Her father cleared his throat. ‘You really love him,’ he said quietly. ‘And it is real, isn’t it?’
She nodded. ‘I do. And it is.’
As part of her resolution to live her life as honestly as possible, she had told her parents everything that had happened with Rollo. David too had admitted his gambling problems, and it had been hard for her mother and father to hear the truth. But after their initial shock their love and support had remained unchanged.
‘Of course, I’m just your dad, so I’ve never believed anyone could deserve you.’ He smiled. ‘But I don’t think I’ve ever a seen a man so in love.’
She nodded, her heart pounding, suddenly overwhelmed by emotion.
‘Right, then!’ Her dad stood up and held out the simple posy of white daisies she’d chosen as a bridal bouquet. ‘Are you ready?’
In reply, she slipped her arm through his.
* * *
Outside, the sun was starting to set, lighting the sky with a pinkish-gold haze.
Rosamund, her bridesmaid, was waiting at the edge of the beach, eyes bright with tears. ‘Oh, Daisy, you look beautiful.’
But there was only time for a quick hug and then they were walking over the dunes towards the sea.
And there Daisy stopped, covering her mouth with her hand.
In front of her, all across the sand, lanterns glowed in the fading light. Lanterns arranged in the shape of a daisy. And standing beside the minister, in the centre of the petals, was Rollo—so golden and handsome in his white shirt and cream linen trousers that she could hardly breathe with loving him so much.
As she walked towards him he stepped forward, and she saw the love in the eyes.
‘You made it.’
His voice was hoarse with emotion, and as he took her hand, she realised he was shaking as much as she was.
‘We made it,’ she said softly.
Later, after they’d exchanged their vows and mingled with their guests, he took her by the hand and led her away. As they stood beside the ocean, his eyes fixed on hers so intently that suddenly her pulse was leaping like the waves.
‘Are you happy?’
His hand brushed against her bare shoulder, and a surge of desire rippled inside her.
‘I’ve never been happier,’ she said truthfully.
He stepped closer, his other hand curving around her waist. ‘I love you, Daisy.’
‘I love you too,’ she whispered. ‘I always will.’
‘Always as in for ever,’ he said fiercely, and as she nodded he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her as the sun set slowly behind them.
* * * * *
EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT
Ruthless Prince Adam Katsaros offers Belle a deal – he’ll release her father if she becomes his mistress! Adam’s gaze awakens a heated desire in Belle. Her innocent beauty might redeem his royal reputation – but can she tame the beast inside…
Read on for a sneak preview of
THE PRINCE’S CAPTIVE VIRGIN
“You really are kind of a beast,” Belle said, standing up. Adam caught her wrist, stopped her from leaving.
“And what bothers you most about that? The fact that you would like to reform me, that you would like for your time here to mean something and you are beginning to see that it won’t? Or is it the fact that you don’t want to reform me at all, and that you rather like me this way. Or at least, your body likes me this way.”
“Bodies make stupid decisions all the time. My father wanted my mother, and she was a terrible, unloving person who didn’t even want her own daughter. So, forgive me if I find this argument rather uncompelling. It doesn’t make you a good person, just because I enjoy kissing you. And it doesn’t make this something worth exploring.”
She broke free of him and began to walk away, striding down the hall, back toward her room. He pushed away from the table, letting his chair fall to the floor, not caring enough to right it as he followed after Belle.
He caught up to her, pivoting so that he was in front of her. She took a step backward, then to the side, butting up against the wall. Then, he caged her between his arms, staring down at her. Her blue eyes were glittering, her breasts rising and falling rapidly with each breath.
“This is the only thing worth exploring. Not what could be, but what you have. The fire that burns between you and another person. For all you know, in the days since you’ve been here the entire world has fallen away. And if we were all that was left… Would you not regret missing out on the chance to see how hot we could burn?”
She shook her head. “But the world hasn’t fallen away,” she said, her trembling lips pale now, a complete contrast to the rich color they had been only moments ago. “It’s still there. And whatever happens in here will have consequences out there. I will help you, Adam, but I’m not going to give you my body. I’m not going to destroy that life that I have out there to play games with you in here. You’re a stranger to me, and you’re going to remain a stranger to me. I can pretend. I can give you whatever you need when it comes to making a statement for your country. But beyond that? I can’t.”
Then, she turned and walked away, and this time, he let her go.
Don’t miss
THE PRINCE’S CAPTIVE VIRGIN by Maisey Yates
The first part in her ONCE UPON A SEDUCTION trilogy
Available June 2017
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Copyright ©2017 Maisey Yates
ISBN: 978-1-474-05243-6
BLACKMAILED DOWN THE AISLE
© 2017 Louise Fuller
Published in Great Britain 2017
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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