Page 38 of Forbidden Prince
"I'm sure it's nothing." She traced his arm with her hand, settling on his shoulders andneck.
"It changes things if youare."
"How?"
"We really do get marriedtomorrow."
Renee shrugged with a shy smile. "Your mother was never big on longengagements."
"She's not." Was he ready to be a dad?It could benothing.
Her intake of breath caught in her throat. "The only issue will be with whatever my parents do to drive you away fromme."
That was the last thing he’d expected her to say. He leaned closer to her and brushed his hand against the smooth skin of her face. "Nothing will keep me fromyou."
"That's what they all say." Her lipspouted.
He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm not your exes. Have faith inme."
"It's not about having faith in you. It's about them. I'm scared they'll hurtus."
She closed her eyes as he leaned closer to taste her mouth, her lips were like candy that he'd not had in forever, though he'd kissed her not that longago.
"Have faith." He repeated once their kiss ended. "They only get that power if you give it tothem."
She sighed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. There was nothing her parents could do that he understood. He’d banish them from his kingdom, if necessary. Renee didn't need to be so afraid that she shivered in his arms. He'd protect her. She was his worldnow.
19
All Renee could seethe moment she focused was Marco. The limo ride from the ship was meant to bring them right to the palace, but she’d passed out. She sighed and figured she was dreaming, so she tried to roll over, except he shook her arm and her bed was much smaller than normal. She blinked and stared at Marco again. This wasn’t a bed at all. The backseat of the limo was comfortable enough, but smaller than any bed. He said, "Wake up. We'rehere."
"Already?" She yawned. At least in the limo from the ferry, she'd been warm. Marco waited for her but slipped back to give her room. She put her feet down on the metallic floor and stared outside the small glass window, but her feet were swollen and it felt like they more they inflated, the more she walked on daggers. They were parked outside the royal palace now. It was time. She pushed herself onto her feet and waited for the searing pain in her ankles tostop.
"You slept the entiretime."
What if she was pregnant? She tried to smile though it was hard. Once inside the palace, she had her parents to deal with, but for now? It was still so early morning that the moon hung in the sky, so hopefully they could wait until after breakfast to take the test. She stretched and said, "We left late and had a full day seeing yourhome."
"Our future home. Trustme."
She stopped walking after him to leave the limo and head inside. "One step at atime."
"Youagreed."
Right. She wasn't stupid and, yes, she was moody this morning. She could feel it in how she moved her head. She stretched and hoped the slight headache eased. "Marco, one of the things I don't like about you is yourarrogance."
"How am Iarrogant?"
"I don't know." She splashed water on her face to wash off her sour mood. "I'm not in a good mood rightnow."
Were princesses not allowed to have bad mornings? She tried to imagine a tiara on her head, but she laughed. She stopped laughing as she visualized her mother's upturnednose.
She let out an audible sigh. "My parents and brother are a bit much. I won't hold it against you if change yourmind."
"I promise you, I'll take care of it." He answered with confidence. "I'll have tour guides for them to visit the entire country when we go on ourhoneymoon."
He had no idea how other men had failed. Marco placed his hand on her arm and another jolt of love rushed through her. She avoided looking at him and prayed he survived herparents.
"My mother will likely plan the wedding soon, so we'll need to speak to her too. Once we finish here, you and I will return to the South Castle after our honeymoon to wherever youwant."
