AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, love…” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “If you knew what you do to me, you wouldn’t want me driving at all.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Are you saying I was in mortal danger when you hot-rodded through the country?”
He chuckled. “I’d never put you in danger.” His mouth tightened immediately as he realized the inaccuracy of what he’d just said. “Madeline. Because of me, you were attacked this morning and this evening.”
“Stop.” She put a finger to his lips, and he immediately stilled. Her fingertip was warm.
Heat swirled through him. “Why do I need to stop?”
“I can’t think straight when you do that.” She pulled her hand back.
He arched an eyebrow. “See why I shouldn’t drive?”
She smiled. “Well, let’s get this talking out of the way so you can either drive me home or kiss me for a very long time.”
The heat turned into a bonfire. He cradled her close. “Both, please.”
She cuddled into him, and though they weren’t kissing, it was perfect to have her in his arms.
Suddenly, she stiffened and looked up at him with a wary gaze. “Sweet Kiera. I can’t come home with you. We’ve got to give Kiera time to come around. Even if it takes years.” She jutted out her chin, so appealing in her defense of his daughter.
Nolan directed her to the patio set, and they sat side by side. He held on to her hand, and their knees touched as he turned slightly so he could study her beautiful face. “Kiera and Macey had a lot of time to talk this afternoon.”
“I overheard their conversation.” She worried her lip.
“I don’t think you heard all of it. As I walked into the dining room, all Kiera wanted to know was ‘where’s Chad’s mum’?” He smiled softly, and she returned it. “Macey helped her to understand that Anne would want her, and all of us, to be happy. She believes that truth now, and she wants you to be her mum.”
“She does?”
He nodded. “She shoved me out of the room and told me to tell you that she loves you. That all of us love you.” He cocked his head and studied her bright gaze. “She also wanted to know if you would marry us.”
Her eyes widened. “She did?”
“Yes. But she understands if you need to take it slow.”
“She does?” Her hand quivered in his.
“She does. We all do.” He looked over her beautiful face. “But Madeline, you need to know … I love you completely, desperately, passionately. I love you today, and I’m going to love you forever. Yes, your kiss transports me to a different world, but this is not just physical or a quick burn. I’m in love with you—mind, body, and soul. I love to debate with, tease with, and learn from you. I love your insights and ideas. I love the way you nurture all our children, especially Kiera, Jenn, and Macey. I love hiking with you, swimming with you, eating every meal with you, and being in meetings with you. You actually make meetings fun and interesting. As each of my children has told me today, you make me happy. I want to spend the rest of my days making you happy.”
“You seem to like a whole lot about me.” Her voice was teasing, but her emerald eyes were tender and warm.
“Oh, I do. The list goes on and on.” He paused. “I know the thought of being queen is overwhelming, and I hate the thought of you being in danger because of me—”
“Nolan. We were both in danger today because we didn’t wait for our guards.”
“Yes, but I thought you were averse to having guards.”
“It isn’t the most convenient thing, but to be with you, to love you and be loved by you, to be part of your family that I adore, to know that you’re safe … I’ll take a little inconvenience.”
His heart thumped harder. “Are you saying…?”
“I valued my independence, but I value every moment I have with you more. And I realized today that your analogy about love expanding is true. I love each of our children and in-laws with my whole heart, and my love keeps growing.”
He could only smile at her.
“Would you mind very much if I wasn’t a typical queen consort, though?”
“All I care about is that you’remyqueen,” he promised her. “What did you have in mind?”
