Read Online Heirs Book Two: American Lady by Elleby Harper - Free Book Online Page A

tsunami.
    Still shuddering they held each others’
sweaty bodies as their pounding hearts slowly calmed. Maixent’s
arms were wrapped tightly around her and she felt that was all that
was holding her tethered together otherwise she would drift away,
her thoughts and senses scattering in all directions. She felt
deliciously aglow and languid, as though her body were fluid and
not solid.
    “I think I love you.” She was aghast to hear
herself saying as she clung to him. Damn! She hadn’t meant to say
that out loud.
    Maixent jerked his head back so he could
look directly into her eyes. There was a long minute of silence
between them and Charley squirmed internally, dying of humiliation.
Just as she was about to retract her words and laugh them off as a
poor-taste joke, his eyes crinkled and he gave a huge grin.
    “I hope you really mean that and it’s not
postcoital banter?” His voice sounded hesitant, as though her
answer was really important to him. More than that, as though her
affirmative answer was maybe even vital for his well-being.
    Her inner goddess pushed her to risking
bravery over defensiveness. Keeping her starry-spangled eyes firmly
glued to his so he would know that, as unexpected as the words had
been, they were truly heartfelt, so much so that with her heart in
her mouth she was unable to speak and simply nodded her head.
Vigorously.
    His grin was now shining as brightly as the
anticipated Halley’s comet.
    “Dis donc, ma chérie, I know I love you.
Will you marry me?”

Chapter 5
     
    The telephone receiver dropped from Nikki’s nerveless
fingers, dangling freely on the end of its coiled cord, as she
slumped onto the sofa. On the other end of the line she could hear
Charley’s voice.
    “Mom, are you there? Mom?”
    Sucking in a huge breath, she counted to ten
silently.
    “Mom? I can’t hear you. Is everything okay?
Is this line dead?”
    Nikki sighed out the breath and picked up
the receiver, looping the cord around her fingers so frantically
she was in danger of cutting off her blood supply. “Yes, darling,
I’m here,” she said mechanically. “I’m just a bit dazed at your
news.”
    “I’m more than dazed,” Charley crowed
jubilantly. “I’m absolutely over the moon about marrying Maix!
You’re going to love him. He’s so adorably continental and yet
American at the same time.”
    “Charley, are you rushing into things? I
thought you were still heart broken over Dan. Is Maix some sort of
rebound?” Nikki fought frantically to get her head around Charley’s
astonishing news. How could she possibly be getting married?!
    “I know it’s sudden and it’s a shock for
you. But living with Dan made me realize how different and happy my
life will be with Maix. How can I describe it so you can
understand? Let me see, it’s like my life with Dan was a dark,
grainy black and white photo but with Maixent we’re in an instant,
full-color polaroid. I just can’t describe how right it feels when
we’re together. But we’re not going to elope tomorrow, you know.
Everything will have to be hush-hush until the formalities are
sorted out. Because Maix is the heir to the Dragonblood Throne he
needs to get permission from the National Council to get married.
And then we have to settle details like my dowry,” Charley giggled.
“Isn’t it a scream? I feel just like a heroine in a romance
novel.”
    She sighed. “Really, it’s going to take
weeks before we sort through all the bureaucratic red tape. And
Maix is upset that I didn’t let him ask you for my hand in marriage
instead of breaking the news to you myself,” Charley giggled again,
giving the perfect impression of a teenager in love.
    Nikki closed her eyes painfully. Charley
sounded so happy. “Darling, I don’t want to sound like a wet
blanket, but you hardly know the man. Are you sure you should be
rushing into marriage?”
    “I know it sounds crazy, mom. But it feels
as though we’ve known each other forever. I think it’s