The Royal Major and the Executive, page 13
“Oh? I’m sure in your mom’s eyes, no woman is worthy of you.”
Chad chuckled. “Only you, love.”
“Your confidence knows no bounds.”
“Should it now?” He winked. “And despite my mum worrying about food growing cold, I only hunger for your kiss.”
She kissed him quickly but pulled back before Madeline could come out again. “Let’s get inside before your mom scolds us.”
“Mum, love. Not Mom.”
She smiled.
They walked up the porch with his arm around her.
“Faith’s here?” Hope asked. “I thought she was visiting Kiera at the castle.”
“Well, tonight is a very important night, and she didn’t want to miss out.”
Hope stopped on the porch and stared at him. “Important because we’re with your mom—excuse me—mum?”
“You’ll simply have to wait ... patiently. I know that is difficult for my high-powered executive, so I’ll distract you.” He leaned in for a kiss.
“Chad Prescott, don’t you toy with me.” She pushed at his chest, but it was a feeble effort.
“Hope Radisson, being close to you is mesmerizing. If you’ll consent to kiss me right now, I may perish and go to heaven.”
“You’re trying to distract me, and I could never be the cause of your demise.” She pulled from his arms and hurried to swing the door wide.
He easily swung her around, pinned her against the exterior wall, and kissed her thoroughly.
She pulled back, her lips warm and swollen, and she only wanted to kiss him all over again. Whatever he had planned to make this night important could wait. “Perished and gone to heaven?”
“Over and over again, love.” He kissed her again, and thrills shot through her.
The door swung open. “Goodness, you two. Get in here.”
Chad grinned at Hope. “This promises to be the most incredible night of your life.”
“It already is,” she assured him.
He kissed her and then lifted her off her feet and carried her into the house. “Just you wait, love. Just you wait.”
His mom and Faith stood arm in arm, beaming at them. Whatever they had planned would be incredible, but the sensation of family that washed over her was almost as good as Chad’s kisses. She was loved, and she belonged. She and Faith would never be alone again.
Miracles never ceased. Her faith and hope had been tested, but with help from above and from her sister, Chad had restored both.
Thank you for reading Chad and Hope’s story. I hope you loved it. Please read on for an unedited excerpt of King Nolan and Madeline Prescott’s story in The Grieving King and the Emissary and Faith and Captain Levi’s story in The Royal Captain and the Designer.
Hugs and thanks for all the support,
Cami
Sweet Royal Romance Suspense
The General Prince and the Nerd
The Brave Prince and the Teacher
The Doctor Prince and the Outsider
The Ninja Prince and the Investigator
The Charming Prince and the Single Mum
The Crown Prince and the Traitor
The Police Chief and the Musician
The Royal Major and the Executive
The Grieving King and the Emissary
Christmas in Augustine
The Royal Captain and the Designer
The Royal Guard and the Royal Stylist
The Impulsive Princess and the Soldier
The Grieving King and the Emissary
Prologue
King Nolan August spun his new daughter-in-law around the dance floor of the castle’s spacious but crowded ballroom. The ballroom without decorations was lauded as one of the most beautiful rooms in the kingdom of Augustine. Two stories of windows and balconies made up the exterior wall, scalloped moldings plated with fourteen-karat gold lined the ceiling and decorated walls, and expertly-painted murals depicted love stories of long ago. The Baccarat chandeliers combined crystal glass with gilt bronze and were gaped at whenever someone new toured the castle.
Tonight with the royal wedding of the beloved crown prince the room was draped in twinkling lights, white chiffon, and white gardenias. It smelled and looked lovely.
Throughout his over thirty years of being the king, Nolan focused on the business of running Augustine and had always left the beautifying to his wife Anne. Thankfully Arianna, the royal stylist and more, and his daughters-in-law, had all stepped up and taken over that role as he would’ve been lost even attempting to hire the right people for such an event as this.
The traditional wedding dances were over, but the bride Jennifer Shule had felt like one of Nolan’s own children even before she and Tristan had wed. Her dad had been Nolan’s closest friend for years and they’d worked closely together when Henry was the prime minister of Augustine. Henry had stepped down as prime minister because his wife Leslie had inadvertently killed Anne, Nolan’s beloved wife and the queen.
Nolan pushed that away and smiled and laughed and teased with Jennifer. He missed Anne constantly, but he kept smiling and working long hours for his family and his country. Sometimes the distraction of never-ending demands helped assuage his grief. Spending time with his family, especially his twelve-year old daughter Kiera was the only thing that truly took away the pain. Though it still lingered when the thoughts of, Anne would’ve loved this, or, they need Anne, invaded.
This Christmas wedding had been ideal. No bombs. No Rindlesbachers. No drama. The groom was his oldest son, Crown Prince Tristan, and the bride was the perfect fit to someday be queen. They’d loved each for years and today was an epic celebration.
Nolan had lost Anne almost a year ago now. He took great solace in each of his sons being happily married and his daughter Kiera being a delight to everyone. He spotted Kiera twirling with Malik and Sophie’s adorable Sunny, the Princess Sunny if you asked the little one, and of course he was King Papa. He smiled at the pair of them.
“Kiera is darling with Sunny,” Jennifer said, following his gaze.
“They’re both such a light to all of us.” He focused back on his new daughter-in-law. “As are you. I’m grateful T has been blessed with you as his wife, and we’re all blessed to have you in our family.”
“Thank you, Nolan.” Her eyes got bright as she continued, “I can’t tell you how I appreciate your forgiveness and love for my mum and dad.”
“Your dad is my closest friend, and we’re all praying your mum can heal and forgive herself.”
“Thank you.”
The song ended and Tristan was right there. “Can I steal my beautiful wife?”
“Of course.” Nolan handed her over, smiling at his son’s emphasis on the word wife.
Jennifer laughed. “Oh my, Mr. Crown Prince, you seem to really love that moniker.”
“All the better because you’re mine all mine now, my dear.”
A new song began and Tristan whisked Jennifer away, their eyes lit up and their bodies melded together.
Nolan was thrilled for their happiness, and he missed Anne with an acute pang. Most of his sons and especially his sweetheart daughters-in-law had started pushing him to ‘think about dating’ or ‘open his heart to the possibility of falling in love again’.
He never scoffed at them, always kept a smile on his face as he gently told them he wasn’t ready, but inside he scoffed. He had neither the time nor the energy to date and he doubted he’d ever find a love like Anne’s again. He and Anne had been friends for years. She’d actually dated Henry in college, but after college Nolan and Anne had slowly fallen in love. Their love had been steady, enduring, and committed. She’d always been there for him, their children, and their kingdom. Anne was a shining beacon of sweetness, charity, and beauty.
Several women close to his age were eyeing him as if he were a Lindt chocolate bar and they hadn’t indulged in years. He averted his gaze quickly, turning and searching for one of his family members. He bumped into someone soft and firm at the same time.
“Oh, pardon me,” he said, glancing down into the emerald eyes of none other than Madeline Prescott, Chad’s mum and one of the only members of parliament who always made him smile.
“I suppose I have no choice but to pardon you, seeing as you are ‘King Papa’,” she teased with a smile on her stunning face. She was a celebrated beauty and he knew men pursued her constantly, but she’d been single as long as Nolan had known her. Chad was his son Tristan’s best friend and he’d told Nolan once that his dad deserted them when he was four and he had only glimpses of memory of a smiling man who laughed a lot.
He should’ve teased and walked away but for some reason, maybe melancholy at marrying off the last of his sons, he eased in a bit closer and said, “Would you care to dance?”
Her eyes widened. She looked him over and Nolan found himself straightening. He’d heard from different sources that he was ‘devastatingly handsome’ and ‘fit and perfectly-proportioned’. He always laughed at such terms, usually flung at him by Ellery’s Aunt Elise who was as inappropriate as she was fun.
“Again … who am I to refuse the king?” She smiled as she said her tease and Nolan knew it was only a tease. She was confident and independent and he doubted she’d ever think she 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 charming 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.
“Mum, King Nolan,” Chad waltzed up to them with his fiancé Hope in the circle of his strong arms. “I believe you’re supposed to move to the music.” His charming smile was easy-going and thankfully he didn’t realize that 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’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’d never felt this energized, alive, and light while dancing. He wouldn’t have been surprised to see that they were floating.
He pushed all those unfamiliar and irrational thoughts away, 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 balcony doors and windows were all open bringing in a sweet summer breeze to compliment the gardenias scent, and keeping him from sweating too much in his tux.
Many of his children were dancing by and giving him significant looks. He’d better not act so besotted by Chad’s mum or he was going to 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 doing? It was a simple dance. With one of his son’s best friend’s mum’s, and a high-ranking member of parliament. Madeline usually baited or joked with him and he laughed and responded. He enjoyed their interactions as nobody but his family and Henry ever seemed confident enough to let down their guard around him.
Right now she was looking off-kilter and no teasing quips were forthcoming.
“Forgive me,” he said, studying her emerald green eyes, had they always been so large and sparkled like the jewel they matched? “I fear I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
“Why would you make 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.
