Free Prince's Proposal (The Exiled Royals 1) by Ivy Iverson Page B

below them.
    The sun had mostly set and the fairgrounds were awash in the glimmer of twinkle lights and the neon from the various rides and booths. Sitting next to him in the Ferris Wheel, Melissa couldn’t stop expressing her amazement.
    “I’ve never ridden one of these things before.”
    “Really, why not?”
    “Well, when would you have? Don’t royalty play polo or something?”
    “My family was invited to the inaugural ride on the London Eye. I’ve had an affinity for these things ever since.”
    “So only exclusive Ferris Wheels,” she said, her tone amused. He loved the way her lips quirked up just a little as she fought back laughter. “I just…when I was a kid, there wasn’t time for fun things, and my town was pretty small back in Idaho. We only had one carnival a year and money was so tight. I’d rather have food than win a gold fish at a game of chance, you know?”
    “You grew up poor?”
    “Dirt poor,” she amended. “Mom wasn’t ever around much, and I never knew my father. I never had time for kid’s stuff.”
    “Everyone has time for kid’s stuff.”
    “Not me. It’s okay. I had a goal – just get out. When I graduated high school, Mom wanted me out. I got a fake I.D., the cash I’d collected working at Dairy Queen, and set off for Vegas. Never regretted it.”
    There was a pride there, and he respected her. She’d had the real experience of being cut off. He’d thought he had it bad because he had to let his staff go and give up first class dining and amenities. It hurt to be cut off from the family he loved. But Mel? She’d never had a loving family and had built herself from the ground up; even gotten a well-paying job she shouldn’t have been able to get because of her age. 
    It all came down to her personal strength and resourcefulness.
    She’d make a fine queen .
    It was the oddest thought, but it was no less true.
    But he wasn’t a prince, not right then.
    “You’re so amazing,” he breathed, as they looped closer to the ground.
    She snorted and looked back out at the horizon. In those few seconds he already missed being able to stare into those deep, doe eyes of hers.
    “I’m not. I’m just a girl like any other. There a hundreds of ex-pats and runaways in Vegas. It’s the kind of town where you can come and be anything you wan t – something better.”
    He put his hand over hers on the railing of their cart. “And is that what you feel? That you’re better.”
    “I feel less lost, most of the time. That has to be a good thing, right?”
    “I know the feeling. It’s scary, not sure what your path is in life.” The Ferris Wheel started another turn and they both fell quiet for a moment, taking in the incredible views. 
    When it reached the top, Ray said, “Look, I know all about your trying to get me to dump you so that you can keep your house but not have to live out the full month.” 
    She looked at him and swallowed hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Oh, you do. It’s not that subtle, Melissa, unless you really do have Multiple Personality Disorder.”
    “I don’t.”
    “Good, then there is no other explanation for all of this.”
    “I guess not,” she said, swiping at her eyes. “I don’t want to love you, but I do.”
    “I love you too. Why is that such a bad thing?”
    Large brown eyes, brimming with unshed tears looked back up at him. “Because the people I love always leave.”
    Ray kissed her, long and lingering. “I never will.”
     

Chapter Nineteen
     
    His hands felt like heaven on her body.
    Melissa wasn’t even sure how they got here. On the ride home, she’d snuggled up against Ray like a teenager, like the girl she hadn’t been in years. It had been worth leaving her car behind in order to be this near to him, to lie close to his chest and feel the beat of his heart under her cheek.
    They passed into the mansion quickly, practically racing each other to Ray’s bedroom. Now she was standing