Chapter 24 — Lisabet

It astounds me how Miles seems to know me better than I know myself.

He knows how to touch me in a way that leaves me breathless. He knows how to kiss me to leave me seeing stars. He knows exactly what to say to have me all hot and bothered, practically putty in his hands for him to play with.

Miles lifts me onto the bed like I weigh nothing at all, placing me down on cool silk sheets. We undress in a hurry, eager hands roaming over one another’s curves in search of pleasure. I love the way Mile’s fingers press into my skin, studying every inch of me with a level of focus that has me burning with need.

“Lie down,” I tell him, kissing the crook of his neck.

He does so, not once looking away.

I get up on my knees and kiss a trail down his chest and abs, moving all the way down until I have the pleasure of licking my way up the shaft of his hard cock. I wrap my lips around his head, savoring his taste as I swirl my tongue around. A low moan rumbles through Miles, the sound shooting straight through me and settling between my legs, need too strong to ignore for much longer.

I climb on top of him, straddling him between my thighs as I slowly lower myself, enjoying the stretch and feeling of utter completeness as we become one.

The heat. The pleasure. The way Miles’s strong hands wrap around my thighs to keep me anchored where I am. It’s all so exhilarating and wonderful, like the very best parts of a good dream.

Miles looks up at me like my own personal worshipper, gazing up at me in sheer amazement and awe. I get used to the roll of his hips as he slowly takes over, thrusting up into me to chase after more of that sweet friction. It gets to a point where he can no longer be subject to my mercy, too riled up to allow me to drag things out any longer.

He circles my waist with his arms and rolls us over, pinning my back to the bed as he towers over me. His position above me gives him better access to my neck, kissing and sucking at the tender skin there to leave large, red marks. Miles works with feverish focus, almost as if determined to claim me as his. I, for one, already know that I am, but I find it downright entertaining to see him so territorial of me.

I rake my fingers through his hair and throw my head back to moan, giving in to the pace that Miles sets. It’s hard and fast and it’s all I can do to hold on for dear life as he has his way with me. We move in perfect unison, working like we’re trying to make up for lost time. Between heated kisses and ravenous, roaming hands, I lose track of the seconds and minutes that pass. The rest of the world fades away, melts into nothing.

We don’t stop until we see the first crack of dawn, lying together in a tangle of arms and legs. Even though sleep tries to drag me under, I’m too preoccupied with staring deep into Miles’s pretty eyes to even entertain the thought of dreaming.

Being here with him is the dream.

We don’t say anything. There isn’t any need. I’m sure he can sense how happy I am. It’s contagious. I see my smile reflected in his eyes, and he mirrors the exact same expression. We’re pulled up close, foreheads touching, warm breaths mingling. Miles plays with my hair while I stroke his jawline, admiring the rough stubble he’s got going on.

“I can’t believe you snuck out of your own kingdom for me,” I mumble, amused.

“I had no other choice.”

“God, your father’s going to hate me. More than he already does.”

Miles presses his fingers to my lips. “I don’t want you to worry about that. His opinion means nothing to me.”

“But he’s right. The world isn’t exactly forgiving of young women who steal away young princes. Just look at history. Wallis, Meghan. I think Grace was an exception, but still.”

“You’re not stealing me away, Lisabet. This is just as much my choice as it is yours.”

I anxiously nibble on my bottom lip. “When do you think you’ll go back?”

“Never.”

“I’m being serious, Miles.”

“As am I.”

“Miles, you can’t do that. Can you?”

“The second I step foot back in Oxland, Father’s going to dig his claws into me and never let me out of his sight. I won’t allow that again. Not if it means not being able to be with you.”

“But won’t your mother worry?”

“I’ll call her first thing in the morning to tell her that I’m fine, but I’m not going back. Not without you.”

“God, that’s hopelessly romantic.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

I giggle. “No, it’s not. I just never thought I’d meet someone who loved me enough to give up everything. It’s…It’s a lot.”

Miles cups my face. “You bet it’s a lot, but rest assured I’d do it all again if given the chance.”

“You’re not going to regret it, are you?”

“Of course not. You’re the only one I want, Lisabet. Now and always.” Miles sits up suddenly, throwing his legs over the edge of the mattress. There’s a spark behind his eyes, like he’s come to a sudden realization.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“I need to make a call.”

“Everything OK?”

Miles throws on his boxers and circles around the bed to come to my side, leaning in for a kiss. “Everything’s perfect,” he says. He kisses the top of my head and pulls up the duvet cover to tuck me in. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

I watch him go, disappearing around the corner towards the living room area. I’m at peace, cradled on all sides by unbelievably smooth sheets and fluffy pillows. I believe him when he says he’ll be back. After everything he’s gone through to get to me, I’m sure he’s true to his word.

Sleep catches me off guard, the heaviness of my eyelids too hard to fight.

When I come to, the morning sun’s streaming into the room, painting everything in gold. That’s when the smell of flowers reaches my noise, followed by the sound of someone shuffling out in the living room.

I get up, throwing on Miles’s shirt that he’d abandoned to the floor the night before. It’s oversized on me, reaching all the way down to my knees, draping over my shoulders much like a dress.

I wander out into the living room, stunned to find it full to bursting with beautiful red roses. Standing in the center of it all is Miles. He’s thrown on a clean button-down shirt and pants, hair brushed to the side in an effortlessly handsome manner.

“Good morning, sunshine,” he says fondly.

I laugh. “What is all this? Did you get any sleep last night?”

He holds his hand out for me to take. “This is far more important than sleep.”

I slip my hand into his and join him in the center of the room, surrounded on all sides by the wonderfully sweet scent of rose petals. I watch as Miles gets down on one knee, pulling a small purple velvet ring box from his pocket. He opens it to reveal a dazzling diamond ring, catching the light in a way that makes it look like it’s made of crackling lightning.

“Lisabet Thompson,” he starts, brimming with confidence. “I knew you were the one the second I laid eyes on you. I can’t imagine my future if you’re not in it. My father may not approve, but quite frankly I don’t care. If he tries to take you away from me again, if he tries to put a wedge between us, I’ll step down.”

My jaw drops. “What? Miles, that’s—”

“I don’t want to rule my kingdom if you’re not there beside me, Lisabet. I have no doubt that Father will stop at nothing to make sure we don’t end up together, but there’s nothing he can do if we’re already married.” Miles breaks out into the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen in my life. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife, Lisabet?”

I hold back a giggle. “This is awfully scandalous of you, Prince Miles. Elopement? The media will have a field day when they find out.”

“Is that a yes? I really can’t tell.”

I throw my arms around him and we go tumbling down onto the floor, caught up in a mess of an embrace but I don’t care. My heart’s beating so fast that I can barely concentrate.

“Of course it’s a yes!” I say, kissing him as hard as I possibly can.

Miles kisses me back just as hard, laughing the whole time.