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“Why wouldyoumake me uncomfortable? You’re only the king.” A hint of mirth mixed with a challenge came to her voice and her gaze. “I’m far too confident to ever be uncomfortable.”
“That you are.” He smiled, grateful the Madeline he expected was back. His voice lowered to a husky timbre he didn’t think he’d ever used in his life, “Your confidence and ability to easily banter with ‘only the king’ is alluring as your lovely face.”
He blinked, shocked at his words and his tone. She blinked, looking as stunned as he was.
They waltzed together in silence for a few rounds. He was hyperaware of her hand in his, her hand pulsing warmth through his shoulder muscles, his hand cupping her waist and hip. Had a woman’s touch ever been this all-consuming?
He startled. What kind of a thought was that? He’d been married to the most incredible and appealing woman in his world.
His startle must’ve thrown Madeline back to reality as she smirked and said, “Are you prepared for the traditional Christmas snowball fight?”
“Now what tradition are you referring to?” He arched an eyebrow.
“The best one of the year.”
“Where my sons and their friends gang up on me and plaster me with snowballs?” He chuckled. “Definitely the best tradition of the year.”
“Agreed.” She winked at him. Winked. Madeline had never winked at him before and that enticing move made his stomach flip flop. “Are you bruised from head to toe after?”
He chuckled and tried not to think about that wink or her mesmerizing emerald eyes or the feel of her in his arms. With a tiny bit of pressure he brought her closer to him. Her lovely eyes widened as his chest brushed hers and then it was if their bodies were two magnets. He wasn’t certain who moved first or if either of them had consciously moved. Her body was pressed up against his, her arm slid around his neck, and his hand glided around to her lower back, his fingers and palm enjoying each inch of her firm waistline and lower back encased in silk.
“What was the question?” he asked, caught completely off guard by these strong feelings and how perfect she felt in his arms.
She laughed. A rich, warm laugh that vibrated through him. He laughed with her. It was the most freeing and delightful laughter. Their gazes were locked and he felt her mirth was directed at both of them. They were acting like teenagers, and he couldn’t get enough of it.
Suddenly the music stopped as the song ended. Their laughter died as well and they stood, far too close, staring at each other.
Madeline released his hand and her grip on his neck and eased back. Nolan had to consciously force his hand to slide from her lower back.
“Thank you for the dance,” she said in a breathless, enticing tone he’d never heard out of the independent, tough, and sometimes intimidating member of parliament and single mum.
“It was my pleasure,” he said back, his voice so rough and husky he hardly recognized it.
She smiled and then whirled away. He found himself watching her go. Her pale blue dress molded beautifully to her curves, and her blond hair looked like silk.
“King Papa,” Sunny’s little voice came from knee level. “It’s my turn to dance.”
Nolan chuckled, bent down, and swooped the little angel into his arms. They swirled around the room and he laughed and enjoyed every moment of the dance with his granddaughter. The only time he got distracted was when he caught Madeline watching him, smiling at him and Sunny, but there was something about her smile. She was as confused by their connection during that dance as he was.
It was best to put it all from his mind. He was not interested in dating or ‘moving on’ as everyone seemed to think he should be. The dance had been exhilarating and unexpected, but his plan was to focus on his growing family and his flourishing kingdom.
The Rindlesbachers were either dead or in hiding and everything had to calm down now. He didn’t need any more stress in his life than was already heaped on his shoulders with the everyday responsibilities of running a kingdom, and learning how to navigate the process with a new prime minister to boot.
He wasn’t interested in Madeline Prescott. He wasn’t.
But for some reason he couldn’t get her sparkling emerald eyes and the tingling feel of her out of his mind.
Chapter One
Seven Months Later
Madeline Prescott kept her spine straight and her chin tilted as if she were the royalty as she thanked the guard who opened the ten-foot wooden castle door for her, leaving the warm July weather outside and entering the gorgeous, light-filled, and spacious castle. She handed her suitcase to another guard, not sure if he’d hold onto it or put it in one of the guest suites, and followed the guard who’d brought her up from the barricade at the edge of Greenville Village. The village was nestled at the edge of the lake and the mountainside, below the towering and imposing castle of the royal family of Augustine. Her fellow parliament member, Joseph Aritheline had dropped her off. She didn’t appreciate his words of caution, “Don’t fall for the king when you owe me a date.”
Silly. She wasn’t falling for anyone and she didn’t need to date Joseph or any of the dozen other men who asked.
But King Nolan … She sucked in a breath, prayed for strength, and gave herself a sterm talking to.
You’re tough. You’re brave. He’s only the king. He’s not attractive. His blue eyes are not magnetic. He’s not fun to tease with. Dancing with him seven months ago did not feel you with delicious tingles, mess with your level mind, or change your life’s trajectory. King Nolan is not going to hate you when you reveal why you’re here. You have no need of any man but Chad in your life.
