Page 41 of Forbidden Crown

He kissed her again and teased her nipples, this time with him fullyinsideher.

Something within her snapped and she lost the ability to think. She moaned, but it was like she wasn't insideherbody.

She was in heavenitself.

A wave of pleasure overtook her. She needed him, now andforever.

Chapter18

Everything lookedamazing.

Kristin stood on her balcony and peeked around the corner of the tower, still in her nightgown. Her hair and makeup made her look like someone she had never been before, and the people of Avce wanted toseeher.

She wished her mother was here to see her now. Perhaps she’d tell her that true love might not have happened for her parents, but that love was real. Kristin believed in it now that she’d metAntonio.

Horse’s hooves clapped in the distance. From what Renee told her, there was a horse-drawn carriage at the gate, justforher.

Renee came out onto the balcony, with her makeup now done, and said, "Come inside. You'll see everything soon. You'rethestar."

"I can't believe all of this is happening." Kristin let her best friend take her hand and lead herinside.

Valentino designers waited for her to ensure she was perfect in the dress. Before they stepped back in the room, Kristin stopped and listened to her heart beat, faster andfaster.

Today was her big day. She hugged her waist, closed her eyes and let the moment sink in. Tonight she'd be a princess, even if the vote took it from her. Her life had changed and she'd be married to a man she never could have imagined on her own. Renee then said, "I can. Youdeserveit."

"I don't feel like any of this is real." Kristin confided and turned toward her friend. Renee was her only link to her old life, not that she had much of one. "This feels like I'm living someone else's liferightnow."

Renee led her toward the food tray that was outside and poured them both a glass of water. She handed her a cup. "I’ve never seen you thishappy."

Antonio was why she’d stayed. Last night in his arms she felt whole in a way she never had before. With him she had no doubt that she was where she was supposed to be. "He'samazing."

Renee laughed. "Amazing is your word for when you're very, very happy." She finished her water and put the glass down. "So yes, you deserve to get a happily-ever-after."

Kristin sipped more slowly. She needed to take everything in. Then she felt her hand tremble with the glass in her hand. "Will you come and visit me? You're the closest thing I have to a sister,Renee."

Renee took the shaking water glass before Kristin dropped it. "Are you joking? My students will never believe I spent the summer here, and participated in your wedding. I don't think video evidence will get more than a “that's cool, Miss Brown” response, so yes, I'll visit wheneverIcan."

The blare of music from the street echoed around them. Her face heated. "Do the trumpets meanI'mlate?"

Renee opened the balcony door. "Let's get you into your Cinderella dress and get going. Antonio's waitingforyou."

Her thoughts returned to Antonio. His dark hair, brown eyes with those flecks of green made her ache for his strong arms to hold her again. Before they walked inside, she said, "He's handsome. How are things withMarco?"

Renee's face drained of color but then she held up her head. "He's fun, but I'm leaving in the morning when you go on yourhoneymoon."

Kristin's shoulders slumped. "I was hoping he would sweep you off your feet and you’d be my realsister."

"Now that sounds like a fairy tale." Renee led her to the designers. "It's time to be thebride."

The word bride rang in her ears. She never thought she'd be one and never imagined anyone in the world might care who she married. Once she walked outside she’d be streamed live for the world to see. Renee went to designers who helped her put on her maid-of-honor pinkdress.

Kristin couldn't watch as designers added layers of white around her, but she peeked at her friend who looked sweet in that pink Valentinodress.

Then the doors to her bedroom opened and Queen Anna Camilla swooped in. Kristin's stomach twisted as she thought she was late. "Your Highness, they are tying me into this thing as fast astheycan."

"You are to call me Anna." The queen’s gold and blue ballgown screamed that she was the most important person in therealm.

Kristin sucked in her bottom lip and shook her head. "That will take a while. You're aqueen."

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