by J. S. Scott
Somehow, the Arcano had managed to miss his heart when they’d sent the blade of a small sword through his shoulder and the upper part of chest. It had been agony to sit through those first few days, hoping Nic would live.
I loved him so much it hurt, and it seemed like a miracle that he loved me back.
Finally, I’d found the man that loved who I was and not the money I could bring him. A guy who could be a best friend and a lover for the rest of our lives, and I wasn’t ever going to let him go.
CHAPTER 12
Diana
Nic didn’t get discharged for another week. We did end up getting married by an official in his hospital room, but Jessica didn’t allow it to be anything less than beautiful. From my amazing bridal gown to the array of flowers decorating the space, it was a perfect day.
I hadn’t cared how I ended up married to Nic. I’d just wanted it to happen before anything else occurred with the Arcano.
I’d managed to settle into his place a lot easier than I’d expected. The guards here were loyal to Nic, and the palace staff was amazing.
“Are you coming to bed, princess?” Nic asked in a low, seductive baritone.
I shivered and tried not to look at him. If I did, I wasn’t going to be able to keep my hands off him. “You aren’t healed yet. No sex,” I warned.
We’d slept in the same bed since he’d been released from the hospital, but he needed time to finish healing.
“My wound is healed,” he declared.
“Not enough, Prince Charming,” I said as I put down one of the history books I’d found in his massive library and looked up at him. I was still seated in the lounge connected to the master bedroom, and Nic was leaning against the door jam.
As always, my body caught fire as my eyes roamed over his body. He was dressed only in a pair of sweatpants, and he looked good enough to eat. His wound was still bandaged to keep it clean, but the dressing would be coming off in a day or two. His injuries were healing, but I wanted him to get completely well.
My breath caught as I ate Nic up with my gaze, fairly certain that my lust and adoration was on display in my eyes for him to see.
“I don’t think I’ll last one more night without fucking you, Diana. I can’t,” he said huskily.
A painful spasm in my core, followed by a rush of liquid heat, nearly convinced me. But… “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I already hurt. My dick has been hurting since the first moment I saw you.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Can’t I take care of that for you?”
“You mean put those luscious lips around my cock?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes.”
“It would never be enough, sweetheart. I’d be craving more,” he answered with regret in his voice.
My nipples were hard and almost painful beneath my thin nightgown, but I refused to give in. “Nic, it’s too soon.”
“Then just come and sleep with me,” he requested.
I got up and followed him into the bedroom, still not quite convinced he wasn’t up to something. “Just sleep,” I ordered as I got into the bed and moved into Nic’s arms like a heat seeking missile. He was warm, and so very tempting.
“I can’t believe you’re finally in my bed, love,” Nic said with a masculine sigh.
Honestly, I couldn’t quite believe it, either. For better or for worse, I’d be at Nic’s side for the rest of our lives, and I had the enormous ring on my finger to prove it.
“I’m grateful you’re alive,” I told him as I ran my hand over his toned stomach, tracing every muscle of his six pack. “I was really scared.”
His arms tightened around me. “I was scared, too. I didn’t want to die yet. I wasn’t ready because I’d already found you.”
I tilted my head, trying to make out his expression in the dim light. I could hear the earnest tone of his voice, but I couldn’t quite see his eyes.
I craved him. It was impossible not to when I was in his bed and laying in his arms.
My hand moved down, and I traced the outline of his very hard cock through the cotton of his sweatpants.
“Unless you want to be flat on your back in under a second, you need to stop what you’re doing,” Nic growled.
“I want to taste you like you tasted me,” I told him boldly. I didn’t think that would hurt him.
Nic let out a low, feral sound, but he didn’t protest. He helped me get him out of his sweatpants, and my core flooded with heat the moment his cock was liberated and I tossed the pants to the floor.
I leaned over and wrapped my fingers around the base of his enormous member, quickly realizing that my fingers weren’t going to meet. “God, you’re huge,” I told him honestly right before I leaned down and sucked the bead of moisture from the head of his cock.
I moaned, feeling lightheaded from the salty taste of Nic. I took as much of the shaft into my mouth as I could handle and sucked as I pulled it out. I might not have any experience at doing this, but I was eager.
Nic threaded his fingers through my hair, then guided me as I moved on his cock. He coaxed and taught at first, but then his touch became demanding and needy, and I welcomed his fierceness.
“Baby, you’re killing me,” Nic rasped as his fingers tightened on my hair.
“Is that a good or bad thing?” I asked when I came up for air breathlessly.
“Both,” he answered in a rough tone. “I can’t teach you right now. Ride me, Diana.”
I crawled up his body, careful not to touch his bandaged chest and shoulder.
“What?” I asked curiously.
“I said…ride me,” he demanded.
“Like a horse?”
His chuckle was short, but amused. “Consider me your own private racehorse,” he offered.
I swung my leg carefully over his waist. “Like this.”
“Not quite,” he said as he reached for the hem of my nightgown.
Concerned that he’d injure himself, I quickly lifted it over my head and dropped it on the floor. It was the only item of clothing I was wearing.
“Show me,” I insisted, my entire body quivering with the need to have Nic inside me.
He gripped my hips, then slowly lowered me onto his cock. I let myself go lower until he was completely buried inside me. “It feels like you’re so deep,” I moaned, high on the feeling of him filling every empty space inside me.
“Just like that, sweetheart,” he answered, his grasp on my hips getting stronger. “Now ride me.”
It took me a moment to find my rhythm, but when I did, it was hard and fast. Every time I moved down on him, my skin slapping forcefully against his, I gave him a little more of my heart.
“Nic,” I gasped as I felt my climax building.
“Diana,” he answered hoarsely. “I love you so damn much.”
My heart clenched. “I love you, too, Nic.”
I was sweating from the effort of my fast and furious movement, but I didn’t care. I only had one goal, and that was satisfaction for both of us.
He surged up every time I came down, and his cock felt like it was reaching new depths. I was aching and desperate to climax.
“Nic, I don’t know if—”
My breath caught and I couldn’t finish my comment about not being able to come because Nic’s thumb found my clit, and I immediately exploded as he thrummed it over the bundle of nerves.
He permeated every cell in my body as I came apart, my channel clamping down hard on his pummeling cock.
I threw my head back, nearly unable to bear the overwhelming orgasm that was roaring over my body.
Nic guided my hips as he hammered into me with a tortured groan. “Fuck, yes! Diana!”
I let my body come forward as the last ripples of my climax rocked my body. I caught my weight on my hands, and
studied Nic’s feral expression as he found release.
I quickly rolled off him, feeling guilty about giving into the carnal urges I couldn’t seem to control. “Are you hurt?” I asked frantically as I panted to catch my breath.
He reached out and pulled me against his uninjured shoulder. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Better than fine.”
“We shouldn’t have done that,” I said remorsefully.
“Yes, we should have,” Nic argued. “My balls were turning blue.”
I laughed, delighted that he was so damn blunt. “What do you know about blue balls?” I asked.
He grunted. “Plenty since I met you,” he shot back at me.
I nuzzled his neck, then put my hand in his hair. “They aren’t blue right now.”
“Thank fuck,” he said teasingly. “I was about to expire until you rescued me, love.”
“You can’t die because your man parts are hard.”
This time, Nic let out a loud snort before he broke into laughter. It took him a minute to stop laughing. “Maybe not, but it sure as hell feels like I’m dying when I want you so damn badly.”
He sounded so forlorn that I had to laugh, too. “I’m glad you’re still breathing,” I joked.
“Just barely,” Nic replied.
I snuggled into his body, careful not to hurt his injury. As strange as his country and the traditions might be, Nic was a man I felt like I’d known forever. “I love you, Prince Charming,” I said with sleepy sigh of happiness.
“I love you, princess,” he countered as his hands slid into my hair.
“I have to be honest, the thought of being a princess terrifies me,” I told him.
“Why?” he asked, his voice concerned.
“How will you feel about me when I trip over something or just my own two feet. What will your family think? I told you that I wasn’t cut out to be a royal, and I don’t ever want you to be disappointed.”
Nic moved quickly for an injured male, turning onto his good side and looking down at my face. “Don’t ever think you could disappoint me. Everything you are is the reason that I love you.”
“And if I trip down a flight of stairs?”
“I’ll catch you,” he replied huskily.
“I’m serious, Nic. What if I screw something up? What if I say things that just fly out of my mouth? I’ll learn to think about what I say, but I’ll never be the quiet, serene princess that you probably needed.”
“I’d be bored if you were,” he answered emphatically. “Sweetheart, there’s nothing you could ever do or say to stop me from loving you. I want you to always speak your mind.”
“I’ll go wherever you go,” I told him with a sigh. “I’d rather learn to be appropriate than to be without you.”
“You’ll never be without me, Diana. I’ll want you with me everywhere I go. I will have to travel sometimes, but we can go on an adventure after we do official business.”
I stretched to kiss him softly, then replied, “That sounds perfect.”
“You will make it perfect,” Nic rumbled.
I smiled. Although I wasn’t looking forward to being a member of the royal family, I was going to be the best princess I could be. I’d learn the customs of Nic’s people, and I’d try to make his country my own.
He rolled onto his back again, then pulled me possessively into his body.
“I’ll do my best,” I finally told him.
“When I married you, I didn’t want to change one single thing about you, Diana. I still don’t. I love you exactly as you are.”
My eyes welled up with tears. Sometimes the simplest things Nic said were the most poignant for me.
I’d finally found the man who loved me and didn’t want to change me. He wasn’t after my money, and his bank account wasn’t his first priority even though he was one of the wealthiest men in the world.
“I love you, too, Prince Niccolino,” I teased.
I’d come to Rubare Virgina to learn some things, and the lesson had been much different than I’d planned. I’d discovered that it was okay to be different because even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes, there was someone out there who actually could love me.
Maybe I’d never make a perfect princess, but I knew that Nic would love me anyway.
And as I fell asleep, I was quite okay with that.
EPILOGUE
Diana
One Year Later…
Another ball, the same daunting staircase!!
I smiled as I leaned over the railing and saw the mass of tuxedo and formally clad men and women below.
It was the same, yet so very different.
There were no masks, and this wouldn’t be a roomful of strangers.
It was my family and friends.
Nic and I were celebrating our one-year anniversary, and my husband had been determined to make the festivities grand. He said he was trying to make up for the fact that I’d never had a proper wedding, and the fact that I’d needed to give up so much for him.
In truth, I hadn’t really sacrificed at all. I’d come to love Rubare Virgina, and Nic and I did travel quite a bit. Although I might never be the perfect princess, I’d become quite comfortable being royalty, and in my role of Princess Diana.
I fingered the heavily gemmed bracelet I was wearing, one of many gifts from Nic. I was wearing the sapphire necklace that matched, and I’d had to leave my favorite necklace from my father at home. Nic had given it back to me, but only after he’d added a heart of his own to rest beside the one from my father. I wore it almost all the time. But tonight was a night of indulges.
I saw Princess Jessica and Prince Ballasare below, and Nic’s father was having a conversation with an important business contact. I hadn’t seen Nic yet, but I knew he was present.
Dressed in a deep blue gown, I didn’t feel the slightest bit intimated as I gazed down at the guests for the ball. I’d lost much of my previous fear and displeasure for formal gatherings. Who wouldn’t if they always had an escort like my husband? Nic made any event fun, and I’d become more and more skilled and relaxed when I attended with him.
I marched to the top of the stairs.
As usual, Theo was there, and I smiled at the royal advisor.
“I don’t think I need your invitation, Your Highness,” Theo said as he bowed.
I nodded. “I thought not,” I said, trying not to smile.
“Her Highness, Princess Diana of Rubare Virgina,” Theo bellowed.
I didn’t grip the banister too tightly, and my head was up as I coasted down the same stairway I’d descended a year ago.
What a difference a year makes!
When I neared the bottom, I finally caught a glimpse of Nic at the bottom of the stairs, grinning broadly.
When I got to the second-to-the-last step, I didn’t exactly fall. I pitched myself from the slick step and landed squarely in my husband’s arms. Not once had I doubted that he’d catch me. He always did. Although I’d gotten good at slowing down, which kept me from tripping over my own feet, my husband had never failed to wrap his arms around me and keep me from hitting the ground when I stumbled.
He kissed me, and held me up off the floor as I wrapped my arms around his neck. When he lifted his mouth, I was breathless as he let my body slide down the front of his until my feet touched the ground.
“Good evening, Prince Nic,” I teased as I looked up at him.
He was grinning, the mischievous smile I loved so much as he answered. “Princess. You look beautiful. So beautiful that I might need a room in the hotel. I’m not sure I’ll make it home before I run out of patience,” he said huskily.
“I’m sure they have something available,” I said, playing along.
Unfortunately, Nic still hadn’t talked his father into doing a tourist business in Rubare Virgina, but we were hop
eful that King Heinrich would eventually relent. If not, we’d keep trying.
However, he had agreed to grow and distribute the berries if the research proved it could help people.
“Happy Anniversary, love,” Nic said, lifting my hand so he could kiss the palm. “Once again, I’m the luckiest guy at the ball.”
“I love you,” I told him earnestly.
“I love you,” he countered. “Would you like a drink?”
He held out his arm, and I took it. I was already intoxicated just from being with my husband, but I wouldn’t turn down a drink. I just didn’t need a double shot of tequila…thank God.
“Where’s my mother?” I asked curiously.
My mom had been a regular guest to Rubare Virgina, and I was pretty sure she’d found herself a handsome Rubarean to keep her busy. She’d mellowed out considerably since I’d married Nic, and was actually pleasant when we spent time together.
“I saw her a while ago with my father, but she seems to have gone to talk to someone else,” Nic answered, seemingly unconcerned.
I sipped my drink slowly, looking around at the guests while my husband held me protectively by his side.
After a few minutes, I turned my head to look at Nic, only to find him staring at me with an intense expression on his face.
“Is something wrong?” I questioned.
He shook his head slowly. “No. Absolutely nothing is wrong. Sometimes I just can’t believe we’ve been married for over a year. I can’t believe you stayed.”
I smiled at him. As usual, he threw me off-guard with the simplest of statements. “Where else would I go? You’re here,” I told him.
“Come dance with me, Diana,” he requested.
He took our drinks and set them aside. Then he swept me up in his arms and twirled me onto the dance floor.
I laughed. “Okay, I’ll dance with you,” I joked, reminding him that he hadn’t waited for my answer.
“Good thing because we’re already on the dance floor,” Nic said in low voice near my ear.
“I noticed, Prince Charming.” I waited for a moment before I added, “Thank you for the most amazing year of my life.”
