by Julie Miller
Chapter Thirteen
“Carly! Rise and shine. You have a visitor.”
Carly pulled the pillow over her head to muffle the noise of her brother knocking on her bedroom door. When it didn’t stop, she threw the pillow across the room and sat up. “I was up late, Frank. Fix your own breakfast for once.”
“I ate three hours ago.”
She glanced over at the clock. It was nearly noon. Maybe he was looking for lunch. She didn’t have much of an appetite herself. Possibly because she was still full of the pint of coffee ice cream she’d eaten when she’d gotten home from the ball. Or maybe because after that self-pity pig-out, she’d cried in the shower until the water had run cold. Then she’d put on her sweats and had run a couple of miles around the neighborhood to clear her head, falling into bed as the sun was coming up. She might have a better grasp on everything that had happened this past week—she might even have a sense of acceptance over the way things had ended with Ivan, no, make that Aleksandr. But she was still too emotionally drained and exhausted to be hungry.
Or social.
Or nice to her brother.
“Go away, Frank!”
“No can do, Carly Barley. It’s official police business. He says he needs to talk to Officer Valentine.”
Carly tipped her head back and groaned. “Give me five minutes to get presentable.”
“Okeydoke.”
She was out of bed and freshening up in the bathroom before she heard him head back upstairs. The stack of condoms she’d stolen from Jesse’s old room sat on the counter beside the sink, taunting her. Before the memory of that special night overtook her and left her sobbing again, she opened a drawer and dumped them inside. She pulled on a pair of cutoffs and tank top, twisted her hair into a braid and hurried up the stairs, barefoot.
“Who is it, Frank? I’m on vaca...”
“I brought you a present.” She froze at the deep, accented voice she found so sexy. Aleksandr Petrovic, once known as His Royal Highness Prince Ivan of Lukinburg, handed her a large, rectangular box with a turquoise ribbon tied around it. He set it in her hands and she nearly dropped it, partly because of the unexpected weight, and partly because she was in shock at seeing him here. He caught the box before it hit the floor and held it out to her again. “I see that you can use a pair of shoes.”
Carly couldn’t look away from those blue eyes. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be on a flight to Lukinburg right now? It’ll be a long walk home.”
“Perhaps not.”
“Okay, a long swim.”
“I am staying in Kansas City.”
Carly blinked. He was staying? She blinked again. “But...” She dropped the box to the floor and closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his waist and snuggling in to the place she liked best. “I’m sorry.”
His arms folded around her and he whispered against her hair. “For what, dorogoy?”
“For getting stuck in my head and not listening to my heart. I felt stupid that I hadn’t seen your deception. But then I realized you had to be really good at your job to pull that off, and I admire you for that. You said we would fake a relationship, but every bit of it was real except for your name. I didn’t want you to go last night. I don’t want you to go now. Wait. Why are you staying?” She pushed against him to see into his eyes and immediately apologized when he grimaced in pain.
“You’re hurt?”
“Some bruising and swelling. The doctor says I will be fine.”
“Carls, my dear.” Her father had gotten off the sofa to join them in the foyer. “The guy’s been wounded in action. Ask him in for coffee. Frank? Let’s go out back and inspect that work you’ve been doin’ on my deck.” He reached out to shake Aleks’s hand. “You know she’s got two big brothers and me lookin’ out for her if you don’t treat her right.”
“Dad!”
But Aleks grinned. “I would be more scared of her than any of you if I screw this up.”
Her father laughed. “Then you do know her. You’re okay, Mr. Prince. I like you.” He ended the handshake to hug Carly to his side. “Is this what you want?”
She hugged him back. “He’s what I want.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Then go for it. We’ll give you two some privacy.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Several minutes later, Carly was wearing the burgundy boots she’d admired when she’d been shopping for evening gowns, and she was sitting in Aleks’s lap on the couch. “They’re beautiful. I love them.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Thank you.”
Aleks wore another suit and crisp white shirt, but this time without the tie. He looked downright casual and infinitely handsome. He skimmed his hand up and down her leg, from the cuff of her shorts to the top of her new boots and back. The friction of his gentle caress warmed her skin and heated things up deeper inside. “I did not think you would like another pair of those sparkly heels. These make you smile.”
“You make me smile.” She stroked the fine silk of his beard along his jaw. “You’re sure you aren’t in any danger from Galina Honchar? Or Lukin rebels? I’d rather not play bodyguard again if I don’t have to.”
“Galina is being extradited to Lukinburg where she will stand trial. Danya...” Carly tightened her fingers against his skin when he hesitated. “He was not happy to have his brother’s death be the excuse she used to assassinate the prince. He is taking some time off. But I advised Ivan to ask him to take over as security chief, and encourage Filip to retire.”
“Sounds like a smart plan,” Carly agreed. “Now tell me again why you’re not going home to St. Feodor with Ivan?”
He pressed a kiss into her palm and smiled. “I asked to be assigned to Kansas City to represent Lukinburg’s interests here. There may be a time when I go back to my country. For a visit. But by then, you will have a passport. There is much I would like to show you, just as I have seen much of your beautiful city.” He nuzzled the shell of her ear, then kissed his way down her neck until he found the bundle of nerves that made her squiggle in his lap. He smiled against her skin as it heated beneath his touch. “I cannot make you a princess, but perhaps you would be content to be a geeky computer nerd’s wife.”
“I already said yes.” Carly captured his jaw between her hands and kissed him again. “Do you really love me?”
“That is what obicham te means.”
The guttural expression of his feelings warmed her as thoroughly as his touch. “I want to learn more of your language.”
“I will teach you.”
“Will you take me dancing?”
“Every night if you wish.” He smiled. “Since we are laying down the ground rules of this very real relationship, I know that you wish to continue your work with KCPD. They are very lucky to have you. But you will still have time to bake me a pie?”
“What flavor would you like?”
His smile faded, but the intensity of those blue eyes never dimmed. “Will you love me for who I really am?”
“Aleksandr Petrovic—I didn’t fall in love with a prince. I fell in love with a man.” She traced the scar that cut through his beard and then touched her lips to the brave, vulnerable spot. “I fell in love with you.”
* * *
Look for more books from USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Miller coming soon.
And don’t miss these previous books from
Julie Miller:
Kansas City Cop
Rescued by the Marine
Do-or-Die Bridesmaid
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New Orleans Noir
by Joanna Wayne
Prologue
Friday, March 15
Elizabeth Grayson jerked forward as the car skidded to a slippery stop. The deserted dirt road that had been barely passable before had suddenly disappeared, replaced by clumps of tall grass, deeper pockets of brown water and what appeared to be a wide stretch of swampland.
Her nerves grew edgy. “Where are we?”
“Somewhere we can finally be totally alone.” He flicked off the headlights.
“It’s pitch-black out here,” she murmured.
“Are you afraid of the dark or of being alone with me?” he teased, his voice deep and sexy, almost melting her anxious vibes.
“I’m never afraid when I’m with you.”
“That’s what I like to hear, baby. You always know how to please me.”
She loved the way he talked to her, as if she were his equal though he was older and much more mature than the high school boys she’d dated back home. The sloppy kisses of teenage boys never thrilled her the way his did. She’d never melted at their touch.
He killed the motor, then stretched his arm across the back of the seat and slipped it around her shoulders. “This is a favorite place of mine when I need to get away,” he said.
“Really? It seems so isolated.”
“I see it as private and a little forbidden,” he said, “but if it makes you nervous, I can drive back into town.”
“No. I don’t want to go back,” she answered quickly.
All she’d been able to think about for the past two days was seeing him again. She craved his touch and the way her body came alive when he slid his hands beneath her blouse or when he slipped his tongue inside her mouth.
Unfortunately, their making out had been limited to what they could manage in the back seat of his sports car parked behind a sleazy bar in a part of town she hadn’t known existed until a few nights ago. Even then she’d wanted more, but he’d held back. He’d wanted to wait until everything was right.
They’d met last Saturday night when Elizabeth had been out with a girlfriend who lived in Metairie. Her friend Melinda had managed to snare fake IDs for both of them before Elizabeth had flown to New Orleans to visit her great-aunt for spring break.
Melinda had already been tipsy by the time Elizabeth noticed the hunk of a man staring at her. He nodded when they made eye contact but didn’t approach them. When he smiled and left the bar, she followed him outside.
One hello in his deep, sexy voice and she was certain he was the most gorgeous and exciting man she’d ever met. She’d whispered her phone number into his ear as he opened the door to his black sports car.
He’d called the very next day. She’d thought of nothing but him since then.
He wasn’t driving the sports car tonight, but a mud-encrusted pickup truck more suitable for the terrain. He pulled a flashlight from the truck’s console and flicked it on as he climbed from behind the wheel. He reached behind the driver’s seat and picked up what appeared to be a blanket.
Her pulse went crazy. Spring break was almost over. She’d be flying back to Tulsa on Sunday and might never see him again. Her heart would surely break but how much worse would it be if she didn’t have this time with him tonight to treasure?
Complete privacy. And a blanket. They were surely going to make love. It would be the first time for her to go all the way. He would be experienced. He’d teach her all she needed to know.
He walked around the truck, opened her door and took her hand. She quivered in anticipation, ready for this in every way.
Aunt Ella still thought of Elizabeth as a kid and constantly warned her to be careful. As much as Elizabeth had hated lying to her tonight, she’d had no choice.
If her great-aunt could see her now, she’d be horrified. She would tell Elizabeth she was tempting disaster. The thought intensified Helena’s anxiety.
“Okay. I can tell you’re not ready,” he said, dropping her hand. “I obviously misread the signs.”
“You didn’t,” she assured him. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here with you.” That much was true.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, she stepped out of the truck. The earth was damp, sucking like quicksand. The grass was almost to her knees, hiding anything that might be crawling beneath it. Like snakes. Or tarantulas.
He put a thumb beneath her chin and nudged until she faced him. He leaned over and his lips met hers. Desire pummeled her as heated juices seeped into the silky red panties she’d worn just for him.
She’d be a fool to do anything to spoil this moment. He wasn’t the man of her dreams. She’d never had dreams this good.
They walked for ten minutes or more, dodging spreading palmetto fronds, clumps of reeds and the exposed roots of cypress trees until they reached the slippery bank of a murky bayou.
The moon finally peeked from behind the clouds, providing enough illumination that he turned off the flashlight. A few yards farther and he took a different path, not stopping until they reached a slightly higher and dryer area. He dropped her hand and her insides quaked as he spread the blanket.
He kicked out of his shoes and lay down on his side, his right elbow supporting him so that he could meet her gaze. He opened his arms for her to join him.
She hesitated and scanned the area one last time. “Are you sure there are no snakes or alligators around here?” she asked.
“I guarantee you that before this night is over, you won’t be worried at all about snakes, alligators or any other creatures of the swamp. Now undress slowly so I can watch,” he said, an authoritative bent to his voice that hadn’t been there before. By the time she was totally naked, passion enflamed her.
She lay down beside him, anticipating heaven.
Instead she fell into the depths of hell.
Copyright © 2019 by Jo Ann Vest
ISBN-13: 9781488046025
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Copyright © 2019 by Julie Miller
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