Royal
Page 21
Love.
And they were both serving it up, neither willing to concede until they both went limp together, holding each other so tightly, it’s a wonder they could breathe through the wonderful devastation of it all. Royal looked at her, and for a moment, he seemed dazed. He’d never experienced the pleasure of having his body give in multiple times, but he knew why it was happening now – because he loved this woman more than anything. She was his one. He knew it. The boss knew it. His body knew it and his mind was one-hundred percent in sync with knowing it. With loving her.
* * *
Later when they could both breathe normally again without it sounding forced, Royal said, “I want to know something, Gemma.” He propped up on his elbow staring into her eyes as their naked, sweaty bodies rested.
“What would you like to know?” she asked.
“Was it better than the movies?”
She chuckled softly, staring into his abysmal eyes, then looking at his gorgeous, firm lips. “So much better,” she said, lazily running her fingertips across the dark hair on his chest.
“How do you feel?” he asked. “You still love me?”
“Mmm hmm,” she mumbled. “I do still love you, husband.”
He cracked a smile, then traced her lips with his thumb. “I love you, too, wife.” He smiled again. “Wow. That’s going to take some getting used to—having a wife. I thought I’d be the last of the St. Claire’s to get married.”
“And now look at you.” She reached up to run her fingers across his beard. “I would have never imagined that we would become this. I still remember the moment I was in the hospital—when I opened my eyes and saw you there beside my bed. I thought to myself, why is this extremely handsome man by my side right now when he could be doing a million other things?”
“I didn’t know it at the time, but it was all because I loved you.”
Her brows raised. “Even then?”
“Yes. Even then.” He leaned closer to give her a kiss. “Now, go to sleep before the boss assigns you some tasks you can’t quite handle.”
Gemma chuckled. “You and this boss nonsense…
He smiled again. “For real though…get some sleep because I’m going to need a biscuit with my breakfast in the morning.”
“Oh, jeez,” she said, blushing. “Go to sleep, Royal.”
“And there’s rain in the forecast, too.”
“Goodnight, Royal.”
He grinned. “Goodnight, baby,” he said, pressing his lips to her forehead.
Chapter 37
~One Month Later~
“Okay, are you ready?” Royal asked, sitting in the passenger seat of Gemma’s jeep. She was in the driver’s seat with her eyes closed, like she was saying a silent prayer. She’d just gotten her driver’s license a few days ago and driving herself to her doctor’s appointment was her first real-world test as a licensed driver.
“Gemma?”
She looked at Royal and said, “The better question is, are you ready? The last time you were with me in a car—”
“Gemma, baby, stop reflecting on that. That’s history. My car is fixed, and it really wasn’t damaged all that bad. Just try not to back into somebody else’s car though.” He attempted to stifle a grin but failed miserably.
“See, this is why you need to drive.”
“Nope. You’re driving. Go on and crank this baby up.”
Gemma started the jeep, secured her seatbelt and put it in reverse. She checked all the mirrors and turned around as she backed out of the parking space. Once she was successfully out, she shifted the car back into drive and headed for the street.
“See. I knew you could do it. I’m proud of you, Gem. You’ve come a long way,” Royal said.
“Yes, but I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without you and big brother Ramsey.”
“Hey, give yourself some credit, too. You’re a fighter. That’s why I love you.”
She glanced over at him. “That’s why you love me?”
“Yes.”
She smiled big. With her man beside her, she was the happiest she’d ever been in life, even though some circumstances weren’t ideal in other areas of her life. Like Geraldine, for instance. Geraldine hadn’t bothered trying to contact her since that day she met her for lunch, and Gemma still didn’t feel comfortable reaching out to her father. What she was comfortable with was the man sitting beside her and her new family who’d welcomed her with open arms – proof that family doesn’t always have to be flesh and blood relatives. Family are the people who are there for you. People who love you and support you. Just because you share the same blood doesn’t automatically means you fit that bill. Sometimes, family members fell short in that regard.
“So, what are our plans for the day again?” she asked Royal.
“When we leave the doctor, we’ll stop and get a late breakfast, then I’m taking you shopping for clothes for your new job.”
Gemma smiled. She liked the sound of that. She was hired for the part-time position at the hospital and would be starting in a week. Additionally, she’d be volunteering for a couple of hours a day until The Gemma Jacobsen Foundation was off the ground. Once that was underway, she’d be spending time helping with creating the foundation’s mission and actively seeking patients to assist in alignment with the foundation’s goals.
“Hey and don’t forget we have to meet the realtor at two to close on our house.”
“Our house,” Gemma squealed, thinking about the last time the realtor showed them the four-bedroom house. It was only two of them, but Royal had plans to convert two of the bedrooms into his and her offices and making the other a guest bedroom.
Gemma loved the fact that they were close to the lake and right down the street from Gianna. Yep, they were moving from Charlotte to Lake Norman, something Bernadette didn’t like since two of her sons were already there while she was still in Charlotte. But she knew how much this move meant to Royal and Gemma. It would provide a fresh start to their new lives together.
“It’s so exciting, Royal. Gosh, I’m so happy. I never imagined that I could be this happy and in love.”
Royal smiled. “Before we got married, before you even knew I was in love with you, I told you that you deserved everything good that was coming to you. Do you recall me saying that?”
“Yeah, and I thought you were crazy at the time.”
“Well, this is what I meant, baby. This is the everything that’s good and it won’t stop here. My number one goal in life is to make you happy.”
Gemma glanced over at him and smiled.
“Ay, keep your eyes on the road,” Royal teased. “I do want to get to the doctor in one piece.”
“Shut up, Royal,” Gemma said laughing.
He leaned over and pressed his moist lips on her right cheek, looking forward to spending the day, the year – the rest of his life with his diamond girl. His wife. His one.
~ . ~
Reading Group Guide
ROYAL (A St. Claire Novel)
In the outset, it’s obvious that Royal has grown attached to Gemma. Does sickness bring a couple (or people in general) closer together?
Early on, do you think Gemma has a clue how Royal feels for her?
Do you agree with Ramsey’s logic of Royal taking things slow with Gemma and being friends first? How long do you have to be friends with someone before deciding to date?
Is Gianna too protective of her sister?
Gianna and Carson both tell Gemma that Royal is in love with her. Do you think Gemma is so close to Royal that she can’t see how he feels for her? Or is it because she automatically assumes he isn’t her type?
What were your thoughts when Royal walked into the kitchen and poured Gemma’s orange juice down the drain? Is he too strict, or does concern for her well-being give him a pass?
Do you think Royal’s first time kissing Gemma too much too soon for her?
How did you feel when Ramsey jumped to conclusions about
Royal’s ‘late night’ comment?
Do you understand Bernadette’s fears about Royal dating Gemma?
How would you describe Geraldine? Is there any chance she could mend her relationship with her daughters?
Discuss Geraldine and Gemma’s botched lunch attempt.
Discussion points:
-Geraldine’s behavior
-Geraldine’s comments about Gemma’s hair
-Geraldine’s comments about Gemma’s father
Does not having a ‘normal’ mother affect Gemma’s behavior?
Do you think Royal would have shown the slightest interest in Gemma had she been a stranger on the street?
Is it difficult to work in a professional setting with family members?
Should you be on the same ‘level’ as a potential mate?
Do you agree with Gemma’s decision to hold off meeting her father?
In what ways do Royal and Gemma make a good couple?
What lesson did you learn from reading, ROYAL?
Thank you for reading, Royal (A St. Claire Novel). I truly hope you’ve enjoyed it. If so, please take a moment to support me and my work by:
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Thank you for your support!
Did you miss Ramsey St. Claire and Gianna Jacobsen’s story? If so, get The Boardwalk Bakery Series, consisting of the books: Baked With Love, Baked With Love 2 and Baked With Love 3.
Discover other books by Tina Martin:
The Boardwalk Bakery Romance
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Baked With Love
Baked With Love 2
Baked With Love 3
The Marriage Chronicles
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Life’s A Beach
The Blackstone Family Series
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
Evenings With Bryson
Leaving Barringer
Forever Us: Barringer and Calista Blackstone (A short story follow-up to Leaving Barringer. You must read Leaving Barringer before reading this short story)
The Things Everson Lost
A Lennox in Love Series
*All books in this series are standalone novellas and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
Claiming You
Making You My Business
Wishing That I Was Yours
Caught in the Storm with a Lennox (A Short Story Prequel to Claiming You)
Mine By Default Mini-Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Been In Love With You, Book 1
When Hearts Cry, Book 2
You Belong To Me, Book 3
When I Call You Mine, Book 4
Who Do You Love?, Book 5
Forever Mine, Book 6
The Champion Brothers Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
His Paradise Wife
When A Champion Wants You
The Best Thing He Never Knew He Needed
Wives And Champions
The Way Champions Love
The Accidental Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Accidental Deception, Book 1
Accidental Heartbreak, Book 2
Accidental Lovers, Book 3
What Donovan Wants, Book 4
Dying To Love Her Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
The Alexander Series:
*Books 1-5 must be read in order. Book 6 and the spinoff book, Different Tastes, can be read in any order as a standalone.
The Millionaire’s Arranged Marriage, Book 1
Watch Me Take Your Girl, Book 2
Her Premarital Ex, Book 3
The Object of His Obsession, Book 4
Dilvan’s Redemption, Book 5
His Charity Challenge, Book 6 (Heshan Alexander and Charity Eason)
Different Tastes (An Alexander Spin-off novel. Tamera Alexander’s Story)
Non-Series Titles:
*Individual standalone books that are not part of a series.
Secrets On Lake Drive
Can’t Just Be His Friend
All Falls Down
Just Like New to the Next Man
Falling Again
Vacation Interrupted
The Crush
Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her
What Wifey Wants
TINA MARTIN is the author of over 45 romance titles and has been writing full-time since 2013. Readers praise Tina for her strong heroes, sweet heroines and beautifully crafted stories. When she’s not writing, Tina enjoys watching movies, traveling, cooking and spending time with her family. She currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and two children.
You can reach Tina by email at tinamartinbooks@gmail.com or visit her website for more information at www.tinamartin.net.