The Royal Groom (Wrong Way Weddings Book 4) Read online

  “No doubt she will. What woman doesn’t want to be a princess?”

  “I don’t want a woman who wants to be a princess. I want a woman who loves me, but I’m afraid my lies and mistrust have destroyed all chance of that.”

  “Why bring me here? Why tell me this, Max?”

  She was on the verge of tears, but she wouldn’t let herself break down in front of him.

  “I misjudged you. I thought you were only interested in furthering your career.”

  “No, it was always you.” The admission was difficult, but this might be the only chance she’d have to tell him how she felt. “I just wanted to be with you. Who is she? The woman you want to marry?”

  “Don’t you know?” There was so much warmth and longing in his voice, she almost dared hope.

  “But it doesn’t make sense. Why pretend we’re engaged?”

  “Because it was what I wanted more than anything in the world. I fell in love with you during the hurricane, but I couldn’t reconcile your profession with the woman I needed as a wife.”

  “As your wife?”

  “I never believed in love at first sight until I saw you standing in the rain, your little car mired down in mud and water dripping off your hair. Or maybe I didn’t believe in love at all before then. I was resigned to selecting a wife on the basis of what was good for my country.”

  He reached out and touched her cheek, his fingertips sliding slowly to her lips and resting there until she lightly kissed them.

  “Will you be my wife, Leigh?” he murmured.

  “Me? Be your wife?” She’d never believed anything this wonderful could happen to her. “But I’m not princess material.”

  “All that can be worked through. You’ll learn. It’s a lot, I know, but I’ll be right by your side, coaching you all the way.”

  She could scarcely breathe. “You mean it?”

  “Absolutely, we’re a team, you and me. Like Harry and Meghan.”

  “Oh, Max, I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say yes.”

  “Are you sure you’re prepared for this?”

  “I’ve never been more prepared for anything in my life. I love you. Please say yes.”

  There were challenges to become a royal, and she wouldn’t sweep that under the rug, but the bottom line was that she loved Max. They could work through anything that arose. She believed that with all her heart. “I love you, Max. Yes. Yes, yes, yes!”

  One of her shoes fell off, and they both laughed with relief and joy.

  “Shall I retrieve it?” he asked.

  She flicked her ankle and sent the other shoe flying across the room.

  “I think not, but this poncho is really warm.”

  She dropped from her swinging perch and took it off.

  “It won’t be easy,” he said in a husky voice.

  “Being a princess?”

  “No, being married to the most beautiful woman in the world. I’ll have to guard against becoming jealous of every man who smiles at you.”

  “Max, do you really want to marry me?”

  “On my honor.”

  “I’ll get old and gray. Will you love me then?”

  “Your real beauty is inside. I’ve known that from the beginning. There is a custom in my family—to give a love token to seal royal engagements.”

  He took a black velvet box from the plastic bag he’d set beside him on the bed, then turned to her and slid her shirt over her head until she stood naked before him, shivering with excitement and nervousness.

  “This was first given to my great-grandmother.”

  He took a strand of shimmering pearls from the box and clasped them around her throat, letting them drop to the cleft between her breasts. She didn’t need to be told they were real.

  “You’re more luminous than the pearls.” He bent and kissed her, cupping her breasts as he moaned with pleasure.

  Words weren’t enough to tell him how she loved him. She reached out and touched his strong, beautiful face, then slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

  His sigh sounded suspiciously like a harrumph.

  “You made that sound!”

  “Then you, my darling princess, must name my penalty.”

  “A billion trillion kisses,” she said without hesitation, claiming the first with parted lips. “One for every star in the universe.”

  “Then I must begin now.”

  Hours later the bed rocked him gently to sleep, his head cradled on her shoulder, his hand resting on downy softness. Leigh lay wide-eyed, staring up at the shadowy mirror and the image of her prince.

  Dear Reader,

  Readers are an author’s life blood and the stories couldn’t happen without you. Thank you so much for reading!

  If you enjoyed Royal Groom, Pam and I would so appreciate a review. You have no idea how much it means to us. You are the best!

  If you’d like to keep up with our latest releases, you can sign up for Lori’s newsletter @ https://loriwilde.com/sign-up/.

  To check out our other books, you can visit us on the web @ www.loriwilde.com.

  Love and light,

  Lori and Pam

  About the Authors

  Pam Andrews Hanson

  Before teaming up with Lori Wilde, Pam Andrews Hanson co-wrote more than fifty novels with her mom, including romance and cozy mysteries. She is a former journalist and currently teaches freshmen composition in a university English department.

  * * *

  Lori Wilde

  Lori Wilde is the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers’ Weekly bestselling author of 90 works of romantic fiction.

  Her books have been translated into 26 languages, with more than four million copies of her books sold worldwide.

  Her breakout novel, The First Love Cookie Club, has been optioned for a TV movie.

  Lori is a registered nurse with a BSN from Texas Christian University. She holds a certificate in forensics, and is also a certified yoga instructor.

  A fifth generation Texan, Lori lives with her husband, Bill, in the Cutting Horse Capital of the World; where they run Epiphany Orchards, a writing/creativity retreat for the care and enrichment of the artistic soul.

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  Did you love The Royal Groom? Then you should read The Groom Wager by Lori Wilde and Pam Andrews Hanson!

  Get Married or Else!Cole Bailey's eccentric billionaire grandfather issues an edict. If his grandsons don't settle down soon, he'll sell controlling interest in the family business. After losing a coin toss to his twin brother, Zach, Cole's gotta go first. On the hunt for a bride, Cole crashes a high society wedding and comes face-to-face with his high school pal, Tess Morgan.The formerly shy, overweight bookworm is no longer the pushover who did Cole's homework for him. At the reception, Tess goads him into a game of pool. Just to keep things interesting, Cole suggests a wager. If he wins, she must help him find the perfect woman to wed.Losing the bet is one thing, but playing matchmaker for the heartthrob who still causes her pulse to race is another matter entirely. Does Tess stand a chance of convincing Cole that she's the one he's been waiting for all along?

  Also by Lori Wilde

  Handsome Devils

  Handsome Rancher

  Handsome Boss

  Handsome Lawman

  Handsome Cowboy

  Handsome Hotshot

  Handsome Wrangler

  Kringle, Texas

  A Perfect Christmas Gift

  A Perfect Christmas Wish

  Lone Star Dads

  Dad in an Instant

  Dad by Design (Coming Soon)

  Sweet Southern Charmers

  Reece

  Blake

  B
oone

  Colton

  Texas Rascals

  Keegan

  Texas Rascals Three Book Collection

  Matt

  Nick

  Kurt

  Tucker

  Kael

  Truman

  Brodie

  Dan

  Rex

  Clay

  Jonah

  Wrong Way Weddings

  The Groom Wager

  The DIY Groom

  The Stand-in Groom

  The Royal Groom (Coming Soon)

  Watch for more at Lori Wilde’s site.