"Thanks." I mumbled, blushing while looking into his eyes.
                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          

"All pleasure is mine." He gave me a charming smile. 
                          
We were staring at each other affectionately without saying anything. His musky scent filled my nostrils as the wind was blowing. He took a step towards me, closing the distance between us.
                          
"...Umm... I have to go." I mumbled nervously.
                          
Ugh! Why do I feel vulnerable and nervous beside him? 
                          
"Bye." I said quickly and turned around.
                          
Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist, stopping me and turned me around quickly, making me bump into his chest. In a flash, he brushed his lips against mine, catching me off guard and cupped my cheek, wrapping his arm around my waist, holding me still against his chest. I placed my hands on his firm chest as I responded to his passionate kiss. 
                          
Marcus's POV 
                          
A month had passed since Alissa and I started dating. I felt on cloud nine. I was in love with her madly. I should accept that in the beginning I just wanted to play around while I stayed in New York, but after spending more time with her, I started falling in love with her. I never felt like this before. These feelings towards Alissa were so strong and intense.
                          
After taking a shower, I put on my clothes. I felt so nervous. Today, I was going to meet Alissa's brother and his family. Yesterday, Alissa and I bumped into Chad and his wife, Elise when we went to have dinner. Chad was so distant towards me compared to his wife. He even looked intimidating. During the dinner, it felt like I was holding my breath. 
                          
Before going to pick up Alissa, I went to buy her a blue rose. I always gave her a blue rose. Unique and beautiful like her. 
                          
I parked the car in front of her brother's mansion. We got out of the car. I held her hand as I led us towards the door.
                          
Since we arrived, Chad had been asking me a lot of questions. Even journalists hadn't asked me these many questions. 
                          
I entwined my hands tightly, feeling nervous. I had met different influential and powerful people: kings, queens, presidents, princes, sheikhs. But I had never felt stressed before like I felt now. Especially, while trying he didn't find out that I was a prince. I hadn't still told Alissa about my title. I was waiting for the right time to tell her. I couldn't predict how her reaction would be to this information. But I was going to tell her before I went back to Sweden. And....maybe she would go with me. 
                          
"What is your family business? You told me that you worked for your family company." Chad asked.
                          
"Umm...I..." I mumbled nervously.
                          
"Chad, enough! You got tired of him with your questions." Elise intervened as she placed her hand on his thigh while his arm was wrapped around her shoulder. "Alissa, would you like to give a tour to Marcus?" Elise suggested. 
                          
"Yes." Alissa beamed at me and stood up.
                          
I stood up, breathing deeply in relief and thanked Elise with my inner voice for saving me from her husband's torture.
                          
I wrapped my arm around Alissa's shoulder, pulling her closer to me while we were strolling in the garden. 
                          
"I am sorry about Chad's behavior. He is really a good person. He is just overprotective towards me." Alissa commented, giving me an apologetic look.
                          
I smiled as I stopped walking and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me. 
                          
"It is okay, bambi. Don't worry." I assured softly and stroked her cheek with the back of my hand. She smiled at me. 
                          
I leaned closer to her as I cupped her cheek. When I was about to kiss her, someone cleared his throat behind me. 
                          
Chad! 
                          
I sighed, annoyed and pulled back. 
                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          

Alissa bit her lower lip as her cheeks blushed. 
                          
"Chad?" She mumbled nervously.
                          
"Didn't you finish your tour around here? Let's go inside." He said firmly and approached us. 
                          
He stood up between Alissa and me as he wrapped his arms around our shoulders, making me move away from Alissa. 
                          
I gritted my teeth, annoyed. Yes, I understood he was just trying to protect her sister from a stranger he didn't know very well, but he started getting on my nerves.