“Tell me again.”
“I love you. I love you. I love you.” Isabelle leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to Nicholas’s mouth.
He sighed. “I’ll never grow tired of hearing the words pass your lips.”
Isabelle tipped her head back, exposing her slender neck to his view and watched the glittering lights swirl past. Nicholas pressed his lips to her throat, eliciting a soft groan from his new bride. The sound was doing crazy things to his lower anatomy.
“What are you looking at up there?” He murmured, trailing kisses up to her earlobe.
“I’m looking at the way the lights sparkle. The whole room looks like a fairy tale setting. I can’t believe you did this all by yourself.”
“I wouldn’t say that. I did have some help in pulling the wedding together on such short notice.” A lot of help if the truth be known, Nicholas mused. Otherwise, he might have found himself having to learn the difference between white, antique white, ecru, and a host of other colors he hadn’t known existed. White was white in his opinion. Besides, he still would have been just as happy eloping to Vegas, but unfortunately that wasn’t an option.
With her upswept hair, the small spray of island flowers nestled among the curls and the flowing white wedding gown, Isabelle looked like a fairy princess herself. He could barely take his eyes off her for fear she would disappear from sight, never to be seen again.
“It wouldn’t have been so short if you’d have agreed to a longer engagement.” Isabelle chided.
Nicholas shook his head. “No I’m tired of sleeping alone. I want my beautiful new wife in bed next to me, waking up with me every morning so I can kiss her lips and make sweet love to her whenever I want. As it is, you were the one who put the stipulation out there that we were not going to have sex again until we were married. Though I do seem to recall a most enjoyable midnight tryst on the beach a few nights ago. And I still have sand in places I don’t think there should be.”
Isabelle pursed her lips. “Shhh. That’s supposed to be our little secret. And you expect me to believe that no sex for almost one week could bring you to your knees, the future king of Wellfleet Isle?”
Nicholas lowered his head and ran his tongue over the edge of her ear, feeling her shiver in response. “What I expect is that my wife, the future queen, will find an inventive way to make it up to me for causing me to wait those seven long days.”
“I’m sure something will come to mind.” Leaning forward, Isabelle pressed her mouth to his, and Nicholas tamped down the instant rush of arousal that coursed through his body. The mere touch of her sent his hormones into overdrive and today was no different. Nicholas wanted his wife, wanted to slowly strip the lace wedding gown from her body, kiss every inch of her exposed flesh, and bury himself within her. But he knew he would have to wait till the events of the day were over.
“Though it might be more fun to wait until we are on our honeymoon.”
“I strongly doubt I will be able to wait that long. Though I did pack a gift for you in the luggage. A small scrap of lace I believe you found enchanting in one of the shop windows in town.”
“That is so sweet of you. I’ll enjoy wearing it for you on our honeymoon.”
“And I’ll enjoy removing it from your body.” He leaned forward and gave her a deep kiss. When Nicholas lifted his head, he was pleased to find Isabelle as affected as he was. He hoped that would never change between them.
In three days, they would leave for an extended two-week honeymoon in Hawaii, and Nicholas was looking forward to every uninterrupted moment alone with Isabelle, something they’d been unable to find at the palace as of late. Aidan would fill in for Nicholas in his absence and see to his father’s recovery at the same time. Life had come full circle with his family now all under one roof.
“Excuse the intrusion, my son, but I do believe your wife owes me a dance.”
King Philippe stood next to them on the dance floor, resplendent in a black tuxedo, his once pale face now tanned and healthy, all due in part to Isabelle and the heart transplant surgery.
Nicholas looked from his father to Isabelle. He couldn’t remember the last time the king took a turn on the dance floor or willingly participated in any activity since his mother’s passing. Then again, it had been quite a while since his father was willing to make any public appearances due to his declining health. Begrudgingly releasing his wife, Nicholas took a step back, bowed to the king, then hugged him tightly. Turning to Isabelle, he said, “I shall see you later, my love.”
She curtsied. “I look forward to it, your highness.”
With a rueful shake of his head, Nicholas walked off the dance floor.
“So my dear, I think it’s high time you started calling me Father.” The king executed a quick turn and Isabelle’s gown floated out behind her on the dance floor.
“Actually, I was thinking more along the line of grandfather or perhaps gramps might be better.”
King Philippe missed a step and came to an abrupt halt on the marble dance floor; his surprised gaze caught on Isabelle’s smiling face.
“Gramps?” The words came out more like a strained croak. His mouth gaped open, then the king quickly recovered his composure. “Oh, I think not. That is most undignified. Wait, are you saying that you—”
“Yes, I hope that won’t be a problem?” Isabelle looked over the king’s shoulder at her husband standing on the sidelines with Prince Aidan and smiled.
“Oh, my darling daughter-in-law, that is the most wonderful news ever.” The king pulled her close, kissing her on the cheek before enveloping Isabelle in a tight hug, and then released her with a quick look around the room. Isabelle politely ignored the sheen of tears glistening in his eyes.
• • •
Isabelle stepped back into the circle of the king’s arms and Nicholas watched them waltz gracefully around the ballroom dance floor. Accepting the flute of champagne from the passing server, he took a sip all the while staring at his bride. She was radiant, the most beautiful woman Nicholas had ever seen and now she was his wife. And soon to be the mother of his firstborn child. Tonight Nicholas planned to show her just how much he loved her and make up for all the lost time they’d missed being apart.
Conversation ceased as the guests around him stopped what they were doing. Those who were still dancing took a step back in order to give the king and his dance partner the floor. But everyone was staring in awe at the sight of the newly recovered King of Wellfleet Isle as he stepped in time to the music with his new daughter-in-law, Princess Isabelle Corsairs, or more commonly known as Doctor Isabelle Tandori Corsairs, head of the new cardiovascular care unit at Wellfleet Isle Hospital.