Pretend Princess With Benefits: A Royal Fake Marriage Romance

by Lara Swann

  I laugh at that, but I’m not sure I really feel it.

  “Speaking of - I promised I’d ask.” He raises a knowing eyebrow at me, “Has her attitude changed at all?”

  I shrug, and shake my head. “She doesn’t want anything to do with the mob, Dad, you know that.”

  Since we left for her Mom’s, Sullivan has tried several times to reach her - and she’s rejected every one. The first few times she flew into a fit of rage about it, too, though that at least seems to be mellowing.

  He nods. “I know. But I had to ask. I’m not sure Sullivan is ever going to accept not being able to see his grandchild.”

  There’s something more behind that comment, and I pause as I realize it, looking up at my father and the scarcely concealed pain there.

  “I…hope you’ll visit. When my child is born, and - and in general.” I offer, and I genuinely mean it.

  I don’t want anything to do with the mob anymore, but I don’t want to write my father out of my life. He’s all I had for so long, and now that I know he doesn’t despise me for what I’ve done, I’m not giving him up.

  I read the shock in his face, and the way it quickly dissolves into genuine relief and pleasure.

  “What about…” He starts, and I shake my head quickly.

  “Alana can do what she wants with Sullivan - and the whole mob - but you’re my father. You’ll always be welcome.” I insist.

  And I know Alana will support that just as much as I do. Maybe he’s a hitman, but she knows how important he’s always been to me.

  He blinks quickly, then steps forward and wraps me in a hard embrace, ruffling my hair the way he did when I was small.

  “Thank you, Caleb. I…hah, I can’t wait.” When he steps back, his eyes are dancing with delight. “A child again. You’re not going to be able to keep me away.”

  I grin back, “I hope not. I really hope not.”

  We smile at each other for a long moment, and I’m surprised how much more at ease I feel now.

  “I’ll leave you to pack then, and…I’ll see you soon.”

  He claps me on the shoulder again, and turns to go - a spring in his step that I don’t remember seeing…for a very long time.

  Epilogue

  Alana

  I lie exhausted in bed, watching the bubbly chatter and excitement of everyone around me and thinking that - despite the lingering aches and bone-deep weariness - I’ve never felt better.

  Every time I look over at the little baby girl now gurgling with laughter at Lily’s fingers wriggling in front of her eyes, I feel the deepest contentment I’ve ever known. Who could’ve thought one little child could do that?

  Especially now that they’re here and I can just lie back and watch, enjoying all the people I care about surrounding me - almost as happy for me as I am myself.

  “You know, I think I have an apology to make.” Mel comes to sit beside my bed, and I glance over at her.

  “Hmm?” I raise an eyebrow. I can think of at least a dozen apologies she could be making.

  “All those objections that getting involved with some bad boy would end up wrecking your degree…well, I wasn’t exactly expecting you to go off and get pregnant when I dismissed them.” She gives me a wry smile.

  I laugh, long and loud, and shake my head at her.

  It’s probably not what I would have chosen a year ago - but then, a year ago I didn’t have a clue what was really important in life.

  I reach over and squeeze her hand, my eyes drifting to little Katarina again. I can’t stop looking at her. The wonder and awe that I created this little, impossible ball of life is still riding high within me. I don’t know if it will ever fade.

  “I’m not sure I can complain about that anymore, Mel.” I say. “And besides, I’m still working on my degree - they were really good about me taking a couple of online courses, delaying it a little. I’ll be a scientist before you know it.”

  “Not if Caleb has anything to say about it.” She snorts, “Did you hear him saying he wants at least three more?”

  I eye Katarina warily, “Yeah, he hasn’t quite run that past me yet. I’m just waiting until we take her home…we’ll see what he says after a few months of sleep deprivation.”

  “Nonsense,” Lily says, bouncing her up and down, “She’s a little angel. And have you seen the way he looks at her? Honestly, Alana, I’m not sure he even looks at you that way.”

  “Hah, thanks.” I mutter, shaking my head. “Where is he anyway? I swear he hasn’t left my side once since she was born - and now the moment I get visitors, he’s disappeared!”

  “Yeah, maybe there was a reason for that, babe.” Mel comments, “He probably didn’t want to leave you all alone.”

  “Mm, maybe.” I say, but I can’t help smiling.

  As much as I’ve complained about it being annoying as hell, I secretly love the way he’s refused to leave me alone throughout my pregnancy - I didn’t even know it was possible to be as protective as he has, but I guess after what we went through last year, and the kind of life he’s used to, it makes sense.

  The door opens a moment later, and Caleb walks back in, his face creasing in a smile the moment he sees Katarina - and then me.

  “Ah thank goodness,” Mel says dramatically, turning to Caleb, “Alana was just complaining that you weren’t around. I really think you need to spend a bit more time around her - clearly feeling neglected.”

  I sputter in outrage, glaring at Mel, but Caleb just fucking grins.

  “I can do that.” He says, eyes sparkling as he comes towards me, leaning down for a deep, hot kiss.

  Oh fucking god.

  I’ve missed those. It’s only been a few days, but I’m ready to get out of the hospital and back to everything I’ve missed back at home. And now that the baby belly is gone…my eyes glitter with the same possibilities reflected in his face.

  “I just had to pop out to get something, baby.” He smiles at me. “But I can make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

  “Better have been fucking important.” Mel teases, and Caleb shoots her an amused look.

  I swear sometimes those two are on a wavelength even I haven’t penetrated.

  “It was.” He turns to me again, taking my hand as he smiles down at me.

  My heart melts at the expression on his face - so full of warmth and happiness and the same contentment I haven’t been able to shake for months.

  Then he drops to one knee and reaches into his pocket - and my heart skips a beat.

  “In fact, if you don’t mind…” His mouth skims across the back of my hand, and then he pops open the black velvet box. “I was thinking I could follow you around for the rest of your life.”

  Someone squeals - not the baby - but I can’t even focus beyond the rush of warm blood in my ears, and the sparkling ring in front of me.

  I look up at him, feeling moisture prick my eyes as everything overwhelms me.

  I pull him to me, over the side of the hospital bed, and take his mouth in mine - a long, hard, passionate kiss that I never want to end.

  Except I break it, because…because I can’t stop saying “yes”, in a thousand different ways, with a thousand different emotions rushing through me. All of them pure bliss.

  He slips the ring onto my finger, and we exchange another impossibly heated kiss, my whole body tingling with desire and anticipation by the time he finally withdraws again.

  It takes me a good few minutes to realize Lily and Mel are still in the room - and bubbling with congratulations and well wishes.

  And - god help me - plans for the wedding.

  I just lie there and let it wash over me, Caleb sitting on the bed at my side and his arm around me as they chatter excitedly. I lean back and rest my head against his chest, and feel like I’m never going to stop smiling. Not ever.

  * * *

  When they finally leave, I curl up with Caleb, both of us watching Katarina sleeping in the cot to the side of the room.

&nbs
p; “Thank you, hun.” He says, “I can’t fucking believe it…I never even thought it was possible to be this happy.”

  I smile contentedly at him, the exhaustion tugging at the edges of my consciousness, but not wanting to give in yet. Not when I could have a few more moments awake, with him.

  Then I remember something, and poke him. “Hey, Lily told me you’re planning three more children already.”

  He considers that, then frowns. “Hmm, not sure where she got that idea from. I definitely said four.”

  I snort, “Any idea what that’ll do to me, you bastard?”

  He just gives me a winning smile. “Make you the happiest woman around?”

  I laugh and shake my head, but I have the sneaking suspicion he’s serious. And as my heart skips a beat, I wonder whether he might be right…

  “How were they, anyway? I was a little too…preoccupied…to hear their news.” He says.

  “Oh, both good. Thrilled to hear that you’re opening a new tattoo shop - Mel already has a dozen ideas for her first tattoo and I didn’t think she even liked them. And Lily is finally getting more serious about Tom, thank god for that. That man has the patience of a saint.” I mutter.

  Caleb laughs. “Maybe she made enough progress with her dissertation to have space to think about him. And Mel? Has she told you who this mystery guy of hers is yet, or do you still think she’s making the whole thing up?”

  “Ohhh!” I exclaim, “I forgot about that - god, Mel.”

  “What?” He smirks at me and I shake my head, remembering that piece of news.

  “She’s always one for a scandal. Apparently the guy she wouldn’t tell us about last year was one of the professors - a young, virile professor, from the sounds of it.” I say, amused.

  “Really?” He laughs.

  “Yeah - but she’s moved on from that now. Apparently his TA was more appealing.” I grin at him as he laughs and leans in to kiss me.

  The kiss lingers rather longer than I thought it would, and I sigh happily when he finally breaks it.

  “I’m so glad they could come down. There’s nothing better than having everyone I love around.” I murmur, my eyes drifting closed.

  A knock at the door startles me out of the light doze, and Caleb frowns as he stands to answer it. I force my sleepiness aside and focus on the door.

  “Hey…is this a good time?” I can’t quite place the quiet voice, until Caleb turns towards me and I catch a glimpse of the man beyond - Gerard, his father.

  I nod, and Caleb steps back to let the other man in. He comes in with a broad smile, holding flowers and stepping lightly as he notices Katarina sleeping.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with flowers, Dad.” Caleb says, his voice amused.

  The older man shrugs and gives me a quick smile, putting them down on a table as his attention turns to the cot at the side.

  I smile back, but it turns into a yawn as I settle back.

  “Want to see your granddaughter?” I offer.

  He nods, not quite keeping the obvious eagerness from his face, and I gesture over to the cot.

  I haven’t seen much of him since we moved out to Philadelphia, but despite what he might be associated with, I can’t help liking the guy. He always seems so happy to see Caleb and I together, and I know he’s been anticipating Katarina’s arrival with almost the same eagerness as Caleb.

  Caleb steps up to him and they talk quietly together - impressively not waking Katarina as they do.

  I watch for a little bit, but I’m struggling to stay awake, and drift in and out to the sound of deep, reassuring voices. I feel the same warm buzz of having loved ones around me with him here as I did with Mel and Lily, and that surprises me.

  When they’re done, I manage to rouse myself to say goodbye, and the wonder in his expression has me smiling.

  “Sorry I’m half-asleep,” I murmur, and Caleb comes to rest a hand on my shoulder.

  Gerard shakes his head, grinning at me. “Don’t apologize - you’re amazing, girl - you and your beautiful new daughter.”

  He grins at me, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this energized - every harsh line of his face shifting, becoming pleasant and engaging instead of the cold look he often has at a distance.

  “You’re welcome anytime.” I say, still keeping quiet for Katarina, and I mean it.

  His smile somehow gets even deeper. “I’ll leave you both to sleep.”

  When he’s gone, Caleb comes to lie next to me, somehow forcing the hospital bed to accommodate both of us by pulling me into his arms. I’m not objecting in the slightest as his fingers thread through my hair and I snuggle against his soft warmth. There were a few complications with the birth, so I’m here for the next few nights - but somehow, the charming bastard managed to wrangle his way into unlimited visiting hours. There haven’t been many times the past year that he’s let me sleep alone, and I’m grateful beyond words.

  “So, what’s the word from Baltimore?” I ask with a wry glance, then yawn deeply again.

  Damn pregnancy and birth - who knew it could make you so fucking tired? Or maybe it’s the endless people buzzing around to congratulate us. Or Katarina feeding every few hours. Maybe this is just how life will be from now on.

  I smile inadvertently at the thought of that.

  Wouldn’t be a bad thing.

  Caleb shrugs, “Sure you’re up to it?”

  It only takes a scowl for him to sigh and relent, wrapping his arms tighter around me. Every time this subject comes up - which is pretty much every time his father visits - he seems to feel the need to protect me from it. It’s endearing, but starting to feel completely unnecessary.

  “It’s…interesting news, actually. Dad thinks Sullivan is really thinking about what you said when you left - your safety…Katarina’s…apparently, the thought of the new granddaughter he can’t come and visit is hitting him pretty hard. Actually thinks he might start wrapping up his involvement in the business.” Caleb tells me quietly, hands wandering across my body in a warm, comforting way - that would almost certainly turn into something more if we were home.

  I blink up at him, then just give a non-committal, “Mm’kay.”

  I have no idea whether it’s true - whether my father will ever change, and even if he did…whether I could forgive him. But as my eyes drift closed again, I don’t think it matters. I had all my real family here today. I’m surrounded by all the people I love and care about here, and that’s more than enough for me.

  Caleb’s mouth nuzzles against my hair and head, then down along my neck, and I moan deeply, arching up into him and wanting more even as I feel exhaustion finally overtaking me.

  I wish I could stay awake just a little bit longer and enjoy this moment some more, but I seem to fall into sleep every spare moment these days. My thumb rubs over the new ring on my finger, and I feel myself smile instinctively.

  When I wake, Caleb will be right there waiting for me. And I’ll get this blissful moment again…and again and again.

  For the rest of our lives together.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Lara Swann writes hot, sexy romance with a touch of humor and a lot of passion. She has a thing for wounded alpha heroes and the fiery women who steal their hearts.

  Her relationships are funny, sexy and spicy, and she gets as many thrills in pitting her characters against each other as she does when they eventually come together in an explosion of heat.

  When she isn’t living in one of her many fantasy worlds, she attempts to focus on her respectable day job in a large, too-expensive city and dreams of a lake house in the country.

 

 

 
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