Page 47 of Marrying a Prince

Marianna widened her eyes and shook her head. There as no way she could encourage this.

Thankfully, the ride to Bernardo's bed and breakfast didn't last much longer. He pulled up to a small house with a single outside light on. It illuminated a sign that said Casa Astarita B & B.

Even in the darkness, Marianna could see the cedar shingles and window boxes that exploded with flowers. If she was ever going to plan the perfect honeymoon getaway, this would be the place.

Leo opened the door and hopped down from the cab. He extended his arms as if he were expecting Marianna to jump into them. "M'lady," he said, waving his hands to her.

She stared at him. Was he serious? He wanted to carry her?

"Honey, I can walk."

He winked and shook his head. "Nope. My wife deserves nothing less."

"Come sei romantico," Bernardo said as he rounded the truck and grabbed their suitcases. He shot them a smile.

Marianna glanced at Leo. "What did he say?"

"He thinks I'm a romantic," Leo said and leaned closer. "Come on, what's the worst that could happen? It's all part of the act. He wouldn't be expecting the prince to show up to his bed and breakfast like this."

Marianna studied him and then sighed. She could think of a lot of reasons why she should keep her feet planted on the ground. But, if it was for the act, then she would do it. And she was going to try her darnedest not to enjoy it. She let him scoop her up, reveling in the feeling of his strong arms around her. For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

She shifted as he began walking toward the front door, following Bernardo.

"You smell good," he said.

His closeness made her tingle. This was a mistake. A colossal mistake. She was supposed to be distancing herself from him, not literally jumping into his arms.

"I smell sweaty. I've been walking down a deserted Caro road," she said, forcing her voice to come out normal.

He laughed, and she could feel it rumble in his chest. "What kind of guy would let you do that?"

"My husband, apparently," she said.

He grew quiet, and she wondered if that had been the wrong thing to say. Before she could delve into his silence, Bernardo held open the door, and Leo carried her into the entryway. It was small and quaint. Just like Bernardo.

"Seguimi," Bernardo said, motioning toward the hallway.

Leo had no intention of letting her go. He followed after Bernardo, who led them upstairs and into a small bedroom. A wrought iron bed frame sat in the middle. It was small, maybe a queen size. Marianna studied it. There was no way they could both sleep on that. She'd be too close to the prince. And there was no way she could spend the night next to him and come out unscathed.

Leo didn't look as if he had a problem with it. He let her down and went over to Bernardo, where they spoke in Italian. After a few minutes, they shook hands and Bernardo left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Marianna glanced over at Leo. "So, is there another room?"

Leo jumped onto the bed. "What are you talking about? Couples don't have separate bedrooms on their honeymoon."

Heat burned her skin as she kept to the far wall, away from Leo and the bed. "Yeah, but we aren't honeymooners. We'd have to be married."

Leo grabbed a pillow and shoved it under his head. "Well, that ring says otherwise." He waved toward her left hand.

She glanced down and ran her finger across the band. She'd grown so accustomed to wearing it that she'd forgotten it was even there. What was it going to feel like when she had to take it off? Was it bad that she didn't even want to think about it?

"I'm going to get ready," she said, grabbing her suitcase and wheeling it into the bathroom. It was small, with a clawfoot tub along one wall and a pedestal sink with a tiny mirror above it. She grabbed her toothbrush and brushed her teeth.

Once her hair was down and brushed, she slipped into her nightgown and took a deep breath. Hopefully, Leo would be asleep so as not to see the nightgown that had been picked out for her. Satin wasn't exactly the most forgiving fabric. And just in case he was awake, she kept her bra on.

When she opened the door, she flipped out the light. Leo was under the covers, propped up on one elbow. He was turned away from her, reading something.

Taking this as her cue to get into bed as fast as possible, she bolted across the room, grabbed the covers, and slipped in. Leo glanced over at her and quirked an eyebrow.

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