SophiaLuke left the hotel room around seven-thirty, but I couldn’t force myself out of bed until nearly eleven. I felt like I was judging a competition for who could make the softest bed. Out of all the hotels we’d stayed at and the palace, this one was the best. It didn’t help that I was sore as hell, and the mere idea of moving made me groan in protest.I wasn’t sure how long we would be staying in England, but I wanted to make the best of it. I called room service for breakfast and took a long shower. By the time I came out, my breakfast was already in the sitting area of the room.My skin crawled thinking that someone was in the room while I was naked in the bathroom, but I quickly got over it when the amazing smell of bacon filled my nose.Flipping on the television, I ended up on BBC News while I ate my breakfast. Sitting back on the plush couch, I kicked my feet up and enjoyed the momentary solace. While I wished Luke was with me, I hadn’t had much time alone since he scooped
Sophia“I have a few if you want to take a look,” she said. “And if you’re up for it, we can try a few on.”“I’d love to take a look,” I said. “But I want my sister to be with me for the fittings.”“Of course,” Marie said, totally unaware of my lie. I knew if I tried something on, I would love it, and I would hate to be disappointed if I was to wear something different.Marie led me across the room where the bride and her mother had been before. Now they were sitting on the couches, sipping from champagne. I shivered, unable to imagine having anything but a hot drink on a day like this. They were probably used to the weather in England. I wasn’t so fortunate.The phone rang behind the front desk, and Marie put up a finger. “I’ll be over here if you have any questions.”“Thanks,” I said as she ran off to get the phone.I sifted through the elegant gowns that were taller than me. The fabrics were so silky, and the embellishments were probably more expensive than everything I owned.I co
LukeSophia had texted me almost an hour ago, telling me she was on her way back to the hotel. I timed it perfectly as I walked through the lobby doors and saw her walking toward the elevators. I took a moment to admire her from a distance. I still couldn’t believe I was marrying that woman.The swish of her hips caught more than just my attention. A group of Asian men in business suits stared at her as if she were their next meal.I cleared my throat. “Sophia!” I called across the lobby.Several people—Sophia included—turned my way. A broad smile stretched across her lips.After seeing me, the businessmen quickly returned to their conversation while staring at their shoes. I smirked.Sophia strode over to me and stood on her toes to kiss me. “I think you just gave everyone a heart attack.”“There are other people here?” I asked innocently.She smirked. “You think you’re so cute, don’t you?”“I do.”She shivered in my arms, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the weather or what I’d said
Luke“Yes,” I said. “Admittedly, he’s made the environment a little more fun and light. Everyone still works hard, but I suppose his personality has bled into his managing style.”“You were also the boss’s son,” she said. “There’s more stress to that than people know.”“True.” My shoulders relaxed. For some reason, I always underestimated her and how she understood me so well.“I bet you feel relieved that he fits in so well. I know you were worried.”“Not worried, exactly,” I admitted. “It was a rapid transition, and I wanted to make sure that he was ready. From what it seems, he was ready and has thrived with more responsibility.”“Too bad you don’t get a lot of time with him during this trip.”“I know.” Again, I wondered what it would be like to stay in England permanently with Maddox and Sophia. How much different would my life be? I knew I would be happier.“Maddox did say that I could come back to the company if I wanted to. He’d be ready to give it up just like that.”Sophia tu
SophiaLuke tossed and turned for most of the night. If I didn’t already know he had something on his mind, I would have then. My night of distractions hadn’t worked as I’d hoped. Something was bothering him, and I wished he would only tell me what.I had kept a secret from him too. It wasn’t a big one, but if I told him about the wedding dress, then he would probably feel the pressure that I wanted to get married right away. I didn’t want to be engaged for the next ten years, and I did want to discuss the timing eventually. It would come up sooner or later when we got back to Qatar. From what he’d told me, it wasn’t like a king to remain unmarried for so long.Though, if Gia had anything to do with it, she would postpone it as long as she could in the hope of finding Luke a more “suitable” wife.I couldn’t believe that we were headed back into that mess in just a few hours. I wished we could live like we did in Dallas, where Luke and I shared our own little bubble and nothing could s
SophiaComing back up to the hotel room, I was surprised to find the bed empty and Luke nowhere to be found.“Luke?” I called, balancing the two coffees and bags of breakfast. I wasn’t sure what he wanted, so I grabbed a few things, more than enough for two people. I figured it was easier to bring food onto a private jet than a commercial airplane.“In here!” Luke called from the bathroom. He came out wearing only a towel with a toothbrush sticking out of his mouth. “Oh great, you brought food. I’m famished.”Steam rolled out of the bathroom behind him, outlining his handsome figure.“You didn’t wonder where I was?” I asked.He cocked his head to the side. “Should I have?”“No,” I said, not wanting to make him uncomfortable to know that a strange man hit on me. “I didn’t want you to worry.”“If you didn’t return by the time I changed, I would have come looking for you. Be sure to take your cell next time.”My phone sat on the side table next to the bed, still connected to the charger.
LukeSophia’s admission was more than enough for me to prepare myself for the decision I had to make when we got back to the palace. Even though I knew the council would force my hand, having a plan in mind gave me somewhat of an advantage. Little did they know that I had to get Mother on board before anyone else. She had no say in any of the council business, but she was a force to be reckoned with. If Mother gave her approval of Sophia and me, then the council may have to concede, even just a little bit. And then, I would have the ability to change their minds.I bet Jaabir hoped that Mother would give a good fight, knowing her values. But what he underestimated was my negotiation abilities, along with the nautral love between a mother and son.I wasn’t blood-related to her, and I never would be, but she chose to bring me into her life, and she wanted to keep me there. Throughout all of this, she never threatened me with questions of our bond, only the bond between Sophia and me. If
Luke“Of course I do. Which means I don’t want to see you suffer, either. These American women, they have grand dreams of being wealthy and living the good life.”“Don’t generalize,” I said. “You haven’t bothered to get to know her at all, so making assumptions won’t work on me. You and Father raised me right, and I found a woman that understands me and still wants to be with me.”“For now,” Mother said. “Until things get difficult. There is more to being a queen than both of you realize.”“You can show her, teach her. She wants to get to know you.”Mother scoffed. “She cares nothing of this place. This isn’t her home country. It’s ours. She needs to have the passion of someone who’s lived here and wants to continue to see our country thrive.”“So, if I went out there and plucked a commoner from the streets, you would give me your blessing?”“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “The match needs to be beneficial.”“There it is,” I said.“There what is?”“You want to pick out the woman. Jus