She undid the latch and slowly eased the lid open. She eyed her gift and a soft gasp rose up from the depths of her throat. This was amazing. Sweet. The gesture meant more to her than anything else she could imagine. Her lips began to quiver, her heart pounded and her tears fell like heavy rain.
“It’s the s-statue. My favorite p-piece of the artwork we...” She gulped and whispered, “It’s from the hidden treasure we uncovered.” A man reaching his hand out for the woman he loves. “Almas Iguales. Equal Souls.”
* * *
A royal chauffeur met her at the Del Sol airport terminal, grabbing up her suitcases and guiding her toward the limousine parked just outside the entrance. She was taking a giant leap of faith coming here, offering up her heart once again. But Juan Carlos had done the one thing, given her the one gift that could change her mind. His generous gesture told her he understood her, believed in her and wanted her back in his life. She didn’t see how it was possible. She didn’t know what terms Juan Carlos would dictate to her when she arrived. Could she bank on his integrity? Could she trust in him enough to believe there was a solution to their dilemma?
His gift had jarred her into believing the best was yet to come. But as the hours had worn on, she’d started to doubt again. It had taken Maria and Jasmine both to convince her that if she didn’t travel to Del Sol and give it one last try, she would live to regret it.
“He’s been solely devoted to you since the minute he set eyes on you,” Maria had said.
“Think of your time at the farmhouse,” Jasmine had prodded. “How many other men would rescue feral cats and give them a good home, much less a royal palace, to make you happy? And don’t forget how he battled a snake to keep you safe. He’s been there for you, Portia. And he’ll be there for you again.”
“Go, give your love another chance,” they’d both chorused.
So here she was back in Del Sol where in less than an hour, Juan Carlos would address the citizens of his country in a speech that would set the tone for his rule.
The driver opened the limo door. “Thank you.” She slid inside and immediately turned, startled to find Juan Carlos in the seat beside her.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
The richness in his voice seeped into her soul. She faced the most handsome man she’d ever known. His eyes were deep dark shades of coffee and cocoa, flecked with hints of gold, and he was gazing at her in that intense way that made her heart soar. His smile was warm, welcoming and filled with the confidence she lacked at the moment. Oh, how she’d missed him. A whisper broke from her lips. “Juan Carlos.”
“I am glad you came.”
He didn’t reach for her, didn’t try to touch her, and she was glad. She had to catch her breath just from seeing him. Anything more would send her into a tailspin. “I, uh, I don’t know why I’m here.”
He sighed. “It’s because you love me.”
She couldn’t deny it. “Yes.”
“And I love you, above all else. I have misjudged you and I am truly sorry, my love. I hope your being here means you have forgiven me.”
A lump formed in her throat. How could she explain the complexities of her feelings? “I do forgive you. Though it hurt, I realized you reacted as anyone might.”
“But I am not just anyone, Portia. I am the man who loves you unconditionally. And I should have recognized that sooner. I should have believed in you.”
“Yes. But that wouldn’t have changed the outcome. Our situation is impossible, Juan Carlos.”
He only smiled. “Did you like my gift?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “It’s magnificent. I was truly surprised by the gesture.”
“Not a gesture, sweetheart. It’s a gift from my heart to yours. And I have another gift for you. One that will make all things possible. I am only asking for your trust. Do I have it?”
She hesitated for only a moment. And in that moment, she realized that yes, she trusted him with her life. She trusted him to make the right decision. She trusted him. With. Her. Heart. She nodded.
“Good.”
He took her hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing the softest, most reverent kiss there. The sweetness of the gesture left her floating on air. “I have missed you.”
Their eyes met then. His were unflappable, determined, loving. She saw everything she needed in their brown depths. Then his hands were on her, cupping her face, his thumbs stroking her cheeks as his gaze flowed over her face. She was out of her depths now, living in the moment, heat crawling up from her belly to lick at her. When his lips rained down on hers, devouring her mouth in a kiss to beat all kisses, tremendous hunger swept her up and carried her away.
His groans matched her unbridled sighs. “I cannot live without you in my life,” he murmured between kisses.
“I feel the same,” she whispered, as he dragged her farther into his embrace. She was nearly atop him now. His hands were in her hair, his tongue sweeping through her mouth, their bodies trembling, aching.
“We have arrived, Your Highness,” the driver announced through the speaker. They’d arrived? She didn’t remember them taking off.
Juan Carlos stilled. “All right,” he said to the chauffeur.
They had indeed arrived at a secluded private entrance in the west wing of the palace.
Juan Carlos sighed heavily and pulled away from her. “One day, we will finish this in the limo.”
“I’ll look forward to that.” Her eyelid fluttered. Heavens, another unintended wink? She was hopeless.
Intense heat entered his eyes and a savage groan rumbled from his chest. “You are a temptation, Portia,” he said. He took a second to smooth the hair he’d just mussed. The care with which he touched her and gently pulled tendrils away from her face sent shivers down her spine. Then he smiled wide and destroyed her for good. “You will attend my speech?”
“Yes.” That was why she had come. His only request was that she be in attendance when he spoke to the press and his fellow countrymen. Her flight had been delayed and there was a moment when she’d thought it an omen. A moment when she almost turned back. But Portia wasn’t going to run from the truth any longer. No matter how bad. No matter that her life would be forever altered. She had gotten on the plane ready to hear what Juan Carlos seemed eager to say. He would be giving the speech very shortly. “I will be there.”
He nodded, satisfied, and the door on his side of the car opened. The driver stood at attention waiting. “You’ll be driven to the palace lawn now,” he said to her. “I will see you very soon.”
Then he climbed out of the car and was gone.
* * *
Juan Carlos stood tall and erect at the podium looking out at the crowd that had gathered on the palace lawn. Dressed regally in a dark suit and tie, he scanned his audience. Luis and Eduardo flanked him on either side, on the lookout for signs of danger. News crews from Del Sol’s three television stations were in attendance, as well as reporters and journalists from far and wide. Portia saw Juan Carlos now, as the king surrounded by people who banked on his every word. He was a model citizen, handsome, refined, a man to be admired. He was the king of his people. The press loved him. Even more, they loved the idea of him with Portia. Who didn’t love a good fairy tale?
Her stomach ached. She had no idea what he was going to say, but it was important to him that she hear him say it. There was no doubt she loved him. And she was fairly certain of his love for her. So she stood in the front row, but off to the side somewhat with Maria and Alex Ramon. Maria slid her hand over hers and squeezed gently. God, how Portia needed that show of support right now. Her legs were two rubber posts, holding her up only by sheer stubborn will. She swallowed as Juan Carlos tapped the mike, ready to begin his speech.
And when he spoke, his voice came across clear, strong and confident. Tears of pride pooled in
her eyes. He addressed the crowd, garnering cheers as he began his speech. Then he graciously spoke of the future, of how he planned to work alongside the parliament to better the country. He spoke of helping the needy, working with charities and letting the people of Alma have a voice.
He seemed to seek her out of the crowd and as those gorgeous dark eyes landed on her, her breath caught in her throat. He trained that killer smile on her once again. How unfair of him to have such power over her, to stop her breathing with a look, a smile.
All eyes in the crowd seemed to turn her way. She was no stranger to the press, to having people recognize her, but today, she wanted no such attention. She’d rather be invisible.
Maria squeezed her hand again, giving her silent support. Portia inhaled and began breathing again.
“I have one more announcement to make,” he continued to his audience. “Actually it is the reason I have called you here. I have made a decision that will change the ways of the monarchy for the better, I hope. For decades past, those in power, the honorable men and women who held the highest rule of the land, often did so out of duty. But with their duty often came great sacrifice.” Juan Carlos glanced at Portia again briefly and then went on. “Many true loves went unheeded. Many of those loves were lost to baseless marriages, unions that held no great affection. The sacrifice was thought to keep the bloodlines pure. I have called you here today to say that my rule, this monarchy, is one that looks forward to the future, not backward at the past. It is time to bring the monarchy into the twenty-first century.
“As you know, Portia Lindstrom and I are to be married. Our engagement was swift, yes, but when it’s right, you know it deep in your heart.” His fist covered his heart and he awarded the crowd his beautiful smile. “And I am here to tell you it is right.”
His eyes sparkled and he sent her a look filled with so much love, Portia’s heart did somersaults. “Recently, it’s come to light that Portia is not the true princess of Samforstand. In fact, she has no royal bloodlines at all. She came to me when she learned this news from an elder in her family. It seems there was much confusion about the legal heirs to the throne after the chaos and hardships of World War II.
“My family went through great hardships at that time, as well. Many of you here today know all about the recent trials and tribulations my family went through to find the true heir to the throne. Our great-grandmother’s recently discovered letters proved to all of us the high price that was paid to keep to the letter of law when it came to royal protocol. In those letters we learned that her son, king Raphael Montoro II, and his direct descendants were not the rightful heirs to the throne, and thus am I standing before you today, a Salazar, as your king.
“Similarly, Portia has discovered the truth of her family’s past and now needs to move forward with her life. But I will not allow mere decorum to once again steer the Montoros’ destiny toward a tragic outcome. We will not let history repeat itself. We will not sacrifice our love in the name of an outdated custom. Portia Lindstrom is here today, as my fiancée, and princess or not, she is the love of my life and will become my wife.”
Juan Carlos put out his hand. “Portia? Will you join me here? Be by my side.”
The crowd was stunned into silence. Cameras angled her way, shots were snapped off by the dozens.
“Go,” Maria whispered. “He is changing a centuries-old tradition for you. Don’t leave him waiting.”
She blinked, coming to grips with what had just happened. The depth of his commitment astonished her, delighted her and sent her hormones into a tizzy. She caught Eduardo giving her a smile and an encouraging nod from behind Juan Carlos. She smiled back.
Maria was right; she couldn’t leave the king waiting. Not for another second. If he could do this for her, then she wouldn’t hesitate to show him her love. With him by her side, she could conquer anything. She wasn’t a wimpy princess. Well, she wasn’t a princess at all, but she wasn’t wimpy, either.
Her head held high, she stepped forward and made her way to the podium. As she reached it, she took Juan Carlos’s outstretched hand and gazed into his eyes. In them, she saw her life, her future. The details were negotiable, but the love, that never wavered. She loved him. She would always love him. Thank God, King Montoro of Alma was a determined man.
Juan Carlos pulled her close and there before the world, bruised her lips in a kiss that left no one doubting their king’s commitment. “Juan Carlos,” she murmured. “Everyone’s watching.”
“Are they?”
Cameras clicked like crazy and she had no doubt this epic scene would go viral.
When Juan Carlos broke off the kiss, he nudged her tight to his side to present a united front and turned to the crowd. “Portia is a wonderful, bright, talented woman and in the days and years to come, you will all see in her what I see. I ask only that you welcome her today. Give her the same chance you gave me.”
The crowd was silent and Portia’s heart plummeted. And then a sole cheer rang out from a man shouting his support. And then another cheer went up and another, in a show of loyalty. And soon, the entire gathering displayed their acceptance as boisterous cheers and booming applause echoed against the palace walls, the citizens of Alma giving the king their allegiance.
They had accepted her.
Portia couldn’t keep a wide, teary-eyed smile from spreading across her face. She was grateful for their support, but she was certain that even if the crowd had turned hostile, nothing would have deterred Juan Carlos. He had her back, and that was the best feeling in the world.
The speech over, Portia walked off with Juan Carlos. “I love you, you know,” she said, winding her arm around his waist and leaning her head on his shoulder.
“I do know, but I think I’ll need to hear you say it about a thousand times. Tonight?”
She nodded. “Tonight.” She lifted her lips to his. “Do you think you can make me say it a thousand times?”
He laughed. “Oh, I know I can. Just let me alert the chauffeur we’ll be needing the limo soon.”
Her eyes went wide. “Juan Carlos, you don’t play fair!”
“Sweetheart, I play for keeps. Princess or not, you’re a royal temptation that I can’t live without.”
“So you’re keeping me?”
“For as long as you’ll have me.”
“Forever, then. It’s settled.”
“Settled,” he said, grinning as he picked her up and twirled her around and around.
She floated on air.
And her feet never did touch the ground again.
Epilogue
One month later
Juan Carlos couldn’t stop grinning as he held Portia in his arms and danced to the royal orchestra’s rendition of “Unforgettable” under hundreds of strung lights and a moonlit sky on the grounds of the newly restored farmhouse. This place that Bella and James would someday call home was where Juan Carlos and Portia had found love, too, and it seemed fitting to have a small intimate exchange of promised vows here in front of their close friends and family. His new bride dressed in satin and ivory lace, with his mother’s diamond wedding ring sparkling on her finger, was the most beautiful woman on the planet.
“Are you happy?” he asked, fairly certain his answer was found in the sky-blue gleam in her eyes.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”
“That’s how I want to keep it, sweetheart.” He pressed her close and kissed her forehead, brushing his lips over her cheeks and nose and finally landing on her sweet mouth.
“I loved our sunset wedding,” Portia said. “This is a special place.”
Their first dance ended and Juan Carlos swung Portia to a stop in the center of the circle of their guests, who applauded them, their dance and their marriage. Portia’s elegant grace, her help in discovering the hidden artworks
and her work with local charities had endeared her to the country. Even the doubters had begun to come around as she constantly proved to them that she belonged at his side. It was a good thing, too, because Juan Carlos would rather give up the throne than live without Portia.
His cousins approached. “Welcome to the family, Portia,” Rafe said, his very pregnant wife on his arm. “We couldn’t be happier for you both.”
“It was a lovely ceremony,” Emily said.
“Thank you. I’ve heard all about your special ceremony, as well,” Portia offered, glancing at Emily, Rafe, Gabe and Serafia. “I’ve never attended a double wedding before.”
“We wish we would’ve known you then,” Serafia added.
“Might’ve been a triple wedding, who knows?” Gabe said with a teasing smile.
Juan Carlos found it all amusing. His cousins had met their wives in uncanny ways and now every one of them was married. Rafe had resumed his position as head of Montoro Enterprises and the company was thriving. Good thing, too, because Rafe’s father had decided to retire in Alma. After the ceremony he’d been the first to offer his congratulations, giving Portia a kiss on the cheek and wrapping Juan Carlos in a tight embrace. Juan Carlos owed a great deal to the man who had raised him from early childhood.
Gabe, the younger of his male cousins, had finally shed his bad boy ways and settled down with his lifelong friend and love, Serafia.
“I think I just felt something,” Bella announced. She took James’s hand and placed it on her small rounded belly. “Here, see if you can feel the baby.”
James kept his hand there several seconds. “I’m not sure,” he said softly, diplomatically. “It’s early yet, isn’t it, honey?”
“Maybe for you, but I think I felt it.” Bella’s eyes were two bright beams of light. She was carrying James’s child.
James kissed her lips. “I can’t wait to feel our baby, too.”
A Royal Temptation Page 17
