“I thought if I danced the dress would look extra pretty. When I tried to dance at home in heels, it didn’t work so well and I almost hurt myself. So sneakers it was.” I drop my head, looking at me feet. It’s just another reminder of why I don’t fit around here.

“You want to dance?” he asks touching my chin, making me look up at him.

“I don’t want to dance out there.”

“Then we’ll dance right here.” He pulls a phone out of his pocket and presses a few buttons. Music fills the room, and I smile.

He grabs me, pulling me into him, and I suddenly realize why women wear heels. Even more so if you’re going to dance with someone as big as this man.

“Slip your shoes off.”

“You don’t like them?” I made sure they matched. Simple white sneakers. I even made laces out of the same tulle I used on the dress.

“They are perfect. Just like you. But I want you closer to me while we dance.”

I hurriedly slip them off my feet, never leaving his embrace, and kick them away. In one quick movement he picks me up a little then places me on his feet. I have no idea what’s happening, but it’s perfect. More than perfect.

“I know you can’t twirl like this, but I needed to feel you against me. From the moment I saw you walk into that ballroom tonight I’ve been captivated.”

My breath catches as he starts to move us to the music. I let go of his warm hand that was engulfing mine to wrap it around his neck. He has to lean down a little to let me do it. I get lost in the moment, enjoying the feel of this unknown man. I don’t even know his name, but I don’t care at this moment.

“You smell like—”

“Cotton candy,” I finish for him. “It’s my lipstick.”

“Hmm.” He leans in closer, his mouth but a breath from mine. “I think I’ll have a taste for myself.”

Then suddenly his mouth descends on mine.

Chapter 2

Karim

I couldn’t stop myself, and I didn’t want to. I needed her.

Tonight I’ve been forced to choose a wife. I’m past the point of putting it off, and the royals won’t have it any longer. I’m King, but there must be an heir. The compromise was that they would throw a ball and allow all the eligible princess to parade around and let me choose one. It’s like picking a horse at a farm. It’s less than appealing. I didn’t want to come. Dread had weighed heavy on me, making my mood dark.

I’ve presided over the kingdom for years, ever since my parents passed away when I was young. I’ve had advisors for most of that time, but I took over the throne officially when I turned twenty-one. Now it’s eight years later and I’m being pressured to marry.

I know it’s time, but I’ve always believed that when I met the one, I would marry. But as the years go by I’m convinced that the love my parents had was rare. It may seem weak for a man to dream of such things, but I had envisioned my wife to be one who loved me as much as I loved her. That she would stand at my side. Be the one person I confided in.

My dreams of true love died away slowly over the years, so I decided to go ahead and pick a wife and be done with it. I wanted to appease everyone in the kingdom by securing our future, and I needed to be the leader they expect. So tonight was for the people. I was going to suck it up and do my duty, hopefully making the best of a bad situation. But not one person had caught my eye. Every time I looked at a woman, my stomach clenched with dread.

Then, she walked in.

One look at her and I knew she was the one. She was why I felt like I was going to vomit just thinking about marrying someone else. I’d been waiting for her. Fate had finally brought to me the woman I’d spent my life waiting for. And on the very night I’d given up hope. She stood out from the crowd, but not because of the ways one would have thought in that dress. No, her beauty called to me like a siren in the night. It was as if there was a glow around her that shone bright enough that my heart could see it.

A switch inside me flipped, and I was in motion. I pushed through the crowds of people, ignoring the calls of my name. I had no time for anyone but her. But there were so many people in attendance that at one point I lost her. For a moment I worried I’d dreamed her up. I wanted to scream into the ballroom for everyone to get the hell out of my way, but I managed to make it through without a scene. Just as a space in the crowd opened up, I saw a trail of pink run down a hallway. Away from me.

Pushing through, I lost sight of her again and wanted to bellow. I ran after her and tried every door until I found her. The only thing I could think to do was to bolt the door shut and explain to her that she belongs to me now.

It sounds insane, but love at first sight is exactly what happened. She was mine the instant I laid eyes on her, and I pity the man who tries to take her from me. If anyone steps between me and what’s mine, I will end their life. And this sweet, delicate angel is mine.

He body melts even more into me as I kiss her cotton-candy mouth. Her lips are buttery soft, and I lick the bottom one before I take it between my teeth and nibble slightly. Then I kiss her deeper, tasting the sweetness that’s coming off her in waves. Pure, soft innocence invades my lungs, and I know I have to have her. She must belong to me.

I pull away from her, but only a few inches. I have one hand on her neck, with my fingers tangled in her hair. I can feel her heartbeat racing, and my own is beating in time with hers. This is unlike anything I’ve ever felt, but I know instantly this is the rest of my life. I’m holding my future in my hands, and I refuse to let it go.