Francine leaned down, pulling him with her until her back nestled into the silken comforter, maintaining the exuberant kiss. She barely had time to notice how comfortable the mattress was before he joined her on it.
His weight pressed deliciously into her, but then he rolled onto his back, taking her with him, depositing her on his chest.
She broke the kiss. “Nice bed,” she said, feeling breathless.
“Very nice.”
“Fit for a king.”
“And a princess,” he added, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
“And a bounty hunter.”
His passionate gaze intensified. “And my bride-to-be.”
They kissed again until she didn’t care where she was, as long as he didn’t stop.
Francine woke with a start and tried to remember where she was. When her parents left her behind on Earth after she didn’t marry the groom they had arranged for her, she stayed at Valene Grey’s place for a short time before moving into her duplex next to Mrs. Greenstone.
Every morning for several weeks, both in Valene’s spare room and her new duplex home, Francine woke in the same manner, wondering where she was. The inevitable crash of memories would always surface, letting her know exactly where she resided. Every morning was the same. Shock and wonder, followed by memory and acceptance, followed by the relaxing notion that she was right where she was supposed to be.
Now, like then, she had to allow a few seconds for her to establish her location. Super comfy bed. Unfamiliar sheets. An ornate canopy over her head. She squinted.Where am I?
Recognition of the deep inhale and exhale of masculine breath next to her made her widen her eyes. Intense heat warmed one side of her body. She was not alone in bed. Her recollection of the night before came rapidly and, with it, a powerful surge of joy.
Raphael.
She sighed, charmed to be exactly where she was. Raphael truly was an archangel. Gentle. Tender. Amazing. He was perfection. Francine turned toward him and snuggled closer to his warmth. She drifted back to sleep as wonderful memories of their evening encompassed her mind, heart and soul.
Raphael woke briefly when Francine burrowed against his back. He was unable to wipe the smile from his face and gave up trying. She was a princess. A sweet, beautiful princess with a gentle hold on his soul.
His new plan was to ensure she became his fiancée in truth. He’d never been more certain of any decision in his life. She belonged with him. He belonged with her. They belonged together.
This was a turning point in his life, previously only filled with hunting bad people, chasing bounties and a certain amount of loneliness experienced during those times when he lay in wait for the criminals he chased to show themselves. He couldn’t wait to start their life together. His mind stumbled briefly to Victor and he had to forcefully set that problem in the back of his mind, well away from attending the coming wedding with Francine. There’d be time enough for that worry later.
He dozed for a few hours until his empty belly woke him with a loud rumble. Francine was on her back, still pressed against him. She mumbled in her sleep, which he found adorable, then she said a few clear words before falling quiet again. After watching Francine for a long while, he slipped from the very comfortable bed and headed out to the living area before his beastly loud appetite wokeherfrom a deep slumber.
Checking the ornate clock, he realized it wasn’t as late as he thought. He ordered several selections of food for them, in case she woke up hungry, too.
Raphael contemplated their night together. His eyes drifted shut in memory of the spectacular events that had taken place in the adjoining room. He never would have instigated what transpired, and was so grateful she had. Francine wouldn’t take no for an answer. Raphael hadn’t put up much of a fight and what little resistance he offered hadn’t lasted long.
The memory of her snuggling up to him in the middle of the night shaped his lips into a smile.
After last night, it would not be difficult to convince anyone who witnessed their ardent affection for each other that they were a couple. After they’d gotten through the wedding and reception for Francine’s sister, and done whatever was possible to help Victor, perhaps he’d broach the subject of a permanent relationship between them.
His mind shifted to tomorrow afternoon’s nuptials. Francine had shared her previous wedding-crasher strategies with him. She’d arrived early, hidden nearby and inserted herself into a large group entering the venue. That way she could blend into the crowd, seating herself toward the outer aisle on the groom’s side of the divided space. To the best of her knowledge, no one had noticed her attendance during either ceremony.
As with the two Duvall weddings she’d crashed, the Duvall-Roth reception would take place directly after the nuptials. This time, however, instead of a separate site on the other side of the city, well away from the wedding venue, the attendees would be directed out a side door and down a covered walkway to the reception in the posh building next door.
There would be a formal reception line where he and Francine would be announced to the room, followed by a short walk to the wedding party’s receiving line, where they could offer congratulations to the bride’s parents, the bride and groom, the groom’s parents and the few attendants.
Basically, they’d have to face Francine’s parents straight away. For that reason, he planned to have the usher announce him initially and then give only Francine’s first name as the guest accompanying him.
When he’d outlined it for her, Francine approved of his plan. She said her parents would be delighted to have a surprise royal in their midst and would hopefully keep quiet about her appearance with him.
He didn’t know Francine’s parents personally. He was fairly certain he’d never met them, but hoped his former title would hold up to scrutiny after so many years away from the bosom of the Boudreaux royals.
