But there were problems, and there were problems. And surely this was impossible. ‘I can’t ask you to move here.’ She shook her head sadly. ‘I won’t ask that of you. It won’t work. It won’t last.’
‘You’re thinking of your parents.’ He put his broad palm on her spine and drew her to rest against him. He was her tower of strength. ‘I know you’ve been stuck in your palace a bit, darling, but times have changed, and technology with it. If I can work from my lighthouse, I can work from here when we’re ready.’
She wanted to believe him so very much.
‘But it worries me that they’re going to hound you. So what if we steal some more time together before anyone has to find out about us?’
Her heart fluttered and she lifted her head to look into his eyes—warm amber shone at her. ‘You want to be my secret boyfriend?’
‘Desperately.’
‘I want you to myself.’ Just for a while. And then? Excitement suddenly poured through her body as she suddenly realised this was all real. All true. ‘I want you for ever,’ she confessed. ‘So much.’
His expression lit up. ‘Well, why don’t you show me your secret passages, then, my lady?’
With a giggle, she grasped his hand. ‘You’ll have to follow me.’
His fingers curled tight around hers. ‘Gladly.’
She led him along the still, quiet corridor to her private apartment.
‘Oh, this is...better.’ He glanced around her lounge.
‘I’ve ordered new cushions,’ she assured him.
‘Fantastic.’ He laughed and hauled her into his arms. ‘I can be patient, Jade.’
But his hands and body said the absolute opposite. Jade simply swooned against him.
‘We’ll do the proper protocol,’ he promised. ‘Whatever your palace people want, but only when you want, your timeline, sweetheart. Because you’re worth waiting for and this is your call. Whenever, however, this has to be, then I’ll be here. I’m all in.’
‘You don’t mind all the hoops?’ Her eyes filled again as he moved against her with such powerful passion. ‘There’ll be so many hoops.’
‘As long as you don’t mind stealing away to the lighthouse with me sometimes,’ he whispered, his breath lost. ‘That’s my wish.’
‘Mine too.’ She shuddered. ‘I would love that. Because I love you.’
She moved with him, their breathing aligned, their hearts beating in time.
He held her close and tight, the way she loved, and his smile, his love, shone down on her.
‘Then that’s what we’ll do.’
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
New Year’s Day, one year later
JADE GENTLY SQUEEZED Alvaro’s hand twice as they stepped away from the woman and young child—their pre-agreed wordless signal that she was finally ready to finish. This walkabout had taken even longer than last year’s, but Juno and King Leonardo had arrived from Severene to attend as a special surprise. The crowds had roared ecstatically, constantly calling questions to the couple about their sweet daughter, Alice, currently fast asleep in Monrova palace.
The second they were back within the palace walls, Leonardo wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist to bring her closer. Watching, Jade melted inside. She’d never seen Juno so happy, nor Leonardo so demonstrative. He visibly adored his wife and child and it filled Jade with such satisfaction.
She glanced up and saw Alvaro’s gaze on her—his smile tender and teasing and so knowing.
She smiled back. ‘I’m happy for her.’
‘I know.’ This time his hand tightened on hers. ‘It’s time for us to refuel, yes? Because that took longer than anyone was expecting, right?’
Well, that was because everyone had wanted to see him. After getting over their delight at seeing Juno and Leonardo, the crowds had been momentarily stunned to see Alvaro step forward beside Jade. Until today he’d hung back at official events, happy to accompany her but remain ‘in the shadows’, as he’d put it. As if he ever could be anything like invisible. And for ages now, the public had been asking to see and hear more from him. So she’d been thrilled when he’d agreed to join her today.
They’d had almost six months to themselves at first. Stealing away, solidifying that passion and playfulness that had sparked from the moment they’d met. Then, of course, the press had found out. Alvaro had begun visiting Monrova ‘officially’ and eventually ‘palace sources’ had confirmed he was the Queen’s consort. Another six months later, he’d been proven right again as they’d problem-solved their way through constitutional traditions, so now it was accepted that he was with her here in Monrova more often than he wasn’t.
But they’d gone to the States for Christmas. In early December they’d invited Ellen to visit Monrova and attend the Winter Ball as Jade’s special guest. It had been the best ball ever because of that, in Jade’s opinion. Then Jade and Alvaro had accompanied Ellen home and actually stayed at her house for Christmas dinner for the first time—with Alvaro’s special butter and no work whatsoever. Then the two of them had headed to the lighthouse for their own private Christmas night.
Now Jade glanced at the dining table in her private apartment and turned to Alvaro. ‘What’s this?’
‘Just a little something delicious.’ He shrugged carelessly, but the warmth in his gaze was a total giveaway.
The chocolate cake was glazed in a shiny, rich ganache and looked so gorgeously lickable that it gave Jade a few ideas. ‘It’s not my birthday,’ she teased with a slow blink.
‘Can we only enjoy cake on special occasions?’ he asked, just as sweetly innocent.
Her smile turned a little wicked and her mouth watered. Jade picked up the knife. The cake looked dreamily indulgent, but as she cut into it the blade skimmed over something hard in the centre. She shot Alvaro a suspicious glance. He merely raised his eyebrows.
She tried again and this time, when she removed a wedge, she discovered not a cascade of candy inside, but that a small box sat in a hidden centre cavity.
She stared for a split second, then her heart sprinted and her lungs tightened. Because she knew what was going to be in that box. She had to drop the knife on the table because her fingers were suddenly nerveless.
‘Jade?’
Her eyes were already watering.
He reached out and took her hands, turning her to face him. ‘Marry me,’ he said simply. ‘Be my queen.’