by Kira Archer
The sound of the waves washing ashore called to her. She’d always loved that sound. Especially at dusk, when the sky above the sea turned its brilliant orange and faded slowly into the gentle dark hues of night.
She wandered down the rocky path to the shore, kicking off her sandals once she reached the sand. The salt-tinged air filled her lungs and she took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing mind. What would she say when she saw him again? Could they really make this work? She wasn’t sure she cared anymore what their differences were, what obstacles stood in their way. She just wanted to see him again.
She hadn’t heard his footsteps in the sand, but the clean, fresh scent of him announced his presence behind her just before his arms slipped around her waist. He filled her senses, totally and completely, and she leaned back against his chest with a sigh. All the tension she’d carried around for the last few months melted from her. She sighed, at peace at last.
He held her for a few moments as they watched the sun dip lower into the horizon, then he turned her around in his arms. His hands reached up to cup her face, his thumbs brushing across her cheeks.
“You’re here,” he said.
“Yes.” She smiled up at him. “I saw you on the show.”
“I hoped you would.” He smiled down at her and brushed her hair from her face.
“How did you get here so quickly?”
“The show was taped a few days ago. I arrived this morning and came straight here. It’s been a very long day, wondering if you’d let me in again, if you’d let me see you. And here you are.” He kissed her forehead, held her close.
“I think I would have come anyway. Living without you these last few months…” She shook her head, tears tightening her throat. “I don’t think I could have done it much longer, but I did want to tell you—and I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a mother hen—but I wanted to tell you that I’m so proud of you.”
“You are?” he said, his tender expression warming her through and through.
“So much. Using your powers for good instead of evil. Not many supermen can pull off a switch like that.”
He laughed and hugged her again. “God, I love you so much.”
His arms enveloped her, crushed her to him like he’d never let go. She wrapped her arms around his waist, her heart so full of love for him she could scarcely breathe.
“I love you,” she said, pulling away enough to reach his face. “I should have told you before.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheeks, his brow, his lips, all the while whispering, “I love you, I love you,” over and over again.
He crushed her to him with a sound that was almost a sob, his lips capturing hers. He kissed her until she was breathless and dizzy before he released her with a ragged sigh.
“Don’t ever leave me again,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers.
“Never,” she agreed.
He pulled back so he could look into her eyes. “You know what that means? I’ve done what I can to stay out of the spotlight, but there will always be photographers. There will always be private details splashed in the papers. My life will always be a little bit…crazy.”
“I know,” she said, smiling up at him. “I’m not saying I’ll enjoy all that, but it’s a small price to pay to be with the man I love.”
The smile he bestowed upon her took her breath away.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“Then maybe I should give this back to you.” He pulled her sapphire ring out of his pocket. “My strong, amazing, beautiful Stanzia… Marry me. For real this time.”
She laughed, so full of happiness she was sure it radiated from every pore. “Yes,” she said, her heart nearly jumping from her chest when he slipped the ring back on her finger.
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the ring. “And you’ll move back into the house tonight. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
She laughed and then gasped, her stomach dropping. “Wait. I can’t.”
Luca’s face fell, his eyes widening.
“I want to,” she insisted, “I do. But…the girls…I can’t leave them…”
“Oh,” he said, letting out a sigh of relief and crushing her to him again. “God, you scared me.” He gave her a lingering kiss. “Don’t worry about the girls. I still have everything all set up for them. I don’t see any reason why the Family Aid organization wouldn’t approve me as a House Father, especially if you remain the House Mother. The girls were living with me anyway.”
“Luca, are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I want all my girls back home where they belong.”
“Oh, Luca,” she said, giving him a swift kiss. “Thank you so much.”
“Let’s sit for a second.” He pulled her down to the sand with him, tucking her into his chest with his arms wrapped about her and his legs on either side, keeping her cocooned from the cool breeze blowing in off the sea. “There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you.”
He still seemed happy, but there was something beneath the surface. He almost seemed nervous, anxious about something. “What is it?” she asked with a slight frown.
“I wanted to see how you’d feel about making some of the arrangements permanent. I mean more so than they already are.”
“What do you mean?” She thought she knew, but she was afraid to hope that much.
“If it would be all right with you, and with her, I’d like for us to adopt Elena.”
Constance gasped and flipped around in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist so she could hug him with her whole body. “Oh Luca, of course it’s okay with me. I never dreamed…” She pulled away to look at him though his smiling face was blurry through her tears. “Really?”
“Really,” he said with a little laugh. “I’ve sown enough wild oats.”
She snorted and he gave her a mock glare. “I think it’s time I settled down and had a family, and I always was one for instant gratification.”
She laughed. “Well, just this once, my love, I wholeheartedly approve.”
“Good,” he said, jumping up, bring her along with him. “Let’s go get our girls.”
Constance tugged on his hand, drawing him back to her. She reached up to cup his face, drawing him down for a kiss. “Mrs. Ballas is in charge for the night. You and I have some catching up to do.”
His smile turned sensual, desire flashing through his eyes. “I love the way you think, koritsi mou.”
Did you love this Indulgence? Check out more of our category romance titles here!
Author’s Note
The Emergency Family Aid organization that Constance works for in this story is loosely based on a real organization, SOS Children’s Villages International. The SOS organization provides homes and care for children whose families are no longer able to do so. While elements similar to the real organization were used for this book, literary license was taken to fit the needs of the story. For more information on the real SOS Children’s Villages, please visit their website at http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org.
Acknowledgments
My deepest thanks to the entire Entangled team, especially my incredible editor, Alethea Spiridon. Luca wouldn’t be here without you, and without Luca my world would be tragic. Thank you so much for everything. I have loved working with you and appreciate everything you’ve done to get this book out in the world.
To my sweet husband, who makes me breathe fresh air, cooks real food, tells me I look great even when I’m on deadline and look like an extra on The Walking Dead, and only rarely fusses when I stumble into bed just before he gets up—I really couldn’t do this without you. At least not well. Just imagine how pale I’d be if it weren’t for you dragging me out into the sun every now and then.
To my amazing kids, for never complaining no matter how many pizza days or video games you’re forced to endure, for sc
attering when I need a few extra work minutes and still putting up with the Mama Love even though you’re almost as tall as I am—you are my everything. And I promise to put on my “outside clothes” before I pick you up at school. Most of the time.
To Sarah Ballance, my writing creepy twin who somehow manages to keep me sane with your crazy (our crazy?)—my family thanks you. Without you, they’d have to deal with me unfiltered and I’m not sure they are up to that. Also, keep your spiders to yourself. I see a spider, I’m breaking out the mice. Fair warning. As for the jalepeno chips, address them to my son. The kid was drinking salsa when he was two. He thanks you in advance. I wonder if anyone has noticed we talk to each other in these things yet…this could get interesting.
And most importantly, to my fabulous readers. You are the reason I can do what I do. I can’t even express what that means to me. You guys are beyond wonderful!
About the Author
Kira Archer resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kiddos, and far too many animals in the house. She tends to laugh at inappropriate moments, break all the rules she gives her kids (but only when they aren’t looking), and would rather be reading a book than doing almost an-ything else. She has odd, eclectic tastes in just about everything and often let’s her imagination run away with her. She loves a vast variety of genres and writes in quite a few. If you love his-torical romances, check out her alter ego, Michelle McLean.
Discover more category romance titles from Entangled Indulgence…
The Prince’s Bride
a Modern Fairytale novel by Diane Alberts
Prince Leo can’t believe he’s finally found Alicia Forkes, the woman he’s loved for years. Unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with him. In fact, she’s cursing him to hell and back for breaking her heart when they were teens. But he’s determined to prove he’s her prince charming––even if that means letting her go.
The Millioanire’s Gamble
a Mad, Bad Hamilton novel by Sarah Ballance
Wealth has a price. Everyone wants something from you. For one woman, that something was my DNA. One minute, she was kissing me like we were going to strip it down and go at it. And the next, she was ripping out my hair for a paternity test—and threatening to torpedo my latest deal. I don’t play these kind of games. And that damnably sexy woman with the alluring eyes and mistaken agenda is about to learn that the hard way…
Billionaire Blackmail
a novel by Alison Aimes
After a childhood spent on the streets, ruthless billionaire Nik Valenti has had his share of dealing with crooks. He thought that was behind him. Until the woman he’s been casually dating turns out to be the biggest con artist of them all. Now, with pride, money, and his company’s survival at stake, he won’t rest until Sara Turner has experienced his brand of justice. Nik will put everything on the line to find the truth...except his heart.
The Millionaire Makeover
a Bachelor Auction novel by Naima Simone
Niall Hunter never imagined his penance for one hot-as-hell night with his best friend’s little sister, Khloe Richardson, would be transforming her from a shy wallflower to a sultry siren. Helping her attract another man is torture. But Niall can’t stop wanting her. Can’t stop touching her. Can’t stop, period. And damn if he can remember why he has to…
Also Kira Archer…
Driving Her Crazy
Kissing Her Crazy
Loving Her Crazy
Truly, Madly, Sweetly
Discover historical romance by Kira Archer, writing as Michelle McLean
A Bandit’s Stolen Heart
A Bandit’s Broken Heart
A Bandit’s Betrayed Heart
To Trust a Thief
Romancing the Rumrunner
Also by Michelle McLean
Wish Upon a Star
