal a penny. This doesn’t make any sense.”
And she thought his billions were a lot. The numbers he tossed so casually were astronomical. She nodded like she understood though she really didn’t. “How do they have that much money?”
He traced her bare shoulder. “My father was the second prince, but my uncle, the older brother, was briefly king,” he explained. “Our country has more oil than anyone else, and he held the rights even when deposed.” He massaged his temples as he put all the clues together. “They are innocent, I know it. I think whoever killed my parents targeted them.” He interlaced their fingers. “Sienna, until this is over, I need you to be safe.”
Her? She had no say in any of this and never saw that kind of money—she hadn’t even opened the envelope he’d given her with the cashier’s check. His pulse beat at his wrist. “I don’t understand what you mean?”
He nodded and then spoke like he was making plans. “We’ll get your mother. But we’re all moving to a place I can 100% ensure total safety.”
“My mom is in danger?”
“No—but just in case. Besides I don’t know how long this might take.”
No problem. She’d take a leave from her job and that was that. She swallowed and made mental plans, his concern for her fanning the flames of desire for her husband. After all of this time thinking he didn’t care? She wanted to make new memories. “Fair enough, but can that start tomorrow?” She tugged on his forearm. “I was hoping for our wedding night.”
He stopped frowning and a slow smile spread across his face, his eyes turning a dark cocoa. The weight of his hand settled low on her back, then down to her hip, his caress heating the fabric of her dress. She stood to lead him to bed but he said, “Yes. Let me text Johnson a copy of our license and then I’m all yours for the rest of the night.”
“Good!” She went to her bag, reaching behind her to shrug out of her dress and hang it in the bedroom.
Aaden followed her inside and leaned against the door. “I’ll tell Johnson to toss the prenuptial in the trash.”
A sigh escaped her lips but her shoulders were relaxed and she was happy. He loved her and besides Aaden had always been one to change a deal. “Why?”
He helped her step out of her dress. “Because if I’m right and someone is targeting my family, then a divorce would end any royal claims I have to my birth country. The laws are ancient there and there is no peaceful separation. In six months we could divorce and then remarry so I’m out of the running and we can keep you safe.”
The idea of being stoned to death played in her mind which wasn’t the sexiest image in the world. She blinked and met his gaze. Then to prove her point, she shrugged. “I don’t want a divorce anyhow, Aaden. I just want you, so we’ll figure out any potential threat together, as a couple.”
His lips swooped down and claimed hers. She wrapped her arms around him as a fever of desire washed through her. She held onto him as he guided her toward the bed. “I intend to keep my wife, and whatever family we may have, safe from whatever is happening.”
“Family? As in more than just us?”
“Yeah.”
The words family they may have replayed and she realized he wanted children with her. Another laugh escaped her throat. This vacation had given her everything she’d ever wanted. She settled on the bed with him above her and reached for his shirt buttons. “As long as I’m here with you, then I’m happy. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved.”
He helped her undress him. His defined muscles had strengthened over the years and whetted her appetite for him.
“I’ve only ever loved you.”
No more words were necessary.
They were married and as far as she was concerned, that meant forever. She trusted he’d keep her safe and they’d do whatever they could for his brother, sister and the rest of his extended family.
But tonight belonged to her and Aaden—nothing else mattered in the world other than how he made her body tremble and fall apart from the brush of his hand on her skin.
Irresistibly Lost Page 3
