Page 57 of Marrying a Prince

"You could have mailed it," she said, setting the picture on her nightstand and leaning back on the pillows behind her.

His eyes widened as he glanced around. "Mailed it," he repeated. "Right." He shrugged. "I'm sorry. I thought maybe…" He ducked his head and headed out toward the hall.

Marianna stared at the now empty space. Leo was gone. He'd left. She shifted on her bed and slipped her feet onto the floor. There was a burning desire in her chest to run after him, but at the same time, she feared what opening herself up again would do.

For once, she pushed her fears from her mind and followed after him. She knew she was never going to live with herself if she didn't act now. Just as she rounded the corner, she slammed into Leo. His arms surrounded her.

"Whoa," he said, pulling her close so she didn't fall.

Heat raced up her body at his touch. Memories of the two of them together, kissing behind Bernardo's house, rushed back to her. She tipped her face toward him and met his gaze.

"You okay?" he asked.

Geez, how she missed his accent and the way he smelled. She missed talking to him and how she felt when she was close to him. Too scared of her voice exposing her, Marianna nodded.

He pulled his arms away and stepped back. He glanced back and forth before settling on her face. "Did you need something?"

Marianna bit her lip as she contemplated what to say. "You never said goodbye,” she said, the words tumbling out.

He raised his eyebrows as he studied her. Then a solemn expression passed over his face. "I know. I'm sorry. I wanted to, but by the time I peeled myself away from my mother and Gisella, you were gone." He pushed his hands through his hair as he studied the floor. "I was worried what you would say or how you felt, so I buried myself in changing the marriage law." He glanced up at her.

Not sure what to do, she started to pace. The hallway was the worst place for that—it gave her little room to move. "You could have called me," she said, fighting the tears threatening to spill. "We were friends." She hesitated, praying that she could keep it together.

He studied her. "You're right. We are friends. And friends deserve better." He stepped closer to her and lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice deep with emotion.

She nodded, her heart pounding out of control. "It's okay," she whispered. "Just, don't do it again."

Leo nodded. "I won't." And then he stepped closer. "But what if I don't want to be just your friend?"

Her ears began to ring as he inched closer. From the corner of her eye, she saw his hand reach out and wrap around her waist. Every nerve responded, sending jolts of electricity through her body. This was happening. It was really happening.

Everything she'd been dreaming about since their impromptu kiss during their mix-up proposal was coming true.

"You don't?" she breathed out, losing control of her body and stepping closer to him.

His eyebrows rose as a smile played on his lips. "I don't think it's possible," he whispered, leaning closer to her.

Their bodies were inches from each other. His warmth washed over her. "Really?" she asked.

He shook his head as his gaze dipped down to her lips. "Nope. Not possible."

She bit her lip as she held her breath. Was this even happening? It was killing her, him stringing her along. "So, what are we going to do?"

He reached up and brushed his fingers against her cheek. Her face flushed in response. "What do you think?"

She turned her gaze toward the ceiling to pretend that she was thinking. "Um…"

Before she could say anything more, he dipped down and pressed his lips against hers. She let out a little squeak as he wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her close.

Not wanting him to end the kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He responded by pulling her up to deepen the kiss. Waves of excitement washed through her as his lips moved against hers.

When she thought she'd melt into a puddle in his arms, he pulled back and glanced down at her. "I love you, Marianna." His gaze was intense, and she could feel the meaning of his words.

She parted her lips, wanting to return the sentiment, but the words wouldn’t come. His forehead wrinkled and worry crossed his face. Finally, she laughed. "You kissed me speechless," she whispered. And then she stood on her tiptoes and brought his lips to meet hers. After a soft kiss, she pulled back. "I love you too, Leo."

He smiled as he pulled her close, picked her up, and spun her. Right there in her tiny hallway.

She laughed, throwing her head back. When he stilled, she glanced down at him to see his face grow serious.

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