Marrying a Prince Read online

  Her heart stopped.

  Leo was standing in the doorway, looking as if he wasn't sure what to do. His hands were shoved into his front pockets, and his shoulders were rounded. When her gaze met his, he smiled.

  "Hey," he said.

  Just the sound of his voice sent shivers down her spine. She reveled in the familiarity of his smile and the way his eyes crinkled at the sides. Her gaze slipped down to his lips and heat rose up in her body.

  And then she scolded herself. What was the matter with her? Was she crazy? This was the guy who'd told her that it would be best to part ways. The one who let her walk out of the castle and never tried to contact her.

  She hugged the pillow closer to her chest. Sure, she'd told him that she should go, but she didn't mean that they should cut all ties. He'd been the one who hadn't even said goodbye. The worst part was, she didn't realize how much that had hurt her until she was sitting here, staring at him.

  "Hey," she said, not sure how else she should respond.

  He glanced around. Occasionally, he would linger on one of her boy band posters, and she could see the hint of a smile. All she wanted to do at the moment was push him away. Get him out of her room. She felt vulnerable and exposed.

  "Did you need something?" she asked, hoping her voice came across as confident and not as broken as she felt.

  His gaze made its way back to her. "I, um…" He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He unfolded it and smoothed it against his leg. "I have this for you."

  He stepped forward and held it out for her. Curious, Marianna took it from him and studied it. It was one of the coloring pictures she'd sent to Clara. Two unicorns in a field of flowers. She'd colored it all and above the unicorns she'd written Clara and Marianna. Her heart swelled at the picture. She missed that little girl.

  And when she glanced back up at Leo, she realized she missed him too. But she wasn't ready to be vulnerable again. Not if he was just going to let her walk away without saying goodbye, again.

  "You could have mailed it," she said, setting the picture on her nightstand and leaning back on the pillows behind her.

  His eyes widened as he glanced around. "Mailed it," he repeated. "Right." He shrugged. "I'm sorry. I thought maybe…" He ducked his head and headed out toward the hall.

  Marianna stared at the now empty space. Leo was gone. He'd left. She shifted on her bed and slipped her feet onto the floor. There was a burning desire in her chest to run after him, but at the same time, she feared what opening herself up again would do.

  For once, she pushed her fears from her mind and followed after him. She knew she was never going to live with herself if she didn't act now. Just as she rounded the corner, she slammed into Leo. His arms surrounded her.

  "Whoa," he said, pulling her close so she didn't fall.

  Heat raced up her body at his touch. Memories of the two of them together, kissing behind Bernardo's house, rushed back to her. She tipped her face toward him and met his gaze.

  "You okay?" he asked.

  Geez, how she missed his accent and the way he smelled. She missed talking to him and how she felt when she was close to him. Too scared of her voice exposing her, Marianna nodded.

  He pulled his arms away and stepped back. He glanced back and forth before settling on her face. "Did you need something?"

  Marianna bit her lip as she contemplated what to say. "You never said goodbye,” she said, the words tumbling out.

  He raised his eyebrows as he studied her. Then a solemn expression passed over his face. "I know. I'm sorry. I wanted to, but by the time I peeled myself away from my mother and Gisella, you were gone." He pushed his hands through his hair as he studied the floor. "I was worried what you would say or how you felt, so I buried myself in changing the marriage law." He glanced up at her.

  Not sure what to do, she started to pace. The hallway was the worst place for that—it gave her little room to move. "You could have called me," she said, fighting the tears threatening to spill. "We were friends." She hesitated, praying that she could keep it together.

  He studied her. "You're right. We are friends. And friends deserve better." He stepped closer to her and lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice deep with emotion.

  She nodded, her heart pounding out of control. "It's okay," she whispered. "Just, don't do it again."

  Leo nodded. "I won't." And then he stepped closer. "But what if I don't want to be just your friend?"

  Her ears began to ring as he inched closer. From the corner of her eye, she saw his hand reach out and wrap around her waist. Every nerve responded, sending jolts of electricity through her body. This was happening. It was really happening.

  Everything she'd been dreaming about since their impromptu kiss during their mix-up proposal was coming true.

  "You don't?" she breathed out, losing control of her body and stepping closer to him.

  His eyebrows rose as a smile played on his lips. "I don't think it's possible," he whispered, leaning closer to her.

  Their bodies were inches from each other. His warmth washed over her. "Really?" she asked.

  He shook his head as his gaze dipped down to her lips. "Nope. Not possible."

  She bit her lip as she held her breath. Was this even happening? It was killing her, him stringing her along. "So, what are we going to do?"

  He reached up and brushed his fingers against her cheek. Her face flushed in response. "What do you think?"

  She turned her gaze toward the ceiling to pretend that she was thinking. "Um…"

  Before she could say anything more, he dipped down and pressed his lips against hers. She let out a little squeak as he wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her close.

  Not wanting him to end the kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He responded by pulling her up to deepen the kiss. Waves of excitement washed through her as his lips moved against hers.

  When she thought she'd melt into a puddle in his arms, he pulled back and glanced down at her. "I love you, Marianna." His gaze was intense, and she could feel the meaning of his words.

  She parted her lips, wanting to return the sentiment, but the words wouldn’t come. His forehead wrinkled and worry crossed his face. Finally, she laughed. "You kissed me speechless," she whispered. And then she stood on her tiptoes and brought his lips to meet hers. After a soft kiss, she pulled back. "I love you too, Leo."

  He smiled as he pulled her close, picked her up, and spun her. Right there in her tiny hallway.

  She laughed, throwing her head back. When he stilled, she glanced down at him to see his face grow serious.

  "Promise me something," he said as he lowered her down and brought both hands up to cradle her face.

  "Okay," she whispered, her skin tingling from his touch.

  "Never leave me," he said, leaning forward to brush his lips across hers.

  She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation that kissing him brought. When he grew quiet, she opened her eyes and smiled. "Promise."

  He moved to pull something out of his front pocket. He held up the ring that he'd given her that night in the Met. "Will you put this back on?"

  She furrowed her brow. Her heart pounded so hard she could hear it. "Are you asking me?"

  He narrowed his eyes and then dropped slowly to one knee. He held up the ring and took her left hand in his. "Marianna, will you do me the honor of becoming my queen?"

  Her stomach lightened, but she needed to know that it was for real. "No stipulation, right? You want to marry me for me." She studied him, trying to read his expression.

  "No stipulation. I can die a lonely king." He gave her his signature half smile. "But I don't want to."

  That was all she needed to hear. "Yes," she said, nodding.

  He slipped the ring on and straightened. After kissing her, he pulled away. "I love you," he repeated.

  She smiled up at him. "Ti amo anch’io."

  Epilogue

  Marianna st
ood in the guest room of the castle, staring at herself in the mirror. The wedding dress she'd picked out was simple yet beautiful. It had capped sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Her hair fell around her face in soft curls and was framed in a floor-length veil. She pulled the sides of the veil up and sighed.

  Was this really happening? Was she really going to marry Leo today?

  The door opened, and Marianna glanced over to see Clara slip in. She was wearing a baby-pink flower girl dress, and her hair was curled and pinned in an updo. When she met Marianna's gaze, her eyes widened.

  "You look like a princess," she said, rushing over to give Marianna a hug.

  Marianna dipped down and wrapped her arms around her soon-to-be sister. "So do you," she said, kissing Clara on the cheek.

  Clara stepped back and twirled. "I love how it spins," she said, smiling up at Marianna.

  Marianna nodded. "Me too."

  "Anch'io," Clara repeated in Italian.

  Ever since Marianna came to Caro, she'd been studying Italian. Since she was going to be queen, she figured it was her duty to speak the language. Clara was an eager teacher. Marianna smiled and repeated, "Anch'io."

  Clara nodded, seeming satisfied with Marianna's effort.

  Movement by the door caught Marianna's attention. Standing in the hall looking in was her mom and dad. They looked a little out of place, but were slowly growing accustomed to their life in Caro. When Marianna told them that she was moving here, they insisted that they come with.

  Leo had been able to find them a tiny cottage in Trieste, and they were learning the language and the culture. Marianna knew that it was a big step for them, and she appreciated that they had sacrificed to be closer to her.

  When her mom's gaze landed on her, a smile grew on her face. She rushed into the room and wrapped Marianna up into a hug. "You look beautiful," she said as she pulled back.

  Ever since the engagement four months ago, Mrs. DeLuca had been less than welcoming. After a frank conversation from Leo, she agreed to be more amicable and had been making an effort to like Marianna. Situations like that made Marianna that much more thankful she had her parents and Clara in her corner. They helped her feel less like a complete imposter.

  At least, when Leo wasn’t around. When he was by her side, she felt as if she could conquer the world.

  “Do you think Leo will like it?” she asked.

  Her mom pursed her lips and nodded. Marianna could tell that she was fighting back tears. “Yes,” she said and then cleared her throat. “Yes he will.”

  “You’ll make a beautiful queen,” her dad said as he stepped up next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

  The wedding planner rushed into the room and waved at them. “It is time to go,” she said in a strong Italian accent.

  Marianna nodded as she gathered up her skirts and followed her parents from the room. Thankfully, she’d convinced Leo to have a small wedding in the castle and a big public spectacle for the reception. She was already nervous about making public appearances and feared what she might do if all eyes were on her.

  Plus, she wanted this to be small. Just those she loved.

  Thankfully, Leo agreed, which Marianna was grateful for now more than ever. She walked down the hall and stopped at the stairs her gaze landing on Leo, who was standing at the bottom, talking to his dad. When his dad motioned toward Marianna, Leo turned his attention to her, and his jaw dropped slightly.

  Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she took him in as well. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a blue sash across his chest. His dark hair was slicked back. He looked fantastic.

  She could feel his gaze roam over her, and when it made its way back to hers, he winked. She couldn’t help but smile. If she were honest with herself, she couldn’t wait until this whole wedding was over and they were on their honeymoon. Private time between just them. Loving each other. It sounded amazing.

  “Ready?” the wedding planner asked.

  Marianna nodded and started down the stairs. When she got to the bottom, Leo reached out and Marianna placed her hand in his. She could tell that he was fighting the urge to pull her close. She grinned up at him as he held their hands up and began to lead her into the living room toward an arch covered in ivy.

  "Stop smiling at me," he whispered as he leaned closer to her. Apparently, this was a very serious tradition in Caro and smiling was frowned upon.

  Marianna nodded and straightened her expression, hoping she could fight the urge to smile—or, heaven forbid, giggle.

  When they reached the archway, Leo bowed to the pastor standing underneath it. The next thirty minutes were filled with scriptures, a song, and their vows in Italian. Marianna struggled but got hers out. She felt jittery when a crown was placed on her head. It was like every dream she'd had when she was a kid was coming true.

  When they finished, the pastor smiled at them and motioned for them to stand. He said something in Italian, which Marianna hoped meant kiss the bride.

  Leo leaned forward and Marianna's heart picked up speed. They were finally man and wife. After he gently kissed her, he tipped his forehead forward and met hers. He smiled at her.

  "Marianna DeLuca, I love you. Spend your life with me?"

  She nodded. "Definitely."

  "Decisamente," he corrected.

  "Decisamente," she said, then wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again. This time, she didn't let him pull back until she was good and ready. He was hers and she was his. There was nothing else that she wanted in her life than to be here in this moment, loving Leo.

  The End

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  Anne-Marie Meyer lives in MN with her husband, four boys, and baby girl. She loves romantic movies and believes that there is a FRIENDS quote for just about every aspect of life.

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