Page 304 of Reign

“That’s generally what it looks like, princesa.”

“Oh my God.”

The water appears again as the road curves, bright and endless beyond the houses.

“I’m going to live at the beach.”

“We’re not directly on the beach.”

“We can see the ocean. That counts.”

“We have a pool.”

I gasp. “We have a pool?”

Luciano laughs. Actually laughs.

The sound fills the car while I press closer to the window, trying to see past the wall we’re approaching.

I’m halfway through wondering how large the pool is when his wording catches up with me.

We.

Not I have a pool.

We have a pool.

I slowly turn toward him.

He keeps his attention on the gates opening ahead of us, completely unaware that he’s rearranged my organs with a pronoun.

This is my house.

Holy shit.

This is my house.

We pass through the gates, and the estate comes into view.

“Oh my God.”

Luciano glances at me again.

The mansion sprawls across the property in warm stucco and terracotta roofs, with arched windows, open balconies, and courtyards overflowing with tropical greenery. Orchids line the drive, surrounded by bright flowering bushes and tall palms shifting in the breeze.

Beyond one side of the property, I can still see the ocean.

“Luciano.”

“Yes?”

“This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.”

He smiles. Proud.

The windows are open across the front of the house, letting the ocean breeze move through sheer curtains along the balconies. Even inside the SUV, I can smell salt water and something sweet and floral.

“This is a resort.”