Ella opened her eyes to find Nick laying on his side beside her. Watching her.“Morning beautiful.” Nick’s voice was gravelly from sleep, so he hadn’t been watching for too long.Stretching, Ella smiled “Hi.” Looking around at the mess they had made of her bed. They didn’t have a pillow between them on the bed, and they had pulled up the bottom sheet on Ella’s side. Ella assumed they must be on the floor. Ella thanked God that she had the sheet over her, and Nick was covered from the waist down. Despite no longer being a virgin, her shyness didn’t vanish immediately. This was only the second time she had been with a man. Same man, but still.Nick saw the pink on her cheeks and looked around himself with a smirk on his face. “We really know how to have a reunion, don’t we?”Ella’s cheeks got pinker, making Nick laugh. “I love that you still get embarrassed after last night. You are the most naturally sensual woman I have ever met.”Nick ran a finger over her kissed, swollen lips. Leani
Nick had a busy day ahead of him. First things first, Nick instructed his driver to take him to London. On the way, he put a call in to make sure both he and Ella had clothes for the wedding tomorrow.There was only one person Nick knew he should call that would make Ella happy. After connecting to the directory and getting Emily’s store number, Nick requested a connection. When Emily answered the phone, he explained he knew that Ella and Cindy were one and the same.Thanking her for trying to help him see. Nick didn’t tell Emily that he had asked Ella to marry him. That was up to Ella to tell her friend. He did ask Emily if she was able to help out with finding him a suit and a dress for Ella for the wedding. Explaining that Ella wouldn’t be going in disguise. Therefore, didn’t have anything suitable to wear. Emily was over the moon and wanted to help.“I have a friend in London that can help with your suit. Just text me your measurements and credit card details and I have just the r
The force in which Ella hit him knocked them both to the floor with her on top. She closed her mouth over his. Nick tasted her tears. Needing to comfort her, he deepened the kiss, seeking entrance as she whimpered.Moving his hands to her rear, cupping her and lifting her so her mound fit against his groin, rubbing her against him. His cock was a torturous ache. It was like an itch only she could scratch.Her moans were driving him crazy. His lips moved to her neck, nipping. His hands lifted her top, tugging it over her head. Before working at her jeans, pushing them down with her underwear. He wanted her naked.Their eyes locked. Her breathing was as hard as his. She trembled as she felt his hand slip between her legs. Her lips parted as she gasped at the first touch of his large fingers to her most sensitive area. She was wet already, showing him without words that she wanted this! She wanted him! It was like an aphrodisiac. She cried out sharply as he pushed one long digit into her
The next morning, Nick and Ella sat at the table, enjoying their coffees after breakfast. Knowing they might not get lunch and dinner would be served late. Ella had cooked a full breakfast with bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, and toast.There wasn’t much left. Not surprising really!, After last night, they needed the energy. He had taken her a second time in the shower, after the living room floor and then again this morning. Before they had to take another shower. Ella had washed her hair during their last shower. Her hair didn’t have any spray left in it, and he had told her, although he was turned on by her prim school teacher look, it would not continue. She agreed. Knowing there would probably be fireworks today. She wanted to make Nick happy, and they had their own lives to live now.“What are you thinking about?” Nick asked suddenly.“Hot showers and early mornings.” Ella teased.Nick smirked, leaning forward. “Do you want a repeat?” Taking her hand in his,
Nick moved Ella ahead of him into the last pew. He sat closest to the aisle but leaving lots of room for late arrivals.“I still don’t think this was a good idea.” Ella worried her lower lip, lowering her head to hide part of her face by the lace teal veil attached to her fascinator. There was a lot of interest directed their way. Mostly because everyone knew now that Nick was a prince.“Why? you look as you should.” Nick said simply.“Yes, but you don’t understand.” She whispered back, not wanting anyone to hear their conversation. Plus, this was a church, it had the same feel as a library, that people who enter should be quiet.Nick took her hand, placing it on his thigh. Patted it, then put his arm behind her shoulders along the pew. Rubbing his fingers along her exposed skin just below the off the shoulder dress. She needed that contact, and it felt nice to be connected to him. It was like he could read how nervous she was. The simple act of having her hand on his thigh it gave he
While guests were mingling outside the church, photographers snapped pictures of the wedding party. Nick guided Ella over to the side of the churchyard against the old low stone wall, so their bodyguards could protect them better.He was more careful about security now that he had someone to protect. Devlin and 3 other men fanned out. Their job was to protect but also make sure no one tried to take photos of the prince to sell later. The announcement of Ella in his life will come when they chose. If they could help it. There was no guarantee.“Shouldn’t we go over and congratulate them?” Ella asked. Ella had noticed that her parents hadn’t been looking around for her, inside the church earlier or now. They would think she was acting her normal self and sitting in the background unnoticed. That wasn’t the case now, which they would find out soon enough.The townspeople were very interested in their group. As Nick stood very close to her, with his arm around her waist. Tate waited with t
People took turns having photos with the bridal couple, but the three by the wall didn’t make their way to join in. The bride and groom headed out to have their formal photos done, followed by the bridal party and photographers.Once the cars left the churchyard. Mary made her rounds, thanking people for coming and making sure they had the details for the reception.As she circled around, Mary made her way back to Tate, followed by Andrew and Cheryl. Ella wasn’t sure if they had arrived in the same car.Ella almost suggested to Nick. They leave now before the others reached them. It would be cowardly. From now on, Ella had to show more backbone. So, she didn’t say anything.Everyone had an hour to kill before the reception rooms would be opened. Nick’s arm held her tighter to him as he picked up on her unease. “Might as well start the rumour mill going. You can’t be undiscovered for much longer.” People started moving off.Mary said as she neared. “I’m so glad you could make it back,
In the back seat of the limo, Nick squeezed Ella’s hand. “Are you ok?”“I will be,” Ella reassured him.“Do you want to pop back home before the reception? We don’t have to go to it if you don’t want to.”“I promise my dad,” Ella said, unsure.“You don’t owe them anything.” Nick growled, expressing anger at the way they had treated her. Not just today, but always.“I know, but I owe it to myself to finish this. If I don’t go to that reception, people will think I’m still hung up on Stephen.” Ella pleaded with him to understand.“Are you?” Nick asked. Needing to know.Ella looked at him. “Of course not. I know he wasn’t for me. I have known that for a while.”Taking her hand to his lips “Good.. maybe going back to your place isn’t a good idea after all.”Puzzlement overcame Ella. “Why?”“Because it was hard enough to leave the apartment without taking you the first time. If we go back there, you will not stand a chance and I would say screw the reception.” Nick clarified for her.Heat s
Ella lifted the earrings Nick had given her for their third wedding anniversary just last week. They matched her engagement ring and the necklace Nick had given her on their 2nd anniversary.They had a state dinner tonight. Nick was currently in the shower. Having arrived late from state affairs. Anthony had stepped down at the beginning of last year. So, he could spend more time with his beloved grandchildren. Anthony had been over the moon when she had fallen pregnant straight after their wedding.The wedding had been an emotional rollercoaster. Considering the state of her family, it hadn’t been surprising to Ella. She was just glad her sister hadn’t sold her story to the media. Ella had half expected her to. The UK had already experienced a similar drama with their royal family, and it didn’t end well for anyone. Perhaps that’s why Ava decided not to go down that path.Nick had helped her through it all. When Ava refused to come, so had Ella’s mother. But her father had gone agains
Nick found her on the terrace one morning. Sitting down, he looked at Ella, studying her.She knew he wanted to say something. “What?”“How do you feel about a visit from Stephen and Ava? They are currently in Greece for their honeymoon. Stephen called to say their wanted to finish their honeymoon off with a few days here.”Ella wondered if it was truly Stephen’s idea or Ava’s. She knew she couldn’t very well say no. Stephen was Nick’s friend and it would seem unforgiving to never see Stephen or her sister again. With a sense of dread she said, “Ok.”“Are you sure? I have no issue saying, no, we don’t have the time right now.”“I think it needs to be dealt with, don’t you? At some point, we will see them again. Our wedding. It’s better that all the awkwardness is out of the way before then.” Taking a deep breath, she asked, “So, when do they plan to be here?”“This afternoon.” Nick said simply.“So soon?” she could do this. “Ok.”Later that day, the family limo pulled into the circula
Ella moaned, stretching in bed. Her bones protested in a way that reminded her she had been well loved last night and into the morning.Sun streamed through the bedroom windows. It was the sunlight that had woken her up. Looking at the empty space beside her, she realised Nick must have left soon after she had fallen asleep that last time, in the pre-dawn hour. Picking up her phone on the bedside table, she saw it wasn’t as late as she had thought it might have been. 7:47am.She was going to be truly tired today, but she took comfort in the fact that if she was, then so was Nick. Grinning, Ella sat up in bed, stretching her arms above her head. She needed a shower, and what she really needed more than anything was something to eat. The energy used last night had really increased her need for food. Slipping from the bed, Ella headed for the shower.Twenty minutes later, she was dressed in a yellow and white flowery sundress and tan sandals, hair pinned back at the side and makeup free.
Ella got into her nightgown and was brushing her hair, then she heard the door click closed behind her. Nick was leaning against the door with his arms folded over his broad chest, silently watching her. “Don’t you have your own room?” Ella said in a cheeky manner, laying her hairbrush on the dressing table and facing Nick. He grinned at her. “Yes! You’re mistaken if you think I’ll sleep there by myself. So it’s here or there? But I didn’t think you would enjoy sneaking back here in the morning.” “Oh, the dreaded walk of shame.” Teasing still. Nick laughed. “I hope leaving my bed isn’t a walk of shame.” Ella blushed, thinking of the things he did to her. It wasn’t shame she felt in his arms. Nick stepped away from the door, stalked her across the room. But she didn’t wait for him. Ella met him halfway, sliding her arms around his neck and reaching up on tiptoes to cover his mouth with hers and effectively moulding her body against his hard, desirable body. He was so deliciously w
They wouldn’t be sharing a room, which left Ella disappointed. On seeing her downcast face, Nick pulled her into her assigned room, closing the door. “It’s only for appearance’s sake. I will still be in here with you at night, Bella.” Taking her into his arms.“Are you reading my mind?” She demanded, slightly worried.Nick laughed. “No, your face is an opened book though.”“I will have to learn how to hide my expressions better.”“I enjoy that you don’t hide anything. It’s so you. Now I better go and get ready.” Nick said before slipping from the room to find his own.They had little time to get dressed and Nick told her she didn’t need to dress up for dinner. But she still changed into one of the dresses Em had sent with her. A beautiful green dress that hugged her upper body but fell into a full skirt to her knees. With some light makeup. She was just putting on her shoes when Nick knocked on the door before pushing it opened. “Ready?”“As I’ll ever be.”Smiling, he held out his hand
The next day was a hive of activity. Their flight to Cristonia was to depart from Heathrow Airport at 1pm that afternoon. Ella had already packed for her move to London. Nick had arranged for someone to come in and move the rest of her stuff to her new homeland.She was just taking two suitcases for now. This would be more than enough to see her through until the rest of her stuff arrived.To say she was nervous was an understatement. She felt petrified! Today she would meet his father, but not only that, the man was a king. Holy shit, was she ready to marry into this family? She had lived her life in the shadows, then all of a sudden, she was taking centre stage with Nick. It was a world stage at that, not just with her family.Their plane left Heathrow on time. She was glad their flight wasn’t too long. Because any longer and she would have brooded. Nick never left her side, held her hand during the flight.Ella hoped that her outfit, a simple white pantsuit with a royal blue shell
“Stephen.” Nick acknowledged Stephen with just his name, taking Ella out of his arms and into his own. Ella had done so well today. It had been hard on her, he knew. But she needed to fight her demons, and she had come out on top.“Thanks again for coming.” Stephen reaffirmed, looking back at Ella.“Ella, why don’t you go get your bag and we can leave? Ask Tate if she would like a lift.” Before kissing her on the lips and staking his claim in front of Stephen.When she walked away, Ella felt slightly dazed.“Well, that showed me,” Stephen said.“Stephen, you are my friend…. but if I ever catch you looking at Ella like that again, I will break your nose, and that’s only for starters. Do I make myself clear?”Stephen responded like any spoilt child, “Ella is my friend, and I had her first.”Nick got in his face, saying in a deadly voice. “Let’s make one thing clear: you never had her.” Flicking his head towards Ava. “and after choosing Ava over Ella, you have no rights. So, I repeat myse
As Ella sat down in her seat next to Nick, he put his hand on her thigh to let her know he was aware of her, even though he was busy talking to another guest.A feeling of relief washed over Ella, as if someone had taken a weight off her shoulders. As if sensing her feeling, Nick rubbed his thumb over her leg.Tate sat down as well in her assigned seat. They smiled at each other. Dragon slayed. This had been her biggest fear today. Thanking God that it had all happened in the bathroom. Ava had been waiting for her to come out of that toilet stall. But why was she so surprised when it was her that had stepped out? Because she had, Ella had seen the shock on her face.Frowning now. Needing to run this through. Was Ava still up to her old tricks? Looking for the richest man available. This was her wedding day. Surely, she wasn’t that mercenary. But nothing else made sense.Shaking her head, feeling sorry for Stephen and the Blackmore family. Almost glad though Ava wasn’t her problem anymo
In the back seat of the limo, Nick squeezed Ella’s hand. “Are you ok?”“I will be,” Ella reassured him.“Do you want to pop back home before the reception? We don’t have to go to it if you don’t want to.”“I promise my dad,” Ella said, unsure.“You don’t owe them anything.” Nick growled, expressing anger at the way they had treated her. Not just today, but always.“I know, but I owe it to myself to finish this. If I don’t go to that reception, people will think I’m still hung up on Stephen.” Ella pleaded with him to understand.“Are you?” Nick asked. Needing to know.Ella looked at him. “Of course not. I know he wasn’t for me. I have known that for a while.”Taking her hand to his lips “Good.. maybe going back to your place isn’t a good idea after all.”Puzzlement overcame Ella. “Why?”“Because it was hard enough to leave the apartment without taking you the first time. If we go back there, you will not stand a chance and I would say screw the reception.” Nick clarified for her.Heat s