Chapter 20

Ari took Grayson’s arm and he patted her hand, reassuring her. Then he turned toward the priest and nodded. But she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was about a foot taller than her and stood very tall and straight, adding to his height. There was a regal air about him, one cultivated only with time and having been raised with royalty.

Vickie had been right. She could do worse.

Ari turned toward the priest, listening to the words as old as time itself, that would bind them as man and wife. When it was time, Ari said “I do” without hesitation. Somehow, she was already his, and he was hers. She wondered if he felt it, too.

Finally, the priest said, “I now pronounce you man and wife.” Then he turned to Grayson and said, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Grayson took her into his strong arms and looked into her eyes, as if seeing into her soul. Searching her eyes for acceptance and finding it, his lips descended upon hers in a kiss filled with passion and promise for the future. He was the first man she had ever kissed, but she relaxed in his arms and it felt natural. Within her soul, she knew she had been born for this moment. All too soon, he released her, pulling back to look into her eyes, and then gave her one last sweet kiss.

The man standing beside him clasped his shoulder. “Congratulations, man.” He pulled him in for a hug. “You finally did it.”

“Thanks.” Grayson patted the man’s back and then turned toward Ari, his arm still around her. “Ari, this is my brother, Xavier. Xavier, Ari.”

He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “May I be the first to welcome you to the family. I hope you’ll be very happy.”

“Thank you, but we’re family now.” She reached up and pulled him in for a hug. When she pulled back, she said, “I always wanted a brother.”

Xavier laughed. “Well, now you have one. And I always wanted a sister.”

“And you have one, too.” Ari smiled, glad that both Grayson and Xavier were less formal and acted more like brothers than she had expected.

Grayson wrapped his arm around Ari. “Now wait a minute here! You hugged my wife before I got to,” he teased and then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a chaste hug and she giggled.

“But you got to kiss her....” Xavier teased.

Grayson shrugged. “Of course. I’m her husband.”

Ari listened, enjoying their friendly banter.

“I hate to break this up, but would you mind if I take you both to dinner?” Xavier asked.

Grayson raised his eyebrows toward Ari, silently asking if she wanted to go.

Ari shrugged, leaving it to him.

She was a bit nervous about the wedding night, so she would be glad for the distraction.

He must have sensed her nervousness because he smiled and turned to Xavier. “Sure! We’d love to.”

Xavier chuckled. “Good! Because I have something special planned for the two of you.”

“Sounds great,” Grayson replied. “Can you give us a minute?”

Xavier nodded. “I’ll wait in the lobby.”

Grayson turned to the priest and shook his hand. “Thank you for everything, Father Denys.”

The priest smiled broadly. “It was my pleasure.” Then he reached out to Ari and patted her hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”

Ari smiled. “The pleasure is mine, Father.”

He returned her smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll talk about your religion at another time.”

“I’m Catholic, Father,” Ari replied.

A broad smile spread across his face as he cocked his head to the side. Then he said to Grayson, “I knew I liked this girl!” Then he looked over at her and smiled. “Oh! I’m sorry. Your Royal Highness.”

She leaned in and whispered. “It’s still Ari to you.”

He nodded and then nodded to Grayson. “Your Highness, may I wish you both every happiness in the world.”

“Thank you, Father.” Grayson wrapped his arm around Ari and then led her away, but he stopped her before they left the church, having a moment alone. Then he wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes, causing her heart to quicken. “I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you are. Also, I wanted to apologize for not being there yesterday when you arrived—”

“Ssshhh….” She pressed her finger to his lips, cutting him off. “It’s okay.”

He looked into her eyes and then kissed her forehead, and lowered his voice, “I also wanted to tell you not to worry about tonight... later... we don’t have to tonight....”

Ari nodded. “I appreciate that, but why don’t we wait to talk about it later?”

Grayson smiled. “I just wanted you to know that I’m a gentleman and I’m true to my word.”

“I appreciate that.” It actually did make a difference. She relaxed, knowing that no matter what, it was going to be her choice.

He smiled and then nodded toward the door. “Shall we?”

As he wrapped his arm around her waist, she let him lead her out of the church, headed toward their new life... together.

***

They met Xavier at the hotel, and he led them into a private room where a whole spread of food awaited them, along with a string quartet.

“Grayson, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Xavier motioned toward a nice-looking man, tall with deep set eyes. His hair was longer on the top, but pushed back and close cropped on the sides, and he was dressed impeccably, as if he had just stepped off a runway or out of a fashion magazine for men. Smiling, he crossed the room and stood beside Xavier. “Grayson, this is my friend, Quinn Rogers. Quinn, this is my brother, Grayson.”

Quinn held out his hand to Grayson and smiled. “It’s a pleasure. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s good to finally meet you.”

Grayson shook his hand, a stunned look coloring his face, and then he came to his senses. “What am I doing?” Grayson pulled him in for a one-armed man hug and then released him. “So, when did you two....”

Xavier shook his head and smiled. “Not tonight. Let’s just have some fun.”

Grayson smiled, and then turned to Ari. “Would you care to dance, my wife?”

A broad smile spread across her face. “Yes, my husband.”

They spent the night having fun together, just the four of them. It was magical to have the acceptance.

Before long, it was time to go. Grayson looked down at Ari and inclined his head toward the door. “Ready?”

Ari nodded, her heart quickening.

They said their goodbyes and then he led her to the elevator. When the doors closed, he stroked her hair, looking into her eyes. She had never seen anyone with such piercing gray eyes. But it was more than that. He had a kind heart. The elevator stopped at the top floor... the penthouse. He led her to the door straight ahead and stopped.

“Would you mind if I carry you over the threshold?” Grayson asked, raising an eyebrow.

She shook her head. “No, not at all.”

In one fluid motion, he swept her into his arms as if she weighed nothing and carried her across the threshold. Inside, he stood her on her feet. “I had your things brought to my room. Everything you need is in there.” He pointed to a bedroom to the left.

Ari nodded. “Thank you.”

He bent down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back.” Then he headed toward a bedroom to the right.

Instead of looking for her things, she moved to the big picture window and the spectacular view. She looked out at the blanket of white covering the ground below, illuminated gray by the moonlight. She felt Grayson wrap his arms around her from behind.

“This country really is beautiful,” Ari said without looking around. She didn’t say it, but the most beautiful thing that Estrea had to offer... was him.

Grayson whispered into her hair. “I meant what I said. You don’t have to.”

She listened watching the scenery... the silhouette of the mountains in the distance... the promise of a new tomorrow.

“Good night,” he said, his voice gruff and low. Then he released her and walked away.

“Wait!” she shouted, turning around abruptly.

He locked eyes with hers and quickly closed the distance between then. Sweeping her in his arms, his lips descended upon hers. Then he carried her into his bedroom, never breaking the kiss.