A Royal Payne Read online

  Her acknowledgement of her feelings frees me from the chains I’ve carried for so long. My guilt over this attraction held like a prisoner, but no more. I refuse to put us back in that cage.

  “Then that’s all that matters. Let me worry about everything else. If you love me, and I love you, don’t deny us a chance.”

  She takes a deep sigh, pressing her glasses up her nose. “I’m crazy for this, but yes. I’ll fucking marry you.”

  I push the ring up her finger then get on my feet, pulling her into a tight hug. In the background, her sister and Josh are both yelling the news at the top of their lungs. It’s followed by the patter of feet up the stairs.

  “I knew it!”

  “I know, isn’t it great, Mom. We’re gonna have a double wedding? Right, Cam-Cam?”

  Burying my face in Cameron’s shoulder, I kiss it gently. A double wedding sounds just right, especially since it will make her my wife before I had to deal with all the fallout from this decision.

  * * * *

  “Do you know where my fiancée is?” I ask, taking a seat next to Josh at the kitchen island.

  “Yup, at The Bull,” he replies as if I understand what that means.

  “Okay, how about we let the foreigner in on the little secret?”

  With a mouthful of corn bread, he tries to answer. He’s a bit barbaric, to say the least, chewing with his mouth open, but to Marni he’s her “Pookie Bear”. There’s nothing to compare him to, but he was a gentle giant. From the first moment I stepped into the house, he’s been cordial, including me in all the small talks. When I don’t understand what’s going on, he offers to explain. He even tried to get me to go fishing with him yesterday, but the thought of hours, sitting on a pond with a rod, did not appeal to me. He didn’t take offense, shrugging it off and promising I’d take him up on his offer someday.

  “How about you finish that mouthful then tell me?”

  “Gowd iea,” he mumbles mid-swallow. “Sorry, they’re having their bachelorette party at The Bull. It’s the small bar in town.”

  “What?”

  He shrugs as if it isn’t a big deal. But to me it is. I just got Cameron to accept my proposal. There’s no way I’m okay with her out there doing the crazy things. As I’ve come to learn, my Cam-Cam has a wild girl streak. Twenty minutes after I put my ring on her, the family insisted on a celebration. The choice? Mudding. I had no clue what that entailed, but I soon found out. While exhilarating, it really showed how much I didn’t know about her. Before seeing it with my own eyes, I never would have associated the activity with her.

  “So you’re telling me you’re okay with Marni being at some bar, doing who knows what?” I ask.

  “Let me tell you a little story. It’s called A Guide to Keeping a Marriage Going,” he says, stroking his chin as if he’s about to tell me something very wise.

  Humoring him, I wait for him to begin. Hopefully, afterwards, I’ll convince him to take me to Cameron. “Do you have a marriage I know nothing about or something?” I joke, but his eyes pop out of their socket at the implication.

  “May your tongue turn to chard. If Marni hears you, I’ll be a dead man. That woman dreamed I cheated once, and she came over to my house, pounding on the door, at two in the morning. My mother pulled me out by the ear to deal with it. Marni is small, but she’s scrappy. She told me just how she was gonna cut my balls off because she dreamed I was dipping in someone else’s river.” He leans in, looking around suspiciously before continuing. “She wouldn’t talk to me for a whole week. I almost didn’t survive. Now, I bring her tea every night and make sure she falls asleep soundly before I even close my eyes. Happy wife, happy life. Those are the words to live by.”

  “Aha, and what does that have to do with the fact our fiancées are at a bar getting drunk and probably doing bad things?”

  “It means we don’t interrupt girl time, especially not Harley sister time. Besides, Aunt Paula and their mom went with them. They won’t let things get out of hand. If you wanna make it here on Harley Ranch, then you abide by the Harley ladies’ rules.”

  “That’s right. Spoken like a true Harley husband,” Richard, Cameron’s dad says, coming into the kitchen and taking a seat, as well.

  “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Although, we’re not planning to stay at the Harley Ranch for too long. Most likely, we’ll be heading back to Jegan in a week,” I inform them.

  The two guys look at me in shock before sharing a glance between themselves. Not liking the uncomfortable silence, I take a sip of my water. When neither of them says anything, I can’t stop from questioning them. Josh rubs the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable with the subject.

  “Have you asked Cam what she wants to do?” her father asks.

  “No, but it’s what’s bound to happen. She only came this way because we had an argument, but our life is there,” I inform them.

  Abruptly, Josh stands up, leaving without saying goodbye and seeming upset. When he does, Richard also stands, patting my hand. “I’m not telling you what to do. In the end, we’ll support both of you, but remember, she has family here. She was glad to be home for good. Maybe, you need to ask her about that.” With his warning, he walks the same direction as Josh.

  The conversation triggers me to call back home. I’ve been playing houseguest too long, acting as if I don’t have the responsibility of a whole country bogging down on me. Powering up the phone I’ve purposely kept off, it buzzes to life, hundreds of messages pouring in from Delci, my parents, and various other pissed off people.

  Bypassing reading any of them, I call Delci’s private line.

  “Where the heck are you?” she cries.

  “Sorry, this got a little complicated, but I’ll be home by Monday. How’s everything over there? I have to cancel the Easter dinner. Where’s Lorenzo? I need him to create a diversion?”

  “That’s not happening. Lorenzo cracked under pressure and gave you up. Your parents are heading out midday. You’ve got hours before they get to you. The only reason they didn’t leave before is they’re trying to make it a casual trip. No one suspects you’re gone, except for the staff. All efforts to keep your escape under wraps are in full force.”

  “Thanks, Delci. I’ll plan accordingly,” I say, ending the call.

  I fling my phone across the room. It bounces off the carpet as another message comes in. This isn’t good. Time’s running out. Our marriage can’t wait until this weekend. It can barely wait till morning. Pacing the four corners of the small bedroom, my pulse rises.

  Cameron deserved so much more than an impromptu wedding, but what other option do I have? I’ll make it up to her once the dust settles, and I’ll make sure we make it here with her family.

  * * * *

  The front door opens close to midnight, a bunch of screaming women making it through the door. Walking from the room I haven’t left all day, I catch them just as they are coming in. The Harley women are in various stages of drunkenness. Paula is the most affected, and projectile vomits into the corner flower vase. Marni is riding Pookie Bear piggyback, kicking his sides as if he’s a horse. Melanie, their mother, sways side to side, holding onto Richard on the way in.

  The last to enter is Cameron. Though she’s also intoxicated, she’s tipsy at best, judging by her ability to walk in a straight line. Her gaze searches around, undoubtedly looking for me. I call out to her, and our eyes meet as soon as I do.

  “Hey, baby. You have fun?” I ask, joining her.

  “I really did. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that.” She envelopes me in a hug, her arms tight around my waist. She sways, humming a song as we slow dance to her beat. “You know growing up, I couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I was so sure I’d become one of those porch sitters. I took the first way out of here. The royal ad posted on my school’s job site just in time for my graduation,” she says, her words slurring a bit. “was like a heaven sent. I was so wrong.”

  Maybe, she’s a littl
e more intoxicated than I thought.

  Her beautiful brown eyes mist, sending a pang to my core. The memory makes her sad. She really loves this place. It isn’t right of me not to take that into account. Self-preservation pulls at me from one end. The innate need to protect her tugs at the other. Whatever choice I made, someone will end up a loser.

  “Do you regret coming to Jegan?”

  She considers the question for a moment, her eyes going distant. “I…don’t regret meeting you.” Her voice is barely audible, fearing I may be upset with her.

  “That’s not what I asked, Cameron. Do you regret coming to Jegan?”

  Her silent nod as she buries herself in my shoulder is the final blow. All these years, she’s lived a life she wasn’t happy with.

  “Please don’t hate me.”

  “I could never, sweetheart. We’ll take on this conversation in the morning. For now, just dance with me.” I plant a kiss on her head, breathing in her scent.

  “Okay. I can do that.” Her body sways again. This time, no one hums, our bodies dancing to their own rhythm. Her steps are languid, exhaustion taking over as her soft body leans against mine for support.

  “I think we should go to bed,” I whisper. Agreeing with me, we make it to the bedroom in one piece.

  Tomorrow is another day; I’ll fix everything tomorrow.

  Chapter Seven

  ~ Cameron ~

  Waking up hung over this morning, I’m about to cry. My mouth tastes sour, and all I want to do is to bury my head in the covers. I’m not used to drinking the way I did at twenty-one. Two Smirnoffs and one Jello-shot, that’s all it took to make me want to hurl this morning. It’s shit, if you ask me. While I was the only one able to make it inside the door in one piece, I’m also the one with the splitting headache. The racket going on downstairs isn’t making it any better. By the sounds of it, a small herd of animals is trampling all over everything. Probably, the wild herd known as the Harleys. I wanted nothing to do with it.

  Reaching for Helena’s warm body, I find she’s no longer where she was when I fell asleep. Cool sheets that have been unoccupied for hours greet me instead. If she isn’t here, then that can only mean one thing. She’s been recruited for whatever shenanigans are happening below. I should be selfish and let her deal with my family. A day with them will toughen her up more than any of those Royal guard exercises she enjoys.

  My soft heart wins in the end. I’ll rescue her before they take her hunting or worse. My kin isn’t above hazing the newcomer, and Josh is raring to go since he’s the last one to join us. Most of it is innocent games, but Uncle Joe has a way of taking things too far, as do my cousins. Marni had to pretty much kill the last party when a firework misfired, and Josh burned his finger.

  Damn it, I have to go rescue Helena.

  I unwrap myself from the thick blanket that feels like heaven. Indecision hits me momentarily. My body begs me to just go back to bed. But I can’t do that. Whatever is happening seems to be getting louder. Lord help us all. Placing both feet firmly on the plush carpet, I shoot up and immediately get dizzy. Lightweight isn’t even the word for me. I am never drinking again. It’s nothing a warm shower can’t fix, though. I’m sure the chaos can wait another fifteen minutes. Hopefully.

  Beating my personal best, I’m in and out and feeling refreshed in ten. I’d soak in a bath later—once I rescued Helena. If we’re lucky, we can sneak off a little early from all the wedding insanity and indulge in a little fun in the bathtub. While we professed our love to each other, we still have to seal the deal. That happens tonight, because unless the world ends, I’m not accepting any interruptions. I’m having sex with my fiancée. Five long years without someone is long enough. It was the same for her. We are long overdue for a night of passion.

  Fiancée. The word is still so foreign. Rubbing my finger over the worn ring, I love the feel of it against my skin. A token saying I’m hers. It makes everything official between us, and while I don’t know the history of the ring, I know it’s special. Back in Jegan, her mother would bitch about her wearing it instead of all the fancy jewels.

  Shit. Jegan.

  Last night’s discussion finally comes back to me. How could I be so stupid? I practically admitted to regretting the past five years. She’ll think I don’t want to be with her. Ice burns through my veins at just the thought she might have left thinking I don’t want her.

  “I have to find her!”

  Rushing down the flight of stairs, I come face to face with an empty house. Not a single person is in sight, but the ruckus is still going strong. Opening the door, I’m not ready for everything that hits me.

  The first person I see is Aunt Paula doubled over gagging, and with just cause. Uncle Joe set off another of his stink bombs. I have to hold my breath to stop from gagging, too. Marni is beside her, laughing so hard she’s holding her crotch doing the pee dance. It’s similar to a bad slow-motion movie as I look from person to person. I glance left and right, but dust is clouding my vision from Josh riding in on his ATV. Squinting my eyes for a better look, I finally see what the whole commotion is about.

  Marion and Ronald Payne are here, and they are pissed, arguing with Helena. It’s happening. The fairytale we’ve lived for the last few days is coming to a rapid end before it even had a chance to start. I march right over to where they are, needing to witness how my story ends firsthand.

  “Are you on drugs? You’re leaving a whole kingdom behind, so you can stay here with her? With these people?” Marion waves a dismissive hand toward my family, looking at them as if they’re nothing more than peasants.

  “These people have been kinder to me in the few days I’ve been here than you have my whole life. I guess it’s good I called the press and gave notice of my official abdication early this morning.”

  “You did what?” both Ronald and I asked at the same time.

  “I am stepping down. There’s nothing in Jegan for me.”

  She can’t be serious, yet she is. That tone in her voice means there’s no room for discussion. Her rigid stance says she’s ready to fight them on it. Guilt courses through me, but it quickly dissipates when she brings me to her side and kisses my hand.

  “You thought this through, didn’t you?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

  “I did. When you opened up to me last night, I knew there was no other choice. I’ve loved you every single day you’ve been in my life. I’ll love you every single one I have left. Jegan will be fine with or without me. I won’t be if you aren’t by my side. If your happiness is here at Harley Ranch, then here’s where I’ll stay.”

  Our sweet moment is interrupted by her father, who’s had enough of us. “I’m very disappointed in you, Helena. You had what it took to be queen, and with a righteous king, you would have conquered everything. Consider us dead to you,” he says, pulling his wife with him. They get in the limo and drive off, without a single glance back.

  We watch as they leave, and everyone crowds around us. No one utters a word, giving us the silence we need to digest this. I can’t imagine what Helena is feeling, but I want to comfort her. I’m afraid to move, to disrupt anything. She picked me over a whole kingdom, over everything, but at the cost of her parents.

  “Their loss. They missed out on two amazing young women, but we welcome you with open arms,” my dad says finally breaking the silence. He wraps an arm around each of us and kissing us each on the temple.

  “We’ll be inside, whenever you’re ready,” my mother says.

  After the last of the Harleys make their way inside, I stand in front of Helena. Taking both of her hands in mine, I intertwine my fingers with hers. “You sure you made the right decision?”

  “Yes, with every fiber of my being.”

  “So what now? You know it’s gonna get tough here in a bit, right?”

  She shrugs. “I’ll become a Harley. Figure out how to be useful here and start over. We’re still young. Who knows? I might still have a couple tricks up my
sleeves. We don’t need to have everything figured out. We don’t even have to figure it out tonight.”

  “Ah, I beg to disagree.” I pull her with me toward the house. “My family is about to leave for today’s wedding hoopla. You and I have something else to figure out.”

  “Oh, yeah? And what’s that?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Chapter Eight

  ~ Helena ~

  A month later…

  “Cameron! This is not what I thought when you told me to trust you!” I yell.

  “Your highness, I think you’d better keep quiet. You’ve been very naughty, and naughty queens get spanked.”

  Five years I’ve waited to be with this woman, and within a month, she gets me to agree to some she-demon dominatrix thing. That first afternoon, after everyone left us alone for a good while, I’d finally been able to get my taste of Cameron. Her soft body writhing under mine as I took us both to the brink of ecstasy was the single most holy experience I’d ever had.

  Her sweet pussy tasted like honey, and I’d quickly become addicted. I wanted more. I needed more. I lost count of the times I’d turned over to find her nectar during that night. It was a good thing we’d rented a room in town while an empty cabin on the property was fixed up for us to live in. I’m pretty sure everyone in town got an earful. We stayed out there for two weeks, after our quick Easter wedding, just enjoying each other company.

  Since we’d said our vows, we’ve started getting to know intimate details about each other. Including, exploring our fantasies. I want nothing more than to give her everything she wants, and it’s reciprocal. I like to think our sex life is pretty healthy. Being tied up, strap-ons, toys, you name it, we’ve tried it, even mild spanking, but that is about to change. In a sex-induced stupor, I said yes to her little surprise.

  I never would have guessed she’d try to Fifty Shades me. It was cute at first, when I thought it was a joke. What harm could it be to indulge her a little bit. Neither of us has actually read the book, but we’re pretty certain it involved some of the naughtier toys.