Page 81 of The Reluctant Wife

I cup her cheek and, before she can pull away, I kiss her soundly. Her lips are stiff, and for a few seconds, she stays unyielding. Then her mouth opens. And when I sweep my tongue inside, she melts into me. I hold the back of her head to keep her in place and kiss her thoroughly. When I straighten, her cheeks are flushed, her breathing erratic. Her eyes are glazed with need, and she stares at me with a confused look. There; much better.

I stay there for a few seconds, until her eyes clear. "What was that for?" she says breathlessly.

"Can’t I kiss my, wife-to-be?”

She flushes. The pulse at the base of her throat speeds up. But her gaze is confused. She’s still coming to terms with our upcoming nuptials.

Then she tightens her lips. "They’re waiting,” she says in a voice which trembles a little.Good. I’d have been disappointed if she found her composure so soon after that kiss.

I hook her arm through mine, then lead her into the room.

The king approaches us. He kisses her on each cheek, then eases back on his heels. “Do you definitely want to go ahead withthiswedding? You are under no obligation to do so. I will find another way of paying off the country’s debts,cara mia.”

The princess takes in his features. His eyes are haunted. There are hollows under his cheekbones. He seems to have aged in the last few hours. If the Davenports' investment isn’t forthcoming, it’ll put him in a very difficult situation.

I know Aura cares for him too much to put him through that.

And I care forherenough that I want to tell her father that he should stop her from marrying me and giving up her choice for the sake of her country. At the same time, I’m selfish enough to be glad that it’smeshe’s marrying.

And when she says softly, “This is what I want papa,” warmth squeezes my chest.

I’m going to keep her safe. I’m going to ensure she gets what is most important for her—securing the future of her country.

I content myself with tucking her into my side and walking her to where Arthur is waiting for us. He looks between us, and a smile flickers across his features. I can swear there’s a glimmer of moisture in his eyes.Is the old coot getting sentimental?His chin quivers, and he seems incapable of speech.Huh.I eye him warily.

He seems to have transitioned from the role of the hard-nosed businessman and conniving meddler in his grandson’s lives to that of fond grandfather way too quickly for my comfort.

Imelda takes in the emotion on his face, and steps toward us. She curtsies to the princess. "Your Highness."

"Please, call me Aura," the princess murmurs.

"Aura." Imelda smiles widely. "Congratulations. I hope you’ll forgive Ryot for not being able to speak what’s really on his mind. Afraid we women must give the male of the species the benefit of the doubt at times, but especially when it comes to matters of the heart.”

I gape at Imelda, then turn to find the princess staring at her, flummoxed. Then she chuckles. "A straight-talking woman. Do you realize how rare someone like you is?"

Imelda blushes, and that’s something, because the woman’s hard-nosed and takes life by its balls, and there’s no demure bone in her body. "Aw, shucks." She dips her head. "You’re being too kind."

"I don’t think so. I hope Arthur realizes how lucky he is." She shoots him a glance.

Arthur’s watching Imelda with a look of open adoration.The old man’s truly in love.Another reason he wants to see the rest of us singletons paired off, no doubt.

Then Tiny woofs.

"Ooh, who’re you?" Aura looks at the dog with interest. He ambles to his feet, lumbers over to us, and butts the princess’ waist with his big head. She stumbles, and I tighten my hold on her.

"What’s your name, little puppy?" Aura coos as she extends a hand for him to sniff.

And now, I’m jealous of the mutt.

"Tiny," I murmur.

"No, it’s not." She narrows her eyes.

"It definitely is." I snicker. "His name. Is Tiny."

She laughs before moving her hand under his chin so she can better see his face. "Hey, Tiny. You’re such a good boy, aren’t you?"

Tiny makes a purring sound at the back of his throat. He moves his big head so that her hand is next to his ear. She obliges by scratching around each of his ears. His eyes roll back in his head, and he groans. Then he slobbers all over her hand.

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