Page 24 of Powerful Prince
“Yeah.”
“Good.” I ignored how my body hammered like I wanted to be stripped and taken right now. This had never been me. But I stood in the doorway and only said, “You’re the only person I know here.”
He stepped away from me as he said, “Our rooms adjoin, Nicole. But I can’t tempt you or touch you until you pass the test.”
I crossed my arms and stepped toward him as I tilted my head. “What test?”
He came toward me and leaned against the doors. “The virginity test.”
I paced away, my arms still crossed. My virginity had never been a big deal until this week. I actually trembled a little as I asked, “How does that work?”
“Well there are two ways,” he said, and he had a twinkle in his eye like he had a secret. “My father scheduled the family doctor to come and see you soon, as he assumed you’d choose that option.”
I sat on the edge of the bed and crossed my legs, but I raised my eyebrow. “So the doctor opens me up, like a pap smear, and checks me?”
He sat beside me and massaged my arms. “I guess. And it’s semi-public.”
Goosebumps grew from his touch as I glanced up into the blue pools of his eyes.
“What?” I asked, confused.
I saw my own reflection in his gaze as he said, “You can have whoever you want in the room. But the doctor, once he or she finishes, must report immediately to my father.”
I swallowed. I had never thought about this before, but now I shivered like I was in icy water and he was my lifeline. “This seems barbaric. What if I don’t have a hymen? I do a lot of bending and exercising.”
“I don’t honestly know how the procedure works.” He kissed my forehead. “The doctors know you’re into yoga.”
He put his arms around me and I didn’t want him to ever stop. This was why I’d said yes to marrying him, if I kept my vow to always remain honest with myself. I let out a sigh as his kiss sent me in orbit, and he hadn’t even kissed me on the lips. “Well, what’s the second option?”
His eyes were bright as he stared into my eyes, with our bodies entwined as we were. “We plan a wedding right away and go old school—hanging the sheets from our wedding night out the window for the world to see if there’s blood on them.”
Heat rushed through my head and I’m sure I blushed. I shook my head. “That’s embarrassing.”
His light laugh reverberated in his gut as he asked, “So, was my father right?”
I nodded and held him tighter. “Just send in the doctor.”
His lips hovered near me and he said, “Excellent.”
My eyes fluttered closed. My heart thumped and I opened my lips like we’d kiss, but instead I said, “And I want you there, holding my hand, above the sheet.”
He held me tighter around my waist. “Me?”
“Yes.” I nodded and then said, “Let’s just get this done so we can enjoy the rest of the day.”
He let me go without kissing me. My eyes fluttered as he said, “I’ll take a shower and be back with the doctor. Do you want anyone else here?”
I hugged my waist. I didn’t want to beg him to kiss me. I said, “No. I’m good. I trust you.”
He stopped and asked, “You do?”
“Yeah.” I took his hands to squeeze. “Half of why I’m doing this is because I like talking to you and I hope we’re always at least friends. I can stomach a doctor visit, but I do have a question.”
He stilled and squared his shoulders like I’d give him some mission to carry out. “What?”
I swallowed and asked, “If I have no hymen and the doctors somehow reject me and we can’t marry ...”
He cupped the back of my head as he hugged me suddenly, “Don’t think that.”
