Page 47 of A Royal Disaster
Elena was fire and passion. Creativity and determination. Hell, she was everything he hadn’t known he’d been missing. Everything he hadn’t known he wanted—or needed—in a partner.
Until now.
The Royal Marriages Act might dictate who would share his crown—someday—but it couldn’t dictate who would share his bed or his heart. Not now, not ever. It was an imperfect law, one that needed to be eliminated, not that his parents and their traditional beliefs would ever agree. But that was a problem for another day because, while he cared about Elena, he was far from ready to marry.
There was still time. He’d figure it out—later.
Chapter Fourteen
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Lena asked, turning to Liam as she wiped her palms on her ripped jeans. They were parked outside Tía Rosa’s house, and her cousins were already spilling out onto the front sidewalk. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”
They could still make a clean getaway. She’d apologize to her aunt later.
The corners of Liam’s lips curved upward, a smile slowly spreading across his handsome face. “And disappoint your aunt? Absolutely not.”
Coño.Why did the man have to be so stubborn?
Lena sighed. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“How bad can it be?” Liam asked, reaching over to massage her thigh. “It’s your family.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
In the front seat, Jack and Ethan exchanged a look that suggested they’d had enough awkward meet-the-family experiences to know exactly how bad it could be.
At leasttheyweren’t going in blind.
She doubted Liam had ever been chased off a front stoop with a baseball bat or jumped a fence to avoid an overprotective cousin or been whacked on the head with a wooden spoon by an abuela who’d caught her favorite granddaughter making out with the neighborhood bad boy after curfew.
If he had, he’d have worn sneakers instead of soft leather loafers.
To be fair, he had dressed down for the occasion, ditching his usual suit for khakis and a polo. Not that it mattered. The man could wear a garbage bag and he’d still look like a walking orgasm.
“Might as well get it over with,” Lena muttered as Jack and Ethan climbed out and opened the doors for them, putting an end to all thoughts of orgasms.
Liam gave her a wicked smile, revealing his dimples. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
“Hold that thought,” Lena said as a stream of aunts, uncles, and more cousins pushed through the front door to greet them, Ella and Dante leading the way.
“Prince William!” Ella said, dropping into a wobbly curtsy. Beside her, Dante bowed low. “Welcome to casa de Rivera.”
Liam took their antics in stride, easily returning the greeting while she had to smother a laugh with her hand.
“Thank you for having me,” he said. “It’s been ages since I had a home-cooked meal, and I am honored to be included in your family gathering.” He turned his attention back to Ella, offering her the flowers he’d brought for Tía Rosa, though he held on to the bottle of wine. “I brought these for your mom. Perhaps you could help me put them in water?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Ella said, affecting a Valerian accent.
This time, even Liam had trouble hiding his smile.
Dante rolled his eyes. “She’s been practicing that all week.”
“Your accent is very good,” Liam said, dropping to a knee, “but how about you just call me Liam for today? Since we’re friends now?”
Ella’s eyes grew wide. “Really?”
Liam nodded and she bounded back up the sidewalk, disappearing into the house with the bouquet of flowers.
With Dante’s help, Lena made introductions, certain Liam would never be able to remember so many names. She had to give him credit, though. The man had stamina. His smile never faltered as they worked their way through what amounted to a reception line of Riveras. When they finally made their way into the living room, they found Tía Rosa arranging the flowers on a side table.
