TALL, DARK & ROYAL Page 12

  "Oh, yeah. It's great. The weather, the beach, the women," Bob slid his gaze toward Erin.

  Daniel's cordial smile stiffened. "Would you mind if I finish this dance?"

  Bob looked at Erin. "No. Go ahead. I'll catch her again later."

  Daniel immediately took her into his arms. "Over my dead body," he muttered to himself. He looked at Erin. "What in hell are you doing?"

  Erin's mind was spinning. "Working. This is my job."

  "No, it isn't. Your job is at the palace," Daniel said, his jaw as firm as granite.

  "I quit," Erin said, her heart bumping against her rib cage.

  He looked as if he were counting to ten to remain under control. "I'm talking about a different position."

  "What?" she asked wryly. "Royal dog walker and pooper scooper?"

  He sucked in a quick breath, and Erin got the uncomfortable sense that she had just crossed his line in the sand.

  "We need to talk," he said. "You're coming with me."

  "I can't," she protested. "I need this job."

  "You're quitting this job," he told her.

  "I don't think so."

  "I know so," he said, and shocked the spit out of her by picking her up in his arms and carrying her. A rear of chuckles followed after them.

  "What on earth are you doing?" she hissed as he trudged to a black limousine. "If the press gets wind of this, everyone will think you're crazy."

  "Then there's only one solution," he said, dumping her into the back seat.

  "What is that?" she demanded.

  "I'll tell you when we get to the palace."

  Erin crossed her arms mutinously over her chest during the short ride to the palace. He had gone entirely too far this time. She just knew she would get sacked for this, and it was all his fault. As soon as the limo stopped, Daniel exited the car and came to her side to collect her. Erin refused to budge. "I want to return to my apartment. You have no right to force me into the palace," she told him.

  He exhaled and softly swore. "Well, if you're going to be difficult," he said, and tossed her over his shoulder.

  Erin's blood rushed to her head. "Put me down at once," she insisted, her voice rising. "Put me down. You're embarrassing both of us."

  "I'm not embarrassed," he said, hauling her through the grand foyer.

  "Put me down," she said, feeling her slim shred of control slipping through her fingers. "Put me—" She hiccuped. "Oh, look what you've—" she hiccuped "—done. You gave me the hiccups."

  Still carrying her, he lowered her into a slightly more respectable position and looked down at her. "I want to give you hiccups for the rest of your life."

  Confused and near tears, Erin hiccuped again. "What are you talking about?" she asked before another spasm shook her.

  "I want to marry you."

  Erin blinked. Her breath and heart seemed to stop. A second later, she hiccuped. "You can't marry me," she whispered. "You don't trust me."

  "Change my mind," he dared her. "I'm almost there."

  She bit her lip and felt another hiccup. "I can't imagine having any significant influence over a man as strong-minded as you."

  "Then you need to do something about your imagination."

  Erin fell silent. With the exception of her hiccups. She felt as if the world had been turned upside down. Or turned upright. She stared at Daniel and wondered if a person could burst from hope and love.

  "I want you with me all the time, Erin," Daniel said. "Hell, I'll even get you a poodle."

  She blinked. A poodle was the last thing on her mind.

  His eyes were drop-dead serious. "When I look at you, I want things I've never wanted before. I want to love and protect you the rest of my life. I want to raise children with you. I want to lead Altaria into a great new age with you by my side. But most of all, Erin. I want to live every day of my life with you." His nostrils flared. "Damn it, Erin. Say something."

  "Yes," she whispered and took her heart in her hands and gave it to Daniel's safekeeping. She wondered how she could have traveled her whole life and found her home in this man's eyes.

  "Yes," he echoed as if he didn't quite trust her breathless response.

  "Yes," she said with all the conviction flooding through her. "I will marry you. I will have your children. I will stand by your side." She lifted her hand to his strong jaw. "I will love you forever," she said and knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that she would.

  * * *

  Epilogue

  « ^

  A week later Erin and Daniel were married in an outdoor ceremony on the palace lawn. The royal advisors had protested the speed, but Daniel had been adamant. They would have to postpone an extended honeymoon until after Daniel's coronation, but Erin didn't mind. She knew the ongoing investigation into the deaths of King Thomas and Prince Marc weighed heavily on Daniel's mind and heart, and he wouldn't rest until the murderers were found and punished.

  Despite her ambivalence, Daniel insisted that Erin's father attend the ceremony. He was determined that she would experience the feeling of family she'd missed her entire life. There'd been a moment or two of awkwardness, but Erin sensed her father wished for a genuine reconciliation as much as she did.

  After the ceremony and reception, which was internationally televised, she and Daniel escaped to Dunemere, the Rosemere family's beach house. Erin was certain she and Daniel would take refuge in the two-story, shingled wood frame house on many future occasions. The hideaway overflowed with flowers from Daniel's family and the joy between she and Daniel. Erin had never dreamed she could be so completely cherished.

  She looked down at her naked husband lying replete from their lovemaking. His urgency had taken her by surprise at the same time that it turned her on. It was as if he'd needed to claim her as his wife.

  "I love you," he said, the power of his feelings glowing in his eyes.

  Her heart swelled with emotion. "I feel like crying every time you tell me."

  He gently smiled. "Better than hiccups?"

  She laughed. "I suppose," she said, and traced his strong jaw. She thought about the vows they'd just made. "Sometimes I still don't understand, why me? Why would you want to marry me?"

  He glanced away for a moment. "From the first moment I met you, something told me I could trust you."

  Erin's stomach tightened, and she closed her eyes. She still hated to think of how hurt he had been.

  "Look at me," he told her, kissing her lightly.

  "Even after I heard that awful conversation with your father, there was a part of me that still trusted you. That part was right," he told her. "I trust you with my life, with my future."

  Her eyes welled with tears. "Do you realize you've made me the happiest woman in the world?"

  "Erin," he said, with passion and promise in his eyes, "I'm just getting started."

  * * * *