His heat radiated against my trembling limbs, and the feel of his long legs on mine, his body pressed against me, made the place between my thighs ache with need.

My mouth was eager for his, and when he kissed me my tongue was awkward, anxious, tangling with his in my desire for him.

“Marry me,” he said.

Then Alexander reached in the pocket of his athletic shorts and pulled out a ring.

There was no question of what I was going to do.

“Yes,” I breathed, holding out my shaking hands for the huge, square-cut emerald. The gold felt old, like generations old.

He pulled me in for another kiss, both hands on my face now, and I felt dizzy with happiness.

How could this man want me?

I could feel wetness soaking my panties, his muscular leg against my pussy, and I embarrassingly wanted to literally hump him, relieve the prickly, needy ache inside me.

Alexander broke apart regretfully, stroking my cheek with one finger.

“Your uncle told me about your traditions,” he said. “Is it all right with you if we get married as soon as possible?”

I didn’t know what in the world he was talking about, but I would have given him anything he wanted.

“Yes,” I gasped. “Anytime you want.”

“Let’s see how fast I can get the wedding planned,” Alexander said. “You don’t mind some of these stupid old traditions, do you? There’s one where your veil is supposed to be lifted up by 24 trained doves and sometimes they shit everywhere.”

“I don’t care,” I said, and I felt my eyes shining.

And it was true. I would have married him accompanied by 240,000 birds if that’s what he wanted.

It seemed like a dream come true.

But, eventually, I woke up.

CHAPTER 2

Delilah

At first, I thought it was just my insecurity.

And I did feel insecure.

I had high hopes that King William and Queen Cecily, would be, maybe not replacements for my parents, but at least deeply cherished in-laws.

But neither of them seemed overly impressed by Alexander’s choice.

King William had very artificial dark hair and a beard, and he was a thick man in his 70s.

“I didn’t say you had to rush into marriage,” he said to Alexander after meeting me.

Queen Cecily was in her 50s and incredibly beautiful, with long platinum blonde hair and china-blue eyes.

“Did you want to meet some more women?” Cecily asked when she thought I wasn’t listening.

“No,” Alexander said sharply. “I want her.”

This comforted me a little bit, but I still felt all out of place and awkward when I was the only outsider and everyone knew I came from some backwards place like Gesaint.