The Playboy Prince’s Pregnant American - Leslie North Page 0,35

squeezed her hand. “I was wrong to not just be honest with you from the start about that night out. I guess I was afraid you’d judge me or doubt me, so I found it easier to just tell a white lie in the moment. I know now that I have to take the time to communicate openly.”

Kyra listened to him without interrupting, making him feel like his words mattered.

“I wanted to prove to you that I could be a good father and a good partner and then I failed by backing down when I should have fought for you.”

Kyra lowered her eyes.

“Let me correct that mistake, Kyra,” Marcus said. “I want us to be a family. I want to yell it out from the rooftops that you’re mine and we’re having a baby together! I’ll tell anyone off who has a problem with that—the media, my father—that it doesn’t matter what they think.”

Marcus noticed that Kyra’s cheeks were a hot shade of pink. Maybe he’d spoken that last bit a little too loudly. But she was smiling. That was what mattered to him.

“Forgive me?” he asked.

“I do,” she said and threw her arms around his neck. “Forgive me?”

“Always,” he answered. While people rushed past, heading off to their own adventures, Marcus took a moment to enjoy their reunion. They had the adventure of a lifetime in front of them. And now that she’d taken him back, nothing would get in the way of making things work. He would make sure of it.

He took Kyra’s hand. “Will you come with me?” he asked.

“Where to?” Kyra’s face peered up into his.

He didn’t answer her but just smiled and led her to the waiting car.

Marcus handed Kyra’s bags to the driver who placed them in the trunk while she got settled in the backseat of the Bentley.

“Where to, Your Highness?” Roland asked.

“To the estate home in Havershire please.”

Kyra looked at him, and he grinned. “Sound good to you?”

Kyra’s heart swelled. A trip to the estate sounded more than good. “Sounds wonderful,” she said and scooted close to Marcus.

For the first fifteen minutes or so of the drive, she cuddled into him, grateful she’d decided not to board the plane, glad to be by Marcus’s side. She felt so at peace having admitted her own mistakes to Marcus and was suddenly struck with the urge to do the same with Maggie.

“Do you mind if I give my sister a call?” she asked Marcus.

“Go ahead,” he said and smiled serenely at her. “I don’t mind at all.”

Kyra dialed Maggie’s cell, but there was no answer. She thought about hanging up and trying again later but decided to leave a voicemail. She wanted to get these thoughts off her chest right now.

“Hey Mags, it’s Kyra,” she said. “I wanted to let you know I’ll be extending my trip a bit.” She couldn’t help but smile at Marcus’s reaction—a grin the size of Texas that spread across his whole face. “I don’t want to be too long-winded here, but I wanted to apologize,” she continued. “You were right. It’s time I stop punishing you for your past mistakes. You’re a grown woman and a great mom.”

Kyra paused, realizing she needed to end the call. She didn’t want to be super long-winded.

“Anyway, we can talk more when you have time. Love you, sis. Bye.” She pressed end and put her phone away in her purse. For the rest of the drive, she closed her eyes and snuggled into Marcus, relishing the feel of his comforting arms.

They pulled onto the winding drive of the estate, and memories of their fairy-tale stay here washed over Kyra.

“Before we start to get too cozy out here, I want to talk to you about some ideas I have,” Marcus said as they got out of the car.

“Okay.”

He linked his fingers with hers and led her onto the property toward the garden.

“What would you think of staying on in Sovalon?”

Kyra raised her eyebrows. “Permanently?”

“Yes,” he said. “You and I make a great team. We could run the shelter together, and you could have a huge hand in working with our local nonprofits to bring about the development of governmental policies surrounding women and children’s aid in the region. My dad might be a tough sell, but I’ll bet we can get my brothers on our side. You could be a part of that—if you want it.”

Kyra was quiet for a moment. She let the idea bounce around in her thoughts. She hadn’t even