Page 49 of Prince Cheating Charming

“It’s not—just the cheating. I heard what you told Libby, you know. I heard you say you could do whatever you wanted and I would always come running. Because I was that stupidly in love with you. Well, no longer, Alexander,” I continued, my voice feeling stretched and sandpapery.

“I am so sorry you heard that,” he said in a low tone. “I was arrogant and stupid. I didn’t appreciate you like you deserve, but I promise I will never make that mistake again!”

“And what assurance do I have of that?” I asked angrily.

“Look at my face, Delilah,” Alexander said. “You fucking shattered me when you left. I would never risk that again.”

When I didn’t respond, he spoke again.

“I’ll take anything you give me, Delilah. I know I have no right to ask you to stay. But I will take anything. You don’t have to love me again right now. Or like me again. Just stay at the palace. Please. Give me more time to convince you that you can trust me.”

CHAPTER 20

Alexander

My panic crashed into my anxiety and exploded into my abject groveling fear as we headed back down the trail. Being around Delilah is the only thing that feels right. Every damn day I can’t believe I was such a colossally stupid dickhead that I threw this away. She looked at me with love in her eyes and I took it for granted and assumed it would always be there. How could I have been so stupid?

The comfort of being around her is shot through with deep, painful shards of panic.

She doesn’t love me anymore.

And I don’t know what would make her love me again.

Fuck, I would start with her just liking me. Or at least not despising me.

I turn ideas over and over in my head. What else can I do? I haven’t done enough.

Or, most terrifying of all,

What if nothing is enough? What if I’ve just lost my wife forever and there’s no way to stop it?

I pushed the thought away, as the panic threatened to swamp me. My skin felt clammy, my head momentarily swimming with the terror of her leaving. The ground spun around me, and I focused on Delilah walking in front of me, with her efficient, confident stride.

Her little Spandex hiking shorts were tight on her ass, showing her generous curves and the fucking mouth-watering way her hips moved when she walked.

My heart pounded painfully against my chest, and I allowed myself to remember the first time I ever saw my wife. She was in the palace kitchens, bending over as Maurice showed her the whipped creams he was making for the desserts that night. The way her navy blue dress fell against her ass, hugging her lush curves, made my mouth instantly go dry. I walked toward her, feeling like the fucking apex predator I was. I was the Prince of Norjava; I got what I wanted, when I wanted it. I was surprised to see Libby’s lips curving up in a smile. My hardass Head Housekeeper never smiled. There must be something different about this woman. My temperamental Head Chef Maurice was holding out a spoon of cream to encourage her to taste, and she took it eagerly.

Her throaty little moan when the cream hit the tip of her tongue made my cock twitch in my pants. And then she turned around and saw me.

Mine, I thought as she raised her dark eyes to me. Eyes such a dark brown that they were almost black, and a look in them that made me hope my stiff cock wasn’t visible to the whole room. Clever, saucy, sweet, looking up at me under those dark lashes.

Mine.

I had had zero intention of actually finding a bride that weekend. This was just something I had done to please my father the King. I liked my life very well as it was and had no intention of settling down.

Until I saw her.

It was always her.

It was always Delilah.

When her uncle informed me that it was very important that Gesaint brides were untouched and virginal on their wedding nights, I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stop at kissing.

Because nothing was going to stand between me and marrying the only woman I had ever loved or could love.

And then I had screwed everything up anyway.

“I know you can have anyone you want,” I heard myself saying. “Please let it be me. Please give me another chance.”

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