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“I guess you’ll have to find out.”
“Dance with me so I can.” He was surprised by his insistence and how much he wanted this dance.
“Who am I to refuse the king?” She smiled, and Nolan knew it was only a tease. She was confident and independent, and he doubted she’d ever needed a man in her life. Not that it mattered to him if Madeline Prescott was happily single or gave in to one of the many men pursuing her.
He gave her his most alluring smile, practiced when he was younger with his poise coach, and offered his hand. She pressed her palm against his and something warm and real passed between them. Nolan startled and thought she did as well. He threaded their fingers together, hoping he appeared nonchalant. At the exact same moment, he cupped his hand around her smooth waist, his palm covering from her waistline down to the curve of her hip, and she wrapped her palm and fingers around his shoulder.
They each drew in a telling breath, and he felt an impossible tingly warmth work its way through his body at each point of contact. They stared at each other, and neither of them moved or spoke. He’d never seen Madeline at a loss for words. He could hardly blame her as he had no idea what to say and he’d been trained throughout his life to always have the correct response on his lips.
“Mum. King Nolan.” Chad waltzed up to them with his fiancée Hope in the circle of his strong arms. “It’s customary to move to the music.” His charming smile was easy-going, and thankfully he didn’t realize Nolan was at a loss, stunned by the feelings Madeline created in him.
“Thank you for the reminder,” Nolan murmured, smiling as well. “I was so taken aback by your mum’s beauty, I fear I’ve forgotten my own name.”
“And I thought I was the king of charming lines,” Chad teased.
“You are, love, but the king is pretty good.” Hope grinned and then they waltzed off.
Nolan forced his feet into motion, guiding Madeline around the dance floor. He’d waltzed so many times throughout his life the movement was automatic, but he couldn’t recall feeling this energized, alive, and light while dancing. He wouldn’t have been surprised to see that they were floating.
Nolan pushed all those unfamiliar and irrational thoughts away. They felt like a betrayal of Anne. He’d enjoyed dancing with his wife, of course he had, but had it ever been like this? He peeled his gaze from Madeline’s riveting emerald eyes and tried to focus on the crowd. The dance floor was crowded with couples, but there was enough room to move and not brush against or run into another couple. The temperature was perfect, and the sweet scent of gardenias emanated from the decorations. Or maybe that was Madeline. Why was he sweating?
Many of his children were dancing by and giving him significant looks. He’d better not act so besotted with Chad’s mum or he would surely hear about it. He focused back on her, determined to act comfortable and tease as they always did. It wasn’t flirting as Hattie and Aliya had tried to goad him into admitting once. It was light-hearted banter.
Was that any better than flirting? Hmm.
Madeline’s mouth was slightly open as she stared at him. Had her lips always been so full and … intriguing?
He mentally slapped himself. What was he thinking? It was a simple dance. With one of his son’s best friend’s mums, and a high-ranking member of parliament. Madeline usually baited or joked with him, and he always laughed and responded. He enjoyed their interactions, as nobody but his family and Henry ever seemed confident enough to let down their guard around the ‘powerful, brave, and alluring king’.
Right now, she looked as off-kilter as he felt. No teasing quips were forthcoming.
“I’ve made you uncomfortable,” he said, studying her emerald green eyes. Had they always been so large and sparkled like the jewel they matched?
“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.”
“Yes, 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 to easily banter with ‘only the king’ is as alluring as your lovely face.”
Then he blinked, shocked at his words and his tone. She blinked too, 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 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 bit of pressure, he brought her closer. 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. Similar to a flair move to complete a romantic dance, 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.
