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When he spoke so sincerely, she believed him. She saw her future bright and clear. Nothing was more powerful than their shared love. “You have that, Your Highness.”
His fingertips traced the outline of her lips. “I heard you say you’ll be going in three days.”
“Yes,” she said. “When I’m through researching and authenticating what I can of the Montoro art collection, I’ll head back to the States. I have appointments to keep.”
“And you’ll look into wedding protocols from your native Samforstand?”
“Yes, I know that’s important to you. It is to me, too.”
“Our union should reflect both of our heritages and royal traditions. The wedding must be a melding of both of our countries. The sooner, the better, my love. I can hardly stand the thought of you leaving.” He sent her head swirling with another earth-shattering kiss.
“Well,” she said, licking her lips. “We do have three more days together. And nights.” She arched her brows and slanted her head, playing coy.
Juan Carlos took the bait. With a growl, he lifted her up and carried her to the bed, unceremoniously dropping her so that she bounced on the mattress. A chuckle ripped from her lips. “Your Highness,” she said, staring at the bulge growing in his pants. “It’s half past eleven in the morning.”
“Princess, I don’t see a problem with that, do you?”
She shook her head, giggling. It didn’t take much to tempt her new fiancé and she loved that about him.
He climbed onto the bed and Portia spent the next hour making up for the time she and Juan Carlos would be apart.
Eight
“Wow, Portia, you look beautiful in this dress. I think it’s the one,” Jasmine said, nodding her head in approval. Her friend was having a grand time getting her in and out of wedding dresses, much to the dismay of the shop owner who stood just outside the dressing room, hoping to be called in to aid and assist in the fitting.
Portia stood on a pedestal platform gazing at her reflection in the three-way mirror in the tiny wedding shop in Santa Monica. “You said that about the last three gowns I’ve tried on.”
“I can’t help it. They all look amazing on you. But this one with the ivory tulle and Swarovski crystals.” Jasmine sighed. “It’s heavenly.”
“It is lovely,” Portia said, admiring the lines of the dress. “It’s such a big decision.”
“I’ll say. It’s not every day a friend of mine marries a king. Princess or not.”
Portia chuckled.
Once word of the new king of Alma’s American fiancée had hit the Los Angeles newsstands, Portia had been inundated with offers of gown fittings, hair and makeup, photographers and wedding planners. She’d had requests for radio and television talk shows. She’d refused them all, trying to scale down the hoopla. She hadn’t expected to be crowded at the airport by the paparazzi, or followed home for that matter. Once again, her personal life was under the spotlight.
None of it mattered, though. She was so deeply in love with Juan Carlos, the unwanted attention was manageable. On some level, she understood the public’s desire for a fairy-tale love story. Ghastly news reports of wars, poverty and chilling murders needed some balance. The country craved something positive and lovely to grasp onto, and a newly crowned king marrying a princess, both of whom had lived in America, fit the bill.
Portia stepped out of the gown and redressed in her own clothes before letting Amelia of Amelia’s Elegance into the dressing room. “Thank you for your time,” Portia said to the shop owner. “I will keep this gown in mind. It’s certainly beautiful.”
Jasmine was careful handing the wedding dress over to Amelia. “This is my favorite, with the chapel length veil.”
“I agree. It’s certainly fitting for a princess,” the shop owner said, nodding her head. “It’s from a most talented designer. I shall put it on hold for you, if you’d like?”
Jasmine nodded. “Yes, the princess would like that.”
Portia did a mental eye roll. Jasmine loved using the princess card for special favors.
“Your Highness, thank you for considering my shop for your wedding needs.”
“You’re welcome. I appreciate your time. You do have some stunning things here.”
Amelia beamed with pride. “Thank you. We try to accommodate our clients with only the highest quality material and design.”
