by Olivia Gates
Whatever had really happened, they’d found them and were advancing on them en masse. In the first line of the approaching army were her parents, each with a girl yelling for Kassandra and Leonid in their arms.
Before they reached them, she looked up at Leonid, her soul in human form, the source of every towering emotion she’d ever experienced and the fuel for every ambition and passion and delight for the rest of her life. He was looking back at her, so hungrily, so adoringly, she again wondered how she could have ever doubted his feelings. But never again.
Heart soaring with all the endless possibilities and promises of a lifetime with him, she suddenly grinned at him.
“How about you demonstrate one of your unique abilities to the good people who came trudging through the snow after us?”
His eyes filled with the mischief that had started appearing in his eyes in those short days of bliss, the bliss that would now be their status quo.
“The Voronov Vacuum Maneuver?”
Devouring his lips once again, she caressed his chiseled cheek. “Right the first time.”
Laughing, the most delightful sound in heaven or on earth, he opened his arms wide.
The girls launched themselves there, and stuck.
As she explained the property he and the girls, the pieces of her soul, shared, everyone laughed. Then their interrupted wedding guests inundated them with a hundred questions about what was going on.
As they tried to escape answering any, her friends, their Triumvirate and her siblings came to their rescue.
Selene, hooking her arm around her own Greek god, grinned. “You people just have to get used to having a very unconventional, unpredictable king and queen. Don’t bother trying to figure them out.”
Aristedes grinned adoringly at his wife and corroborated her words. “There’s no doubt that under Leonid and Kassandra’s rule Zorya will rise to unprecedented prosperity, but it won’t be in any way you people would expect. So just sit back and enjoy their reign.”
Maksim nodded, grinning, too, as he hugged Caliope to his side. “Now you’ll add a new legend to your impressive arsenal, that of The King Who Ran.”
Caliope smiled from ear to ear. “And The Queen Who Brought Him Back.”
Naomi chuckled. “With yours being a femalecentric culture, that gender-reversal twist on Cinderella and Prince Charming is right up your alley.”
Andreas kissed the top of Naomi’s head, clearly loving the wit of his wife’s remark. “One thing is certain. With those two and their twin stars, I assure you, you’ll be forever entertained.”
Aleks chuckled. “Indeed. I have a feeling those two will treat us all to lifelong episodes of an epic Greek and Slavic–in-one drama. I, for one, can’t wait to watch it unfold.”
As everyone laughed, Kassandra’s eldest brother, Dimitri, who’d spent last night’s reception wrapped around Olga, cleared his throat importantly.
“And now I interrupt today’s episode with a news bulletin. A message for you, Leonid, from HRH Princess Olga.”
As everyone turned to Dimitri, all ears, he smirked.
“The lady is telling you, quote, she’ll be your spare heir, until your real ones grow up, but that would be it. You have to get back where you belong, that lofty palace you spent bazillions renovating, put that crown on your head and take the weight of this messed-up kingdom on your endless shoulders. And if you think every time she pinches your ear over some state policy you can flounce away and say you’re not playing, you have another think coming, unquote.”
Dimitri turned his bedeviling gaze to Kassandra. “And she thought you were the reason Leonid was being so uncharacteristically lenient as to approve that policy that made her blast him. But I assured her you’re a shark, and that as soon as you knew he didn’t use his many rows of teeth when he should have, you’ll straighten him, and those teeth, out. And that if she ever needs anything at all done to him, including twisting him into a pretzel, you’re the girl to call.” He winked broadly at her. “She thinks you’ll be her new best friend.”
* * *
Leonid again laughed along with everyone, unable to believe what a difference an hour made. A minute. A word. Even a breath from Kassandra turned his world upside down, then right side up again.
And she’d given him everything he’d never dared dream of having, dissipating the darkness of despair and insecurity and guilt forever. She’d given him certainty, stability, permanence. She’d taken him and would keep him, no matter what—scars, fake parts, burdens and obsessions and all.
And he finally knew what happiness felt like. And boundless hope. What he’d been scared to even wish for since he’d lost her that first time.
She’d given him everything. And more.
As everyone’s voices rose in side conversations and questions and proddings, he was unable to go on another second without another kiss.
Everyone hooted and said they should have brought the minister with them and completed the wedding right here.
Whispering to Kassandra, she just nodded delightedly and said, “Anything you want, always.”
He addressed the crowd. “I apologize for the drama I caused, though it seems you all enjoyed the mystery and the exercise. But my queen and bride has decreed we go back and resume the interrupted ceremonies, even if by now they’ll be concluded long after the sun of the new day rises. I hope you’re all game.”
As everyone’s voices rose in approval, he squeezed his little princesses, who were beside themselves with the excitement of the unusual circumstances.
“And now it’s time your papa took you back to your new home, where you will always be the earthbound Zoryan stars that will guide me with their bright light, and the blessing of our kingdom.”
As everyone walked back to the limos, Kassandra, whose tears of joy had been flowing freely, reached for his lips, her voice thick with emotion, sultry with hunger.
“I’ve got news for you, my liege. After all the odds you’ve beaten, how you’ve survived and become far more than you’ve been, how you’ve come back for us, how you love us and how you make our lives far better than any dream, the real blessing is you.”
He hugged the twins tighter, hugged his Kassandra until he felt her under his skin, inside his heart, coursing through his veins and pledged, “And I am all yours totally, irrevocably...and forever.”
* * * * *
If you liked this tale of royalty and romance, pick up these other stories from USA TODAY bestselling author Olivia Gates
TEMPORARILY HIS PRINCESS
CONVENIENTLY HIS PRINCESS
SEDUCING HIS PRINCESS
Available now from Harlequin Desire!
***
And don’t miss the next BILLIONAIRES AND BABIES story, HIS FOREVER FAMILY from Sarah M. Anderson
Available February 2016!
***
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Keep reading for an excerpt from TRAPPED WITH THE TYCOON by Jules Bennett.
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Trapped with the Tycoon
by Jules Bennett
One
The second her ex’s fingers closed around her arm, Zara Perkins jerked from the firm grasp. “I’m not dancing, I’m working.”
Having Shane Chapman show up at the biggest job she’d ever taken on for the most prestigious family she’d ever worked for was just her luck. She prided herself on her business, on doing everything in her power to make her clients’ parties the event they hired her for. And Shane could ruin it all.
“You’re such a tease,” he mocked, the whiskey on his breath repugnant. “I saw you looking at me.”
Sure, with disdain when she realized he was in attendance. She’d rather walk barefoot over shards of glass than let his arms wrap around her. Zara prayed Shane would go away. This was a new job, a job she desperately needed. The last thing she wanted to do was have to defend a man she had the misfortune of dating a few times.
“Dance with me.”
The low, demanding words sent shivers through her body. Zara knew without turning around who would be behind her...her new employer and rumored-to-be corrupt business mogul Braden O’Shea.
With Shane directly in front of her and Braden behind her, Zara was literally stuck in the exact predicament she didn’t want to be in on her first big night of working for the O’Sheas. But right now, she was bracketed by two powerful men. One she wanted nothing to do with and the other set her heart racing as only a mysterious, intriguing man could do. The few times she’d been in his office had been a bit difficult to concentrate. Braden O’Shea exuded authority, control and sex appeal.
Humiliation flooded her at the idea that Braden had to intervene. She was here in a professional capacity. Having her ex confront her was not exactly showcasing the reputation she’d worked so hard to build, and coming off as anything less than professional could be career suicide.
Shane glared over her shoulder, silently telling Braden precisely what he thought of the interruption, but before Zara could say a word to either man, Braden took hold of her arm and pulled her to the dance area in the ballroom of his lavish, historical home.
Instantly she was plastered against the oldest of the O’Shea siblings...not a difficult position to find herself in, actually. She had often appreciated the visual of his broad, sexy body wrapped in the finest of black suits with black shirt and no tie. But being up close and personal, breathing in what was undoubtedly expensive, masculine cologne that had her eyes fluttering closed as she inhaled, was another level of torture entirely.
The man exuded sex appeal, but he was her new boss, and she needed this job for the prestige and the insanely large paycheck. This was her first official event with this prominent family after being officially hired a few months ago. Screwups...screwing of any kind...was not allowed.
So, no sex thoughts. None. Okay, maybe later when she was alone.
“I really need to be working.”
A little protest was in order, wasn’t it? Even if sliding against Braden felt like some sort of foreplay in itself, she was the events coordinator for this party. Dancing with the host and boss was a major professional no-no, even if they’d always gotten along well with each other before tonight. There’d always been some ridiculous magnetic energy between them that she’d never experienced before but refused to explore.
Braden’s dark gaze studied her, his mouth unsmiling. “With a dress like that, you should be dancing.”
The sexual undertone wasn’t lost on her. She’d thrown on her go-to black dress with a low V in the back and front, long sleeves, with the hem stopping at her knees. The dress was simple, yet made a statement. Hiding her curves wasn’t an option unless she wore a muumuu. Besides, this was the best dress she’d found in her boxes of belongings since she hadn’t unpacked from her move...three months ago. Because unpacking meant settling in, making roots.
“You’re not paying me to dance,” she told him, though she made no motion to step out of his powerful embrace. Her mind told her this wasn’t professional, but her stubborn body wasn’t getting that memo. “I’m positive this isn’t professional to ignore my position here.”
“You’re on break.”
With one large hand at the small of her back and the other gripping hers, Braden led her in a dance to an old classic. Crystal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, illuminating the polished wood floor in a kaleidoscope of colors. The wall of French doors leading to the patio gave the room an even larger feel. The O’Sheas were known for their lavish parties, and now that she was in the ballroom, she could see why. Who had an actual ballroom in their house?
Other couples swirled around them, but with few words and those dark, mesmerizing eyes, this man captured her undivided attention. She needed to get back control over this situation because even though Braden insisted she was taking a break, she wasn’t paid to socialize. She was given an insane amount of money to make this annual party an even bigger success than the last one, and she’d heard a rumor the last events coordinator for the O’Sheas was fired in the most humiliating of circumstances. She couldn’t afford slipups.
Or crazy exes.
“I could’ve handled him,” she told Braden. “Shane was just...”
“I’m not talking about another man when I have a beautiful woman in my arms.”
Okay, yeah, that definitely crossed the professional threshold. Each word he spoke dripped with charm, authority...desire. He held his feelings back, remained in control at all times. From what she’d seen, he was calculating, powerful and the aura of mystery surrounding him was even more alluring and sexy.
But, no. She’d just ended things with one powerful, controlling man. She was fine being single and focusing on her year-old business. Her goal was to be the company all major names turned to when needing a party planned or hosting a special event. Having the O’Sheas was a huge leap in the right direction. No matter the rumors surrounding their, well, less-than-legal operations behind the front of their world-renowned auction house, the O’Sheas had connections she could only dream of. She hoped this event led to new clients.
“If you keep scowling, I’m going to think you prefer Shane’s company,” Braden stated, breaking into her thoughts. “Or maybe I interrupted a lover’s quarrel?”
Zara nearly recoiled. “No. Definitely not a lover’s quarrel.”
Had Braden overheard what Shane had said? Heat flooded her cheeks. She’d dated Shane briefly and had broken things off with him weeks ago, yet the man was relentless in trying to get her attention again. When they’d gone on only a few dates, he’d started getting a bit too controlling for her comfort. Thankfully she hadn’t slept with him.
Still, he’d made a point to tell her how fast he could ruin her business. Did he honestly think that would make her give him another chance? Threats were so not the way to a woman’s heart.
She wasn’t one to back down without a fight, but she was realistic, and Shane did have money and connections. She shivered at the severity of his words.
“Cold?” Braden asked.
Braden’s hand drifted up, his fingertips grazed across her bare skin just above the dip in her material.
With the heat in his eyes, there was no way she could claim a chill. The firmness of his body moved perfectly with hers; that friction alone could cause a woman to go up in flames.
“Mr. O’Shea—”
“Braden.”
Zara swallowed. “Fine. Braden,” she corrected, forcing herself to hold his heavy-lidded stare. “I really should check on the drinks—”
“Taken care of.”
“The hors d’oeuvres—”
“Are fine.”
He spun her toward the edge of the dance floor, closer to one set of French doors leading out on to the patio. Snow swirled around outside; a storm for later tonight was in the forecast. February in Boston could be treacherous and unpredictable.
“You’ve done a remarkable job with this evening,” he told her. “I’m impressed.”
She couldn’t suppress the smile. “I’m relieved to hear that. I love my job and want all of my clients happy. Still, dancing when I should be working isn’t something I make a habit of.”
His thumb continued to lightly stroke the bare skin on her back. The man was potent, sparking arousal without even trying. Or maybe he was trying and he was so stellar at being charming, she couldn’t tell.
It took her a moment to realize that Braden had maneuvered her into a corner. With his back to the dancers, he shielded her completely with those broad shoulders and pinned her with that dark, mesmerizing gaze. “I heard what he said to you.”
Zara froze, took a deep breath and chose her next words carefully. “I assure you I would never let anyone or anything affect my ability to work. Shane is—”
“Not going to bother you again,” he assured her with a promising yet menacing tone. Braden’s eyes darted over her body, touching her just the same as his talented fingertips had done mere moments ago.
No. No, no, no. Hadn’t she already scolded herself for having lustful thoughts? He was her boss, for pity’s sake. No matter how intriguing Braden O’Shea was, she had no room for sex in her life right now. No wonder she was grouchy.
“Storm is kicking up.” Braden nodded over her shoulder toward the floor-to-ceiling window. “Do you live far?”
“Maybe twenty minutes away.”
“If you need to leave—”
“No.” Zara shook her head, holding a hand up to stop him. “I’ve lived in Boston my entire life. Snow doesn’t bother me. Besides, I would never leave an event early.”
Braden studied her a moment before nodding. “I’m happy to hear that, but I don’t want you driving on these roads. My driver will make sure you get home.”
“There’s no need for that.”
