Everly

We spent the rest of the day at The Range. Sage turned it into a party for all to celebrate our marriage together. As king, his goal is to be more for the people, and I’d say he’s doing a fine job of it so far.

Wrapped in his arms, I take in the opulent suite we stayed in and reality hits me.

I married him.

Soon-to-be King Sage Stevinson made me his wife, and without even thinking things through, I agreed.

Panic hits me, although not about marrying him, but about his dad. Am I going to be the girl who takes Sage away from his family? Can that even happen to a royal? My head hurts just thinking about it. My body tenses and my stomach turns, but before I can do anything Sage interrupts my thoughts.

“Stop worrying,” he whispers in a sleepy voice.

“How did you—”

“I can practically hear you starting to panic, and your stiff body was a dead giveaway.”

I take a slow breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

Sage rolls over me, brushing my hair out of my face. “Please don’t tell me you’re regretting marrying me?”

“Never.” I lightly kiss his lips. “But I’m worried about your dad. What happens now?”

His hand softly explores my face as he takes in his new view. He stares into my eyes, melting my insecurities away. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Marrying you was the first step toward becoming king. There’s nothing he can do now.”

“But I don’t want him to hate me.”

“He doesn’t hate you.” He touches his lips to mine.

“Don’t lie to me. I don't want to come between you and your family.”

“You won’t. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything bad happen. I married you, and I couldn’t be happier. This is what they wanted, and I got what I wanted. For. So. Damn. Long.”

He turns me over, pulling me on top of him.

“Is this why you married me?”

“So I can make love to you anytime I want? Yes.”

I laugh, and he swallows every breath as I get lost in the emotions that is King Sage Stevinson. The man I never wanted who’s now the man that will give me more than I ever need.

His fingers start to unbutton the dress shirt of his I have on, the only thing I slept in last night. Once it’s open, he moves to my shoulder where he slips it down my arm. When his lips follow his movements, shivers run down my spine. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the feeling of him touching me. I don’t know if I ever want to.

I drop my head back when his strong arm wraps around my waist and holds me tightly. His manly growl of desperation and lust fuel my fire even more. I do love this man, more than I ever thought I would.

I pull his pants down but he stops me short when he slips down my body, out of my reach. A frustrated sigh escapes my mouth, and I want to hit him when I hear his light chuckle as he kisses down my neck to my chest.

I plop my hands on the bed in protest. When he moves to just under my left breast, kissing the bottom and looking up at me, my nipple the only thing between our vision, I know I’m done for. I’ve never seen something as sexy as the smile on his face as he loves on my breast like it’s a treasure he’s just won.

“You’re sexy, but you know it,” I tease.

“You love me and I know it,” he bites back while leaning up to suck my nipple in his mouth.

When his tongue sweeps across the tight bud, electricity flies through my body, exploding in all the right areas. I run my fingers over his shoulders and down his arms, trying to remove his boxers again.

“You want me?” he playfully asks while switching to caress my other nipple.

“I married you didn't I? That should answer your question.”

He laughs lightly. “That you did. Mrs. Everly Stevinson.” He pulls back, staring into my eyes as he removes his boxers. “Damn that is the sexiest name I’ve ever heard.”

His lips crash into mine as he slides exactly where I want him. And he’s right, that is the sexiest name I’ve ever heard—and it’s mine.

* * *

“Time to face reality. Are you ready?” Sage asks as we enter the elevator from our suite.

“I don't really have a choice, do I?”

“You always have a choice.” Turning to me, he frames my face in his large hands and stares down into my eyes. “You need to know that. We answer to no one now. Got it?”

“Duly noted. So what’s your plan? You know your father’s pissed.”

“He’s been pissed at me my entire life. This is nothing new. The only difference is he can’t do anything about it now.”

A sharp laugh escapes my lips. “Why do I get the feeling that will make things worse?”

He chuckles under his breath. “Because it will, but that’s not our problem. First though, we talk to my mom. I want you to meet her on our terms. Without my dad around.”

The slight smile that tilts his lips when he talks about his mother melts my heart. “Your mom’s not like your dad, is she?”

“No, not at all. She goes along with him, but to me, she’s been my savior the last few years. She knew you were who I wanted to be with.”

I quirk a brow. “So I have more than just you on my side?”

“After yesterday, you have the entire country in your corner.”

He kisses the top of my head just as the elevator dings and the view of outside the hotel catches me off guard. Lining the streets and entryway are camera reporters from every news station in Canterbury.

I instantly turn my head to Sage in worry, and he stops, turning me to face him. “Don’t worry. They all just want a glimpse of their new queen.”

“I’m. No. I’m not—”

“But you will be. Someday. And I know they will love you just as much as I do. So take a deep breath and embrace it, remembering things will be different with us.”

His words calm me. He’s right. Whenever thoughts of marrying Sage crossed my mind in the past, I envisioned having to live the way they were portrayed in the media, but I don’t have to be like that.

Sage wants us to be different. He wants us to be like normal people in our community. Well, as normal as we can be, but he wants to work with the citizens of Canterbury to offer them opportunities they’ve never had.

That, I know I can do.

After taking a deep breath, I turn toward the sliding glass doors. Sage takes my hand in his, and we make our way to the waiting limo, as man and wife, future king and queen.

To my surprise, when I step into the limo, I’m briefly star-struck and flustered when I see Mya sitting there waiting for us.

“Oh, um, hi. I’m—”

Her arms reach out and embrace me in a big hug. “Of course I know who you are. Everly, it’s so nice to meet you. Sage has told me all about you. You two seem perfect for each other.”

I shift my eyes to meet his and show him a shy smile. “What can I say? He swept me off my feet.”

“Well, you can genuinely say he made sparks fly for you, too.”

I laugh out loud.

“You know that wasn’t on purpose,” Sage defends himself.

“Nothing you do is on purpose. That is, until Everly here,” she responds.

“How’s Mom?” Sage asks, more seriously.

“She’s tired of dealing with Dad after the stunt you pulled yesterday, I can tell you that. You’re lucky she loves you. If you put me through that shit I’d help him banish your ass.”

I chuckle; both relieved and surprised to hear Mya talk this way. I can’t believe how wrong I was about this family. The stiff portrait they portray is much different than reality. Well, for Sage and his sister that is.

“When did they find out?” Sage asks.

“When breaking news came across every news station, radio station, Facebook, Twitter…you name it, they were talking about it.”

“People were talking about it that fast?” I ask in shock.

Her eyes narrow in surprise at me. “You married the country’s future king in an impromptu ceremony at The Range—in your jeans no less—of course everyone was all abuzz. What’s hilarious is there was a news station at the house because Dad was about to announce your upcoming nuptials to Marie. He didn’t think you’d actually follow through with anything and that you’d come back with your tail between your legs.”

Sage runs his hand down his face. “Was she there, too?”

“Yup. Everyone but you.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “What’s wrong with that woman? I pulled her aside and told her you didn’t love her, and she blew me off. She honestly didn’t care and said that as long as you kept your affair a secret from the media, she was fine with it.”

“She did not!” I exclaim.

“She did,” Sage says. “She told me the same thing when I tried to let her down easy.”

“Then what happened when the news broke?”

“Thankfully, the news station bailed faster than lightning, upset they were missing the big shot. Marie stormed off with her parents by her side, and Dad went on a rampage calling every person he could to try to stop it. You were smart making it happen right away.” Mya grabs my hand. “I’m sorry I missed it, but I’m really happy for you two. You nabbed an amazing man here, and I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

Sage leans over, kissing me softly and snuggling up closer.

I glance between Mya and Sage. “So what now?”

She laughs. “That’s up to him. I just wanted to meet you in peace before all hell broke loose.”

Sage wraps my hand in his, knowing her comment set me on edge. “It’s okay, sweetheart, I promise,” he whispers into my ear before kissing my head.