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When Rio slides a diamond encrusted platinum band on my finger, it's accompanied by a second ring with a diamond that rivals mom's for size, set in a gorgeous cluster of rubies and more diamonds.
I stare up at him, wondering how he managed to produce such a dazzling wedding set for our unplanned elopement when we haven't been apart since I arrived at his hotel suite.
"I had it flown in," he mouths, reading my mind.
Which doesn't explain where such an exquisite set came from in the first place.
The priest gives us a disapproving look but continues with his blessing at a nod from Rio.
Dipping my head, I hide my smile and the happy tears filling my eyes. My ring for him has a ruby too, but it is set in antique gold. It's an heirloom my grandfather gave me for my future husband when I turned sixteen.
I've kept it with me ever since.
Both rings have the stones of passionate love and I think that's a good sign for our future.
That passion is in delicious evidence when we returned to the primary suite in the villa. Rio can't keep his hands off me and I don't mind at all.
We are naked in every way as he poises to slide inside of me. No condom, no security of birth control. Just him and me. And the baby we made together inside me.
His expression is so intense, it sends a shiver through me. "We are a family now."
"Yes."
His deep and powerful thrust sets off fireworks inside me, the sensations different in an undefinable way.
"Oh, yes," I moan.
I don't know if it's that we're married, committed to a lifetime together, or that I'm pregnant, but laced with the overwhelming passion is a primal and profound connection we've never achieved before.
Although he makes love to me with consuming sexual urgency, there is a new tenderness and care to his movements.
We climax within a second of each other. I have no clue which of us comes first. It doesn't matter. Our bodies just consecrated our union with as much power and worship as the priest's final blessing.
"And the two shall become one." Still inside me, Rio's words prove our thoughts are in the same accord.
"Forever," I promise.
"Amate."
Beloved. I am his and he is mine.
CHAPTER 12: Rio
Reckoning Part I
Bright sunlight filters through the gauze covered windows, illuminating every perfect, beautiful line of my sleeping wife.
Saints above.My wife. Andthe mother of my child.
My family is going to have a royal conniption.
Queen Therese, who also happens to be my mother, known so well for her patience and calm, might even yell. A prince simply does not elope. Not even the prince who is neither the heir, nor the spare.
For his own grandson to do so? No doubt a criminal offence in the old king's eyes. His and my father will be furious, but father cannot claim I did not tell him I had no interest in his plans for my matrimonial future. He's certain I will change my mind anddo my duty.
But my greatest duty is to the woman I love and the child she carries.
So, even knowing the storm I face –weface – I will never regret that so very precious ceremony on the beach.
