Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Britney
Michael’s kiss had sent tingles down my spine, and I’d dreamt about him all night.
Acting on my desires would’ve been easier if I hadn’t said that stupid thing about not having sex. A huge part of me wanted to take back the idea of being celibate, but a whisper in my soul was saying we were getting closer and should stay the course. So I held still.
Everything in me ached for his touch again. As I woke and stretched, I half didn’t want to brush my teeth as I was afraid I would wipe the taste off my tongue. Reality woke me as I realized I would never get another kiss if I didn’t brush them, and I wanted to spend the day with him.
So I grabbed my Jill Sander slim ribbed midi cape dress with front zip, which I’d picked up at Bergdorf’s, and my Bottega Veneta almond flats, washed myself well, and walked out.
Michael was in a gray Tom Ford polo and blue jeans. He waved for me to join him, and my stomach growled. No breakfast was waiting, but we walked up the stairs to our new roof with the helipad.
I grabbed a chilled lemon water from a stand near the helicopter and sipped as I enjoyed the view of New York on the way to the airport. Michael spoke to his barrister, the English version of a lawyer.
Flying without all my friends around me was strange. That had been how my first helicopter ride was a month before, but I was feeling cozy with a handsome man with a wicked profile and kissable lips.
We landed at the airport, where a plane with a golden signature logo, complete with a tilted crown, was ready.
As we walked up the airstair, I smelled fresh leather, and as we walked in, the interior held an ivory and light-brown leather living area, a huge kitchen, and a door to a bedroom that was similar to our friends’, but the style was definitely more mine.
I smiled and said, “Now, this is an airplane.”
Michael put his phone away and pressed a hand on my shoulder. “The Norouzi clan decided to take their own jet and meet us there as it was our wedding.”
I was alone with the muscular, sexy, serious man I’d married. I headed to the kitchen and found some turkey sausage and croissants.
As I made myself a plate, he said, “When we arrive, you’ll need to be properly attired right away as Her Majesty has set the appointment for four p.m., and we must not be late to Buckingham.”
I gazed up at the curved, gilded metal ceiling and put my plate down, imagining a moment where strangers cheered for me. I laughed and said, “I’m living a Princess Diaries moment here.”
He’d grown up with royals being normal, so he didn’t even blink. “Once your audience is over, you’ll be permitted at formal events as my wife.”
As we started to taxi to the runway, I took my plate and found a seat. When Michael joined me, I asked, “Would they have locked the door in my face if the queen hadn’t scheduled me in?”
He laughed and stirred his tea. “Cute accent.”
I tensed for a moment as we sped up though I winked and said, “Thank you. I was copying yours.”
“And no, they’d have just quietly snubbed you.”
The way he discussed his homeland and what I’d seen while growing up, watching sophisticated people on television, were different, clearly.
The rest of the trip, we talked and slept.
Then we hopped into a limo to a hotel in Mayfair.
No one had to tell me where I was. The Georgian townhomes gave it away, as well as the Bond Street sign.
As I gazed around, it reminded me more of Fifth Avenue than I’d expected even though, in the books and movies I loved, it was always the place full of drama.
I glanced at Hyde Park, and my toes curled at the fact that everything was real.
Michael guided me inside an upscale hotel. I peeked through an arched wall to one side, into a gilded dining hall with mirrors and painted ceilings. The red leather chairs were modern and not what I expected. I blinked, but we went to the lobby and checked in. We were alone.
Once he was handed the keys, I asked, “So our friends won’t be joining us yet?”
“They’re on their own schedule, but we’ll see them soon,” he said, and we headed up to a suite full of gowns and jewels and servants all set to do hair and makeup.
He said, “Foreign trillionaires don’t need the crown for courtesy, but the queen has requested their audience later, as well as invitations to the formal ball hosted by the Duke of Somerset. ”
“That sounds fancy.” I shrugged and walked over to the dresses. “Well, what do I wear?”
He picked out a black tuxedo. Being a man was so much easier. When I pointed at a Givenchy, he accepted and said, “Anything, as long as you look nice.”
We walked back to the rack of women’s dresses as I asked, “So no white or anything?”
He pointed across the room and shrugged. “As we’re married, you are not required to wear white, but if you want to wear your wedding gown again, go for it.”
I’d been eyeing a midnight-blue crystal-embellished Jenny Packman V-neck gown and a red Carolina Herrera silk detachable puff-sleeve earlier. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t want to embarrass you.”
I grabbed both gowns, and we headed into the bedroom to change. He tossed his jeans as I took longer to decide. When I saw myself in the mirror, I picked the bright red.
If I was thrown out of the palace, I would go in style.
He quietly said, “I’ll be more embarrassed if I don’t address my parents. The royal stuff is secondary.”
The way he tortured himself was too much.
I moved closer to him and smiled in the mirror. “Really? I’m honored. I’ve only ever seen these people on television.”
“I got over titles long ago.” He turned, and our hands brushed.
My awareness of him grew as I began, “One of the nice things about you?—”
“Other than my muscles.”
I laughed and nodded. “Well, that is nice as well, and I miss touching you, but I was going to say… is how sweet and considerate you are. I need to be more like you.”
He smiled at me then kissed me.
I lifted my chin and met his passion with my own. I needed him more than I needed air.
Then he let me go and walked out of the bedroom.
Granted, people were waiting to make me pretty out there, but the suddenness of his disappearance sent a shockwave through me. I pressed my lips together. I never winced in public, but his leaving felt like a rejection.
Refusing to dwell on that thought, I took a quick shower, found clean everything, and decided to sparkle with the red.
Hair and makeup transformed me from nice to a flawless beauty that could walk a runway. I happily changed into my gown then selected a diamond set that would absolutely draw attention and ensure all focus was on me.
Michael came in and pressed a hand on his heart. “You look gorgeous.”
A huge smile grew on my face, and I walked to his arm and said, “In the movies, people are always dressing to impress the queen, so I went with conservative and classy.”
He kissed my cheek. “You’d make a paper bag sexy, darling.”
With Michael, everything was good, but then I made a final decision. I wanted to change our deal to make us feel more real. I kept it to myself as sex would have to wait until after meeting the royals.
As we headed to the limo, I said, “Well, that’s for another time. Let’s go impress the palace.”
While we drove, I was totally fine until we were outside Buckingham Palace and the guards in red coats were waiting.
I clutched Michael’s hand and said, “I’m nervous.”
He smiled at me. “You’re here with me, and despite the largeness of the house, none of that really matters.”
Right. I was about to be presented in the brightest dress I could find. My friends would have talked me out of the red, but it was too late. I stepped onto the red carpet, and Michael walked me inside.
As we passed through the arched door, I gazed up at paintings of nature on the huge walls, and my neck started to hurt from craning. Michael led me to a room on the second floor, where we waited outside, and I realized when the door moved that we were outside a throne room.
The palace was like a movie in many ways. I froze when the butler announced Michael’s name and title, but my mind was buzzing, so I couldn’t retain any of it as he told us to go in.
As we stood before the queen, Michael stayed with me and bowed. I almost did but then remembered to curtsey. However, I wasn’t good at it and almost fell on my face.
Michael held me so I didn’t collapse, and I stood fast.
The queen laughed from her throne.
I met her blue-eyed gaze and said, “Lovely to meet you.”
The room was absolutely silent, and my ears drummed. I wasn’t sure if I’d fucked that up.
The queen smiled, though, and said, “You, too, though your curtsey could use some work.”
“I’ve never been taught,” I said and pressed my hands to my stomach.
I was normally at the top of my game, but I was being a walking disaster.
The queen shrugged and said, “Waste of time teaching that, anyhow. It’s better if more women have your financial skills.”
My heart lifted. She’s read my resume. I nodded and said, “Thank you, ma’am… Your Highness.”
She turned her attention to Michael and said, “You chose a proper bride, Barkley.”
I blinked but held my tongue.
He held his head higher and said, “I think so, Your Majesty.”
My heart beat quickly. Two minutes later, we were heading back to the car, and my stomach grumbled. I was starving.
Once we were out of the palace and riding again, I asked, “Why did she call you Barkley?”
As the driver opened our door, Michael said, “It’s my honorary title. You’re now the Marchioness Barkley.”
I had fewer butterflies but still shook my head. “I don’t think I have it in me to answer to that.”
He shrugged. “Only use it if you want people to take notice.”
Our gazes met, and I felt like he knew me. I smiled. “Well, now, that does sound like it matches my personality.”
The streets were not the same we’d taken earlier.
As we crossed a bridge, I asked, “Where are we going?”
“We’ll do a drive-by of the estate, and then I’ll take you to my house for a tour.”
So the hotel had been just for prepping. I didn’t care. I trusted Michael.
“Just driving by?” I asked.
He sat up. “I figure you need the lay of the land before we make our grand entrance tomorrow.”
I took his hand and smiled. “You almost make it sound like we’re going in as criminals.”
“That’s not my intent. I just want you comfortable.”
I was overdressed for walking around a house, but I cupped his face. “Relax. I got you. Nothing your family can do will stop us now.”
He kissed my palm. “You’re the first woman I’ve ever brought home.”
My heart beat faster as I wished he would touch me. My nipples hardened, but I took a deep breath and joked, “Believe me, I’m not impressed since you prefer to slouch on other people’s couches.”
His mouth opened like he was offended. “And transform my money from billions to trillions.”
I shook my head. “Which you did mostly while sitting your underwear.”
“Boxer briefs, and you like them.”
We drove onto an estate that really reminded me a bit of Pemberley, complete with a fountain and small lake on one side of the long driveway. The grounds were extensive, and London was completely blocked by the trees and fence. I sighed but then realized Michael’s gaze was still warming me up.
“I did like the black pair as it made you look a little more rough,” I said.
We drove across the huge estate and, once we passed the gates, headed to a smaller but definitely posh, gorgeous house.
When the limo stopped, Michael waved for me to join him. “Come.”
I followed him out.
Birds were chirping. We were standing outside on such a beautiful day, and I couldn’t hold out anymore.
I pressed myself closer and said, “Michael?—”
Then he kissed me.
Everything felt like a dream.