Even his daughter, Christine, was more joyous.
This was all Miya’s doing. Rico held Miya’s chair for her as they joined her mother, her friend and his daughter at the table.
Next to Miya the air smelled fresher, like that floral perfume she wore mixed with Christmas magic.
And the smiling faces of everyone else here … He hadn’t belonged anywhere in a long time.
Miya was an angel who had come into his life at the last moment and saved him, and he owed her the world.
For the first time in years … he was happy.
Not being sad made him feel like his shoulders had less of a burden to carry and he had more energy again.
If only life was always like this. As he settled into the seat beside Miya, Dieu stared at him and said, “You look happy.”
Oh, she had no idea how true that was. He pressed his arm into Miya as she said, “We’re happy, Mom.”
Staff brought in their pasta dish as her mother folded her hands in front of her and asked them, “So when do you two head off on a honeymoon?”
This was something he could clear up fast. He picked up his fork to eat as he said, “The law in Avce is that our marriage must be presented to the throne. We need to be able to report there immediately if summoned.”
They turned their attention to the food for awhile.
As the staff took out the first course and brought in the second course that had meat on the plates, her mother said, “You have a plane.”
Perhaps Miya had inherited her business persistence from her mother. He nodded and sat back to let the staff place the meat dish in front of him as he said, “I do. And Italy isn’t far, which is where I want to take Miya.”
Dieu waved towards the door and then hugged his daughter. “Tomorrow you go. Christine and I will get to know each other.”
“Why do you want us to go so badly, Mom?” Mia asked. No one moved out of their seat. Miya glanced at her food and said, “I planned on working on my business tomorrow.”
The muscle in his neck tensed when her mother said, “That can wait. I want you to focus on your own happiness and future too. Besides, I know you probably already have a list ready for Coral to start on anyhow. And you can give me a list too if you need.”
Miya tapped his thigh under the table which caught him off guard. She wanted to go away with him?
And then she turned to her friend, “I do have lists for everyone, and Coral, you need to send your resignation.”
Coral laughed and mock-saluted like she was in the army. “Oh, I’m on it. I seriously have a maid who helps brush my hair over at your mom’s. I’m not leaving.”
The heat of Miya’s touch on his leg went through his pants to his thigh muscles and spread everywhere within him as her mother said, “Go and enjoy yourself. You need alone time with Rico.”
Miya met his gaze with warmth as she said, “I … I don’t want to impose.”
Rico kept his voice low as the fire crackled in the air. “It’s not an imposition. I’d love to be alone with you.”
Miya’s brown eyes beguiled him and warmness washed through him.
Her mother interrupted the silence. “See? He loves it.”
Miya batted her lashes and took his hand under the table. “Then I’d love to go.”
Good. It was like Christmas somehow made today magical. He nodded and said, “I’ll have the helicopter come and get us after breakfast, then.”
Her friend Coral smacked the table as she said, “And he has a helicopter. Seriously, Miya. I need you to find me a guy like yours.”
Miya broke their gaze and turned back toward the table as she said, “I don’t think I can replicate Rico. He’s better than a prince in a fairy tale.”
Now those were big shoes to fill. And he’d never made Linsey completely happy with him, even though he’d had years to try. His face heated and he said, “I’m just a man, Miya.”
Wanting her the way he did wasn’t entirely smart for either of them. She squeezed his palm and that smile of hers was intoxicating. He couldn’t speak.
Her mother must have sensed it as she said, “Which is why I insist you go. I’m sure the staff will help me with my new granddaughter, Christine, so we get to know each other.”
Christine swung her feet under the table and bounced into him as she said, “Dada?”
He turned and gave his daughter his full attention. His bright girl seemed so happy. “Yes, sweetheart?”
She kicked him again and he placed his hand on her heel to stop her but she just bounced as she said, “I want Miya as my new mom.”
“Good.” He winked and leaned closer and said, “I’ll do my best to keep her happy.”
Christine’s wide eyes that stared at Miya like she was summoned from a dream made his heart stop in his chest for a moment.
Maybe Christmas brought miracles after all. Nothing else explained today.
They finished eating and then her mother waved at them as she said, “Dinner is done. Have a nice night you two.”
Perhaps he should argue and offer the adults more wine, but Miya stood quickly and said, “Yes, good night.”
He’d be a better host some other time. He bowed and said, “Good night.”
He hugged his daughter, who he knew Dieu and Marsha would take good care of, and then Miya dragged him out. As they walked far enough from the dining room not to be heard, she said, “I’m sorry my mom pressured you like that.”
Now he laughed as he placed his hands in his back pockets while walking next to her. Maybe he should keep his distance, but she was magnetic and beautiful and he’d be a fool to turn her away. But holding her seemed too forward.
“It’s good to be pushed out of my shell once in a while,” he said. “And she’s right. We can come back quickly from my villa if we need to. And I did promise to show it to you.”
They made it to the first step and she pivoted on her toes toward him. “It’s just that, when we agreed …”
They were married. Linsey had wanted him to marry. Mia was alive, here with him. Touching her a little was okay. So this time he placed his hand on her lower back and walked beside her. “You can bring your work and email your friend about what you want her to do.”
They made it to the top step and she bounced up and down on her feet and then she said, “I … Let me change into my pajamas and meet you in a few minutes.”
Good. Tonight was just them. Tomorrow he’d show her that being his lady wasn’t a bad thing. “Sounds perfect.”
He let her go at her door and continued to his.
The room seemed cold without her, but he headed into the closet and pulled out pajama pants and a t-shirt. When he’d fallen in love with Linsey, he’d never imagined losing her and having to rebuild his life or meeting anyone like Miya in the process.
He heard his staff setting everything up near the fire and inspected their work once he had changed.
Still alone, he headed into the bathroom and freshened up. Once he was done, he wondered if he should knock on the adjoining doors.
Maybe she wasn’t coming?
He probably shouldn’t want her to come here. Being with her still seemed disloyal.
He paced, unsure what to do, when he heard her small knock. He headed to the door as she opened it, wearing blue pajama pants with a snowman pattern and a matching top.
Somehow Miya made the childish set look all grown up, with her perfect figure.
Not that he should notice how she looked.
Okay. They were married and he was a man, but that hadn’t been the deal.
He ignored the war of voices in his head and said, “The wine’s all set.”
She walked beside him and playfully brushed her hip against him and asked, “Rico?”
Heat rose through him. This wasn’t his norm. He said, “Come on in. We have dessert tonight, too.”
She glanced at the vanilla caramel cookies left for them and sucked in her bottom lip. As she retook her seat on the rug
, she stared at him and asked, “Do you work out everyday?”
He took his seat and picked up two glasses and the bottle as he said, “I usually hit the gym for two hours.”
She took a glass. He opened and poured the wine and she held her glass steady as she asked, “What motivates you?”
He finished pouring and put the plate of cookies on the floor between them as he said, “I want my health. My mother … she was overweight a little and it hurt her health.”
He glanced at the cookie, but it had somehow lost some of its luster.
Miya’s small hand pressed against his heart as she said, “I’m sorry.”
The contact between them sparked urges he thought dead inside him. He glanced at her lips and his own tingled with the memory of their kisses. “It happens, but thanks. And when I served in the military for two years, they stressed the importance of exercise and I just never let it go.”
She tapped her knee as she asked, “Did Linsey work out with you?”
The mother of his child. She hadn’t been in his mind as much today. His cheeks must have flushed but he shook his head and told the truth. “Never. She was always thinking. But she let her body get weak.”
Miya nodded like she appreciated the answer and said, “None of us are perfect, but when we get back I’d like you to show me your gym.”
Good. He picked up his wine glass and clinked hers. Miya was amazing, and had been since the moment they met. “Of course. You’re pretty much perfect, Miya.”
Her lips pressed together as if he’d offended her and she glanced down her nose. “No. I’m far from it.”
Impossible. He’d never met a more perfect woman in his life. “I see no flaws.”
She sipped her wine and slowly met his gaze. “Look, I’m still angry about getting fired, even though I’ve landed in your paradise that makes me so happy. So I clearly have trouble letting go.”
Finding a way to make her business succeed with all his resources would be easier than she thought. He kept that to himself as he said, “You’ll surpass your own dreams on that fast.”
She clinked glasses to that and said, “I hope so, but I don’t have the faith you seem to have in me.”
Maybe she didn’t see herself in the mirror the way he did, but no one compared to her. He said, “Because you’re literally a dream come true.”
She put her glass down and their knees touched. She moved the wine and the plate of cookies, so nothing was between them. His heart beat wildly as she said, “Just kiss me.”
“Another perfect plan,” he said, as every cell in his body throbbed with desire for his wife. Maybe this was all wrong, but it certainly felt right. Miya was perfect.
Chapter 11
Miya’s entire body was still warm from last night. This time they’d made it into the bed, and he’d been right that the beds were more comfortable than the floor.
And honestly, she had no idea when the last time was she’d slept so heavenly.
Not that it was quite sleep, but her body was deliciously relaxed.
She woke up to a butterfly kiss to her forehead. She fluttered her lashes open and saw the handsome green eyes of the man who’d been with her last night. He fixed the covers around her and said, “Miya, I want to say goodbye to Christine before we go.”
Go? Her mind rushed to Italy, and somehow it was like seeing a scene in a movie where she’s just floored from stepping into some beautiful villa. Was something like that possible? She sat up, half using his strong shoulder for support, and hugged him. Once up, she said, “I’ll get dressed and meet you downstairs.”
He stood and made sure his button-down white shirt was tucked into his gray pants and said, “A weekend in my old villa will be great with you there.”
And then he kissed her.
Her entire body curled into his and wanted to stay with him.
However, as the kiss ended, he let her go and said, “See you in a minute.”
Of course. He strode out quickly to go to his daughter. She stood, grabbed her clothes and rushed back to her room, where she hopped in the shower.
Traveling to Italy meant she needed to look like a proper lady.
So she finished using her makeup tools and packed them in her carry-on to bring with her.
But as she left the bathroom, her best friend waiting for her, using her own laptop and sitting at the desk.
Right. She’d brought her here to work. Her heart raced as if she’d been caught daydreaming and not working hard like she expected and she said, “Coral!”
Coral closed the laptop and gave her a wicked smile, as if she saw straight through her gray travel slacks and white shirt that matched Rico’s outfit.
“So, things are progressing for your wedding to be one hundred percent genuine,” Coral said.
Her hands went into fists and she put her bag near the door.
Progress would be if she had more than work and a physical relationship, and that was all this was. She avoided looking at her friend as she said, “It’s complicated.”
Her friend packed her laptop up and asked, “How? He’s gorgeous and clearly into you. It’s perfectly okay to not work and just enjoy yourself.”
The gold-encrusted desk with white legs was a serious step up from their gray cubicles. And she should be focused on work, not … a man who thought her perfect. Her heart raced as she said, “He’s saying goodbye to Christine and we’re leaving in a minute. Thank you for taking care of everything while I’m gone.”
Coral’s brown eyes seemed to see through her skin as she said, “It was so much fun to quit. Those boys in New York have no idea what’s about to hit them.”
Right. Miya had the aim of a locked and loaded gun when she wanted something for herself.
At least in work. But now she had the world at her fingertips and could do anything she’d ever wanted.
And all she wanted was more work.
Something was wrong with her. Her stomach went into knots as she said, “Thanks again.”
Coral hugged her and reached for the door handle as she said, “And learn to let go and enjoy yourself. Your man is perfect. I’m thinking about asking this matchmaker for a name while you’re gone.”
Miya slammed the door closed behind her fast. Had Rico heard her? Her mind raced. She had no answer, but she said in a whisper, “Don’t say that with the doors open.”
Coral blinked and stared at her with wide eyes. “Don’t say what?”
Miya lowered her head and prayed she was wrong. But she immediately envisioned Rico getting angry and not trusting her if he found out she’d lied about why she showed up at his door. Her skin grew goosebumps at the thought as she said, “About the matchmaker and why I came here.”
Coral’s lips thinned as she asked, “He still doesn’t know?”
She shook her head and met her best friend’s gaze. “No, and I don’t think he needs to.”
Coral’s eyes widened as she shrugged and said, “You should just tell him.”
Just telling him wasn’t going to be easy. Her mind raced. Explaining everything to him didn’t seem possible. It was better to just forget the whole thing. She shrugged and said, “He probably wouldn’t believe it anyway, so it’s better to let it go.”
Coral ran her hand through her hair and patted the back of her head like she needed to calm down. Then she hugged Miya and said, “Secrets are never good, especially when you’re in love.”
The advice was good, but the reason wasn’t. She wasn’t in love. The email from the matchmaker was just a piece of paper that didn’t matter now. Right. Her pulse quickened as she said, “Goodbye, Coral.”
Coral opened the door and waved as she left. “Have fun.”
Right. Fun. With her new husband. She twirled on her heels, checked that she still looked put together, and waited until the throbbing in her head calmed down.
Once she was sure she seemed fine, she headed downstairs with her carry-on.
At the door a servant took her
bag and she saw Rico outside with the helicopter pilot.
The whirring of the blade was louder than she’d expected. Rico came over to her and offered her a jacket and headphones as he asked, “Are you ready?”
With the headphones on she heard him and nodded. He guided her inside, and she said as she took her seat, “You’re serious about a helicopter.”
He helped her with her seatbelt as he asked, “Why would I lie?”
He strapped himself into the seat beside her while she said, “I … it’s not that. I just never rode in one. I mean, I’ve flown first class in a jet, but never a helicopter.”
He motioned with his thumb that they were set and the pilot took off.
“First time for everything,” he said. “We need to get down the mountain to the plane and this is the fastest way.”
The helicopter lifted up from the helipad. Rico’s house still seemed huge for a long time.
Once it was out of sight, the rest of the mountain was completely white. She couldn’t even make out a road. But as the helicopter headed toward the airport she saw a beautiful blue-topped white castle, and a town full of flowers, even in the winter. She said, “I’m in awe. It’s so beautiful up here.”
He glanced up to where they had come from and said, “Everything is snow filled.”
She sighed and just let the spectacle of a town, a church, a castle all come into view.
Avce was prettier than any ad she’d seen for it.
Was it possible to capture such beauty and sell it as a tourist spot? Did she want to? As they landed on a black tarmac pad, she took off her headset and said, “Rico, thank you.”
He unstrapped himself and helped her with her seatbelt as he asked, “For the ride? I was going with you.”
A laugh escaped her throat. She swallowed and took his hand as they walked onto the black tarmac of a runway and headed toward a plane. They were alone and she bounced and said, “I mean for everything. I’m enchanted.”
He picked up her hand and kissed her palm as he led her to the plane. “When we get back from the villa, I’ll show you some of Avce. The palace usually throws a New Year’s party.”
More holidays. Last year she’d been with Coral at a New York party of a friend of a friend and they both drank champagne together without any guy to kiss. She stepped onto the plane with eight brown leather seats and a mini bar and chose a seat. She ensured her blouse was perfect as she said, “I … that sounds lovely. I’ll fit it into my schedule.”
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