"There they are," he said, "my two favorite people in the world."
I walked over to him and kissed him. "Your Majesty."
"Your Highness," he said back, laughing.
I handed him Leo. "How's it going?"
"Oh fine," he said. "Who knew that bringing a little democracy to this country was going to be so much work?"
I shrugged and sat down in the chair next to his desk. "You have to write the rules, dear."
"The ministers should do it."
"They are. You're just approving them. And then the elections can happen."
"But I don't lose my job."
"No," I agreed, "but your powers will be severely limited."
"Like that damn English queen."
"Not that bad," I said, smiling.
"Please, don't let us ever get corgis and wear stupid hats."
"I promise."
He bounced little Leo in his arms, smiling. We'd wanted to get pregnant right away, but so much was happening in the country that we decided to wait. Plus, I needed to learn how to be a queen before I could learn to be a mother.
Leo was like a gift from the heavens, though, and he filled my days with so much joy that I couldn't even begin to explain it. He was everything we needed, and more.
And when he got overwhelming, Lucy and my father stepped in. They came to live in the castle with us, mostly because I insisted on it, despite Lucy being even more obnoxious than usual. Trip gave in to me eventually, though he did put up a stronger fight than usual. But when it came to Trip, I could reliably get what I wanted.
He rubbed his eyes, looking tired, and then handed me Leo back. "One year," he said.
"One year," I agreed.
"Then elections will happen, and Starkland will no longer be a true monarchy."
"How do you feel about being the King who brought democracy to his people?"
"I feel okay about it," he admitted. "Damn good about it, actually."
"Good." I stood up. "Come find me in the royal chambers tonight."
He grinned. "Is Lucy taking Leo?"
"She is."
"Good. I know where to find you."
I kissed him again, and then I left. I had a meeting to attend soon, and I needed to get Leo down for his nap.
This was my life now. I took care of my baby and I helped to run a country that was transitioning to democracy. I couldn't have felt more proud about that, and I knew I was doing something good and worthwhile with my life.
Plus, Trip made everything easy. The way he smiled, the way he kissed me, the way he fucked me, it all still felt fresh and new and exciting. There was nothing routine or rote about our relationship.
We may have been king and queen, but we weren't stuffy.
We were just in love. I would give anything for Trip, and I already had. And I knew Trip would sacrifice anything for me.
We'd build this country into the greatest country possible. We'd do it together, because we were a team.
I needed him, and he needed me.
That was all I could ever ask for or need.
THANK YOU!
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I'm having that cocky jock's baby, but he won't have me.
Gibson Evans is the best college football quarterback in the country. He's tall, broad, tattooed, and so incredibly handsome.
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People treat him like a hero, but I think he's a total prick. Gibson gets whatever he wants, and now suddenly he wants me.
But I have enough to deal with. I have to stop daydreaming about his hands between my thighs and concentrate on having this baby while still managing to graduate on time.
He wants to make a deal. If I promise to spend time with him, he'll help me with my final biology research. That means an entire semester of studying Gibson's body.
I'm not sure I can do this. One second I can't stand to be around him, and the next I'm touching his ripped muscles and trying to suppress my excitement.
I'm terrified he'll ruin everything if I let this become more than just work.
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RAGING HARD: A STEPBROTHER ROMANCE
CLAIRE
The bass made a booming thud in my ears, rhythmic and hypnotizing, as I leaned back in my plush-covered chair behind the VIP rope. I sipped my champagne, feeling totally out of place in the club despite everything being owned by my dad.
"Oh my god, bitch, I love this," Lydie said, practically screeching in my ear.
"You do?"
"Yeah, girl! It's hot as fuck."
I could agree with that one. It was hot as hell in the club considering it was jam-packed with people all writhing away to the music. Other than that, though, it wasn't my scene. I wasn't against partying or any of that, but I preferred something a little quieter, maybe a spot I could actually think and hear people when they spoke. Not this mass of drugged-up strangers all trying desperately to get in with each other.
"See him?" Lydie cut into my thoughts, leaning over me. "That beefcake is totally checking me out."
She winked and waved at the guy, and he grinned back at her.
"Ew. Are you joking?" I asked.
"Hell no. Look at those muscles!"
"Lydie, he's like fifty."
"Thirty at most. And who cares, so long as he takes care of himself?"
I laughed and eyed up the guy. He probably was in his mid-thirties and wore expensive-looking madras shorts and an expensive-looking white Oxford shirt with an expensive-looking watch, all of which I knew Lydie absolutely had noticed before she saw his muscles. He was tanned and preppy and good looking in a really conventional way, and I could totally see him doing Jaeger bombs with his bros or possibly killing a hooker by mistake. The longer I looked at him, the more sure I was that he had killed at least one hooker in his lifetime.
The Outer Banks were full of guys like him, especially in the clubs and restaurants my dad owned. They were all the same, money managers and investment bankers and hedge-fund assholes all trying to get blackout drunk and impregnate the first thing they could find.
Of course, once they got their rocks off, they disappeared the next morning. Which was fine, if you were into that. And Lydie was, or at least she pretended she was. Truthfully, I hadn't seen her go home with very many guys at the end of the night. She was more bark than bite.