Antonio’s intentions. He was doing his best to be a considerate husband. There was nothing wrong with that, not at all. But she wanted to know his possession and realized this was what she got for entering into a marriage of convenience.
I don’t want to be his convenient bride.
Christina wanted him to make love to her because he was in love with her and couldn’t live without her. She wanted Antonio in every way a woman wanted her husband. From the age of fifteen she’d been attracted to him. All it had taken was that kiss at the altar to turn her inside out.
What have you done to me, Antonio?
She closed her eyes, reeling from that torturous question until she fell into oblivion. The next time she was aware of her surroundings, her watch indicated she’d slept ten hours. All in all, they’d been flying twenty hours with refueling stops she hadn’t been aware of. That meant they were close to their unknown destination.
If Antonio had come to her in the night, she didn’t know about it. Chances were he’d been exhausted too and needed sleep as much as she did. She threw off the covers and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and arrange her hair back in a French twist.
The more she thought about it, the more she believed they were flying to a beach vacation. After some deliberation, she chose to put on a pair of white pants and toned it with a filmy white top of aqua swirls that looked like sea spray. The short sleeves and round neck made it summery. Once she’d put on lipstick, she packed her bag so it would be ready to carry off the jet.
Antonio must have had the same thoughts, because when she walked through the plane to the dining area, she discovered him dressed in white pants and a white crew-neck shirt with navy blue trim. His virility took her breath.
As she approached, he broke off talking to the steward. “I was just about to come and wake you for breakfast. We’ll be landing pretty soon. I’ve been told we don’t want to miss the view before we touch down.”
“That sounds exciting. How did you sleep?” She sat down at one of the tables.
He took his place opposite her. “I don’t think as well as you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m a restless sleeper when I travel. When we touched down to refuel, I got out of the jet to stretch my legs. I peeked in on you to see if you wanted some exercise too, but you were out like a light.”
She felt Antonio’s admiring gaze before the steward served them another delicious meal that started off with several types of chilled melon balls in a mint juice. “Mmm. This is awesome.”
“I agree,” he said, still eyeing her face and hair over his cup of cappuccino until she felt a fluttery sensation in her chest.
They ate healthy servings of eggs, bread and jam. If she ate like this for every meal, she’d quickly put on the weight she’d slowly lost over the past year.
The steward came to their table. “The pilot will be addressing you in a minute. When you’re through eating, please take your seats in the front section. He’ll start the descent, allowing you a bird’s-eye view.”
“Thank you,” Antonio said, exchanging a silent glance with her. By tacit agreement, they got up from the table and walked forward to one of the couches, where they sat together and buckled up.
In a minute the fasten-seat-belt sign flashed and they heard the captain over the intercom. “Your Highness? Princess Christina? It’s eleven a.m. Tahitian time.”
“Tahiti—” she blurted in delight, provoking a smile from Antonio who reached for her hand.
“We’ll be landing at the airport built on the island next to Bora Bora. From there you’ll be taken by helicopter to a nearby island that is yours exclusively for the next four days. The sight you’re about to see is one of the most glorious in the world. Start watching out the windows.”
Christina felt the plane begin to descend. Pretty soon she saw a sight that was out of this world. The captain said, “Bora Bora has been described as an emerald set in a sea of turquoise blue with a surrounding necklace of translucent white water.”
“Incredible!” she and Antonio cried at the same time.
“There are dark green islands farther out in the lagoon that face the mountain. This lagoon is three times the size of the land mass.”
“Oh, I can’t believe this beauty is real.” She shook her head. “No wonder sailors from long ago dreamed of reaching Bora Bora.”
“To the southeast you’ll see a coral garden with waters swimming with manta rays, barracudas and sharks. You can watch them at their feeding time.”
She turned to her husband. “I’m not sorry your parents gave us this beautiful gift, Antonio. They couldn’t have planned a more glorious honeymoon retreat for us.”
“You’re right.” He squeezed her hand.
The jet circled lower and before long they touched down. Antonio undid both their seat belts. “I’ll grab our suitcases. What else?”
“My white purse on the dresser.”
He nodded. “I’ll be right back.” His excitement matched hers. They’d come to paradise and couldn’t wait to get out in it.
She walked toward the galley to thank the steward.
“It’s been my pleasure, Princess.”
Antonio caught up to her with her purse. The steward carried their cases to the entrance of the jet where their pilot was waiting. He shook his hand. “Thank you for a flawless flight.”
“It has been an honor for me to serve you and the princess. There’s a helicopter waiting to fly you to your private resort where every need will be met. In four days I’ll be here to fly you back to Halencia. Enjoy your honeymoon.”
She left the jet with Antonio following her and made her way to the helicopter. The pilot, an islander, greeted them warmly and explained they’d be flying to one of those dark green islands in the distance.
Christina sat in one of the backseats. The second Antonio joined her and buckled up, the rotors screamed to life and they lifted off, flying low over the aquamarine water. The pilot spoke to them over the mic.
“Welcome to Tahiti. The resort has heard that the future king and queen of Halencia are our guests. Word has come that you are much beloved, Princess. No one else will disturb your vacation, but you have a staff to wait on you. Ask for anything.”
“Thank you.”
When she looked back at Antonio, he was staring at her. “Do you know everyone who meets you is so charmed by you that you have them eating out of your hand? I noticed it as we were walking down the aisle after the ceremony. All eyes and smiles were focused on you.”
A blush seeped into her cheeks. “A bride is always the center of attention at a wedding. It’s the way of things.”
“But my bride is exceptional and loved by the people already. If I’m to gain any credibility with the country when I’m king,
