Page 59 of Expecting Royal Twins!
All he needed was Isabel.
Desire carried him to the bathroom in search of her. She wasn’t there. Niko took the time to remove his belt, sash and jacket. He also kicked off his shoes and pulled off his socks.
Out in the bedroom area, he still didn’t see her. She wasn’t the kind of woman to cower in the closet. That left…
Niko strode to the balcony doors with a sense of purpose that belied anything he’d felt about her, about any woman, before. Isabel consumed his thoughts. She invaded his dreams. Maybe once he had her that would stop. He hoped so. He didn’t like being so distracted.
He opened one of the doors quietly.
She stood on the balcony facing away from him. Niko had no idea what she was looking at in the darkness. Niko only knew what he saw—a vision in white with a starry sky as her backdrop.
His heart beat a rapid tattoo.
The breeze toyed with the ends of her hair the way his fingers longed to do. The fragile fabric of her long robe and matching nightgown ruffled around her legs, hinting at the treasures hidden beneath. Treasures that would soon belong to him, and him alone.
Niko would show Isabel one of the perks of their forced union . He wanted to make this night, their wedding night, special for her. They might have been married for twenty-three years, but tonight they would unite as husband and wife. He wanted her to enjoy the physical side of their marriage, not see it as an obligation to provide heirs to the kingdom. That could go a long way in making their marriage successful.
He stepped onto the balcony. “Wishing on a star or reconsidering faking your death?”
“I must admit drowning isn’t looking too bad, but now that my wish has come true I might have to stick around a little longer.” She turned with an expectant look on her face. “What took you so long, Highness?”
Niko wanted to take her right there. But he inclined his head instead. “I was forced to play polite with too many heads of state. I apologize for my delay, Highness.”
She stared down her nose at him, but even though she was ten feet away from him the desire in her eyes was unmistakable.
Anticipation sizzled. His blood heated and thrummed through his veins.
“I assume you will make it up to me,” she said coquettishly.
Her unexpected playfulness hinted at the fun they would have tonight. “I won’t stop until you are satisfied.”
She walked toward him, but not close enough to touch.
The breeze lifted the ends of her hair again, brushing several strands across her face. His fingers itched to tuck the wayward strands behind her ear. To touch her.
Isabel’s bare feet carried her closer until she was bathed in the soft light from the room. The silhouette of her breasts could be seen through the sheer fabric. His groin tightened.
“Promises, promises,” she teased.
“I promise you will have no complaints, milady.”
His words earned him a breathtaking smile. She reached for the satin ties on her gown. Her fingers fumbled. Not as cool and collected as she appeared to be. That endeared her even more to him.
He longed to undress her, to see her standing naked before him, but he would give her a little more time.
“Allow me.” Niko tied the two pieces of ribbon into a neat bow. “There.”
Her confused eyes stared up at him through her thick lashes. “Aren’t you supposed to untie it?”
“I didn’t know we were in such a hurry.”
She flushed.
“Impatient?” he asked.
“Well, yeah.” Isabel tilted her chin. “Given you’re only wearing your shirt and not the full uniform, I figured you were ready for the green flag so we could start the race.”
“You want to race through tonight?”
“No, I mean—”
Smiling, he swept her into his arms and cradled her snugly.
Her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
Soft, feminine curves pressed against him. His body tingled with awareness. “Carrying you over the threshold.”
“I didn’t think you were a big fan of traditions and customs.”
“A few have their place.” As he carried her to the door, his gaze rested on her mouth. “Especially on a wedding night.”
She trembled. “Okay, the nerves are starting to really kick in.”
