The Reluctant Wife: A Bodyguard – Princess Marriage of Convenience Romance (The Davenports Book 4)

‘Ignore it.’ He brushes his lips over mine.

Soft and sweet. Then, he deepens the kiss, and it’s urgent and hot, and the flick of his tongue into my mouth sends shivers all the way to my toes. I moan deep in my throat, and his muscles bunch. He sweeps me up to my toes and into him. My breasts flatten against his chest. The muscled strength of his thighs, the throbbing length at his crotch… I feel everything. I dig my fingers into his biceps and hold on as he ravages my mouth and turns my insides to jelly. The buzzing grows more insistent.

He groans, and when he lifts his head, his green eyes have turned into a sea of emerald fire. My lips throb, and my breath comes in pants.noveldrama

My phone vibrates in my purse again, but I ignore it.

Zoey was right. I should talk to him. I should tell him what I’ve decided. I should explain to him why I needed the time to process everything that happened. And why I decided to leave my official duties as a duchess.

He’s my husband. He loves me. He’ll understand it.

‘Ryot’—I whisper—’I missed you.’

‘I missed you so fucking much, it feels like a part of me was torn out. I feel so fucking incomplete without you, baby.’

‘Me too.’

My phone buzzes again. Then his phone vibrates.

‘Goddamn.’ He releases me, then snatches up his device. “We’re on our way.” He disconnects the call and looks at me. “They’re waiting for us. Can’t start the festivities without the birthday girl.”

“I love you so much.” I reach up and press my lips to his.

He deepens the kiss, and when he sweeps his tongue inside my mouth, my core quivers. I melt into him.

He pulls me close enough that I can feel his heart slam against his ribcage. The kiss goes on and on, and when he finally pulls away to press his forehead into mine, both of us are panting.

“Now I wish I’d decided to keep you to myself.” “I wish I could keep you to myself.” He pockets his phone, and reaching down, swipes his thumb around the edges of my lips, removing any smeared lipstick.

‘I need to refresh my makeup.’ I turn, but he grips my arm.

‘What if I want them to look at you and realize you’ve been kissed soundly by your husband.’

His words are so possessive, my blood turns to lava. When the buzzer to the suite sounds again, he twists his fingers with mine. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

‘Thanks, baby.’ I take a flute of champagne from him and sip from it. Cold bubbles burst on my tongue. ‘Mmm, I needed that.’ I take another sip. ‘If I had to pretend to laugh at another joke by that senator, I’d have to kill myself,’ I say only half-jokingly, then proceed to toss the rest of the champagne back.

‘Take it easy, Empress,’ my husband cautions.

‘I need to be a little drunk to get through the evening.’ This, I say seriously.

He gives me a funny look, then takes my flute and sets it aside.

‘Hey, I thought you were going to fill me up,’ I pout.

He takes my hand and leads me off to the side. Of course, we’re stopped by the Queen of Spain, who kisses me on both cheeks and wishes me a happy birthday. She goes to kiss my husband, but when he scowls at her, she blinks and steps aside hurriedly. He hustles me to the end of the room where a chaise is pushed up into the shadows. There are potted plants around it, which give us some degree of privacy. He sits down then pulls me into his lap.

I squeak, ‘What are people going to say?’

‘That we’re newlyweds?’ He raises his shoulder in that nonchalant way I’ve come to love. ‘Frankly, I couldn’t give a damn.’

I giggle.

‘God, I love that sound. If I could spend every moment of my life making you happy, it wouldn’t be enough.’

I fasten my arms around his neck. ‘I never would have thought someone as alpha and as stern as you was such a romantic.’

‘And I thought you’d know by now not to try to stereotype me.’

‘I’d never.’ I look into his beloved features. ‘Now, why is it that you pulled me aside?’

He looks taken aback, then laughs. ‘Am I that transparent?’

‘Only to me.’

He nods, a thoughtful look coming into his eyes. ‘If you hate this, why do you do it?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Clearly, being here at an official reception for your birthday, meeting and greeting dignitaries, is not something which appeals to you.’

‘Am I that transparent?’ I ask surprised.

‘Only to me, baby.’ He places his palms on my hips, and the heavy weight feels both secure and erotic at the same time.

‘There was a time when I enjoyed it, but I very quickly tired of having to put on a face and pretend I’m having a good time.” I shuffle my feet. “Instead, I’d preferred to be at my desk writing, or in my PJs watching a series on television.”

“And now?”

“Now, I’d rather spend time alone with you.”

His expression turns thoughtful. “So, why aren’t you?’

‘What do you mean?’ I try to understand what he’s trying to say.

‘If you’re finding it such a chore, don’t do it anymore.’

“Okay.”

He stares at me. “Okay?”

I look away, then back at him. I’ve been wanting to tell him about my decision to move away from my official duties within the Royal Family and now seems like the right time.

‘As you know, I was brought up to be a princess, and now, a Duchess, to play my role within the Royal household and help my father fulfill his duties to his subjects. As were my brothers.” I nod toward where Viktor is holding court, surrounded by a bunch of women of all ages. ‘Obviously, it didn’t really take in Brandon’s case.’ She laughs.

I recognize the Princess of Spain, the daughter of the American ambassador to Verenza, the first cousin to the Prince of Wales, as well as a well-known actress, an Olympic gold-winning athlete, and a model who has millions of followers across social media platforms. In the middle of them is my brother, with a smirk on his face. And that cold look in his eyes signifying he finds them all too easy and is planning to take, at least, one of them to bed tonight.

‘Clearly, he laps up the attention.” My husband snorts.

“As he should, as the future King. As for me, my role first as Princess and now, Duchess of Verenza pales in comparison to my most important identity, your wife.”

He jerks his chin in my direction. ‘You are the most important person in the world to me.’

At his words, my heart does that little flip in my chest. I’ll never get used to hearing that from him. For once, it’s not Verenza that comes first, as it does with my father and oldest brother. For once, it’s me who’s the most important to someone.

“As you are to me. Which is why I have decided to⁠—”

Someone coughs behind us. I sigh.

He looks past me and arches an eyebrow at the new arrival. ‘I believe that’s your new assistant.’

Yep, I hired someone recommended by Zoey, whose background my husband vetted before giving me the green light to hire her. I’m happy to say that, so far, Yaz has been amazing, if a little shy.

‘Uh, sorry to bother you, Duchess, but there are a few more people who want to meet you.’

I glance at her over my shoulder, and she blushes, but she doesn’t look away. ‘I held them off, but it’s probably best if you come and meet them before they come looking for you.’

I nod, then turn to my husband and kiss his cheek.

“What were you saying? It sounded important.” He searches my features.

I allow myself a small smile. Internally, I’m sure now, I’ve made the right decision. “I promise, I’ll tell you later.”

He stares at me for a few seconds more, then nods. “I’ll hold you to it.” He kisses me hard, and by the time he lets me go, I’m flushed. I slip off my husband’s lap.

Viktor approaches us. He walks past Yaz, who blushes deeper, but my brother doesn’t seem to notice.

‘The troops are getting antsy for the birthday girl. I’ve entertained them for as long as I could, but best you get over there and talk to them.’ He smirks.

I roll my eyes. ‘Like it was such a chore for you to flirt with the women.’

He holds up his hands, an innocent look in his eyes—as if I’m going to be taken in by that. ‘I was simply doing my job as host and being polite.’

‘My ass,’ I snort.

‘Why, Aura’—he shakes his head—’how frightfully impolite of you.’

‘Ha!’ I toss my head and am about to leave, then look between them and hesitate.

My husband interprets the expression on my face correctly. He leans over, takes my hand in his and kisses my fingertips. ‘Go on. Viktor and I are due a catch up.’