Page 15 of Naughty Prince
“Ivy!”
I frown. I blink twice, and then I rub my eyes.This can’t be real.I’ve reached a new level of crazy on this one.
“Ivy. Did you not see me?” Luke, I mean,Prince Lucas the third, is standing in front of me holding a bouquet of strawberry blossoms and a sexy grin on his face. “Did I take too long that you forgot me,ástin mín? I got here as soon as I could.”
My eyes go wide, and I gasp, placing my hands on his chest to check that he’s real. I feel actual flesh and bone, and he isn’t telling me to ‘Get your hands off me, you crazy bitch,’ like that guy I grabbed last week because I was sure it was him then too. It wasn’t.
But this,this,is really him. My prince. He came for me. “You’re really here,” I gasp, tightening my hands against the fabric of his pale blue shirt. It brings out the blue in his eyes, and the sunlight brings out the blond of his hair, and oh lord, yes! There’s color in the world again! “You’rehere!”
“Yes,ástin mín. I’m here. For as long as you’ll have me, I’m here.”
With a squeal filled with joy, I wrap my arms around his neck and hold myself so tight to him that I never want to let go.
“Does this mean you’re happy to see me?” He chuckles.
“Ecstatic,” I breathe, still holding on. “I’ve missed you so much. And I looked up whatástin mínmeans, and I love you too. I love you.”
“I want you to be my wife,ástin mín, my princess and my queen. I don’t want us to be apart ever again.”
“Yes,” I say without giving it a thought. “I’ll be anything to you as long as we’re together. But where will we live?”
“Wherever you like. Patrick—Rick—convinced my father that spending time between Fürstheim and the US would be beneficial to trade relations. And marrying a beautiful American woman could only strengthen our country’s bonds. So we are free to love each other, Ivy. Free to marry, and free to make lots of adorable babies who look exactly like you.”
I grin, feeling all mooshy inside. “You want to give me babies?”
“Yes,ástin mín. From the moment we collided, I wanted everything with you.”
Epilogue
Lucas
Ten years later
“Do you pledge to always act with Fürstheim and its people in your heart?” The crown is held above my head as I kneel before the congregation, taking my vows as king.
“I do.”
The crown is placed on my head with a chorus of ‘Long may he reign!’ breaking out among those in attendance. It carries through the throne room and out into the streets. ‘Long may he reign!’ Over and over.
Many years ago, the last thing on my mind was taking over from my father to rule the kingdom. I had adventure in my heart and a restlessness that wouldn’t quiet until I found that unknown factor I was searching for. The moment I met Ivy, I knew. She was it, the one thing my heart needed to feel complete. One look at her and a need inside me ignited, and it would only be sated with my strawberry blonde bombshell in my life and in my bed. The first morning I was able to wake up with her beside me, was the moment I felt my calm. With her, I became whole. I became the man I needed to be to rule Fürstheim when the time was right. And that time is today.
My father has chosen to retire, and it’s now my turn to rule. With my queen by my side.
“Your fan club must be going nuts seeing you in that fancy hat,” she teases when she links her arm with mine and we smile and wave as we walk out to the viewing platform so I can give my first address to the people as their king.
“You like it?”
“It’s very noble.” She giggles.
“Wait for later,” I say under my breath. “I plan on wearing it all night while I fuck my queen.”
We exchange heated glances, our desire for each other never fading even though the years have presented us with as many trials as it has joys. Together, we’re strong. And with time, we only grow stronger.
“That’s very naughty of you, King Lucas.”
“I was naughty the day you met me, and I’ll be naughty until the end. It keeps us young, don’t you think?”
She lifts her hand as we come into view, waving to the crowd. I join in as they let out an almighty roar. Public opinion of the royal family has really strengthened over the years. Once Ivy and I had our first child, we moved back to Fürstheim permanently, and something about having a child around, made my parents softer. Or maybe it was the fact I was finally living up to my royal duties the way they always wanted. Either way, the royals opened up to the citizens, and found they were most welcome. But the people really love their little princes. Both of our boys are blond and bright eyed, and they hold the heart of the nation in their chubby little hands.
When my mother and father join us with the boys, the crowd’s roar only increases. I’m laughing when I lift my hands above my head to signal for them to quiet down so I might speak. Before I begin, I take my wife by the hand and gesture for our sons to move in close. I never thought I’d welcome this moment, but with my heart full and my family by my side, I know this is exactly where I was meant to be. And it’s all because of my American beauty. Myástin mín. She made me a better man.
