“I’ve never once thought of you, Stephan.” I gazed at his handsome face that had bewitched me the first time that I’d seen him and smiled widely. “I love Xavier. I love him with all my heart. I love him more than anything and he loves me. I know this to be true. I know that he loves me. And, no, I don’t want you. I don’t need you inside of me to know that I don’t want you.”

“What are you saying?” His eyes flashed at me. “Are you stupid? I’m telling you that I will take you. I will marry you. I will make you mine. Even though you have been soiled by Xavier. I will still make an honest woman of you. You can have me, Lola. You can have it all. I have more riches than Xavier. More power. More everything. I can give you the world.”

“I don’t want the world, or you.” I shook my head. “What you have, Stephan, is sex appeal. That’s it. And all you are is sex. But that’s not enough. That’s not love. And that’s not life. That’s not anything. You can keep your sex. You can keep your erection. You can keep your panty-wetting smoothness. I don’t need to be with you to know what I want. I don’t need to be with you to know that I love Xavier. He is everything to me. He is my heart. He’s all I need and want. But thank you for coming. Thank you for clearing something up in my mind. I was so angry with myself for what happened. I was so confused at why I’d been so turned on, but it wasn’t you. It was me. I’m a sexual being. I’m a woman and I’m not going to be ashamed if I have a natural reaction. But that’s all it is, is a reaction. I’m not doing anything to you. I don’t want you. Do you hear me, Stephan? I don’t want you.”

He looked back at me in shock, his face tight. “You don’t know what you’re saying. Xavier is the one that told me to come.” His voice was choked and I started laughing.

“I know exactly what I’m saying, Stephan. Now get out of here.” I watched as he unlocked the door and hurried out of the room. I stood there for a few seconds and took a deep breath before exiting the room. Xavier and I needed to have a serious talk, but I wasn’t angry. I knew exactly why Xavier had told Stephan to come see me. He wanted to make sure that I was confident in my decision. He wanted to let me know that I still had an out. He loved me enough to risk letting me go to someone else. I loved him and hated him for it. I laughed as I ran down the stairs and looked for him. I had a feeling that this was how our relationship was going to go. It would never be perfect, but that was okay. As long as we had love, we’d be able to get through it all.

Chapter Nineteen

Xavier

The squealing of Stephan’s car wheels fifteen minutes after he’d arrived made me smile. I pumped my fist in the air and then jumped out of my chair. I felt high on life and I knew that I should wipe the smile off of my face before Lola found me. I could hear her footsteps coming closer to my study as she walked and I knew that she was looking for me and was probably ready to scream and shout at what I’d done. I knew I’d been immature—stupid,even—to invite Stephan over. It wasn’t even that I was testing her. I trusted Lola with all my heart. I just wanted to ensure that I was the one for her, the one that she wanted, deep inside her heart and soul.

“Xavier,” she called out as she walked down the corridor and made her way to the study.

“I’m in here,” I called out as I fell to the floor and grabbed the box out of my pocket.

“Xavier, you’re an asshole, you know that.” Her voice was annoyed as she walked into my study. Her jaw dropped open as she looked at me down on my knees, with the ring box open in front of me. “Xavier?” she said, her voice unsure now. “What’s going on?”

“Lola Franklin, from the first time I saw you in London, I knew that you were someone special. I knew that you were the someone special. I might be a prince, and I might be your professor, but we both know I’m still human. I’ve still made mistakes. Lola Franklin, I want you to know that I love you more than life itself. And I wanted to make sure that, before I asked you to be mine, I gave you every opportunity to choose someone else. I love you enough to want you to be with someone else if that was what you wanted.”

“Xavier,” Lola started, her face warm and her eyes glowing, “you’re the only one that I want.”

“Lola, you don’t know how happy you make me when you say those words.” I took the ring out of the box and held it up to her. “Will you marry me, Lola Franklin? Will you make me the happiest man in the world?”

“Yes, Xavier.” She beamed as I slid the ring onto her finger. “I’ll marry you.”

I jumped up then and pulled her into my arms. “I’ll look after you and protect you forever, Lola.” I kissed her cheeks and her lips and she giggled as she kissed me back softly.

“And one other thing...” she said softly as her voice trailed off.

“Yes? Anything, my darling,” I said, curious, wondering what was making her blush.

“Will you continue to be adventurous in the bedroom?” she said mischievously. “I kinda liked that pain and pleasure thing you did.”

“Your wish is my desire.” I laughed as my hands slid to her ass and slapped it quickly before rubbing it gently. “I’ll do anything you want me to.” She gazed up at me and wrapped her arms around my neck and I kissed her eagerly, loving the warmth of her body against mine. I knew in that moment that we could get through anything that life had to throw at us. I might be Lola’s Prince Charming, but she was my forever princess.