Page 5 of Stalking Rose

Lorenzo

Adorable lines form between her eyebrows as she stares back at me. Today, her thick blonde hair hangs in loose curls around her shoulders, and I’m tempted to reach out and run my fingers through the silky strands.

Up close, I’m able to see the little gold flecks floating in her stunned aqua-blue eyes. My cock turned to stone the moment she let her eyes roam down the front of my body. It felt like invisible fingers sweeping across each of my nerves.

The first moment I saw her in downtown Silver Spoon Falls, I knew this girl packed a punch. This close, she’s even more potent. There’s no doubt she’s meant to be my queen. Now, I just need to convince her to give me a chance. Oh, and to forgive me for kidnapping her.

“What?” Her eyes narrow as my words sink in.

Knowing I only have one shot to win her over, I lay my cards on the table. “I arranged this little trip with you, so we could get to know each other.” Rose’s mouth opens and closes silently, causing me to fantasize about her wrapping those juicy lips around my cock. Fuck. If I get any harder, I’ll be able to drill holes through a piece of wood with it.

Rose’s lips twist into a frown as she glares at me. “Is this some kind of joke?” She goes from confused to pissed as hell in the blink of an eye. “Why are you really here?”

I take a deep breath, wondering where all my fancy speeches went. On the flight from Belldonnia to New York, I practiced over and over. Too bad all my rational thoughts stopped the moment I got close to her. “I’m sure you know I came to Silver Spoon Falls a while back.”

She nods her head up and down. “I know. I couldn’t make it to Milly and Damien’s for your welcome dinner because I’d already promised my boss to help him with a surgery in Houston,” Rose explains and throws her hands up in the air. “I still don’t understand what’s going on.”

“On my way to the airport to fly home, I got the fucking shock of my life. I saw you get out of your car and walk down the street.” God. I’m starting to sound insane, but I’ve come too far to back down now. “I took a massive blow to the heart. I’ve never felt anything like that before.” I’m digging a deeper hole, but I keep going. “I want you.” That wasn’t what I’d intended to say, but frustration is making me careless.

A blush moves over Rose’s face, tempting me to run my tongue over her skin and see if it tastes like sweet cream. “You want me?” She points at herself. “For what?”

“For the rest of our lives,” I blurt out. I’m a goddamn king, the head of state for our small country, yet my diplomacy skills have flown right out the window. When it comes to Rose, I feel like a barbarian ready to claim my mate.

“Is this some political stunt?” It’s obvious I’m not getting through to her.And you sound like a goddamn lunaticI remind myself as she brings out the big guns. “Because my best friend is your sister-in-law.” If I fuck this up, I’m not only going to lose my soulmate, but my brother might not ever talk to me again.

“I know.” I take her soft hand in mine and bring it to my lips. As I place a soft kiss across her knuckles, I breathe in her delicate fragrance. She even smells like a goddamn rose bud. “And I promise you this is no stunt. I plan to keep you for the rest of our lives. You will be my queen.”

“If you’re trying to get me in bed, you’re wasting your time.” When Rose pulls her hand away, I instantly miss the connection of our skin touching. “I’m not going to sleep with you.”

I wouldn’t be so sure, little rose bud. “Eventually, you will.” Her ocean-blue eyes open impossibly wide and stare into mine. “But we can take things slow. I’m willing to wait until you’re ready.”

“Does Damien know about your little stunt?” she asks.

We both know my brother would do anything to make his wife happy. If he knew about this, my little brother would have a fit. “He knows I’m staying at St. Bella, his private island.” But I neglected to tell my little brother that I was kidnapping his wife’s best friend and taking her with me.

“No one knows that you’re staying with me except my security detail. I wanted to have a chance for us to get to know each other before we tell anyone about our relationship.” The flight attendant sticks her head around the corner to see if we’re okay, and I wave her off.

“Relationship?” She seems more confused than pissed, and I realize I’m making a mess. On a positive note, she isn’t threatening to have me arrested.

“I want a relationship with you. A permanent one.” I spell it out so she’s clear about what’s going on. “The day I saw you walking down the street in Silver Spoon Falls, you stole my fucking heart. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you fall for me.” That’s an understatement. I’d sell my soul, give up my crown, or die for her. Now, I just need to make sure Rose feels the same way about me.

“Wow,” Rose breathes out. “I think I woke up in an alternate universe today.”

“We’re on this crazy train together.” I’m not sure if I’m getting through to her. Rose sits back in her seat and stares at me for several minutes, and I have no idea what to expect from my curvy little rose bud.

“Do you think that being king allows you to do this?” She points around the luxury plane cabin. “Kidnap someone under false pretenses?”

“I was desperate,” I explain, hoping my genuine words convince her. “I know I need you, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to convince you to give me a chance.” I want her to know everything so there are no secrets between us. “I’ve had my team investigating you since the day I saw you in Silver Spoon Falls. I wanted to know everything there is to know about my future queen.”

“What did you find out?” She appears more curious than upset. My heart settles as hope cuts through me.

“I discovered that you are loyal, sweet, and an incredibly hard worker.” I list everything I found out about her. “Your grandfather expected you to maintain your grades while working every day in his factory. You graduated from college with a nursing degree in three years, and then you put off taking a full-time job so you could help Milly out after the loss of her parents.” Rose swallows before running her tongue over her lips. My eyes follow her movements, causing my body temperature to rise as hunger lights my blood. “You worked as a waitress in Silver Spoon Falls, even though you could’ve found a job making way more money, because you wanted to be there for your friend. All of this plus the fact that you own my goddamn heart tells me you are perfect to become my queen.”

“Oh.” I seem to have found a way to quieten my outspoken soulmate.

“You’re overdue for a vacation, so I’m going to kill two birds with one stone. We’re going to have a relaxing vacation on my brother’s private island while you give me the chance to win your heart.”

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