Page 41 of Expecting Royal Twins!
“Vernonia is indebted to you, Isabel.” Niko’s gaze met hers, and her heart bumped. “And so am I.”
She didn’t care about Vernonia, but him… His face was so close to hers. Something—passion, perhaps?—flashed in his eyes, and heated her blood. He tilted his head.
Niko was going to kiss her.
Izzy’s pulse rate skyrocketed. Her mouth went dry.
Heaven help her, she wanted him to kiss her.
She parted her lips in anticipation.
Niko held her hand, raised it to her mouth and kissed it. The brush of his lips was soft, a caress. She nearly sighed.
He lowered her hand. “If there is anything you ever need…”
She needed him to kiss her. Not her hand, but her lips.
Here. Now.
Niko released her hand.
Disappointment shot through her. No matter how much she wanted this moment to mean something more than one person comforting another, it didn’t.
It couldn’t.
Izzy might want her lips to be crushed by his, but it would never happen. Niko was too honorable. He would never hold her passionately. He would never share his dreams with her. He would never whisper words of endearment into her ears.
Those were things he would do with…Jules.
Niko was going to marry the pretty princess from Aliestle. And if the king said yes, Izzy would marry Boyd. She would return to the United States with a husband and a partner. They would join the world of racing, not as members of a pit crew, but as the owners of a new racing team.
Izzy would have everything she wanted. And so would Niko.
A happy ending for everyone involved, including Vernonia.
There was just one problem. Why didn’t she feel happier?
The next morning, Niko sat next to Isabel on a settee in the king’s private drawing room. His father stood across from them with a stern look on his face as he considered their request. The tension in the room was palpable. The silence increased Niko’s discomfort level. He would rather be elsewhere, but he didn’t want Isabel to have to go through this alone. She deserved his support for what she was willing to do for him and Vernonia.
Isabel rested her clasped hands on her lap. She wore a lime-green skirt and matching jacket. The heels on her shoes weren’t as high as last night, making it easier for her to walk. She looked very much like a princess.
The only clue anything was wrong were the dark circles beneath her eyes. But he’d still place his money on her. The defiant tilt of her chin told Niko she was ready for a fight.
His father had no idea who he was dealing with. As Niko had learned last night in the kitchen, neither did he. Isabel was a strong and amazing woman. Beautiful and so much more than he imagined she could be.
Thoughts of her had kept Niko awake most of the night. Each time he’d closed his eyes he remembered the scent of her hair, the taste of her skin, the warmth in her heart. He never imagined feeling this way about her. Attraction explained part of it, but there was also his respect and admiration for her willingness to do what was best for Vernonia. All three were combining to a potent mix of affection.
Niko should be having these feelings about Julianna, not Isabel. He was anxious to get this matter resolved so he could refocus and not allow unwanted and unwarranted feelings for the American to cloud his thoughts.
Dmitar paced back and forth. “There is much to consider here.”
Isabel’s lower lip trembled. Only slightly, but the vulnerability Niko saw in that moment pressed down on him like a two tonne weight. She’d been uncomfortable crying in front of him. She liked handling things on her own. But he couldn’t sit and do nothing now.
He reached out, covered her hand with his and squeezed.
The edges of her mouth lifted in a close mouthed smile.
His heart beat faster. He smiled back.
The lines on Dmitar’s forehead deepened. Niko’s shoulder muscles tensed until he realized the reason behind the change in his father’s facial expression. He was staring at Niko’s hand on top of Isabel’s.
Niko pulled his hand away. Not that he should feel guilty. It wasn’t as if he’d just kissed Isabel. He may have thought about kissing her last night, but today he’d simply offered a gesture of comfort. The fact he enjoyed touching her and holding her last night was of no consequence.
