Page 59 of Some Like It Royal

“Toad?” He interrupted, not sure he liked where this was going.

“It’s just a figure of speech.”

“Uh-huh. Go on.” He swayed with her, enjoying the weight of her against his body, her lean softness to his harder height.

“Anyway, he reminded me that American fairy tales have happily ever afters. So I was going to surrender my ‘duchy’ before they could give it to me and ask you for a job at your software company.”

He blinked. “How is that a plan?”

“I would have made sure you put a ‘sexual harassment required’ clause in my contract.” The wry, saucy response tickled him and he leaned back.

“I’ll sexually harass you anytime you want.”

“Excellent.” She grinned. “Does that go both ways?”

“Baby, you have to promise to sexually harass me—just do it when you’re naked.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Why naked?”

“Why not?”

They laughed.

Inside the ballroom, the music faded and a round of applause drew their attention. Arm in arm, they drifted toward the door. Daniel didn’t really care what was happening inside, but he would never ask her to give up her newfound family.

Royal or not.

The grand duke stood in the center of the room, a microphone in hand. “Good evening all and thank you for attending this event with us tonight. Most of you here are dear friends or steady colleagues. You have been with our family for years, so you are the first that I wanted to introduce to our latest members—one who has deserved to be here from the moment of her birth, and the other, the very fortunate man who won her heart. Please help me to welcome my cousin, the Grand Duchess Alyxandretta, princess royal, and her future husband—he with a mean left hook—Daniel Voldakov.”

The spotlight swung across the room and illuminated them in the doorway. The applause rippled across the room. Alyx leaned close to him and murmured, “You realize there’s no getting out of this now?”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” He caught her hand and guided her out onto the dance floor among the applause. When the waltz came on, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to her ear. “My princess.”

“And they lived happily…ever…after.”

“Damn straight.”

Chapter22

Alyx

Six months later…

Alyx staredat the dress in the mirror. The white chiffon spilled down to the floor, while the lace bodice hugged her chest while diamonds and flowers decorated her hair. She’d refused the offer of a tiara, but when Armand requested the right to walk her down the aisle, she didn’t turn him down.

They’d come a long way in the six months since they’d met—vacationing in Belgium with him and his siblings, as well as meeting up in New York twice, and once more in Los Angeles during the engagement party. The only true argument erupted when it came to the wedding venue. Armand wanted to host her wedding at the family estate in Norway. But she had no ties to that place, not yet. Daniel preferred Los Angeles, but was pretty much willing for anything—except the drive-through Elvis chapel she’d suggested.

They’d compromised and chosen a sleepy little church in Woodland. Her parents had been married there. Both families agreed and the city of Sacramento’s tourism board threw in help with security as royal watchers from around the world flocked to see their simple wedding. When a certain British prince appeared on the guest list, they’d had to double their security conditions.

“You look radiant,” Rhonda complimented and kissed her cheek. She’d chosen Rhonda for her maid of honor and Lucy for her bridesmaid. Daniel’s secretary tried to refuse, but she insisted and Daniel swore he’d call her morning, noon and night until she agreed.

Standing best man for Daniel was Martin.

As part of their wedding present, he’d hosted a beachside bonfire, burning their contract while they toasted marshmallows. Even Daniel’s mother was in the crowd, along with Grace Burrows from the social services office. The chapel could only hold about a hundred and fifty guests, so the rest of their wedding guests waited for them at the ballroom of the Grand Hotel where they would celebrate the reception.

Armand arrived with both of his brothers—Sebastian and George. George was by far her favorite, just two years her junior and with a deep interest in film. They’d hit it off during the first vacation and she’d promised him a tour of Hollywood after the honeymoon…

The top-secret honeymoon that only Victor knew the destination of, because he’d taken care of getting her clothes ready.

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