Page 33 of Forbidden Prince
He held her hand and his gaze felt like it penetrated her soul. "I love you,too."
Instantly she forgot everything else. His lips met hers and she was lost in his arms. All she wanted was to stay with him, forever. She kissed him back with every part of her body and soul. Marriage would be right. The only thing this night truly proved was that they both loved each other. It should be enough. It had tobe.
16
The next morning,Renee woke up naked and in Marco's arms. Outside the window, the brightness of the daybloomed.
And they were truly alone, in a place that was almost too big to be her future home. Her body ached from where he’d touched her last night, and she was tempted to stay inbed.
Her mind wouldn’t rest, too curious about this place in the daylight. She sat up slowly, so as not to wake Marco, and studied theroom.
The white sheets, white furniture, and white marble floor made everything gleam with elegance. It would be too bright, but the sea blue trim on the walls and frescoes broughtwarmth.
Marco woke up, stretched, and asked, "What's goingon?"
"Good morning." She glanced at him and how casually he lay naked on the bed. His slight scruff that he’d shave off soon just made her heart beat a little faster. He was so sexy in the morning. She quickly stood, comfortable now in her own nudity. "I'm curious about yourcastle."
He followed her, his hand brushing against her bare skin, igniting a spark of desire. Marco said, "Let me get dressed and give you thetour."
"Perfect." But part of Renee wanted nothing more than to return to their bed, again. Every second they were together, the feeling of desire and raw lust inside her grew, which was funny because until she’d met Marco, she wasn't ever thisneedy.
Instead of sharing her feelings, she hopped in the shower. Marco followed her into the bathroom, and goose bumps raised on her skin as she wondered if he'd take her again. He walked into the shower and turned on another shower head above his head, less than a foot fromher.
She turned and watched the water cascade down his hard, muscular body. If she stayed here, right now, she'd be the one to drag him to bed and have her way with him. At this rate, she’d never see the castle…she caressed his trim abs and left the shower todress.
Waiting for Marco, Renee straightened the sheets and comforter on the bed, humming as sheworked.
Marco joined her and made no mention ofservants.
"Ready?" heasked.
"Yes, tell me about your palace." She took his offered hand and they went into thehall.
"The South Castle was built as a family retreat in the fourteenth century, though we renovated it a few times to add things like running water over theyears."
"I loved the shower." And him, in it. As they walked, she noted more blue-greentrim.
He opened the next bedroom and showed her one that was similar to theirs. "We have sixteen bedrooms and four tower rooms that can be used as bedrooms or anything else youlike."
Naturally the castle might house multiple people, or even families. She shrugged though her stomach flipped. "And theballroom?"
"Smaller than my parents’. It holds about three hundred, though we only open that at Christmas here for the locals to have acelebration."
He walked her to the massive stairs where blue-green carpet runners covered polished redwood. At the top of the stairs hung a massive crystalchandelier.
This castle was out of this world, gorgeous. All of this could be hers. She clutched her stomach as they descended the stairs. "So, why do you get this place when youmarry?"
They stopped near a huge window. He opened it and she stared out at the Mediterranean Sea, entranced by the blue richness of the color. "Lucio gets the mountain castle to raise his family, which is fine by me. I've always loved the ocean." Marco tugged her chin so she looked at him. "You'd be safehere."
On an island, they'd know everyone's name, even those just here to visit, but it wasn't the logic of his words that caught her attention. It was his arm that stayed on her shoulders. If she stayed, he'd hold her, forever, and that felt good. She sighed and met his gaze. "Marco, you don't have to call my parents. I'll marry you without theirapproval."
He massaged her lower back. "Don't worry about this. I promise they will give you their blessing though when I called to arrange their flights here to meet them in person, they said they needed amonth."
He had no idea what herculean task he took on. Her parents never changed. She felt her heart thump in her chest. "I know them. If theydon't..."
"Relax and enjoy." He interrupted her negative thoughts. "We can stay here for a month and when they’re ready, we'll head back to the mainland, and deal with parents and relatives. We’ll consider this a pre-honeymoon, if you like, because for right now, it's just the two ofus."
"Okay." She prayed she could just have fun without the threat of seeing her parent’s reaction to his flashy, lavishlifestyle.
