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Nolan knotted his red tie and eyed himself in the mirror. Was he ready to date, to move on? He hated the terminology of moving on. He’d never forget Anne or replace her. If he and Madeline fell in love, the relationship would be different than his and Anne’s had been, but he hoped it would be just as fulfilling and a true partnership.
He needed to stop thinking about these things, as Madeline didn’t seem to be on the same page. At all.
Maybe he was just lonely. With Anne gone. Henry gone. All of his sons married off. He was fully invested in his children and thought of them as his friends and support, but it would make sense that he was searching for the closeness and understanding and friendship of someone closer to his age. He simply hadn’t spent time with a gorgeous, smart, intriguing member of the opposite sex in his age demographic. It could be possible he was over-exaggerating the connection and spark he felt when he was around Madeline, and especially when they touched.
He exited his suite and strode down the hall into the large two-story family gathering area. The space had an open living room with a kitchen stocked with snacks and easy meals and a dining area. It was much more informal than either of the dining rooms downstairs, and he often took breakfast here.
Madeline stood by the open patio doors. She wore a white dress with small red flowers on it. The dress was a V-neck, had short sleeves, and ended below her knees. It clung to her in a way that made his pulse quicken. He’d liked her pink business suit yesterday and had loved her blue swimsuit last night, but there was something about this dress—feminine and alluring and as if she’d worn it with the sole purpose of drawing him in.
She glanced over at him, and his mouth went dry. Her emerald eyes drew him in quicker than any well-fitting dress could. His theory that he’d over-exaggerated their connection and was simply lonely blew away like cotton in the summer sky.
“Madeline.” Her name came out in a husky groan of need, of longing. In ways it felt too quick, but these feelings had been building since their dance seven months ago. He needed her in his life, not as some fake girlfriend, not as a member of parliament, but as the woman who would stand by his side, the woman he could love and be loved by.
Forget being the confident king. If she’d have him, he’d drop to his knees and plead for her to have mercy on his heart.
Actually, he needed to be the confident king. He needed to prove that she needed him in her life. A poised and successful woman like Madeline would not be drawn in by some shrinking wimp.
Nolan didn’t think about the consequences of dating again or the very real possibility of rejection as he strode across the room and into her space. Her pulse was going like mad in her neck. She leaned against the frame of the patio door, clinging to it with her hands as if to stabilize herself or maybe to keep from reaching out to him.
“That is an unbelievably nice suit,” she whispered.
“A closet full of Brioni, remember?” He smiled, but he didn’t want to talk about his suit. “I absolutely love your dress.”
“Clearance rack at Harrod’s.”
He shook his head and chuckled, certain that dress was from no clearance rack. He gently swept her hair over her shoulder, then cupped her neck with his palm. The smooth skin was perfect under his fingertips.
“Madeline.” He leaned down. Could he kiss her now? It was too quick, but everything about his feelings for her was powerful and quick. It was so unlike the slow way he’d fallen in love with Anne. With Madeline, everything was fire, sparks, and intensity. Was that wrong or simply different? He’d thought about her too often since that dance at Christmas. Had he built up a fantasy that would never be, or were all of his dreams about to come true?
Nolan wanted to capture her full lips with his, but he also wanted her to feel this draw as deeply as he did, and he didn’t want her to push him away again. He bent low, narrowly dodging her lips, and was rewarded with a quick intake of breath. He pressed his lips to the pulse point in her neck. She gasped, and time seemed to stand still. Would she push him away, dart out of his arms, tell him all the reasons they couldn’t date for real, give him a feisty retort?
Instead, Madeline flung her arms around his neck and held him tightly against her. His head was buried in her neck. His senses came alive with her floral scent, her softness, her allure, and the beautiful fact that she appeared to finally be yielding her heart to him.
As powerful as these feelings were, he wouldn’t second guess this gift. It was heaven sent for sure. Could heaven endorse a match strike of yearning that immediately turned into a bonfire?
Nolan wrapped his arms around her lower back and easily lifted her off her feet. He held her aloft, glancing up into her beautiful face and certain dreams he hadn’t let himself dream were coming true.
Madeline gazed down at him, arms wrapped securely around his neck, her green eyes full of him and him alone. She slowly bent toward him, and he let her body slide along the length of his until their mouths were aligned. Fire filled him from head to toe. The anticipation of capturing her mouth was sweet torture.
The door flung open and Madeline startled, arching away from him. Nolan wasn’t ready to let her go. He clung to her but turned to see who had entered.
Tristan stopped two steps into the room, eyes wide as he stared between them. “H-hey,” he sputtered, sounding nothing like the charming and teasing crown prince.
“Good morning, T,” Nolan said.
“Jenn needed something to settle her stomach,” he said in a rush and then hurried toward the kitchen area.
Madeline slipped out of Nolan’s embrace and walked to meet Tristan. Nolan hid a groan of disappointment while Tristan gave him an embarrassed shrug.
“Did Jenn say what sounded good to her this morning?” Madeline asked Tristan.
“No. Nothing really settles her, but she knows if she gets something in her stomach she’ll feel better.”
“Just a moment.” Madeline opened cupboards and must’ve found what she was looking for. She held up a packet. “Ginger tea. You make her some dry toast and I’ll get it brewed.”
Nolan watched Madeline. The white floral dress swirled around her in a most becoming way as she moved, but it was much more than the way she moved. She was nurturing, helping Tristan to take care of Jennifer with her morning sickness. It touched him deep. Similar to her being so incredible with Kiera last night. It was almost as powerful as her being in his arms a few minutes ago. Almost.
Tristan loaded a tray with the toast and tea and gave Nolan a head bob as he walked out. He’d been shocked catching them an instant from kissing, but Nolan knew Tristan wouldn’t bemoan him finding love again. He’d asked him several times over the past few months if he might be ready to date again.
