by Thorne, Gigi
He breaks away and I suck in a huge breath of the cool night air, and when Bastian offers his hand, I take it.
“Come then,” he says, and tugs me in the direction of the tent, filled with light and music and dancing. “It’s time to get dressed for the party.”
Epilogue
Adele
One year later
“Straighter,” Princess Charlotte says, tapping at my back with one of her bony knuckles. “Straighter. Like a string is pulling you straight up toward the ceiling. There.”
I hold my breath, trying to keep myself in a posture befitting a princess, but it’s hard. It’s hard, because I’m used to slouching in front of my phone, bending to sweep hair clippings from the floor, and leaning to run my hands through clients’ hair under the big sink at Marissa’s salon.
“Look,” she says. “That’s how you want to appear. And never stop smiling.”
I let my lips curve into a big smile that reaches my eyes.
“Too much,” she says. “Pull it back. Gently, like the press is the first rays of sunset on a gentle summer day.”
It’s not summer yet, only high spring, but today is the biggest day of my life. Bigger, perhaps, then the day I first met Bastian.
Today, the royal family is announcing me as his girlfriend.
The language is more refined than that, of course, but it must be announced nonetheless. This is an official sign that the prince is off the market and an engagement is to follow. My heart beats faster at that thought. I’ve spent enough nights in Bastian’s bed to know that I want his ring on my finger, but I have to prove myself here first.
“All right,” I say, hardly breathing, my abs engaged to the absolute maximum. “I think I can do this.”
“You must,” Charlotte chastises. “There is no other choice. There is no room for error.”
“Are you bothering my little thief?” Bastian sweeps into the room like that first ray of summer sunshine, looking sinfully perfect in a navy suit that complements my dress. It’s a pink thing, similar to the yellow style I wore at Charlotte’s wedding, and it suits me. It should, because it was custom-made for me. For me, Adele, the girl who used to live in the worst apartment on the south side and now spends most of her nights in the royal palace. Not that anyone would ever acknowledge that fact.
Bastian crosses the room, tugs my face to his, and kisses me, so deeply that Charlotte makes a noise of disgust.
“Oh, please, sister mine,” he says over his shoulder. “Don’t tell me your kisses with Henry are chaste and cold.”
“In front of other people, they’re not like that. It’s enough to make my stomach turn.”
“Hold it together,” he says. “It’s your job to welcome my dear Adele into the family, and I want a winning smile on when you do it.”
He swings his eyes back to me, and I’m lost again in that brilliant blue. They speak of tropical vacations and exclusive hideaways and most of all, the clear skies of the future. There might be storms—there are always storms—but with Bastian, every day dawns bright and new. And the hint of a sparkle there? That’s for the nights, when we’ve locked the door to the world.
“Are you ready, little thief? They’re waiting for us.”
“Promise me you won’t call me that in front of the reporters,” I joke.
“I promise.” He’s dead serious. “Are you ready to meet your fate?”
“More than ready.” He offers me his arm, and we walk out toward the hallway with Charlotte. Down in the rose garden, members of the press have already gathered to hear the palace’s announcement. Bastian leads me down the staircase, Charlotte close behind, and we walk together across the shining floors toward the brilliant light of morning.
I remember to keep my back straight and my smile gentle, and I never, ever let go of Bastian’s hand.
“They’ll come fast and furious with the pictures the moment the doors are open,” Charlotte warns.
“Good,” I tell her with a confidence that nearly blocks out my nerves. “Let them.”
The guards poise themselves to pull open the double doors to the rose garden, and Bastian leans down, his breath brushing against my ear. “I love you, little thief. You’ve stolen my heart.”
“I gave mine gladly.” I press a kiss to his cheek. “But I’ll pay the penance for yours. Gladly.”
“Every day for the rest of your life?” There’s a note of playfulness in his voice, but I hear the questions beneath.
“Every day and beyond.”
“I love you,” he says softly in my ear. “More than all the riches in the world.”
I squeeze his hand tightly. “I love you even more.”
We straighten our backs, standing close together.
The doors open.
The cameras flash.
And life begins.
* * *
Thank you so much for reading Crown Jewels! If you need some more sweet, sexy, forbidden goodness, Gigi has just the thing. You’re invited to Luke Rider’s ranch…and he’s one cowboy you’ll want to save a horse for. Read all about him in Hard Ride!
Hard Ride
He clears his throat. “You sure about this, Isabel?”
It’s so fucking noble. “I’m sure. So sure. Please—”
“Please?” His hands go to the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one by one. With every one that pops open, more of his body is revealed. And holy shit. I thought shirtless Luke was hot when he was a senior in high school. That was nothing compared to what he looks like now. Every inch of him is lean and toned, the lines of his abs all defined and tanned. I want to lick them.
“Please what?” His voice is husky. For the first time all day, the corner of his mouth turns up in a half smile that sends pure lightning streaking down my spine, straight between my legs where it pools warm.
“Take—take it off.”
One-click Hard Ride today!
* * *
Need another scorching cowboy romp? Virgin stripper Buttercup doesn’t expect to leave the club with a rough-and-tumble cowboy…but oh, she does. Read all about it in Buckle Up, Buttercup by Gigi Thorne!
Theo Millay knows he should never look at Coco Garber. She’s his best friend’s daughter. She’s barely legal. And she’s his student. But he’s going to school her anyway in Teacher’s Pet by Gigi Thorne!
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Also by Gigi
Our releases have monthly themes!
June - Teacher & Student
Teacher’s Pet
Extra Credit
Schooled
Hot For My Teacher
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Buckle Up, Buttercup
Hard Ride
Cowboy’s Princess
Cowboy Confidential
Wrangle Me
Belt Buckles and Spurs
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Crown Jewels
Big Duke
Royally His
Accidental Royal
Clandestine Royal
Dirty Royals
September
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