I bounced on Carrick’s shoulder as he walked up the steps. He smacked my butt again as I tried to shift, so his shoulder wasn’t digging into my stomach, and I yelped. When he walked up the last step, I reached down and pinched his firm ass again. Man, you really could bounce quarters off the thing.

“Scarlett,” he said in warning. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to fuck you right here in the hallway, where everyone can see. Remember how that worked out last time.”

I pouted. “It was Ava, not one of the staff, that caught us.”

He chuckled and I wanted to punch him in the kidney. If I could get the right angle, I probably would. Our bedroom door slammed behind us, closing out the rest of the world. I groaned as he bounced me up and down on his shoulder once more, just to make his point. He flipped me over and down onto the bed, and I grinned up at him as he crawled over me, caging me under his muscled chest. The breathtaking smile on his face made me almost giddy.

Carrick made me feel again. As much as it scared me, I felt happy and hopeful for the first time in years. None of the drugs and alcohol ever made me as happy or feel as safe as the love and attention Carrick showered me with. I finally felt like I wasn’t the cause of that horrible accident. He wanted me in his life and trusted my opinions, which was a completely foreign feeling to me. We were still figuring each other out as a couple, but somehow, I instinctively knew we would be just fine.

He leaned down and kissed me softly. “You told off my ex-wife.”

I smiled back at him and ran my fingers through his hair. “I did. She was trying to threaten you with lies. No one threatens my husband and gets away with it.”

“How did you know it was a lie?”

I rolled my eyes. “All you Trudeau men are tall, dark, and handsome. Plus, you look exactly like your uncle. I’ve seen pictures of your dad. All three of you definitely come from the same family tree.”

He tangled his fingers in my hair and pressed his forehead to mine. “Thank you.”

“For what?” I asked, cocking my head to the side, studying him.

“Trusting me.”

I rested my hand on his chest, over his heart. “You’re welcome, but I’m the one that should be thanking you.” I sighed. “Let’s get real here; I’m never going to be a good queen, but you still chose me. I’m too broken to actually make a go at this. Everyone is going to see through the cracks I’m trying to hide. In the end, you might think Jade was the right choice.”

He sat up and glared at me. “Haven’t you realized yet that I’m not exactly the king that most people would choose either? I was an addict for years. The press has filmed me drunk, high, and completely incoherent, but I cleaned myself up because I knew that I didn’t want to be that person anymore. Jade wrecked me. She lied about being pregnant with my child and cheated on me almost the entire time we were married because she’s a horrible person. Scarlett, just because she can make nice in front of a camera does not mean she would make a good queen.”

I bit down on my bottom lip. “I didn’t know that, but I do know that your people love you.”

“I don’t give a fuck about social ideals and what people think you should or shouldn’t be. You’re going to be an amazing queen. We just have to do our best to make sure you are ready for the responsibility. I tried to wait for you to come to me, and I’m sorry I had to rush everything, but I want to have a happy life with you, Scarlett.”

Why was this man so damn sweet one second and absolutely infuriating the next?

He paused. “Also, what do you mean, you know that the people love me?”

I dug my face into his chest. “I may or may not have snuck out and went to a bar last week.”

He took my chin in his hand and made me look into his dark eyes. “Why did you do that? I need to make sure you’re safe at all times.”

“I took security with me, but you know it’s something that I do from time to time. I’m pretty good at picking out safe places that have amazing regulars. Back home, there was a pub that I frequented because it kept me in touch with reality. I don’t want my life to only be fancy balls and charity events. Sometimes I need to talk to the people, and see what they want for the future.”

He kissed my forehead and pulled me in closer. “You never cease to amaze me, Scarlett.”

I blushed and rested my head on his shoulder as we leaned back into the headboard. The feeling of the crushed velvet on my exposed back made goose bumps rise on my skin.

“Carrick, we’re going to be happy, right?”

He angled his head down towards mine. “I really think so.”

I dug my fingers into his back as his mouth dominated mine. His tongue explored me and left me breathless as we kissed. Normally, I wasn’t complacent to sit back and let a man lead, but with Carrick, I craved that. I wanted him to take from me until I couldn’t give him any more.

I whimpered into his mouth as he pinched at my nipples through my silk nightgown. My head fell back and I cursed as his mouth sucked down on a sensitive part of my neck.

“How do you want this, baby?”

When I made myself open my eyes and look at Carrick, the wicked grin on his face made me excited for his next move.

“Whatever you want.”

I didn’t even recognize my own voice.

His eyes flashed and in seconds, he had me flipped over on all fours. I glanced over my shoulder as he stripped off his boxers and positioned himself behind me. A load moan filled the room as he ran his cock up and down my entrance. He gripped my hips tighter as I fought to push back on him. The sharp slap on my ass made me gasp.

“Are you in charge here?”

I bit down on my lip and faced forward, trying hard not to arch my back. “No, sir.”

The feeling of his scruff against my back was too much. He grinned and bit down gently on one of my shoulder blades.

“Carrick,” I breathed.

He finally slid inside me, kissing my neck gently as he did. “Say it again.”

“What?”

“Say my name again. I like hearing it on your lips while I’m inside you.”

My entire body tightened and this time, I moaned his name while gripping the sheets. It didn’t take long before we were both sweaty. He tugged me up, my back against his front, and loosely gripped my neck. His kisses were powerful, making me so weak he had to hold me up as he drove into me from behind. My fingers dug into the headboard and I felt the beginning of my orgasm coming on quickly. Carrick’s hand slammed down over mine, interlocking our fingers as we broke our mouths apart to breathe.

I came so hard little white dots danced in front of my vision. Carrick’s arm wrapped around me tighter and we bent down over the bed, then slowly sank onto the mattress, Carrick spooning me from behind. He reached down and tugged the sheet up over us. I felt sleep pulling at me, but I heard him whisper in my ear before drifting off.

“We’re definitely going to be happy.”

I smiled at my husband as he looked out over the crowds of well-wishers on his coronation day. We stood side by side, as the priest that had married us performed the special ceremony, officially making us the King and Queen of Warington. All the emotions of the day were mind-boggling, and I couldn’t tell if I wanted to laugh or cry anymore. Carrick looked overwhelmed and I wanted nothing more than to go calm him and rub the little “v” between his eyebrows to make him laugh. The day was only getting started.

We thought we were prepared, but the amount of people who had shown up to support us was more than either of us had expected. The people loved Carrick, but apparently the idea of both of us together was something they were absolutely obsessed with.

William stood next to me and leaned over to whisper in my ear. “I’ve never seen him happier than he has been over these past few weeks.”

I looked over at him in surprise. The ex-soldier was normally quiet, but I’d occasionally caught him laughing when I did something ridiculous or Carrick was acting like a lovesick fool. His eyes were shining brightly, and I could see how genuine his words were.

“I’m happy too. Thank you for pushing him.”

He winked and turned his gaze back out to the crowds; keeping a watchful eye out, like always. The more I got to know him, the more I liked him. He was a tough one to crack, but each day, I got a little closer to figuring out what made William tick.

As I glanced out over the crowd, I noticed my sister and step-brother standing next to Karen and Roger. Surprise, surprise. My own father couldn’t even be bothered to come while his daughter was being crowned queen of her own country. Nothing I did would ever be good enough for that man, and I was through trying to impress him. It made me sad I would never have the relationship that I wanted with him, but I knew I would be better off without him and his toxic influence.

Ava grinned at me as she tugged on Roman’s arm to get his attention. We were both smiling at Ava’s enthusiasm, but something seemed off with her. She had a look in her eye that seemed haunted. Roman had a smile on his face when he looked at me, but when he looked at Ava, I saw the same concern I felt mirrored on his face. It was possible that I’d judged him too harshly, on the fact that I hated my father and his mother. He was here to support me, after all, and he seemed to genuinely be happy for me. Plus, he was worried about Ava. That made him a good guy in my book. Maybe it was time to extend an olive branch to him.

Carrick reached out to take my hand in his. I stepped closer, beaming up at him. He deserved this day and I was thrilled to be up here next to him. As he leaned down to kiss me, cheers rang out. I blushed and tucked my face into his neck after he thoroughly ravaged my mouth.

“You’re ridiculous,” I muttered into his ear.

“I’m just a man in love with his princess.”

I yanked my head back and stared at him, incredulously. “Of all the times to say that, you choose now?”

He laughed. “I was overtaken by the excitement of the day. I love you so much, Scarlett.”

I couldn’t help but throw my head back in laugher. The grin on his face was contagious, and I found myself smirking back at him. “I love you too, Carrick Trudeau. You’re insane, but I can’t wait to spend the next forty years running a country together.”

“Just forty?” he teased.

I scrunched up my face. “Fifty?”

“Fifty sounds amazing, my love.”

I couldn’t believe that I had actually talked Carrick into a honeymoon in Antigua. We were here for at least another week, possibly two, if I could bribe him well enough. He’d been so dead set against leaving for a honeymoon so quickly after being crowned King. Somehow, I’d been able to get him to agree to a week of sandy beaches and little tropical drinks with umbrellas.

My sunglasses slipped down my nose as I stared at my husband paddle boarding on the gorgeous blue water in front of me. His chiseled abs and defined arms were working overtime as he gracefully pushed through the water. If I kept looking at him like that, I might have to wipe the drool off my chin before he made it back to me.

It took me a second to register that my phone was ringing. I was slightly annoyed at the distraction as I dug through my beach bag to pull it out. I frowned when Ava’s name flashed across the screen. Why would she be calling during my honeymoon? She had been the one to push for us to get some time alone together.

“Ava?”

“Scarlett. Oh, thank goodness.”

“Is everything okay?” The breathy nervous sound of her voice was worrying me.

“Um…not really. When are you getting back? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“We planned to stay another week, but if we need to come home sooner, we can be there by tonight.”

Even through the phone, I knew she was biting down on her bottom lip. “No, don’t do that. I want you to enjoy your time together. How’s the beach?”

I raised an eyebrow. Now she was too cheerful. “It’s fine. What’s going on with you Ava?”

“Nothing. Seriously it can wait. Forget I even called, and I’ll see you in a week. Or two. Maybe you guys should stay two weeks.”

“I don’t think—”

“Listen I’ve got to go. Sorry I bothered you. Tell Carrick I say hi. Love you,” she stammered.

“Ava—”

I frowned at the black screen of my phone. She’d hung up on me.

What the hell was that about?

“I thought we said no phones,” Carrick said as he slumped down into the chair next to me. The water clung to his skin and I wanted to taste every little drop with my tongue.

“We did,” I muttered. “It was Ava.”

He lowered his sunglasses. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure,” I said slowly. “She was acting weird.”

“Do we need to go home early?”

I stared at my phone for a few seconds before answering. “I don’t think so. If I change my mind, would you be upset?”

He reached over and squeezed my hand. “Not at all, baby. You say the word, and I’ll get us there.”

“I’m not even sure where there is. Last I heard, she was still in Islefield with Alex. He’s not handling Julia’s death very well.”

Carrick gave me a sad smile. “No one ever takes death well.”

I climbed out of my chair and sat down in his lap, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “That’s very true, but I know something very life-affirming that we can do to make sure we don’t take our lives for granted.”

He smirked. “I just bet you do.”