She also couldn’t risk herself. Would she slip back into her old habits with the eyes of an entire country on her? It was a dangerous prospect.
But when he looked at her like that, his green eyes pleading with her, how could she say no? She wanted to stay. She wanted to be with him, to help him on his new journey. If that meant she might someday be queen and take on all the pressures and joys that entailed...so be it.
“Yes,” she whispered into the darkness before she could change her mind.
Gabriel thrust hard into her and she was lost. The waves of emotions and pleasure collided inside her, making her cry out desperately. She repeated her answer again and again, encouraging him and confirming to herself that she truly meant it. She loved him and she was going to stay.
His release came quickly after hers. He groaned loud against her throat, surging into her one last time as he came undone. Serafia held him, cradling his hips between her thighs until it was over.
When he’d finally stilled, she heard him whisper almost undetectably in her ear, “Thank you.”
He was grateful that she’d agreed to stay. She just hoped that would still be the case in the upcoming weeks.
Ten
Serafia should’ve woken up on cloud nine. She was in love, she’d agreed to stay in Alma with Gabriel and everything was perfect. And yet there was a cloud hanging over her head. It was as though she couldn’t let herself breathe, couldn’t let herself believe that this was really going to work between them, until after today.
Today was the last hurdle before the coronation. After today’s public appearance, Gabriel would have met all the initial requirements and could settle quietly into his life at Alma while the preparation for the coronation took place. She didn’t anticipate any problems today. All they had to do was make it through the tour of one of Patrick Rowling’s oil platforms off the coast, but for some reason, she woke up anxious.
They got on the road after breakfast, driving the hour back into Del Sol, where they would take a helicopter out to sea. Helicopters. Better safe than sorry, she decided to get his opinion on it during their drive to the capital.
“Are you okay with helicopters?” Serafia asked.
Gabriel straightened his tie and nodded. “Helicopters are fine. The weather seems pretty calm today, so it shouldn’t be a bumpy ride.”
“Good.” She sighed with relief. That was one less worry. “The only other option to get out there is to take a boat and get lifted by crane onto the platform while you cling to a rope and metal cage called a Billy Pugh. I wasn’t looking forward to that at all.”
Gabriel smiled. “That actually sounds pretty cool.”
“You’re the rebellious one,” she said. “I’m interested in staying alive.”
“Fair enough. How far out is the oil platform?”
Serafia looked down at her tablet as their car approached the heliport. “The one we’re going to is about twelve kilometers off the coast. It’s the newest one they’ve constructed and Patrick is very eager to show off his new toy.”
Gabriel frowned. “I’m sure he is.”
“What’s that face about?”
“I’m not sure how I feel about the Rowlings yet. At least Patrick. He seems a little showy, a little too cocky for my taste. His sons seem nice enough, although I can’t wait to see the look on Bella’s face when she’s introduced to the guy Dad wants her to marry. If there aren’t instant fireworks between them, she just might kill our father in his sleep. We might need her to stay at the beach house when she gets here.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about Patrick or Bella today. I’m sure the trip will be fine and you’ll be off the hook for a while until the coronation. Today, we’ll be flying over with Prime Minister Rivera. He asked to join us on the tour.”
“What about Hector?”
“Apparently he doesn’t do helicopters, but he’s briefed everyone and he’ll be meeting with you afterward to go over how it went with Rivera.”
“That’s fine. I’ve only had one short meeting with the prime minister, so it’s probably a good idea to have some more face time. I don’t think we’ll get much talking done in the helicopter, though. Aren’t they loud?”
Serafia had never been in one, but she’d heard they were. “Yes. I’m pretty sure you won’t be conducting any business in the helicopter.”
He nodded and relaxed back into the seat. “Good. I’m not sure I’m ready for any hard-core discussions. Is the helicopter large enough for the royal guard, as well? That’s quite a few of us to fit into one.”