Page 99 of Royally Matched

Monteluce is not my real life.

Marcois not my real life.

“I’m sorry,” I say, my heart breaking in two.

He doesn’t say anything. We walk in silence back to the hotel, both of us feeling the inexorable weight of what lies between us.

But with every step it’s as though I can still feel his lips pressed urgently against mine, his hands sliding up my back, his fingers tangling in my hair. I can still smell his scent, hear his soft words of longing in my ear.

He unlocks the front door to the small hotel and we climb the staircase to our room. Marco holds the door open, and we slip inside, locking it behind us.

I look around, seeing everything with new eyes. I had been so concerned about sharing a room with Marco when we were here only hours ago, trying to contain mygrowing feelings for this man, not allowing him to see any of it.

Now? Now everything has changed.

With that one kiss—that one glorious, deeply passionate, utterly emotional kiss—he knows how I feel about him.

“I can wait outside as you prepare for sleep,” he says, his voice flat and low.

“Thank you,” I reply, not looking into his eyes.

I cannot risk losing myself to him once more, not when so much is at stake.

Quietly, he leaves the room, and I busy myself preparing for bed. As I slip into the cool, crisp sheets, he knocks quietly at the door. “Come in.”

I sit up in bed and watch him, my heart aching at the sadness in his eyes. He’s holding some bedding, which he places on the small patch of floor in front of the fireplace, stacking the chairs to one side.

He uses the bathroom, returning in a T-shirt and his boxer shorts. He slips into his makeshift bed and I turn out the bedside lamp.

“Goodnight,Principessa,” he says into the darkness.

“Good night,” I reply, staring at the ceiling, wishing I was anywhere but here in this room, with this heartbroken man.

His deep voice punctuates the stillness of the room. “Sofia?”

“Yes.”

“Whatever you do, whatever your decision, know that my heart is yours.”

The heat in my throat intensifies, my heart beating deep and low. This thing between us was only ever going to be doomed, but for a brief, magical moment in time we came together as one, two souls, destined never to be together.

And that will have to be enough for me.

Chapter 27

Marco

The early morning sun is like a caress, pulling me from sleep. I blink as I shake off my slumber, my back stiff from sleeping on the rug by the fireplace all night. I look over at the bed. Sofia’s slow, rhythmic breathing tells me she’s still sleeping.

I stare at the ceiling, my heart heavy. For so long I’ve felt something was missing in my life. I’d searched wide and far for that feeling of connectedness, of belonging. My travels took me all over the world, fromScandinavia to Africa, from India to New Zealand, but no matter where I went, no matter how beautiful or fascinating a country could be, it never felt quite enough for me.

Now, I know what is enough. It’s her. Sofia. MyPrincipessa.

But she’s rejected me. Although I know her feelings for me are just as strong, she’s choosing not to be with me.

Why I found what I’ve been searching for in a woman who will not have me is fate’s cruel trick.

Do I give up? Do I allow her to simply end things between us? Or do I fight, knowing she’s too afraid to let herself be mine?

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