“Don’t hold back!”
The ride is so much fun in itself that it doesn’t matter that I won’t climax with him. His approaching release is already making every inch of my channel, every nerve in my body buzz with giddy anticipation. I bear down on him, and then pleasure explodes as I come undone, crying out his name. He follows seconds after, gushing his powerful release inside me.
When I climb off him and stretch out by his side on the bed with my head in the crook of his arm, he surveys my face. “You came, didn’t you, while on top?”
“I’m sure it was a fluke.”
“Or your new normal.”
I harrumph. “Don’t get your hopes up.”
“All right, I won’t.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Regardless, it was amazing. I’m going to have you ride me a lot more often from now on.”
“In your dreams, de Bellay!”
“Why?”
“This will remain a special treat for special occasions, like, for example, the first day of summer,” I decree. “You on top is how I prefer it.”
“Your wish is my command, Your Highness.” He grins.
I grin back.
“We had unprotected sex again,” he points out. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get pregnant?”
“Are you?”
“I’d love that, actually,” he admits. “As far as I’m concerned, if that happened, I’d be the happiest man on earth.”
I try to conceal my triumphant relief as best I can. “Is there a reason you think I’d be any less happy?”
“No.” He searches my face. “We just never talked about it, I guess. And you have such a busy schedule with your royal representation duties, social calls, charity work, blogging, and the travel guides.”
“Pregnancy isn’t an incapacitating illness, dummy!”
“Of course, not.” His gaze remains locked on mine, increasingly bright. “Does this mean you wouldn’t mind if I got you pregnant, or am I reading too much into your repartee?”
“I won’t get pregnant.”
All brightness drains from his eyes. “You won’t?”
“No,” I say. “You see, a woman can’t get pregnant if she’s already expecting.”
His mouth falls open and he stares at me, dumbfounded. I chuckle softly at that rather comical sight.
“What…” He falters, swallows, starts again. “What are you saying, Gigi?”
I kiss his cheek. “Exactly what you think I’m saying and what I came here this morning to announce until I got sidetracked.” I make an appropriately solemn face. “Monsieur de Bellay, you’re going to be a dad!”
EPILOGUE
The Château de Bellay’s dining hall is abuzz with conversation and clinking glasses. Unlike the stiff formality of the reception halls in the royal palace, this one is smallish and warm with earthy comforting colors. Wooden beams span the ceiling. The tall windows are open wide. In the absence of wind on this July evening, the candles and antique chandeliers aren’t at risk of going out.
Buffet tables line the wall opposite the windows. They’re laden with crusty breads, artisanal cheeses, succulent charcuterie, and an array of pastries. There’s enough variety of the local delicacies to tempt every palate, even the demanding royal ones of my mother and brothers.
Uncle Richard couldn’t attend my engagement party due to a state visit to Liechtenstein that couldn’t be rescheduled. But he’ll be present at the official engagement party at the royal palace next week on July 15. And he’ll be the one to give me away at the wedding ceremony scheduled for mid-September. My oldest brother Theo was vying for the honor, but when Uncle Richard called dibs, Theo had no choice but to back down.
Speaking of Theo, he’ll soon be a father, too!
