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Madeline put away her clothes, wiped the dust off everything, and opened all the windows to air everything out. Chad wouldn’t like that, but she was already feeling cooped up. She loved her little home with the backyard close to the river, but she missed the openness and large windows of the castle—and especially Nolan and Kiera and all the family. She used to think she enjoyed peace and quiet, but she’d been lying to herself. She wanted a castle full of people to love.
Dinner time approached, and she thought morosely about all the meals with Nolan and his family at the castle. Would they all be laughing and teasing? Would they go swimming after dinner or go on a hike? Would Kiera be sad without ‘Chad’s mum’ there?
Then she remembered Kiera loved her but didn’t want her for her mum. She couldn’t stomach dinner. When would Chad and Hope come by? He’d said they had plans for dinner, so probably not for at least a couple hours.
Madeline went out on her back patio, listened to the river, and picked dead blooms off her potted plants. Bless her neighbor, who’d watered them for her for a month. She’d have to do something really nice for Janessa.
Wandering back inside, she looked for a book on her Kindle, but nothing caught her attention.
She couldn’t sit here any longer. She laced up her runners and headed for the front door. Chad wouldn’t like her going on the river trail alone, but she’d be fine. She’d jogged the trail most mornings and walked it most evenings when the weather permitted. It was a gorgeous August evening, and being inside was making her insane.
Grabbing a small canister of pepper spray, she slipped it into her pocket. Chad would feel better if she did that. After her attack this morning, she’d feel better too.
Would the pepper spray have helped ward off that brute?
Turning off her alarm, she opened her door, blinking at the bright sunshine. The roar of a motor penetrated her peaceful neighborhood. She shrank back against the doorframe, alarmed, but then a smile touched her lips.
The gorgeous black Lamborghini driven by the one and only king of Augustine purred up to her curb. She couldn’t see Nolan through the glare of the windshield, but she knew it was him.
He’d come for her.
She wanted to run down her porch steps and throw herself into his arms, but her legs were weak with a mixture of relief and longing. This incredible man was the king of their country, but to her he was Nolan, the love of her life.
The door swung open and Nolan eased out dressed in a perfectly-cut tan suit—long legs first, then his lean torso, then his handsome and perfect face. He studied her for a brief moment, longing so evident in his blue gaze that her heart raced out of control.
Then he swept around the luxury car and stormed up the walk. The determination in his eyes grew, and she had to lean heavily against the doorframe.
Nolan pumped up the stairs, strode into her space, picked her up off her feet, and cradled her against his chest.
“Nolan?” she squeaked out, stunned by his bold move. He was the only person who cradled her in his arms like this. She felt protected, cared, for, and loved in his arms.
“We have to get a lot of things straight, Madeline.”
“Oh really?” She tried to infuse some sass into her tone, but it was sadly lacking. He’d come for her. She had no idea how to resolve all of their concerns, but Nolan was here and he was holding her and the rest could wait.
“Getthisstraight,” she said.
Then she arched up and kissed him.
Nolan kissed her back, the love and yearning he felt for her lighting her up and infusing her with energy, purpose, and love.
He carried her into the house and kicked the door shut with his foot. It felt like she was a new bride being carried over the threshold. She wanted that with this strong man, but there were a lot of things to get straight.
Nolan lowered her to her feet and pulled back, catching a breath. “Maybe things are more straight than I think they are.” He gave her a crooked grin that she absolutely loved.
She pulled his head down and whispered against his lips, “I’ll straighten you out. After we kiss for a good, long time.”
“I love that plan.” His mouth came down hard on hers, the perfect mixture of coaxing, determination, strength, and humility. He’d do anything for her. She could taste it in his kiss.
The door next to them swung open so hard it knocked over a vase on the nearby entry table. Two large men stood on the porch, pointing handguns at them.
Nolan yanked Madeline behind him.
“Get inside,” a female voice said from behind the men. “Clock is ticking.”
Madeline’s stomach turned over at the sound of that voice.
“Naomi?” Nolan stepped cautiously backward, easing Madeline away from the men and Naomi.
