The older man’s shoulders slump. “I started to prepare a list of men for you, Piccola, but I didn’t even get one name down. I’m not ready to let you go. You’re only eighteen.” He swings around, and the look in his eyes is that of a plea rather than condemnation.
“We’ll wait then, won’t we?” Maria says, quick to offer a compromise. “We’ll go to college together and then after that we’ll get married. You would agree to that, wouldn’t you, Sterling?”
Like I can say no to her. It seems like her dad is in the same position. “Fine,” he grunts. “No marriage until you get your degrees.”
I don’t need a paper to say that Maria is mine, so I nod my head. “Deal.”
I stick out my hand. Maria sets her palm on top of mine. Her dad doesn’t move immediately, but Maria clears her throat and that’s enough to get him to set his hand on the top of his daughter’s. “Deal,” he agrees. “And you, Justice, if you do not treat her right, my men will kill you.”
“I’ll knife myself if I hurt her,” I vow.
He accepts this and shoos us off, saying he’s tired. I don’t hesitate. I take Maria’s hand and race her down the hall to the Widow’s Chambers. Once the door is closed, I clutch her tightly to my chest. “I’m not saving myself for marriage,” I warn.
“Me either,” she giggles. Her hands dive to my pants. We throw off our clothes and dive onto the bed, a swarm of naked limbs, roving hands, and hungry mouths.
I slide into her ready core. “In my mind, we’re already married. Bound by the first time I took you.”
“I took you,” she says pertly. “I rode you like a stallion, remember?”
“Guess it’s my turn then.” I pull out and flip her onto her knees. In one motion, I drive inside of her hot clutch. She’s a princess. Her dad’s a prince, but I feel like a king in this moment.
EPILOGUE
MARIA
YEARS LATER
It didn’t take me long to see how driven Sterling was to marry me. The man not only took extra classes during the semesters, but he also took courses over the summer too. He already graduated, but he’s held off celebrating until I finish college too.
I reminded him that Papa said we couldn’t get married until we both graduated, but he said he was well aware but was getting a jump start on his career to prove to my father he’s the right man for me. I, on the other hand, didn’t need any proof. I know he’s my everything.
If you ask me, it was kind of pointless. Sterling won Papa over within the first year. I actually think it impressed my father that Sterling would push back on things. Such as us living together without being married. He was adamant about that. Sterling got us a place that sat only a few blocks from campus that had great security too. I’ve adored watching Papa and Sterling grow close. Papa has really taken him in under his wing. They are both good for each other.
I don’t get why Sterling is in such a hurry to prove himself about his career. He and Papa act like he’s broke. And we all know he’s far from it. Not to mention I already have more money than I could spend in a lifetime, but I let it be. Whatever makes them both happy is fine by me.
“I bet I could get Cam to sell this boat to me if you like it that much,” Sterling says, glancing around the yacht.
“I suppose as a princess I should have a yacht,” I tease him.
“You should, but I’ll get you a new one,” he says, as serious as can be. I’ve learned that I have to be careful even when I’m teasing him because whatever I ask for he will move mountains to get for me.
“Sterling.” I run my hand up his chest. “I already have a yacht. My mama left it to me.”
“The hell! I want to be the one to spoil you.” A few heads turn our way. The graduation party is already in full swing. Cam let us borrow her yacht to have the party on so people didn’t have to make the long trek out to the ranch.
I was happy when Cam offered to host it. I’d rather it be here. I find I don’t like sharing the ranch with a lot of other people besides our immediate family and friends. I love that it’s a bit of a hideaway.
I find comfort in that. It’s where I know Sterling and I will settle down one day and raise a family of our own. That’s actually something I need to talk to him about, but I’m not sure when to bring it up.