Page 47 of Royal Rebel

“You’re a natural rebel.”

Until he’s said the words aloud, I never really thought about it that way. I am a natural rebel. The one who automatically goes against the grain, and dares someone to tell me no. What I’ve longed for my whole life is someone to love me for me. My mom did, but she never did the way Amelia does. I finally have my partner in crime, the person who will stand next to me instead of in front or behind me.

“You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right.” He adjusts his cuff links. “You’ll be fine when we go back. I promise.”

He gets up, walking over to open the door again. But I can’t help but think maybe things won’t be as perfect as I want them to be.

“Tris.”

Amelia’s voice causes me to glance up from the document I’m reading on my laptop. A smirk tilts the right side of my face. “Lia,” I say the word in a deep tone that causes her to roll her eyes.

“They need you downstairs to try on the suit you’re wearing. You know, for the wedding.”

“What wedding?” I quirk a brow.

One of the things I love about her is how she plays along. “Some little party in a few weeks. Not a big deal at all.” She puts her hand on her hip. “I heard the bride’s not even that pretty.”

“No?” I get up from my desk. “I heard she’s gorgeous, and the groom is a lucky bastard.”

Making long strides across the room, it doesn’t take me long to get to her. When I do, I scoop her up in my arms, grabbing her under the thighs. Instinctively her legs go around my waist. Hitching her up a little higher so that she looks down at me, I look up at her.

“I heard the bride’s pretty lucky.” She wraps her arms around my neck.

My eyes flutter to her lips. “We’re both pretty lucky.”

I chase her lips with mine, finally catching them, and once I do, I take control of a kiss that’s better suited for the bedroom than my office. Either way, I give her what both of us want.

“I love you,” she mumbles in between smacks of our lips.

“I love you, too.”

Turning her so that I’m holding her body against the wall, I stop, heaving a small sigh. We’re both breathing hard as we put our foreheads together.

“Not too much longer,” I tell her.

“Until what?”

“Until you’re wearing my ring and my crown.”

She smiles, one that spreads across her face.

“I can’t wait, Tris.”

The truth is? Me neither.

CHAPTER 28

AMELIA

Every little girl’s dream is what they’ll be wearing on their wedding day. At least for me, I’ve thought about it since I was at least four. From the time I watched the Hollywood starlets get married, other royal couples get married, I’ve thought about what my dress would look like.

When it came time for me to pick my dress, I wasn’t sure if I could trust myself. There was a part of me that wanted to look like a princess, but there was another part of me that wanted to look like a mature woman. One the country would be proud to call their queen.

I communicated all of those thoughts with the designer, giving her carte blanche to do what she thought was right, after speaking with me. It was a lot of trust to give someone I’d only met a handful of times, but this is it.

My heart is pounding as I wait to turn and look in the mirror. So far they’ve kept me away from one. I’m trying to decide if that’s good or bad.

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