Page 19 of The Prince's Green Card Scheme

“Please,” says Mr. Hopkins, gesturing for us to do what we came here to do.

We both pick up a pen and sign the document. I glance over it, and it says exactly what the man said it does: that our marriageis fully legal and recognized in Bellamare. That, as full citizens, we’re allowed unhindered right of entry. The thought of it makes my head spin.

“Okay, great,” says Mr. Hopkins. His face twists into something approaching regret, and he says, “Now, you’ll be surprised to learn the US makes things a bit trickier for dual citizens.” Chloe snorts a laugh. “Here’s the paperwork to pronounce you both married, and here,” he says, producing some more paperwork from his manilla folder, “is the official start of your process to becoming a citizen.”

He pushes the papers towards me, and I pick them up, the words swimming in front of my eyes. “Unfortunately, it’s a little more complex than simply signing a form, but your chances of getting rejected after this are very slim. When it’s a legitimate marriage between two people who love each other, this country has no problem with welcoming new citizens.”

I start laughing, and Chloe glares at me, making me stop. Maybe he wasn’t making a joke, then. I cough awkwardly to cover my gaffe, then say, “Okay, thank you. Brilliant. Let’s sign, then, shall we?”

He gives us a strange look but says nothing else. I’d love to know where we rank on the personal list of weirdest ceremonies he no doubt has in his head.

I sign it quickly. Mr. Hopkins takes the paperwork back, double-checks it, then gets to his feet. “Excellent,” he says. “Well, then, it’s my great privilege to announce that, in the eyes of the US Government, I can officially pronounce you husband and wife.”

He looks at us both expectantly. Chloe and I share a look, and almost panic as we realize that this is the part where most peoplekiss. Chloe glances down at my lips as if to ask me a question, and to save her any more awkwardness, I lean in and press my lips chastely against hers.

“Congratulations,” says Mr. Hopkins. “You are all good to go as far as I’m concerned. Whenever you’re ready, you can head out.”

“Thank you,” we both say, getting up at the same time and almost scrambling out of the office. His words were sayingthere’s no rush, but I imagine he has a whole lot of these to do today, and I don’t want to hold him up.

The second we hit the street outside, I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much,” I say. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

Chloe gives me a puzzled look, but doesn’t follow up with whatever question is in her mind. “Thank you, too. I really meant it in there. You have no idea what this money is going to do for me.”

“No problem at all. Anything for my wife.” I wink at her and she blushes.

“Well, I suppose that’s it, then,” she says, grimacing.

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it traditional after getting married to go back home and consummate it?”

Her blush deepens, spreading pink right across her nose, and I have to resist commenting on how cute it is. “You mean…” she starts, stumbling as her mind races to catch up. “You actually want me to come home with you?”

I take hold of her hand and squeeze it gently. “As I said, you’re my wife now. And that relationship can mean whatever you want it to mean. If you never want to see me again, I get that. I won’t push for anything. But I do find you very attractive. If you would let me romance you, I would.” She lets out a chuckle of disbelief. “Plus,” I add, “I do have to give you that check.”

“Okay, then,” Chloe says slowly. “I don’t think Mom would be too happy at you coming back to our place, though.”

“I bought an apartment,” I say casually, and when her mouth drops open, I quickly add, “I needed a base here. It’s not a big deal.”

“Sure…” she says. Then, before I can dig myself any deeper, she says, “Let me tell Mom I’m not coming home. Then we can go back to yours, okay?”

I flag down a taxi while Chloe speaks to her mother, and my stomach twinges as she does. In the short time that I’ve known her, she’s spoken to her mom more times than I’ve eventhoughtabout mine.

When we get to my place, I tip the driver well, then take Chloe by the hand and lead her up to my new penthouse.

“Wow,” she says as we step out of the elevator and into the apartment. “This is awesome.”

I close the door behind us and grin at the way she looks around, scanning every inch of the walls as she takes in the sleek grey paint and silver finishes. “It’s all ours.”

“You know, I already had lunch, but…” She bites her lip, her eyes raking over me. “I am hungry for something else…”

With that, she steps forward and kisses me, and I feel myself melting in her hands.

My own hands travel to her breasts without thinking, and I smile into her mouth as our kiss deepens, our lips pressing harder together. She moans as our tongues entwine, and she grinds her hips forwards, pressing against my hardening, aching length.

We push each other back towards the bedroom, shedding our clothes as we go. By the time we fall on the bed, we’re both naked, unable to take our hands off each other.

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