Page 44 of Expecting Royal Twins!
“Thanks.” She appreciated Niko’s help. It wasn’t only the phone. He’d stuck up for her with his father this morning. If only Niko could make the call…
Nerves battered at her stomach. She swallowed, her mouth suddenly full of cotton. This was her future, so much depended on the outcome of this one call. She stared at the phone in her hand.
He rocked back on his heels. “I can give you some privacy.”
“It’s up to you.”
“I’ll stay.”
Izzy figured he would. Niko took his responsibilities seriously. That included her, even if she was his wife in name only. She punched in Boyd’s number and held the phone to her ear.
Niko watched her intently.
Izzy focused on the phone ringing. Once, twice, three times.
“Hey.” Boyd sounded sleepy, as if she’d woken him up, but his voice came across strong and clear.
“It’s Izzy.”
“Good to hear from you, Iz. Is that prince dude treating you nice?” Boyd asked.
Her gaze met Niko’s, and her pulse skittered. “I’m, uh, calling you on his phone.”
“I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
Izzy glanced over at Niko, taking in his broad shoulders and athletic physique that his suit couldn’t hide. His appreciative gaze traveled the length of her. She liked how he looked at her very much. “Don’t worry about that, but…”
“What is it?” Boyd’s voice sharpened.
She gripped the phone tighter. “I’m in a bit of a jam and need your help.”
“You want my help?”
“You don’t have to sound so surprised.”
“Okay, but I am,” Boyd said. “Doesn’t matter, though. Whatever you need, my answer is yes.”
“You might want to wait to hear what I have to ask you.” As she smiled, her gaze met Niko’s again. He gave her a conspiratorial wink. This time her heart stuttered. “It, um, might change your answer.”
She needed to focus. Something she found hard to do with Niko around. But this was too important to let a pretty face distract her.
As Izzy studied a leaf on the ground, she explained to Boyd what had happened between the Separatists and the Loyalists in the past, what could happen in the future and how she had become drawn into the mess.
“So what do you need from me?” Boyd asked.
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need a husband. Not forever. Just a few years.” She took a deep breath. “Will you marry me, Boyd?”
Niko watched Isabel as she waited for Boyd’s answer. Her toes wiggled. She kept readjusting the phone at her ear.
The man was a fool for making Isabel wait so long.
All of a sudden, a smile brightened her face. “Thanks, Boyd. You don’t know what this means to me.”
She laughed, a delightful sound that floated on the air. “Okay, you’re on.”
On what? Niko wondered. He would have liked to hear both sides of the conversation.
Izzy flashed him the thumbs-up sign. She was happy. Good. But he should be feeling relief, not the regret and disappointment playing ping-pong inside him.
“I’ll have Jovan call you with all the details.” She bounced from foot to foot. “Yeah, I know. I’ll see you soon. Bye.”
Izzy disconnected the call. She ran to Niko and threw her arms around him. “I don’t have to marry a total stranger. Boyd said yes!”
Her soft curves molded against Niko. Heat pounded through his veins.
She hugged him tightly. “Thanks.”
Niko wasn’t sure what he’d done to earn this reaction. He didn’t really care. He wrapped his arms around her. She fit perfectly against him.
“We did it,” she said.
“Yes.” The scent of her hair filled his nostrils. “We did.”
He stared down at her face. She looked up at him.
Isabel’s mouth was so close. Her lips were parted. An invitation?
He wanted to kiss her, more than he’d ever wanted to kiss a woman before. He wanted to know what her kiss tasted like. Sweet or tangy? So tempting.
Longing filled her eyes. With each breath she took, each beat of her heart, it became clear. She wanted him to kiss her.
Yet he hesitated.
Julianna was ready to marry Niko.
