OMG! I feel like Cinderella!

Girl, you deserve it! All of it! The money, the prince, everything!

Smiling at Maggie’s text, I put my phone on silent and stuff it in my tiny purse.

I glance at myself in the bathroom mirror, still surprised at how amazing I look. This sky-blue silk dress looks like it was absolute made for me. It’s fitted on top and then drapes elegantly to the floor. Gabriel hired a makeup and hair artist to come over and help me. It was such a luxury, but I can’t deny they’ve made me look better than I could have ever managed on my own.

“Would you like a towel, Miss?”

“What? Oh, no, thank you,” I say, smiling at the elderly attendant in the bathroom.

“I hope you enjoy your evening. That dress looks beautiful on you, if I may say so. It suits you.”

“Oh, that’s very kind of you to say! Thank you so much.”

I make my way back to the ballroom and do my best to keep it all together. Every celebrity in Seattle is here tonight – and Gabriel knows them all! I’ve met the actor that won the Oscar last year for his film “Dragonfly Dreams,” more famous artists than I can count, a senator, and more tech millionaires than I can even count. It’s like every rich and famous person in the state is here tonight!

“Oh!” I jump a little when I feel an arm wrap around my waist.

“How are you holding up? You disappeared there for a bit.”

The concern in Gabriel’s eyes makes my heart melt. I turn to him and lean into his body.

“It’s overwhelming, to be honest. Absolutely and totally amazing, but overwhelming. I feel like Cinderella – some poor girl who gets to pretend she’s a princess for a night.”

Gabriel mumbles something, but before I can ask him to repeat himself, a stately older man comes up to him and taps him on the shoulder.

“It’s time, Son.”

Gabriel’s body tenses and he increases his grip around my waist.

“Thank you, Father. May I present my girlfriend, Sophie Benjamin. Sophie, this is my father, King of Roquefleur.”

“I’m honored to meet you,” I squeak, not knowing if I should curtsy or extend my hand for him to shake it. Holy mother of… What do I do? I’ve known Gabriel is a prince, but it hasn’t seemed real! He’s just seemed like a regular guy, most of the time, except he has a lot more money than most guys.

The King gives me a long look and it’s impossible to read his face. Sliding one of his hands into the pocket of his tuxedo, he finally smiles at me. I guess we’re not touching.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. My son seems to be very taken with you.”

“I am very taken with him, too.” I look at Gabriel and smile at him so widely that it feels like my cheeks are going to crack.

“I will return shortly.” A zing of electricity shoots through my body as Gabriel’s lips meet mine for a brief kiss.

Gabriel’s hand squeezes mine, then I watch his tall, strong figure walk toward the stage.

“It’s remarkable,” the King says, once Gabriel is out of earshot, “how he is with you. I take it you’ve heard the stories about my son?”

I turn to the King and meet his eyes, then nod. “I have. I read about him in magazines, before we met.”

“Yet still you’re interested in my son?” The King raises an eyebrow at me.

“Absolutely! I understand you two have a…a contentious relationship, but he’s not like that with me. He’s been nothing but a gentleman with me.”

Our conversation is interrupted as a hush moves over the crowd and everyone turns to where Gabriel is standing. He looks magnificent in his custom tuxedo, smiling out at the crowd.

“It is my honor to be here with you this fine evening. I know these speeches are normally filled with small talk, but I will dispense with that.” He pauses and ripples of laughter and cheers rise up from the crowd. “It has been my pleasure to be in this fine city this past month and I can assure you that it is a city that has captured my heart and one that I will visit often.”

I can’t help but smile to think that I’m part of the reason he will return to Seattle or that he might stay here longer.

“On behalf of my family, the de Montmorency’s of Roquefleur, I’m pleased to loan The Fugue to the Pacific Art Museum. This is part of our private collection and this is the first time the painting will be on display to the general public.” With a flourish, he removes the cover of the painting.

“And now, I will leave you to enjoy this party.” Gabriel gives a slight bow as everyone in the ballroom applauds.

“May I have this dance?”

Gabriel bows slightly and extends his hand to me. Smiling, I bend my knees into a slight curtsy and place my hand in his.

“It would be my pleasure.”

“It will be our pleasure.” Gabriel’s eyes flash and land on the pearl necklace I’m wearing, and I can’t help but giggle as we walk to the center of the dance floor.

A beautiful waltz pours out of the speakers and we dance around the floor as if we’d danced together a million times before. Gabriel’s strong arms hold me firmly, expertly guiding me through everything Stella taught us.

It feels unreal to be here, dancing in this enormous gallery filled with priceless artwork, surrounded by the social and financial luminaries of Seattle. I really do feel like a lucky, lucky princess, and I’m already dreading when Gabriel has to leave and return home. I don’t even want to think about the hole my life will have when he’s gone.

As the song ends, I sigh. It wouldn’t be a terrible thing if the song played on endless repeat and I could stay in Gabriel’s arms forever.

Gabriel slips his arms from me and I pout a little. “Can’t we dance another?”

“Well, actually, there is something I need to do, first.”

I sigh, turning to walk to the side of the ballroom, but I feel Gabriel tug at my hand. Confused, I turn back to him.

The crowd goes silent as Gabriel slides down onto one knee in front of me. My mind spins and then my heart races faster than I ever thought it could. This can’t be!

“Sophie.” Gabriel looks up at me, his hand grasping mine tightly. “Ever since we met, you have continually surprised me and challenged me, and you have absolutely enchanted me. You are strong, talented, and amazing, and I would be honored if you would marry me and stand beside me for the rest of our lives. I love you and need you in my life, now and forever.”

Gabriel releases my hand and reaches into his pocket, extracting a carved, antique ring box. He opens the lid and a dazzling ring is nestled inside – an extremely large, multi-faceted diamond, surrounded by sapphires and rubies.

“These are the colors of our Kingdom, which match the colors of your country. This ring belonged to my Grandmother, then to my Mother, and now I hope you will do me the honor of saying Yes and becoming the next de Montmorency of Roquefleur and to wear this ring as a symbol that you will become my wife, the Princess of Roquefleur, and one day, Queen of Roquefleur. Sophie, will you marry me?”

My eyes are riveted on Gabriel and I want to dive back into his arms and kiss him and love him until the end of time.

“Yes!” I clap a hand over my mouth as I realize I’ve screamed my response. “I mean to say,” I continue, trying to regain my composure, “I love you with all my heart and I would be thrilled beyond measure to be your wife. I accept!”

Gabriel’s hand trembles as he extracts the ring from the box and slides the ring onto my finger. I look down at the ring, marveling at its size and beauty, then throw my arms around Gabriel as he stands up. He bends me backward and kisses me passionately, his tongue dancing in my mouth and making my insides burn with desire.

“You have made me the happiest man in the world. Now let’s get out of here!”

The lights in Gabriel’s penthouse are low as we stand next to the window overlooking Puget Sound and watch the last swaths of a brilliant summer sunset.

“The sunsets will be beautiful in Italy, too.” Gabriel turns to me and releases my hair so that it falls over my shoulders. “Though they will never be as beautiful as you.”

“Oh, stop,” I say, blushing. Gabriel tugs at the zipper for my dress and it falls into a beautiful heap around my feet.

“Come here,” Gabriel says, holding his hand out to me. I step out from the dress, following him into his spacious bedroom. I feel self-conscious about my body as we walk, but that all disappears when he turns and looks at me. His blue eyes are filled with love and desire. It’s a powerful feeling, finally being seen for me, instead of how my body looks.

Gabriel bends his head and slowly kisses a trail from my neck, down my arm, and to my fingertips.

“I will always love you and cherish you. You are the most remarkable woman I’ve ever encountered.”

I smile at him and run my hands through his blond hair. “You’re pretty amazing yourself, too, you know. I still keep expecting to wake up and find this has been a dream.”

“You are the dream,” Gabriel says, his voice husky. With a flick of his fingers, the clasp on my bra is undone and I tremble a little as he removes it and tosses it aside. He bites his lip as he looks at my breasts, before leaning in and kissing them lavishly.

Every touch from Gabriel sends an electric jolt of pleasure through my body, and I stumble and fall back on the bed.

Gabriel’s voice is nearly a growl as he looks down at me. He roughly rips off his tux shirt and pants, before crawling up on the bed. I gasp as I watch his muscular, powerful body move over mine. I raise my hand up and caress his chest, my engagement ring twinkling in the low light.

“I don’t know how I got so lucky, with you,” I say, pressing my body up against his and pulling his head down into a kiss. Gabriel’s tongue fills my mouth and his kiss takes my breath away.

“Because you are fucking magnificent.”

I run my hands down his strong back, reaching for his sculpted ass and pulling him closer to me. The heft of his thick cock presses against my slick wetness and my body instinctively rises up to meet him.

“I need you.” My voice wavers with desire and absolute need. My body is screaming to be one with Gabriel, to feel him filling me up and moving inside of me.

Gabriel doesn’t hesitate and he grabs his cock and pushes into me.

“Oh my God,” I cry out.

“Are you okay?” A moment of alarm flashes in Gabriel’s eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“No, it feels good. Please don’t stop.” I look into his eyes and he pushes deep into me. This is more beautiful than I even imagined it could be.

Gabriel gasps when I raise my hips up to him, urging him to go even deeper. “I’m not going to keep control for much longer…”

“Then don’t,” I tease, reaching up and pinching one of his nipples. He moans and thrusts deeper, making me cry out from how good he feels inside of me. We move together, our breathing quickening as we move more urgently and grasp each other closer. My body expands with rampant love and desire, so much that it takes my breath away. My love for Gabriel is the most powerful thing I’ve ever felt. I’m drunk on desire for him.

“Let me be on top.” My voice is breathless, but I want this. I’ve never felt confident like this with a man before, and I want to show him how gorgeous and perfect he makes me feel.

Without saying a word, Gabriel flips us over and I’m straddling him. He laces his fingers through mine and I begin rocking on his thick cock, wiggling around as I find the perfect angle.

“Have I told you, my beautiful fiancée, how magnificent you are?” Gabriel’s breath catches as I grind down on him. I can feel my orgasm building and I can’t hold anything back.

“You can…” I pause as my body goes molten and I start riding Gabriel harder and faster, “…always tell me…again.”

“I…oh fuck you feel so good.” Gabriel’s eyes close partway and his mouth opens. I keep working my hips over him, teasing him and then pushing down so that he fills me up completely.

“I’m so close,” I moan. My body is taking over, speeding up and twitching against his body. Gabriel reaches up and pulls me down so that we’re chest to chest. My mouth finds his and I kiss him with hungry abandon.

“Come with me, my beautiful Sophie.” Gabriel’s mouth finds mine again and my orgasm explodes through every nerve ending of my body. Gabriel groans as he thrusts up into me, hard and fast and urgent, then grabs my hips and pulls me down as he comes, too. My muscles clench and hold his cock deep inside of me.

“Sophie. Oh, my dear sweet Sophie.”

We roll over in the bed and Gabriel spoons me from behind, his breathing still jagged.

“You are magnificent.” Gabriel wraps his arms around me and pulls me so close it almost takes my breath away. One of his hands cups my breasts and I feel my nipples harden again.

“You are breathtaking.” I push my body into his, reveling in how perfectly we fit together. I never imagined I could find someone who loves me as much as Gabriel does. I am living in a fairy tale. “You know, I thought I was just going to take your money, but you’ve taken my heart, instead.”

“You will never want for anything, ever again. All you have to do is ask and I will give you anything, everything.” Gabriel buries his face in my hair, tickling my neck with kisses.

“All I want is you, my love, and babies. Lots and lots of babies. I love you more than I ever thought was possible.”

Gabriel’s voice is a growl as he moves from behind me and positions himself over me. I move my legs wide for him, eager to have him inside me again.

“I love you, too. Now let’s get started with those babies…”