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Chapter Nine
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2022-05-15 03:37:54Related chapters
An American Cinderella Chapter Ten
I could feel his smile against my lips when we both pulled back long enough to breathe. Despite barely moving, I was breathless.“Wow,” I whispered, not sure of what else to say. The sun shone brighter. The sky was bluer. Even the tourists walking past seemed to smile more.His hand was still in my hair, holding me close to him. I never wanted him to let me go. I wanted to stay right here with him. Or anywhere with him, really. I just wanted him.He grinned and leaned back over and kissed me again. The second was just as powerful as the first, except I was ready for it this time. My hands went to his chest, feeling the firm muscles under his shirt as I moved my hands under his jacket.I wanted more. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the thrill of kissing under the trees in the sunshine. It was something out of a love story my mother used to read to me.“We have to get you back,” he whispered between kisses.I knew he was right. My two hours had to be up by now, but I didn’t want to go back
Last Updated : 2022-05-15An American Cinderella Chapter Eleven
Friday couldn’t come fast enough.I’d done a little more digging on Henry Prescott in preparation for our date. He was a good rugby player, but not considered one of the best. There was very little else in the way of information about him. It seemed that Paradisians weren’t big into social media advertising everything about them. What I could find matched everything I did know about him. He was more legit than most men I dated, even if he was known for rugby rather than anything else.I was excited that he wanted to share that with me for our date tonight.I went to work each morning that week with a smile on my face. Luckily, the backlog of documents held out for the entire week. I gleefully scanned each one into the system, even though I knew that every sheet of paper scanned brought me closer to having something my stepmother would want.That was a bridge I would cross when I came to it. Until then, I was going to enjoy being able to message her that I had nothing of interest. It w
Last Updated : 2022-05-15An American Cinderella Chapter Twelve
The car drove up to RFK Stadium. There were more people about than I expected, considering that rugby wasn’t a terribly popular sport in the US. I was surprised we were even at a stadium this big. Henry hopped out first and offered me his hand to help me out. I took it, more to hold his hand than from actual need of assistance. He then pulled on a nondescript light blue cap, hiding his hair. I wondered if he would take it off once the sun set, but I didn’t mind. He was one of those rare individuals that actually looked good in a baseball cap.“Who’s playing?” I asked, looking around. “There’s a lot of people here.”“It’s a rather big game,” Henry explained. “New Zealand All Blacks vs Ireland. It’s a big match. Both are considered very good.”“The All Blacks?” I asked, wondering about the name. It seemed like a strange choice.“Yes,” Henry nodded. “Their uniforms are all black. Back in the early days, the teams were called for their colors. The English team was known as The Colours for
Last Updated : 2022-05-15An American Cinderella Chapter Thirteen
The crowds thinned out and the stadium slowly became more quiet. Behind us, Andre and Valentina still sat in their seats. I had to wonder if they were really a couple. They didn’t seem interested in speaking to one another. They weren’t holding hands and I hadn’t seen them do more than simply nod in the other’s direction all night.Maybe Jaqui could get that phone number after all.“You ready?” I asked Henry, seeing that the stairs were finally empty. Henry checked his phone. I’d given him the address for the restaurant.“Our car should be here in just a couple of minutes. I need to check in with Andre. It’ll only take a moment.”“Sure,” I said with a shrug. I thought it was a little strange that he needed to check in with his friend, but I wasn’t going to pry. Something was going on between the two of them and I didn’t want to get in the middle of it.Henry stood and hopped over the back of his seat. He took the empty chair next to Andre and began speaking. His voice was too low to h
Last Updated : 2022-05-15An American Cinderella Chapter Fourteen
“Here’s my place,” I announced when we came off the elevator. I unlocked the door and pushed it open. “It’s not much, but it’s mine.”I’d left the curtains open, so the lights of the city filled the dark room. I knew that it wasn’t fancy, but apartments in Washington weren’t cheap. My little studio apartment went for the price of a house other places.I turned on the lights, and bit my lip as I watched for Henry’s reaction. I wasn’t sure why it mattered to me what he thought of where I lived. He looked around, taking in the queen size bed with the pale blue comforter that dominated what little space I had. The white love seat with the blue throw blanket, the small table and two chairs in the corner. It was a small, but open space with bits of bright color on the walls. I liked colorful artwork.“It’s adorable,” he told me. He smiled at me. “It suits you.”I let out a little breath I didn’t know I had been holding in.I set our food down on my small table just inside the door as he too
Last Updated : 2022-05-15An American Cinderella Chapter Fifteen
I opened my mouth to his, tasting and feeling his every movement. His mouth was sure and confident as he found all the right spots to touch me. I moaned softly and his arms wrapped around me.I picked up my knee and straddled his waist, giving us a far better position to keep kissing. I loved the low growl of approval at my new orientation and the way his hands went to my waist and back, pulling me into him.His mouth left mine to trace the curve of my throat. My hands tangled in his beautiful hair as my own head tipped back. He ran his tongue along my skin, tasting me and kissing me at the same time. My pulse throbbed against his kisses as he worked his way to my shoulder.He pushed the shirt from my shoulder and nibbled on the bare skin, making me whimper with desire. We both had far too many clothes on. I looked down at him, our eyes meeting as we both realized we were thinking the same thing.He slid his hands under my shirt, his fingers hot and wanted along the bare skin of my st
Last Updated : 2022-05-15An American Cinderella Chapter Sixteen
I woke up the next morning grumpy and needing a cold shower. The only thing I had dreamed of all night was Henry and those scorching kisses.But, even in my dreams we never got where I wanted to go. He always got pulled away at the last second.I showered quickly, finding I had run out of conditioner and shaving cream, but still had a decent amount of shampoo left. I nicked my left ankle with my razor, probably because I didn’t have enough shaving cream, and I got soap in my eyes as I rinsed.It was starting out as an awesome day.I dressed in comfortable slacks and a dark blue button up blouse. At least I hadn’t managed to screw up my clothing selection, even if my shirt was a little more low-cut than usual.My milk was sour and my coffee stale. I was running late and I was out of eggs for breakfast.I sighed and looked over at my little love-seat. I could still feel Henry’s kisses and the way his hand slid along my bare back. I shivered, the cold shower not doing anything for me now
Last Updated : 2022-05-15An American Cinderella Chapter Seventeen
Two hours later and I’d managed to get through at least a couple of boxes. I’d managed to convince myself that they weren’t of any use to my stepmother. I had her list of wants memorized, but I hadn’t seen anything come up with the information she was looking for yet.I knew it was only a matter of time, though.I didn’t know what I was going to do.I still hadn’t figured out a way out of our deal. I’d thought about going to Jaqui several times, but I knew how that would end up. If I were fired or let go, my stepmother would release the information on my father. If I were transferred, she would just have me transferred back.Audrey had me in a bind. If I did anything to compromise her, she would ruin my father and my reputation.I scanned in another document and bit my lip. This one was on her list. It had to do with the mineral availability in the country. My stomach twisted. I finished the document and set it on the table next to my phone. All I had to do was take a picture of it. T
Last Updated : 2022-05-15
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An American Cinderella Chapter Forty
One year later, in the Kingdom of Paradisa“You look beautiful,” Gus told me.“Thanks,” I whispered, making sure I had a good grip on his arm. The last thing I wanted was to trip wearing this dress.Organ music filled the hallway, echoing in from the main chapel. The sound of a full choir mixed in after a moment, giving me the signal that it was time for my entrance.The queen mother, King Liam, Prince Freddrick, and my Prince Henry were already inside. Jaqui and the rest of my bridesmaids had already gone ahead. It was time for me to walk down the aisle to my beloved.Gus was to give me away. He and Jaqui traveled all the way out to Paradisa to be part of the ceremony. I loved them for it.Gus squeezed my arm and we began to walk through the ancient church. I’d been told it had been around for fifteen hundred years and was where nearly every Paradisian monarch had been married. As far as I knew, none of them had tripped on their lace gown.I was determined not to be the first.The ma
An American Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Nine
I didn’t watch the news for the next week. I was told that my stepmother was on quite frequently. Well, the video of her being arrested was on quite frequently. They didn’t show much more than that as my name was to be kept out of the press entirely. I was absolved of all wrong doing as my stepmother obviously coerced me.I didn’t want to watch the news of my stepmother. Instead, I enjoyed my time off of work and spent it with Henry. For two weeks, we either stayed at my place or with his family. I ate meals with him and his brothers and even managed to make the older one smile a time or two.His mother accepted me like a long lost daughter. For the first time since my father died, I knew what it felt like to have a family around me again.For two weeks, Henry and I did nothing that required us to be regal. We were just a normal couple that went out for dinner and stayed in a nice hotel. There were some perks to him being royal, but we spent many of our evenings holed up in my tiny ap
An American Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Eight
“There you are, darling. I was beginning to think you might be late,” Audrey purred, holding open the door.She looked resplendent in a boxy-cut tea-length white dress. Her dark hair was up on the top of her head and her green eyes shone from under long lashes. She wore white heels that clicked on the marble floors as she walked to the kitchen.“Take your coat off,” she commanded. I didn’t, keeping it buttoned up. I wasn’t about to take it off.She sighed and shrugged. “Suit yourself.”“I’d like to get this over with.” She just ignored me and walked into the kitchen.“I believe this deserves some champagne to celebrate,” she said. She picked up a bottle from an ice bucket and popped the cork, making me jump. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.“Before I give this information to you, I want to make sure it’s what you really want.” I stepped into the kitchen to face her. “It’s not too late to stop this.”“Stop this?” Audrey laughed. “There’s nothing to stop. This is how it’s
An American Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Seven
I confessed everything. I confessed to taking the picture, to not telling anyone just how much trouble I was in, and to what my stepmother was expecting of me. I told him all of it without keeping anything back.And while it felt good to tell someone, I felt miserable at the same time. I was giving him this burden in addition to the ones he already carried. If he had fallen in love with just about anyone else, there would be no trouble.Instead, he fell in love with a girl who was going to be convicted for selling secrets because her stepmother would stop at nothing to destroy her.“So, that’s why I ran,” I concluded lamely. “I panicked when you told me who you were. I’m selling your country’s secrets and my stepmother will use you like she uses everyone. You’ll never be safe around me.”I was sure he was going to hate me. I was sure that he was going to sigh, tell me that this was too much, and walk out the door.Henry was silent. I could hear my neighbor’s TV on a commercial and som
An American Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Six
I woke just before dawn with a dry mouth and itchy eyes. It was never a good idea to fall asleep with a ton of makeup on and without brushing my teeth.I groaned and rolled out of bed. I wasn’t sure if I wanted coffee or a shower more, so I started them both. I took my coffee to the bathroom and I set my cup on the sink so I could reach out and grab a sip while still getting a shower at the same time. There were perks to having a small bathroom.The shower and coffee helped wake me up, but did nothing for the feeling of dark dread that hung around my head.Henry was a prince. A freaking prince.And he loved me.What did that mean for us? Even if I wasn’t going to be convicted of selling secrets, or my stepmother wasn’t making my life a living nightmare, what would we do? I couldn’t just move into the castle with him in Paradisa. My life was here. My dreams were here.I loved him, but I didn’t see how we were going to make it work. He was a prince and I was about as far from royalty as
An American Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Five
I ran through the streets of downtown Washington DC ducking cars and twisting between buildings. My beautiful blue dress trailed out behind me like a flag. Tears streamed down my face and I could barely see.How in the world had my wonderful night ended up like this?How was Henry a freaking prince?He loved me and I had to run from him. I had to protect him from me and what my stepmother was forcing me to do. I would ruin him.I ducked around into an alley to try and catch my breath. It had been a few minutes since I’d last heard anyone call my name. I didn’t want Henry to chase me. I would only end up hurting him if he did.I leaned against a brick wall, my chest heaving and hurting. I just wanted to go home and hide. I wished I had never met Henry, because then I wouldn’t have this hurt in my chest. I wouldn’t put him at risk that way. If he had never run into me, I wouldn’t have to worry about him. The last thing I wanted was to hurt him, but I seemed destined to.My feet hurt. Ru
An American Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Four
We ran through the halls of the club, giggling and laughing as we went. My skirt flew behind me as I followed Henry up a flight of stairs.He checked down the long hallway and, seeing it empty, turned and put his hand to the side of my neck and pressed me against the wall for a kiss. My body melted into his, his hands hot on my skin. His face was smooth with a recent shave. He smelled like clean soap and something masculine and musky.I couldn’t get enough. I loved the way his hands felt on me. I loved the way the uniform fit his broad shoulders and trim waist as he kept me close to him. I loved being pressed into the wall and caught in his arms.I couldn’t stop kissing him. He was the breath in my lungs and the song in my heart.He paused, his smile lighting up the dark hallway.“How did I get so lucky?” he asked, pressing a soft kiss to my jaw. He reached up and carefully took my mask from my face.“I’m the lucky one,” I replied. I took the mask from his face, revealing his bright s
An American Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Three
The limo pulled up alongside one of the older buildings downtown. The building was a private club, so I’d never been inside, although I’d heard of the extravagant parties that were often thrown here.The building took up the entire corner. Rich tan stone with large windows glimmered in the fading light. A red carpet lined the sidewalk on the corner, and the police had the intersection completely blocked off.I took a deep breath and stepped out of the limo and onto the red carpet, clutching my invitation and a small purse with my ID and phone.Act like you belong here, act like you belong here, I whispered to myself. I was positive that one of the police officers was going to call me out. This was a party for high society, not some low-level government employee. They would see right through me.I held my head high as I walked along the red carpet, keeping my eyes open for any sign of Henry. He was supposed to meet me inside, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t run into him outside of the
An American Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Two
Two people sat outside the entrance of my apartment looking completely out of place. One was a tall, thin man with stylish silver hair wearing a tweed jacket. A young woman, with the most amazing eyeliner I have ever seen, sat on a large trunk next to him. She wore a simple red dress that fluttered in the early evening breeze.“There she is,” the man said to the woman, his British accent deep and strong. It was similar to the Paradisian accent, but I definitely liked Henry’s better. The man held out his hand. “You must be Aria. The senator sent us.”“I am,” I told him. He squeezed my hand rather than shaking it.“Excellent. I’m Gunner,” the man introduced himself. “This is my associate, Lydia.”“Hi,” the woman said, jumping down from the large trunk. “I’m going to be doing your hair and makeup once Gunner gets you dressed.” She motioned to the trunk behind her and I realized there was a second as well.I stood there blinking for a moment, not quite comprehending what they were saying.
