LITMIR.BIZ

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military service.”

      Elena chuckled. “Since you survived, I’m not worried.”

      “In all honesty, I haven’t made this easy for Christina by maintaining distance between us over the last four years.”

      “Don’t worry about it. She married you today and I think you’ve both met your match. I’m so happy for both of you I could burst. Don’t let me keep you from whisking your bride away.” She kissed his cheek and hurried off.

      He was left standing there while her last comment sank in. Antonio hated to admit he felt nervous for what was to come. He’d be taking his wife upstairs to the bridal chamber. This was a new experience for him. Taking a fortifying breath, he made a beeline for Christina, who was talking to more guests.

      Lindsay came up to him. “Christina still needs to throw her bridal bouquet to the crowd. If you’re ready, take her to the front of the palazzo and I’ll make the announcement to the guests to follow you.”

      “Thank you for all you’ve done.”

      “It has been my pleasure.”

      He kissed her cheek before reaching for his wife. Christina’s gaze flicked to his. “What is it?”

      “We have one more ritual to perform.” He picked up the bridal bouquet. After putting it in her hands, he slid an arm around her slender waist. Her lovely body was a perfect fit for him.

      “I already know where I’m going to throw it,” she whispered as they left the terrace and walked around to the front entrance of the palazzo.

      “So do I,” he drawled.

      “Antonio?” She eyed him with surprising tenderness. “Thank you for dancing with Marusha. To dance with the future king had to be one of the big highlights of her life.”

      “I wanted a chance to thank her for coming. She’s been your true friend all these years. I have a feeling you two are going to miss each other.”

      “That’s something I want to talk to you about, but we’ll discuss it later.”

      An alarm bell went off in Antonio’s head. Did Christina want to go back to Africa? She’d lived a whole period of her life there that he knew nothing about. In fairness, she didn’t know details about his former life either. While he stood there filled with new questions that needed answers, the guests had congregated in the courtyard.

      Before he knew what she was doing, his wife cleared her throat and faced the crowd. “Antonio and I want to thank you all for coming to share in our beautiful wedding day. I’m one of the lucky girls in the world who actually got to marry a real prince. His kindness to his sister, Princess Elena, my dearest friend, proved his princely worth to me years ago. I can honestly say there’s not another man like him, prince or otherwise. So this is for you, Elena. May you find your own wonderful prince too!”

      Christina turned her back to the crowd and threw the bouquet in a southeasterly direction that was no mistake with Elena standing there. It was no accident that everyone made room around his sister so she could catch it. Then a roar of approval and clapping burst from the crowd. Antonio’s breath caught. With that speech she’d ensured her place in everyone’s heart as their queen-to-be.

      Filled with emotion, he put his arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her lips. She kissed him back and it felt convincing, but was this a show for the camera? He’d felt a distinct spark when they kissed at the altar. But if it had only been on his part, he didn’t want to believe it right now. Was she nervous too?

      Without asking her permission, he grasped her hand and drew her along with him to the inside of the palazzo. He leaned back against the closed door, still holding her hand. Now that the moment was here to be alone with her, he felt slightly breathless. The wedding night was upon them.

      “Are you up to climbing to the third floor?”

      * * *

      The bridal suite.

      Their bridal suite now. The kiss Antonio had given her in front of the palazzo felt…hungry. In that moment she’d experienced an answering rush of desire that took her by storm. Her fantasy had taken on a new dimension. What was going on with her?

      “I think I can about make it,” she teased, and started her ascent. But after a few steps she picked up her gown to give her the freedom to hurry the rest of the way. His footsteps followed, keeping pace with the thundering of her heart.

      She almost ran down the hallway to the bridal suite. Before she reached the doors, he caught up to her and picked her up in his arms. “Oh—” she half squealed, surprised her gown didn’t hinder him. She knew her husband was strong, but being held close to him like this made her realize what a rock-hard physique he possessed, and he smelled wonderful.

      Their faces were only inches apart. He smiled into her eyes. The blue of his irises had a depth of brilliance that ignited every pulse point in her body. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to this all day.” He slowly lowered his mouth to hers and began kissing her.

      A burst of desire swept through her. Things were moving much faster than she’d anticipated and she found herself kissing him back with an urgency she couldn’t seem to suppress. What was happening was perfectly natural for a grown man and woman on their wedding night, but they had come to this marriage as friends from a long time ago. He’d never held her, or danced with her or kissed her, in Switzerland.

      When she could take a breath she said, “If you keep this up, our dinner will get cold.”

      “What dinner?” His gaze was focused on her mouth.

      “The one we didn’t eat. It’s waiting for us out on the terrace of our suite.”

      “Was that what you were whispering to Lindsay about?”

      She nodded.

      “I must say I’d much prefer eating with you alone up here. I like the way my wife thinks.”

      Christina was glad he felt that way, because she needed time to get used to him. A meal would give both of them a chance to unwind while they anticipated their wedding night. Now that the moment was here, she didn’t know what to do and felt so awkward she hoped he couldn’t sense it.

      * * *

      Antonio gave her another swift kiss on the lips and managed to open the door. He walked through the foyer of the semidark suite and made it as far as the bedchamber before putting her down. She eased away far enough to remove the veil and tiara.

      He knew she needed some privacy before they did anything else. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “Don’t start dinner without me.”

      “I won’t. Your bags should be in the sitting room.”

      “I’ll find them.”

      Much as he was reluctant to let her go, he needed to make her more comfortable. After giving her upper arms a quick squeeze, he left the bridal chamber for the other part of the suite. Spotting his bags, he went into the bathroom down the hall to freshen up. It was a relief to discard his sash and ceremonial dress jacket. This was a brand-new experience for both of them. Tonight he wanted to do everything right for her.

      Hoping he’d given her enough time, he left the bathroom and started back to the bridal suite. He’d undone his shirt at the neck and rolled his sleeves up to the elbows.

      Against the darkened sky, the candles flickering from the terrace table bathed Christina in soft light. As she leaned over in her exquisite wedding dress to pour their wine, he noticed the glory of her midlength hair where the strands of gold gleamed among the red. It looked so thick and sleek he longed to run his hands through it.

      She must have sensed his presence and gave him a sideward glance. Again the candles flickered, turning her eyes to a shimmery silver. His bride had come to this earth with her own unique color scheme, one that resonated with him in ways he

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