by Day Leclaire
Her gaze slid downward, examining the line of his trousers. “You didn’t—”
A suggestive grin spread across his mouth. “No, as a matter of fact, I didn’t. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you.” They reached the entrance to the ballroom and he brushed her mouth with a quick kiss. “Afraid it’ll have to keep.”
“But, I—”
“Hang on, love.” Jonah offered his hand to Rafe Beaumont, then introduced Nikki. “So, we meet again.”
“Under more congenial circumstances, I hope,” Rafe replied.
Jonah glanced at a very pregnant Ella and his grin widened. “Most definitely. I’m relieved to see the two of you worked out your problems.”
Amusement crept into Rafe’s voice. “Or added to them.”
“With children, you never know,” Jonah acknowledged. “Scares the hell out of me.”
“You aren’t alone, my friend,” Rafe said wryly. “Enjoy your visit.”
Jonah caught Nikki’s hand in his and guided her into the crowded ballroom. “Come on, honey. Let’s dance.” His hazel eyes gleamed suggestively. “Remember the last time we danced here?”
“Is that what you call it? I thought it was a blatant attempt to seduce me.”
He gave his most innocent look as he swung her onto the floor. “Isn’t that the point?”
“It certainly was a year ago.” She sighed as their bodies melded, moving together in perfect harmony. “Jonah, we never did finish our conversation.”
“Too true, my love. What were we discussing? Ah, I remember. Undergarments.”
“No, you were discussing undergarments. I was discussing—”
“Well, hello there,” a cheery voice interrupted from the edge of the dance floor. “Remember me?”
Nikki turned, searching her memory for a name. “Of course I remember. Wynne, isn’t it? Wynne Sommers?”
“It’s Hondo, now.”
“I was nervous about finding a husband and you let me practice on—” Her gaze switched to Jake and she gave a chagrined laugh. “Oops. Hi, again.”
“She let you practice on me, did she?” Jake asked dryly. “Now why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“It was harmless,” Wynne insisted blithely, cradling their baby against her shoulder. “You weren’t ready to admit defeat and marry me. And Nikki needed to get over her nervousness. Hey, have you tried the desserts yet? They’re—”
“Hang on, elf,” Jake interrupted. “I think there’s a lady behind you who needs some help.”
Nikki glanced over her husband’s shoulder, her breath catching in a soft gasp. “Oh, Jonah. It’s Ella Beaumont.”
“Looks like she’s gone into labor,” Wynne predicted. “Let’s go see what we can do.”
The four hurried to Ella’s side. She stood in the doorway between the ballroom and the salons, clinging to the wooden frame as though her life depended on it.
“Easy, Mrs. Beaumont.” Jake gently lifted her into his arms. “Looks like you could use a ride to the hospital.”
“My husband,” she gasped. “I need Rafe.”
“You need to get to the hospital,” Wynne corrected gently.
“I’ll find your husband and let him know what’s happened,” Jonah offered. “We’ll be in the next car out of here. I promise.”
“You do enjoy playing the knight in shining armor,” Ella murmured with a pained smile.
“I’m not sure it’s a role I enjoy. Just one I seem to get stuck with.” Jonah glanced at Jake. “Can you get her to the hospital?”
“No problem. Wynne, drag the boys away from that dessert table and we’re out of here.”
“Do you mind if we stick around a while longer?” Nikki asked a short time later. She took a seat in the waiting room “I don’t want to leave the hospital until I’m sure Ella and the baby are both okay.”
“Mrs. Beaumont seemed to be handling it like a trooper.” Jonah ruffled her auburn curls and chuckled. “If you want to worry about anyone, save your concern for Mr. Beaumont.”
“Did you understand anything he said?”
“Aside from rapido? Not a word. My Spanish is a bit rusty, which I believe is just as well.” He shook his head. “This is not an ordeal I’m anxious to experience.”
Nikki gripped her hands together. “Listen, Jonah—”
“Hi, again,” Wynne greeted them, excitement sparkling in her bright green eyes. “Did you decide to hang around, too? Do you mind some company?”
“Not at all,” Jonah replied. “The more the merrier.”
“Jonah—”
“With all these kids, I can supply the more,” Wynne said with a chuckle. “If you’ll supply the merry. I wonder if Ella will take as long to deliver as I did. I swear, I was in that labor room for a solid week.”
Jake leaned against the door jamb between the waiting area and the hallway. “Doesn’t look like we’ll have quite that long to wait. Beaumont’s on his way right now.”
“Jonah,” Nikki tried again, exasperation edging her voice.
Rafe walked in and grinned. “I just wanted to stop by and tell you Ella had a boy. I’d offer cigars, but I fear my wife would not approve. So instead I offer you my most sincere thanks and appreciation.”
“Jonah—”
“Congratulations, Beaumont.” Jonah stuck out his hand. “We were happy to help.”
“Honey—”
“I guess we’ll be leaving now,” Wynne said. “It’s time we got our troop to bed. Please give Ella our best.”
“Jonah!”
Rafe inclined his head. “Of course. If you’ll excuse me. I have a wife and son waiting me.”
“Jonah!” Nikki shouted. “I’m pregnant, dammit.”
“Hey, lady. You’re not supposed to cuss,” Chick informed her earnestly.
“I know and I’m sorry.” She looked at Jonah apprehensively. “I’ve been trying to tell you all evening. But we keep getting interrupted.”
“In that case, we’ll be going,” Wynne said firmly. She gave Nikki a quick hug and kiss. “Take care of yourself. And stay in touch.”
And then they were alone.
“You’re pregnant?” Jonah demanded. “With a baby?”
“That’s the normal procedure,” Nikki said tearfully. “Unless you know something I don’t.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I mean, before tonight. You must have known.”
“I’ve been trying to work up the nerve. I—I didn’t think you wanted a baby.”
“Didn’t want . . . ?” He closed his eyes. When he looked at her again it was with such fierce desire her tears overflowed. He hauled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ever gave you that impression since it’s the furthest thing from the truth. I love you, Nikki. And the thought of you carrying my child” He touched her with gentle tenderness, his enthralled expression giving weight to his words. “This is the best gift you’ve ever given me.”
“Even better than tickets to the Anniversary Ball?” she teased.
“Those come close.” His hand sank into her hair and he feathered a kiss across her mouth. “But only because this is where it all began for us. And where, it would seem, it continues.”
“Isn’t he beautiful?” Ella whispered, stroking her son’s cheek with a gentle finger.
Rafe peered over her shoulder. “If you like things that are small, red, and squished, he’s attractive enough I suppose.”
“Rafe!”
“I am joking. He is the most beautiful son I’ve ever had. Of course, he’s also the only son I’ve ever had.” He hesitated, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “There is something I have been meaning to tell you for a very long time.”
Busily counting fingers and toes, Ella simply nodded.
“I love you, amada. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
She stilled, instantly losing count. “What did you say?”
“I said, I love you.” He frowned pensively. “I do not know why I found the words s
o difficult to say when actually, they come with ease. Amada, why are you crying? Is there something wrong? Should I call a nurse?”
She shook her head, wiping her cheeks before she soaked the baby. “No, you just caught me by surprise. I love you, too, Rafe.”
He stole a slow, gentle kiss. “I am finding that it is as good to hear the words as it is to say them.”
“I’m glad you finally came to that conclusion. You have a lot of catching up to do, you know.”
“I’ll go to work on it right away, I promise.”
“We should call my parents and Shayne and let them know about the baby.” She caught his frown and understood the cause. “Don’t worry. Her chance will come again. The happiness we’ve found, she’ll find, too.”
“It is possible.” He took a deep breath and then said, “It is possible she will find love at the next Cinderella Ball.”
It took a full minute for his words to sink in. “What did you say?”
“The next Cinderella Ball. Maybe Shayne will—”
Tears welled up in her eyes again, turning them to molten gold. “Do you mean it? You’re willing to carry on my parents’ tradition?”
“How could I not? The money goes to a good cause. And from the research I’ve done these past months, there has only been one marriage to fail in all the years your parents have held the ball.”
“Shayne’s?”
“Technically, it cannot be considered a failure, since the marriage was not legal.”
“Rafe?”
He sighed. “I am willing to give it a try, amada, if you are. And perhaps . . .”
“Perhaps?”
“Perhaps we don’t have to wait a full five years.”
The End
Read the other books in The Cinderella Ball Series:
Fairy Tale Husband
(The Cinderella Ball Series, Book #1)
Lone wolf, Jake Hondo has lived his life on the outside. An outcast. A bastard. Now he has a shot to change all that. In order to secure his inheritance, all he needs is to wed and bed a woman. Any woman. After that, he and his bride can go their separate ways, which is exactly how he wants it.
Kind-hearted waif, Wynne Sommers, longs for happily-ever-after, love at first sight, and knights in shining armor. The Cinderella Ball offers her all of that . . . and more. All she needs is the right man to accept that her love comes as part of a “package deal,” a package that includes her young niece and nephew.
But as much as Wynne longs for love, Jake wants nothing to do with the unwelcome emotion. Or so he thinks until his new life is threatened. Will he be able to save his family from the forces marshaling against them? Or will he lose everything—his home, the children he’s sworn to protect, and the woman who’s become the most important person in his life?
Fairy Tale Wife
The Cinderella Ball Series, Book #2
Brilliant businesswoman, Nikki Ashton is in a desperate situation. In order to hold her young, smitten boss at a safe distance, she invented a husband. Now she needs to produce her absentee soul mate or risk being outed as a liar, something that could bring a fast end to her stellar career. The Cinderella Ball offers the perfect solution. All she has to do is find a strong, alpha male willing to marry her … temporarily.
Tough, take-charge businessman, Jonah Alexander, will do everything necessary to protect his family, including marrying the gorgeous gold-digger who’s set her matrimonial sights on his baby brother. When he discovers the two are planning to attend some sort of marriage ball in order to tie the knot, he swoops in, his world upended by the gorgeous, desperate redhead.
What neither expects is the passion that explodes between them. Then Jonah discovers Nikki is keeping secrets, secrets that threaten to destroy his Fairy Tale Wife on a personal and professional level, and put a permanent end to their temporary marriage.
Click to buy Fairy Tale Wife!
Fairy Tale Wedding
(The Cinderella Ball Series, Book #3)
The Cinderella Ball is the chance of a lifetime for individuals to come together to find their special someone. Their one and only. Their soul mate. Obtaining a ticket isn’t easy, but for those select few, it offers the chance at a lifetime of happiness.
Five long years ago, shy, passionate Ella Montague fell in love with tough, Costa Rican businessman, Rafe Beaumont. She thought he loved her, too. But that was before her family’s Cinderella Ball tore them apart. Now he’s back and insisting they marry at this year’s ball. If she refuses, he’ll destroy her family. His plan? To wed her and bed her, then leave her, which will prove once and for all that the “magic” of the ball is sheer fantasy.
What Rafe doesn’t count on is reigniting the passion they experienced all those years ago. Leaving Ella and returning to Costa Rica is the hardest thing he’s ever done. Then Ella shows up on his doorstep, determined to make their marriage a real one—no matter what it takes.
Will Rafe drive away his Cinderella bride or will he surrender to the magic of his Fairy Tale Wedding?
Click to buy Fairy Tale Wedding!
Fairy Tale Marriage
(The Cinderella Ball Series, Book #4)
At the tender age of seventeen, sweet, innocent Shayne Beaumont attended the Cinderella Ball and fell in love with rough-and-tumble wrangler Chaz McIntyre. But their marriage only lasted one night before her brother, Rafe (the hero from Fairy Tale Wedding, Book #3 in The Cinderella Ball Series) ripped them apart and had their marriage annulled. Now, she’s back—older, wiser, and determined to find love again.
Cold, hard-hearted Chaz McIntyre has no choice. If he wants custody of his daughter, he must marry immediately. And though he hates the idea of returning to the Cinderella Ball, it’s the only option if he wants an instant wife. And he finds one, a masked beauty who seduces him into marriage. It’s only after the fact that he discovers it’s the one woman he least wants to marry. His ex-love, Shayne.
But need outweighs all other considerations and he returns to his ranch with his wife, tasking her with putting together a home that will guarantee custody of his daughter. What he doesn’t expect is for Shayne to peel away the wintery layers surrounding his heart, bit by painful bit. While Chaz struggles to deny love, his wife and daughter are equally determined to unleash the miracle of Christmas, the one holiday he swore he’d never again celebrate.
Click to buy Fairy Tale Marriage!
Excerpt from The Cinderella Ball Series
Fairy Tale Marriage
The Cinderella Ball Series
Book 4
by
Day Leclaire
USA Today Bestselling Author
To My Long-Lost Bride,
I don’t know if this will ever reach you. Whether you will ever know how I’ve searched for you over the past two months—ever since the night we married at the Cinderella Ball. But I have searched.
Everywhere.
The Montagues won’t give me any information, even though I’ve shown them our marriage license. I spoke to Ella. She’s hurting because of your brother, too. It’s like you’ve vanished off the face of the earth. I’m thinking of hiring a private investigator to find you, but I don’t know where to tell him to look. All you said was you lived on a coffee plantation. But where? Damn it, it never occurred to me to ask! I thought we’d have all the time in the world to find out the details of our past.
Know this, light of my soul . . . The one thing that won’t vanish is what I feel for you. You are my life and my love, my one star in a dark night sky. Fight for what we had. And come back to me.
Until that day, you live in my heart, my Forever Love.
The Beaumonts’ Cinderella Ball—Forever, Nevada
Chaz McIntyre propped a shoulder against the wall as he waited for the reception line to move forward. What the hell was he doing here? Here, of all places.
This had to be the one corner in Hades guaranteed to hold the worst memories of any he’d ever experienced. And yet here he stood, like so
me sort of fool, begging Rafe Beaumont to stick it to him one last time.
He swore viciously beneath his breath. He’d spent years protecting himself from the sort of hurt Beaumont specialized in doling out. Still, with one unreasonable decree, an arrogant old woman had done the impossible—put him right back where he least wanted to be.
The line inched forward a little farther and he caught a glimpse of the man who’d taken such delight in screwing with his life. Amazing. Nine years had passed and yet the SOB hadn’t changed a lick.
He couldn’t help wondering about Shayne? Had she changed? She’d have had to. When he’d last seen her, she’d been a seventeen-year-old child pretending to be an adult. Now she’d be . . . what? Twenty-six? Almost twenty-seven. Would she be here tonight? Is that why Rafe had sent the ticket?
A coldness seeped deep inside, relentless and all-pervasive, consuming him with comforting familiarity. Shayne didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except achieving his goal.
It took another few minutes before he reached the head of the line. Ella Montague stood at Rafe’s side. Correction. Ella Beaumont. She’d been a Montague when they’d last met. So Rafe had gained a wife, while robbing Chaz of his. The sheer irony made him bare his teeth in a parody of a smile.
“McIntyre,” Rafe greeted him with a stiff nod.
“Beaumont.” Chaz caught the wary look in the older man's eyes and allowed his smile to grow, edging it with animosity. “Fancy meetin' you here.”
“You came. I wasn’t sure you would.”
“Mind telling me why you sent the ticket?”
Rafe hesitated and then inclined his head toward an area where they’d have more privacy. Once they were clear of the reception line, he said, “I thought I owed it to you.”
“Now why would you think you owe me anything?” The soft question had an unexpected bite.
A muscle rippled along Rafe’s jawline, acknowledging the hit. “You wish me to admit it? Very well. I interfered in your marriage, in your relationship with my sister. Does that satisfy you?”
It should have. But for some infuriating reason, it didn’t. He checked his anger, aware it would be a mistake to allow it too much freedom. Once released, it would be near impossible to contain.