Page 46 of Once Upon a Prince

“Which one?” I teased.

“You know which one. I should let you go so you can get ready. Unless you want me to help you with your make-up and hair.”

“No, thank you. I got it. Thank you for everything, and I do mean everything.”

Ara laughed. “What are friends for? I knew you wouldn’t do something like that for yourself.”

“They will certainly give me an ego and confidence boost that I need.” I looked down at the lingerie.

“You don’t need it, but I’m glad I could give you an additional boost. Layla was the one who suggested it. We had fun picking it out for you, though it took a bit of doing hiding it in your suitcase. I thought for sure you would have found it.”

“Not until you said something. I’m glad I called you, almost.”

“You are. You needed some advice and you got that and then some. Go, have a great night. Enjoy your time with your new man and don’t worry about anything.”

“I’ll try. I’ll call you tomorrow,” I said and went to get dressed

“You better not. Hopefully, you don’t get out of your bed tomorrow and are too busy to have time to call me. Plus, you’ll be on a plane home tomorrow. You can fill me in when you get back.”

“Oh, Dax asked me if I could stay a few extra days. I agreed so I won’t be home tomorrow but in a few days.”

“Way to bury the lede! No way. Things are definitely going well for you too. I’ll miss you and Layla and I are going to need a long happy hour when you get back.”

“Certainly. I can’t believe this is all happening.” I looked down at my phone and saw the time. “Shoot. I should go. Thanks, love you, talk soon.”

“Anytime. Love you too,” Ara said and ended the call.

I put my phone down and let out a long sigh. I couldn’t believe I had gotten so lucky as to have such wonderful friends as Ara and Layla. They really did look out for me and pushed me to do things I never would have thought. I looked down at the bra and panty set and giggled. It was so like Layla to think of it, for Ara to buy them for me, and so not like me to wear them.

It wasn’t just Ara that was making me want to be different, bolder, and go outside my comfort zone. I was doing things I never would have considered doing with Dax because of how Dax was and how he made me feel when I was with him. After talking to Ara, seeing what she gave me, and knowing what I wanted to happen between Dax and me, I was more than ready for it.

With a happy jump I went to get ready, more excited, yet anxious to see Dax and see what would happen between us and the evening.

Chapter 26

Dax

If there had ever been a more beautiful woman opening a door to a hotel room, I couldn’t think of one. The dress fit Ella’s body perfectly as if it had been made specifically for her. The white of the dress made her skin glow and the flowers were the perfect tone, making her eyes seem brighter and bluer than normal.

I wanted to pull her into my arms. I wanted to tell her that I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and as much as I hated waiting to be with her, she was worth it. I wanted to take her into her bedroom, the couch, even the wall and kiss every inch of her.

It wasn’t what she deserved. It wasn’t what I wanted to give her. I wasn’t going to ruin our night by acting like a lovesick teenager. This was my chance to show her how I could really treat her. I could show her what she deserved to have and that I wanted to give her everything I could. This was my chance to be a better man to any woman I had ever been with.

Ella made me want to do all those things. She never asked for it, or even assumed she should. She never took for granted that I had money or that I could spend it on her. She was more a woman who didn’t want me to. It was just one of the many things that was so different about her than any other woman I had been with. She was so much better than me, and being with her made me want to be a better man.

“You look amazing,” I said.

“As do you,” she said and gave me an approving look.

“Are you hungry?” I asked.

As if on cue, Enrique, the chef, came down the hallway with a cart of food. “Good evening sir, miss,” he said as he walked into the room. He was trailed by two hotel staff. “If it is okay with you, we can set up on the terrace. It’s a lovely night.”

“You read my mind. If you would please,” I said and stepped aside so Enrique and his staff could set up.

“This is incredible,” Ella said as she stood next to me.

“It’s only the barest of things I want to do for you.”

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