Royally Not Ready(137)

“Christ,” I mumble as I feel her curl her bare body around mine. I lift my arm and see her beautiful eyes peering up at me. I smile at her. “Fuck, I love you.”

She chuckles. “You better, since you proposed to me today.”

I bring her left hand to my lips and press a kiss to the impressive aquamarine stone that’s the center of her engagement ring. A vine motif curls around the stone and is dotted with leaf-shaped diamonds. It’s worth more than I could imagine. Katla gave it to me to propose with, and I couldn’t have thought of a more appropriate ring—a ring that once belonged to her mother.

I took her to Harrogate, where I told her there would be a small gathering of artists to paint the castle, but in reality, it was just her and me. I took her up to the roof, which had been decorated in violets and candles, and under the northern lights, I proposed to her. It was a sweeping yes, followed by much crying.

We called Theo and Katla to tell them the good news. They cried too and told us to have a good night at Harrogate. Lara and Ottar stayed with us and have been downstairs the whole time.

Lara will deny it every time I ask, but I know something is going on between her and Ottar. He’s the silent type, quite serious, but I see him soften when he’s near Lara. They’d be perfect together because Ottar is a loyal man to his core, and I know he’d never hurt Lara as Brimar did.

Brimar . . . well, he was put through a trial, found guilty, and is serving time in a neighboring country. I still have mixed feelings about my former best friend committing treason, but I know that’s something I’ll have to reconcile slowly.

After Lilly gave me a second chance, I haven’t left her side. I asked Theo for permission to stay with her in her bedroom, and he said it wasn’t his decision. It was Lilly’s. Lilly, of course, wavered over her decision jokingly, and that first night together, we barely got any sleep as I made love to her repeatedly.

A few short days later, it was Torg. And I believe it was the most fun I’ve ever had at Torg. Lilly traded her embroidered tablecloths and the fish she worked so hard on. Naturally, not the boob she gave me in Harrogate. The public was overwhelmingly loving toward her. She wore a flower crown every day, danced with the people, sang, and we all toasted with mead.

By the end, we were exhausted but so full of joy. Lilly told me she found where she was supposed to be on the last night of Torg.

“I still can’t believe we’re engaged,” she says, kissing my chest.

“Why not? I told you, you were mine forever.” I drag my fingers over her back.

“I know, but . . . it feels so crazy. Like . . . you’re going to be my husband.”

“As it should be.”

“When are they announcing it to the public?”

“They’re giving us a few days, but when we return to the capital, we’ll have to speak with the press, and there’ll be an official statement released, and that’s also when I’ll turn over my position to Henrik.”

“So, you’re no longer a private secretary?”

I shake my head. “My job now is to be there for you, for anything you need, and of course to fuck you until you’re pregnant.” I wiggle my brows.

She smiles. “How many kids do you want?”

“As many as you’d like.”

“I’m thinking three. What are your thoughts on three kids?”

“I think we get married first, and then we work on as many kids as you want.”

Her hand smooths up my chest. “Is the wedding going to be big?”

“You know it is, love. When the country finds out we’re engaged, there’ll be celebrating for days. It’ll be a big ordeal. Does that scare you?”

She shakes her head and then rests her chin on my chest. “No, because the people of this country feel like family, so why wouldn’t I celebrate it with them?”

I stare longingly into her eyes. “You’re going to be such a good fucking queen.”

“With you by my side, I will.”

She rests her head, and I grip her tightly.

It feels like just yesterday when I went to Miami to find the future of Torskethorpe and found her spraying down people for a wet T-shirt contest. At the time, her eyes and smile took my breath away, but I had no idea she’d bury herself in my soul.

Now, I can’t imagine life without her. I can’t imagine this country without her. And one day, when Theo passes and it’s time for Lilly to reign, I know she’ll be the embodiment of Theo, her mom, and this country.

She saved us and me, and I’ll forever be indebted to this beautiful woman. My love, my future wife, our future queen.

This is only the beginning for us. I have a feeling there is so much more of our story to tell . . .





And there is. ROYALLY IN TROUBLE releases January 10th, 2023. Pre-order HERE



Looking for some more steamy fun? Continue reading for an excerpt of SEE ME AFTER CLASS… word on the street is, Keller is A LOT like Arlo in the bedroom. And don’t miss out on the excerpt for RUNAWAY GROOMSMAN which releases this October!





Excerpt - See Me After Class





Prologue





GREER





“Before we get started, I’ve been told I need to ask you a question.” Stella sits cross-legged in front of me, a nervous look on her face, water in hand.