Royal Engagement

by Chance Carter

  “What?” Alexander looked at me and grinned, then put his arm around my shoulder. “That’s wonderful, Ed.”

  Edward pointed at his brother, finger swaying. “It’s bloody brilliant is what it is, Alex. Bloody brilliant.” He gave a clumsy bow and he and Clarissa meandered toward the dance floor.

  My heart could barely contain my happiness. I leaned my head against Alex’s shoulder and sighed.

  “Your mother would have been proud, you know.”

  He looked down at me. “You think?”

  I nodded. “I know. You’re a great man, Alex. And you’re going to be a great husband.”

  He smiled and leaned down to kiss me, but a shadow fell over us and we paused.

  King Henry stood before the table, straight-backed and elegant in his finery. He cleared his throat. “Tamara, my dear, might I borrow you for a dance?”

  I sat up straight and managed a nod. “Yeah,” I said. “Sure. That’d be great.”

  Alex squeezed my hand under the table as I stood up, but the king didn’t seem to notice my discomfort. We still hadn’t spent much time together, though at least he and Alexander had gotten closer since the engagement. I just never knew what to say to the guy. He was a larger than life figure, even more so today with his blood-red sash and glinting medals.

  Henry took my hand and led me to the dance floor, which cleared around us. The music changed to a regal waltz and he began to guide me across the floor.

  “You look beautiful,” he commented. “Alexander is lucky.”

  “Thank you.” I forced a smile, even though it wasn’t the best compliment he could’ve given me.

  Henry looked over my shoulder as he spoke, eyes distant. “Your gifts extend much beyond beauty though, don’t they? You’re kind. You’re clever. You have a knack for guiding my son that thirty years of practice did not afford me.” He met my gaze and smiled. “You remind me a lot of my wife, Tamara, and for that reason I know you’re going to be very happy together.”

  The depth of his words hollowed a space in my chest and I had to hold back tears. In one swift move, King Henry had officially carted away all feelings of me not belonging.

  “Thank you,” was all I managed to say.

  He nodded. The king was not a man of many words, though he was an excellent dancer.

  I danced with many people that night, and soon enough all my thoughts turned to getting my husband to bed. We were staying in his old apartment in the palace, which was where we stayed when we needed a place to sleep in the city. Alexander had wanted to book us a fancy suite somewhere, but I wanted to stay close to home. Plus, how could one get fancier than a genuine palace?

  I found Alex chatting to Edward by the bar and rested my hand on his arm. “Hey.”

  He turned to me instantly and pulled me close. “Hey.”

  “Ready to go soon?” I glanced at Edward, who suddenly found the wall very interesting. “I’m ready to start the honeymoon.”

  Alex chuckled and finished his drink. “Absolutely.” He leaned down to the shell of my ear. “Meet me in the parking garage.”

  Before I could question him, Alex swept Edward off into the other room. I watched him go with a frown.

  The parking garage? What about our bed in the palace? I thought I told him I didn’t want a hotel?

  I sighed and turned to find my family and say goodnight.

  Chapter 34

  Alexander

  “Are we there yet?”

  I laughed and reached across the console to squeeze Tamara’s hand. “Would you stop being so impatient?”

  “Maybe I’m tired. We could have been asleep by now.”

  I pulled her knuckles to my lips and kissed them, keeping my eye on the road. Not much further now.

  “Oh, dear wife, are you getting irritated with me?”

  “I wouldn’t be so irritated if you’d tell me where we’re going.” She swiveled her head to look at me, even though the band of fabric over her eyes prevented her from seeing anything.

  “That would ruin the surprise.”

  She pulled her hand back and crossed her arms, pursing her lips haughtily. “One of these days I’m going to surprise you with a pillow to the face while you sleep. See how you like it.”

  I turned down the drive, slowing down as the road grew a little bumpier. Tamara’s mood instantly lifted.

  “Springfield?” she asked, lips drawn back into a grin.

  “I told you...”

  “It’s Springfield though, isn’t it?” She tore her blindfold off before I could stop her, gazing out the window at the familiar tree-lined drive. “Yes! We’re home! I thought you were taking me to a hotel or something.”

  I laughed. “Why would I do that? You would hate it.”

  Tamara squeezed my hand. “I love you so damn much.”

  “I love you too, Kitty Kat.”

  We rolled up the rest of the drive and I parked out front. The porch light was on, just as I’d requested. I hoped they got the rest of my requests right as well.

  Tamara leapt from the passenger seat and jogged to the front door, holding her skirts in her hand. I followed.

  “Slow down,” I called. “There’s no rush.”

  “No rush, my aunt Fanny,” she replied. “We haven’t been home in days.”

  I sprinted around her and reached the door first. “I’m carrying you over the threshold.”

  Tamara stopped. “I was so excited to get inside that I nearly forgot.” She let her skirts down and smiled at me. “Get on with it, then.”

  “Cheeky.” I bent down and hoisted her into my arms, kissing her exposed neck as I carried her to the front door.

  “You should have opened it first,” she said.

  “Has anybody ever told you that you can be quite the little princess?” I balanced her on my arm and jostled open the door handle, then kicked it open.

  She giggled. “You. All the time.”

  I carried my wife into our home and set her down next to the stairs. The halls were dark, but upstairs a flickering glow beckoned.

  “Is the house on fire?” Tamara asked.

  “It’s about to be.” I grabbed her hand. “Come on.”

  Upstairs, everything was laid out exactly to my specifications. Rose petals on the floor and bed, candlesticks scattered throughout the room, a bottle of champagne on ice with two glasses on the bedside table. Tamara’s plump lips fell open in delight, candlelight reflecting in her eyes like gold.

  “Welcome home,” I said.

  She turned to me. “I’ve been home since I first met you.”

  I pulled Tamara close and tangled my fingers in her hair, pulling out each of the pins until it fell down her back in waves. Her dress was modest, but still looked like sin stretched across her curves. I’d been dying to take it off all night.

  “You’ve been my wife since I first met you.” I ran my thumb down her smooth cheek. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  I leaned down and kissed her. My wife. My future.

  Our lips glided together softly, almost hesitantly, before I dragged her to my chest and plunged my tongue into her mouth. Tamara responded eagerly, opening for me. She moaned.

  I grabbed a handful of lace-covered ass and felt my cock swell. I had no idea where to even begin taking off this dress, but fuck if I was going to let that stop me. As our kiss turned frantic, heavy, I fumbled with the pearl buttons down Tamara’s back until I set the first one free. My cock twitched in triumph and I set to work on the next.

  Tamara curved against me. Her hands ripped at my shirt, taking less precaution than I was with her dress. I couldn’t have cared less if she ripped it to shreds. All I knew was I needed her. I needed my wife and her sweet, tight pussy.

  I finished the last button on the dress and pulled it down. It swished to the floor, revealing a lacy set of white underwear that made my mouth water. Tamara’s dark nipples showed through the lace, and I couldn’t resist pulling it aside and leanin
g her back to cover her breast with my mouth.

  Tamara mewled. Her nails scraped down my back under the shirt, and I growled with primal delight.

  I turned her toward the bed and shoved her back. She landed on her ass and shimmied up the bed, hastily yanking off her undergarments. Soon she was bare before me. She spread her long legs, exposing her pink, puffy lips. My cock threatened to punch out of my trousers.

  “You look so sexy like that,” I told her, stripping off my clothes. “Are you wet for me, Kitty Kat?”

  As I watched, Tamara’s hand slid between her legs. She inserted one delicate finger inside of herself and bit her lip. “I’m soaked. I’ve been thinking about you fucking me all day.” She started rubbing her clit, arching her back so her tits heaved above her. “I was so horny all last night when we were apart. I tried to get myself off but it wasn’t the same without your cock.”

  A shiver zapped straight to my balls. Fully naked, I climbed atop my wife and replaced her hand with my own. Like she said, she was soaked.

  “Fuck,” I groaned, biting into her neck.

  Tamara’s hand wrapped around my shaft and she squeezed. “I love how hard you get. Like a rock.” She rubbed me and I squeezed my eyes shut. “Fuck me, Alexander.”

  “Yes, Princess.” I turned her over, arching her hips a little but otherwise holding her flat to the bed. The angle and her legs being closed made it hard to penetrate her at first, but it was all worth it the second I slid into her wet heat.

  Tamara moaned into the pillow. I lay above her, supporting some of my weight on my forearms but otherwise pinning her to the bed. Our bodies rubbed against each other with every thrust, every slide of our hips, and I kissed her neck between panting breaths.

  She held me tight, squeezing my shaft like a fist.

  “You’re so deep,” she said hoarsely. “Oh my god, you’re so deep.”

  I jerked my hips on the next thrust and she cried out. “You like me deep inside, baby?” I growled.

  “Yes, yes, yes!”

  I reached under her and started playing with her clit. Tamara was helpless and loved it, hands scrunched in the blanket. Her whimpers of pleasure were music to my ears.

  I thought back to the first time we fucked, how I believed back then nothing would ever be as good. I never realized our explosive sexual chemistry would have more than one charge, no less an unlimited amount. Plus, how could you beat spontaneity like that?

  But every time we fucked it was like the first time. The best time. My lust for this woman never dampened and being inside her felt like home.

  Pressure built in my balls and I started to thrust harder, moving up further on my forearms to build more momentum. With the little bit of room that afforded, Tamara started thrusting back, moaning between breaths.

  I licked the sweat from the back of her neck and sucked her throat. My body whirled with pleasure and I didn’t know how much longer I would last, but Tamara was close too. I could feel it in the way she strained, could hear it in the way she breathed.

  And then, with a keening wail, Tamara clamped down on my cock.

  My head exploded. I groaned and slammed inside one more time before releasing, electricity sizzling under my skin. For a moment, the world went black and white, and I struggled to catch my breath.

  “Alex,” Tamara murmured.

  “Yes?” I kissed her shoulder and rolled to the side, bundling her in my arms. She fit perfectly against my chest, chin tucked just under my collarbone.

  She nuzzled against my chest and hummed with satisfaction, but didn’t speak right away. I ran my fingers down her back, sticky with sweat. I breathed in deep and my muscles turned to jelly against the mattress, perfectly relaxed.

  When Tamara spoke, her voice crackled. “Our life is perfect, isn’t it?”

  “An understatement.” I kissed the top of her head, pulse still thrumming from the sex. “Though I can think of one thing that would make it more perfect.”

  She looked up at me, eyes golden pools in the dim light. “What’s that?”

  I kissed the tip of her nose. “A baby.”

  Tamara’s dark eyes sparkled and her lips tugged into a smile. “You know, my prince, I just can’t help but agree.”

  Chapter 35

  Epilogue

  Three years later...

  “Hank!” I skidded around the corner, socks sliding over the hardwood.

  Hank didn’t have the same problem. The last I saw before he disappeared into the kitchen was his wagging tail. I vaulted after him, and Alex watched with an amused glint in his eye as I chased the mutt around the kitchen island.

  “He never listens to me!” I huffed.

  “He just likes to play with you.” Alex said.

  On his lap, Beatrice giggled maniacally. She got that from her father.

  “What are you laughing at? It’s your blanket I’m trying to retrieve.”

  Hank ran toward the back door, but with nobody to open it for him, he was out of luck. With a victorious yell, I grabbed the blanket from his slobbery jaws and held it in the air.

  “Look at that, Bea,” Alex said, bouncing her on his lap. “Mommy got your blanket back.”

  I had, only it was coated in saliva. Bea pointed a finger. “Ew!”

  Alex laughed and I nearly chuffed him. All the same, I couldn’t deny how funny the situation was, even if it meant struggling to catch my breath.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Rainhall,” announced our butler, Gerry, stepping into the doorway. “You have guests.”

  “Guests?” I asked, staring at Alex in confusion. Had he invited someone without telling me?

  Just then, Jo forced her way into the kitchen. She never waited in the front room like she was supposed to, even though she knew how much it vexed poor Gerry.

  “Hey sis!” She pulled me in a hug. “Why are you so out of breath?”

  Tristan followed behind her with a little more shame, but smiling nonetheless.

  Beatrice jumped down from Alex’s lap and launched herself at Tristan, squealing with delight. “Uncle Tristan! Uncle Tristan!”

  He was so good with kids. I always wondered when the two of them would have one of their own, especially since Jo finished university a month ago.

  “What are you guys doing here?” I asked.

  Jo pulled back from the hug. “Is it crazy to want to drop in on my sister and niece?”

  I cocked a brow.

  “Fine.” She laughed. “We’ve got good news.”

  “Let’s go outside,” I said, catching Gerry’s eye. “Could you please bring us some lemonade on the patio?”

  He nodded. “Right away, ma’am.”

  I still wasn’t used to that. Not sure I ever would be.

  We spilled out onto the concrete, warm from hours spent drinking in the late summer sun. The air was thick with the smell of hydrangeas and freshly mown grass, and honey bees buzzed around the flowerbeds and gave the afternoon a lazy feel.

  Bea and Hank immediately raced onto the lawn, playing some sort of game of tag that only they knew the rules of, and the adults settled onto the furniture just as Gerry came out with our lemonade.

  “What’s new with you two lovebirds, then?” asked Alexander.

  Tristan opened his mouth but Jo spoke over him. “We’re going on a trip!” she said. “We’re going to backpack around Europe for a month since we didn’t get to have a long honeymoon.”

  “That’s a great idea,” I said. “When do you leave?”

  “Tomorrow.” Jo sipped her lemonade and sighed.

  “So soon?” I asked. “What’s the rush?”

  “It’s got to do with the big news.” Sunlight danced in her irises and made her skin glow. “I’m pregnant.”

  I shot up out of my chair and wrapped Jo in a tight hug. “That’s incredible! I’m so excited for you!”

  “I know!” she squealed.

  “Have you told Mom and Dad yet?” I released her and took my seat, vibrating with energy.

&nb
sp; Jo shook her head. “We’re having dinner with them tonight.”

  “They’re going to be thrilled,” Alex said.

  I laughed. “No kidding. I bet they’ll be glad they moved here.” An idea popped in my head. “Hey! Why don’t you invite them here for dinner? We could have a barbecue, make a thing of it.” I smiled shyly. “I’ve got some news too.”

  Alexander whipped his head to look at me, eyes wide. I had his full attention.

  “What’s that?” Jo asked.

  I patted my belly. “I’m pregnant too.”

  Jo screamed but I barely heard her since Alex threw his chair back and raced over to pull me into his arms. My chair clattered to the ground.

  He kissed me, softly at first, but with more pressure the more the news sank in. We were having another baby. I could barely believe it still.

  “I love you,” Alex said, setting me on my feet.

  Jo and Tristan were staring at us, holding hands and smiling. It was a good thing we were outside, because I found it hard to believe our house could contain this much happiness without the roof bursting off.

  “Why don’t we invite Edward, Clarissa and Victoria?” I asked.

  Alex’s eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically. “Maybe my dad will be available too. We could tell them all at once.”

  I held his face, my grinning threatening to tear my face apart. “I would love that.”

  Alex kissed me, and he tasted of sunlight and honey blossoms. He tasted of home and safety.

  Our family was royal. We lived in the public eye and performed our duties, fulfilling obligations set by a thousand years of monarchy, but we were more than that.

  We were a family.

  Sometimes we wore crowns, but most of the time we were a close-knit, down-to-earth group who always looked out for each other.

  Princess of Nowhere came to a natural conclusion after three seasons, and even though I’d been swamped with offers I’d decided that would be the natural conclusion of my acting career too. At least for now. The gossip magazines didn’t understand why, but I didn’t care what they thought. This was what I wanted.

  Alexander. Beatrice. Mom and Dad. Jo. The charities. They were my entire life, and I liked it that way. Whatever I’d been looking for pursuing acting, I’d found with them.