by Malone, M.
It was only a few minutes after the waiter had cleared their dinner dishes that another waiter arrived with their desserts.
“Ooh look at this. My mouth is watering.” Olivia dug out a huge bite with her spoon and hummed in delight at the first taste.
King took an absentminded bite of his own. The top of her chocolate mousse had so much whipped cream that he couldn’t tell where they’d placed the ring. What if they’d lost it? Or mixed up the orders and someone’s ninety-nine year old grandma was about to get a five-carat ring stuck in her dentures?
Just when he was about to hit full-on panic mode, Olivia’s eyes lit up.
“Oh my gosh. King, this is amazing.”
He smiled. She must have found it. Just then he swallowed and his throat closed. He coughed.
Then coughed again.
“King?”
Just as she stood up, he coughed again and the ring landed in his lap. He closed his hand around it before Olivia could see it. He glanced behind him to the waiter who looked ashen.
The waiter mouthed “Sorry” before turning around and scampering into the kitchen.
So much for the perfect proposal.
King sighed. He’d do it tomorrow and plan it all himself. This was too important to risk getting wrong.
Olivia caressed his hair. “Let’s go relax in our room.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to eat your dessert.”
She kissed his cheek. “We can come back tomorrow.”
King followed her out, the ring still clutched in his palm. Considering how the weekend was starting out, he was almost scared to find out what was in store for the next day.
Universe: 3
King: 0
* * *
Olivia smothered a grin as she moved around the room, pretending she didn’t notice King melting down right behind her. Counting on her fingers, she went through her list of campfire s’mores essentials one more time.
Basket. Check.
Blanket. Check.
Wine. Check.
Portable speaker. Check.
Did she actually need to check it all again?
Not really.
But was it crazy amusing to watch King losing his patience?
Absolutely.
She finally decided to give him a break. He would bite a hole through his lip if she didn’t take pity on him soon.
“Seriously, babe. You have to relax. We’re on vacation. I can’t wait to make s’mores and look at the stars.”
King sighed. “I know. I’m relaxed. I am.”
Her eyes dropped to where his fist was clenched around the end of the blanket she’d asked him to place in their basket. Then she shook her head.
“Right. Relaxed. You totally look it.”
That made him laugh.
“Okay, I’m trying to relax. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
He pulled her into his arms. His nose settled against the side of her neck the way it always did sending a little shiver down her spine.
It was something Liv didn’t think she’d ever really get used to, the casual way he made her feel completely essential to him. She loved the soft, contented sound he always made when he pulled her into his arms that could banish even the worst of days.
King wasn’t a naturally demonstrative man, much more likely to grunt instead of explaining his feelings. That was what made all the little things he did to show his feelings matter so much. Olivia cherished every single one.
Things such as planning a spur of the moment long weekend at a romantic B&B.
“I’m not sure why you’re so on edge. This has been the perfect weekend already. We slept late and lolled around in bed all morning like two lazy slugs. Then we had that amazing brunch.”
He bit her neck, making her jump. “Not sure I like our morning in bed being given the same weight as French toast.”
She laughed. “I definitely enjoyed taking a bite out of you more than the French toast.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” He glanced at his watch and then grabbed the picnic basket. “Okay, time to go!”
Olivia hustled to keep up, stopping briefly to grab her coat. By the time she caught up with King he was already outside marching toward the firepit the proprietor of the bed and breakfast had promised was perfect for making s’mores.
“What is the hurry? King, we’re on vacation. It’s not like we have reservations.”
He slowed. Barely. “I know. I just want to be sure we get a good spot. You never know.”
Olivia looked around incredulously. The bed and breakfast was located in a tiny town in Virginia called Broken River. From what she’d seen the prior evening on arrival there wasn’t much here other than the B&B itself, a general store and a lot of farmland.
“I think we’re okay if we take our time.”
She fell into step next to him and watched his profile. King was always so confident that it was unsettling to see him like this. Even in a situation where he had no idea what was going on, he was a master at keeping his emotions hidden.
When they reached the firepit, he placed the basket next to one of the wooden chairs. Olivia took a seat and then pulled the blanket out of the basket while King tended to the fire. It was cold but they’d dressed for the weather and she found the brisk air refreshing. She took a deep breath, enjoying the luxury of having nowhere she needed to be.
“It’s beautiful here. So quiet.”
King smiled and for the first time that day, it looked genuine. “This is exactly what we both needed.”
Olivia pushed a marshmallow through one of the skewers provided while King uncorked the wine. The B&B had even provided mini-wineglasses inside the basket. The perfect romance kit.
She sat forward to hold her marshmallow over the flames before making another for King. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes before King glanced over at her.
“Could you ever see yourself living somewhere like this? In the future, I mean.”
Olivia shrugged. “You’re forgetting I was raised somewhere similar. New Haven isn’t this tiny but it’s green and beautiful just like this. When I was a little girl, all I knew was our land. It seemed to go on as far as the eye could see. We used to sit outside on clear nights just like this and wish on the stars.”
“What did you wish for?”
The serious tone of his voice alerted her that this wasn’t just a random question. His blue eyes were so intense she sat up slightly, almost dropping her marshmallow.
“Is everything okay?”
He took a deep breath. “Everything is better than it’s ever been before. The past year with you has shown me what it’s like to actually live. Each day I keep expecting it to wear off.”
“For what to wear off?” she whispered.
He took her hand. “Whatever spell you cast on me that’s made me need you so much.”
Suddenly she couldn’t breathe. “Clearly I’m very devious.”
He laughed. “You are. Now that you’re in my life, I hate every moment that I don’t get to spend with you. All the things that used to mean so much to me are suddenly completely empty. Since that’s entirely your fault, I’m hoping you’ll take pity on me and supply the cure.”
“What’s the cure?”
He held out his skewer in her direction. Liv looked at it in confusion. “The cure is a marshmallow?”
“No, it’s …”
He jumped up suddenly and Olivia watched as he started turning in circles. Then he dropped to his knees and started looking at the ground. Puzzled, she leaned forward trying to see what he was doing.
“Damn it all to hell!”
Startled, Olivia fell over when she leaned too far. “King, what is going on?”
“It fell off! It was only on there for a second!” He let out a frustrated yell and then put both his middle fingers up to the sky.
Unsure of what to make of his behavior, Olivia covered her mouth to keep from laughing. “That’s okay. I under
stand. We can make you another.”
“Even the marshmallows are conspiring against me!”
At this point she couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore. “Babe, it’s fine.”
His hands tore through his hair until the strands were standing straight up. “It wasn’t the marshmallow. It was… oh for fucks sake.”
He walked next to her and dropped down on one knee. Her laughter faded as he took her hand.
“I was trying so hard to make it special. I wanted you to have the big ring on the dessert moment because you deserve that, Liv. You deserve magic and moonlight and everything I have to give. But I can’t wait another second to ask if you’ll be my wife. It’s been hard enough to wait this long because I feel like I’m dying every second that I don’t know your answer.”
Olivia couldn’t even speak with the huge lump in her throat so she just nodded. If she hadn’t already loved him madly, the dramatic look of relief on his face would have pushed her off that cliff.
How had she gone through life not knowing what it was like to be loved this way? To be wanted so badly that a man acted like her answer was all he was living for.
When she finally could breathe, she put a hand on his cheek. “Of course my answer is yes, you crazy man. What would I do without you in my life?”
King kissed her so long they were both panting for air by the time they broke apart. “Hell if I know but I don’t want to find out.”
“At least now I know why you’ve been acting so strangely since yesterday.” She laughed remembering how weird he’d been last night at dinner. “Oh god, the dessert!”
“Yeah, the kitchen got it mixed up so instead of you getting a diamond ring, I almost had to get the Heimlich.”
“My poor baby. You really have been through a lot planning this, huh?”
“The universe put me through my paces this weekend trying to ruin my perfect proposal but as long as I have you, I don’t care.”
Olivia grinned when she noticed a glint of something shiny in the dirt by his foot. She pointed and King turned to look.
“Maybe the universe is trying to make amends.” He lifted the ring carefully and blew it off. Then he slid it on her finger.
“Holy hunk of carbon,” Liv whispered. “You really were trying to make a statement.”
He grinned. “Only the best for my queen.”
“You know it, mister. Maybe you should take your future queen upstairs and worship me properly.”
She shrieked as he lifted her suddenly, running for the cabin. Over his shoulder, she marveled at the beautiful display of stars on show, remembering that she’d never answered King’s question earlier.
She’d have to be sure to tell him he’d already made her wish come true.
I hope you enjoyed BAD KING!
Ready to read about King’s sister? Georgie’s story, the RITA® Winner Bad Blood is available now! When my best friend’s little sister gets left at the altar, I’d do anything to help her. Until she asks for the one thing I can’t give. One night. No rules.
Bonus Material:
Tank is having a bachelor party and everyone’s favorite anti-social genius, Bennett Alexander, has been invited. If you think Ben's awkward now, imagine how he'll react in a strip club. LOL :)>
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Start reading now at minxmalone.com/justonething
Bennett Alexander is a bonafide genius. He runs his family’s farming cooperative, speaks four languages and is about to apply for his tenth patent. But the one thing he never mastered is how to be cool. His childhood friend Olivia is the only one who “gets” him.
Katie Mason is in over her head. Taking care of her two kids and dealing with the aftermath of her divorce leaves her exhausted at the end of every day. By the time she realizes her ex-husband left her with a mountain of bills, she’ll take any job available, including working for the strange, brilliant man who scrambles her brain whenever they meet.
When Bennett hires her, the task is simple: teach him to act normal so he can win the heart of his first love. But there’s just one thing: Katie seems to like him exactly the way he is. Now he needs to figure out how to make teacher + student = 4ever.
Laugh out Loud Romantic Comedy
Office Romance / Frenemies to Lovers
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER MY ROOSTER WON’T CROW.
I can’t believe it either. It’s a tragedy.
Years of perfect performance and now this traitor decides to get picky. And the only woman who makes little Milo stand up and c-ck a doodle doo is my co-worker, Mya Taylor, a.k.a. my competition for the biggest ad account this side of the Atlantic.
Our client wants a wedding expert so I'm suddenly fake-engaged to a woman who hates me AND would gladly put my balls in her purse. But when I find out she’s never taken a trip to O-town, we make a little wager.
Not only will I win the client, but I’ll prove to her that multiples are NOT a myth. We work together all day and fight between the sheets all night. But at the end of the day, it’s still a competition.
May the best man win.
BEG ME is a frenemies to lovers, completely inappropriate romantic comedy. Side effects may include clutching your pearls and laughing until you almost choke.
Download BEG ME now
at minxmalone.com/begme
Also by M. Malone
Mess with Me (Romantic Comedy)
BEG ME (Milo & Mya)
My rooster is on strike. Yeah, I can’t believe it either. But he’ll only crow for one woman. Spoiler Alert *she hates me*
ASK ME (Andre & Casey)
Am I arrogant? Maybe. Do women still want me? Abso-F’ing-lutely. Then I meet the one woman who isn’t impressed.
NEED ME (Vin & Ariana)
Crazy sh*t every day keeps relationships away. Except this guy who just keeps showing up. And if I’m not careful, I might get used to needing someone.
WANT ME (Law & Anya)
No strings. Sounds good, right? But if I’m not her boyfriend the position is open for someone else.
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The Alexanders
One More Day : “Good girl” Ridley has always attracted bad guys. Now she’s on the run and has nowhere to hide. So when Jackson Alexander mistakes her for her twin, for once she decides to do the “wrong” thing.
The Things I Do for You : Nicholas Alexander finally has something his dream girl needs. He’ll give Raina a baby if she gives him what he wants. Her.
All I Want: The only thing Kay wants is for Elliott Alexander to stop treating her like she’s invisible. But a car accident forces her to reach out to the only man she trusts to save her.
All I Need is You : When the man she loves leaves town after their steamy kiss, Kaylee Wilhelm is done. But when she's targeted by a stalker, Eli is the only one who can protect her.
Just One Thing : Scientist Bennett Alexander is a bona fide genius but he still needs a dating tutor to “get the girl”. What could go wrong? Other than falling for his teacher, of course!
The Simmons
Make Him Mine : When he’s not pretending she’s invisible, Trent sees Mara Simmons as the little sister he never had. But she finally has a plan to get him exactly where he should be. In her bed.
Make Me Feel : Matt Simmons is over Army doctors poking him until he sees his physical therapist is h-o-t. All Penny wants is to put down roots which means NO military men. And Sgt. Sexy isn’t going to change her mind.
Make Her Stay : Mara has always known Trent Townsend is The One. But when his frequent business trips turn out to have nothing to do with business, she discovers the man she loves just might be a stranger.
Bad Business (The Kingsleys)
&n
bsp; Bad King: My parents just put a gold diggers target on my back. But if all they want is a wedding, I can do that. I’ll find the fiancee of their nightmares. Who Wants to Marry a Billionaire? Must be completely inappropriate.
Bad Blood : I’d do anything for my best friend’s little sister. Until she asks for the one thing I can’t give. One night. No rules. RITA® Award Winner!
Blue-Collar Billionaires
Billions from the deadbeat dad they never knew sounds pretty sweet. Until they find out what he really wants.
Tank / Finn / Gabe / Zack / Luke
- Romantic Suspense -
(Co-authored with Nana Malone)
The Shameless Trilogy
The Force Duet
The Deep Duet
The Sin Duet
The Brazen Duet
- Paranormal Romance -
Nathan's Heart
The Brotherhood of Bandits
About the Author
M. Malone is a RITA® Award winner and a NYT & USA Today Bestselling author of completely inappropriate romantic comedy. She spends most days wearing Wonder Woman leggings and T-shirts that she's embarrassed for anyone to see while she plays with her imaginary friends.
She lives with her husband and their two sons in the picturesque mountains of Northern Virginia even though she is afraid of insects, birds, butterflies and other humans.