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Chapter Eight
Last Updated:
2024-11-20 17:47:29
Billie SummerThis was my first book. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Love Billie
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As they walked back to the manor, Nick led Ella to the side entrance so she could go to the ladies’ bathroom with no observers. She really needed to clean up.“Do you want me to wait here for you or meet you back in the ballroom?” Sliding an arm around her waist, pulling her in close.He had put his mask back in place and, like her, she could only see the lower half of his face. Yet, the sight she beheld during their rendezvous under the moonlight was breathtaking. His eyes were as dark as his hair. With a soft touch, Ella traced her hand along his sculpted jaw. She loved the sensation of his stubble grazing her fingers.“I think we both have been away too long. You go back. I’ll join you in a few minutes.” Leaning in, he kissed her hungrily. Not wanting to let her out of his sight even for a minute.“I’ll be waiting for you. I also think we need to talk before the night is over.” Giving her one last kiss before turning and heading down the stairs to the ballroom.Ella entered the bat
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As he ran to the top of the stairs leading to the grounds surrounding the manor and driveway. Nick looked both ways, scanning cars and pathways, looking for Cindy everywhere. Starting down the stairs, he kept looking, hoping to spot her bright hair in the moonlight.He moved at a fast clip down the driveway along the line of cars. He had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, knowing she had run from him. Needing to know what she had heard. Was it just he was a prince?Nick heard footsteps, turning to see Stephen running to catch up to him. “Do you see her? Tate just told me your date has run off.”“No. I can’t find her.” Nick didn’t see any cars start up or lights turn on.“Do you know why she left like that? Phone her. Ask.”“I would if I knew it.”“She was your date. How do you not have her number?”Frustrated, Nick said, “she wasn’t my date. I tried to stop a scene I could see brewing with Ava and I was trying to help. Cindy is a local.”“No way mate, I don’t know a Cindy and I
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It wasn’t until the next morning Nick found out why Cindy must of ran and he was mad as hell and ready to kill Ava. The only thing that was stopping him was his friendship with Stephen. Ava had found out from Stephen that he was getting pressured to marry his sister-in-law and was currently hiding out in England. The little bitch had thought this gossip too good and had spread it around.Like any piece of gossip, she had told the story wrong. She had told everyone he was to marry Sophia. Had that been why Cindy had run? Had she heard this rumour?Sitting down with Stephen and Tate having breakfast the morning after the ball, his friend couldn’t apologise more. But now he needed to find Cindy because the damage was already done.He struggled to comprehend her virginity. She had been so sensual, so tantalising and exotic. Their sexual chemistry was like he had never experienced before.He would not let her slip through his fingers once he found her. If he was being forced to marry. Why
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Sunday morning, Ella had breakfast with Emily at her friend’s apartment before Ella made her excuses and left. Emily had questions that at this time Ella wasn’t ready to give. Only repeating the same part of the story she had told her last night. She couldn’t tell her friend the whole truth. She couldn’t even voice it out aloud.Ella didn’t sleep well last night, running the events of the ball through her mind. Feeling sick just thinking about it all.If she had stayed the previous night in her own place, Ella was sure she would have cried herself to sleep. She had stayed a virgin this long. If she was going to give away her virginity so easily, why hadn’t she pushed to sleep with Stephen during their engagement? Instead, she had given it to someone she just met at a masked ball.A two-timing asshole at that. Ella felt very discontented and disappointed in herself. In the end, she solely held herself accountable. She had behaved recklessly last night. The situation was contributed bec
Royal Masquerade - The Prince And Cinderella Chapter Thirteen
Nick looked out one of the top floor windows at the manor later that day. He watched the reporters being held back at the gates by his security team.Devlin, his personal guard, watched the scene alongside him. “Sir, I have to say running like you did without proper security was a very dangerous move.”Because of their long-standing relationship, Nick didn’t take offence at Devlin speaking to him in this manner. He had known the man even before he had started working for his family. “I know, I get it. Just needed to get away. Becoming the crown prince wasn’t part of my plan, especially with the pressure from my dad to marry Sophia. Who I don’t want.”Nick was sure Sophia had manipulated his father into believing it was the best thing for everyone, that they should get married. “I would denounce my title before I marry that woman.”Having witnessed Sophia in action for years, Devlin understood his reasoning. He held little to no respect for the woman. “Tell your father the truth about S
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Saying goodbye to them both, Stephen turned and joined his friend outside.Ella breathed an enormous sigh of relief. Wanting to ensure her well-being, Stephen showed kindness.Her rudeness and sharp manner were so unlike her. However, their friendship was forever changed. She knew it was silly, but she could never trust him not to hurt her again. It wasn’t so much their engagement had broken up; it was how it had ended and that everyone knew in town. She didn’t want to be pitied. Even if they try for some sort of friendship now, Ava just wouldn’t allow it.Ella was pleased and stupidly angry that Nick remained unaware of the presence of his mysterious woman.Swinging around to her friend, Ella found Em leaning against the counter, looking at her. Waiting.“Well, safe for another day.” Ella rushed out.“Yes! But is that really what you want?” Em questioned“Why wouldn’t I? I don’t want anyone to find out.”Emily reasoned, “Maybe deep down, babe, you do. There must have been something be
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Tate saved her. “Ella, why don’t you come to the kitchen with me to help Sally bring in the appetisers?” Gratefully Ella smiled and followed Tate out of the room. She moved around Nick, being sure not to touch him or make eye contact on the way past.The kitchen allowed Ella to get her raging heart under control. Seeing Nick being around him made her heart race and her body flush. It also gave Tate the time she needed to vent.“……I still can’t believe Stephen is marrying her instead of you.”Ella walked over to Tate, touching her shoulder to get her to turn around. “Tate! Honey, while I love the fact you feel the need to fight my battles. This isn’t a battle I want to win.” Leaning against the table.How to word this to not upset Tate. “Stephen and I should never have been more than friends. We just let everyone push us along to get married. It really made everyone else more happy than we were. I loved your brother, but not in a way that a wife should love her husband. When you meet t
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Ella felt like the universe was working against her. Ella observed Nick was seated on her left. Tate occupied the seat on Ella’s right. Across from her was Ava, with Stephen sitting opposite Nick. Leaving her dad sitting at one end of the table with the two men and Mary at the other, with Jenny sitting next to her.Maybe it was better that Nick was beside her, rather than in front. He was less likely to see more than her profile throughout the meal.They received their creamy soup almost straight away. Mary was talking softly to her mother.“So Nick, we will see you at our wedding, correct? Being a good friend of Stephen’s, you can’t possibly let him down.” Ava said loudly.Nick looked up from his soup. “As I told Stephen, I would do my utmost to make it to the wedding. But unfortunately, until I get home, I will not be sure if I can get back.”“You have your own wedding to get ready for, I’m sure.” Ava replied pouting, because she would like the exposure and press coverage that it wo
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Royal Masquerade - The Prince And Cinderella Epilogue
Ella lifted the earrings Nick had given her for their third wedding anniversary just last week. They matched her engagement ring and the necklace Nick had given her on their 2nd anniversary.They had a state dinner tonight. Nick was currently in the shower. Having arrived late from state affairs. Anthony had stepped down at the beginning of last year. So, he could spend more time with his beloved grandchildren. Anthony had been over the moon when she had fallen pregnant straight after their wedding.The wedding had been an emotional rollercoaster. Considering the state of her family, it hadn’t been surprising to Ella. She was just glad her sister hadn’t sold her story to the media. Ella had half expected her to. The UK had already experienced a similar drama with their royal family, and it didn’t end well for anyone. Perhaps that’s why Ava decided not to go down that path.Nick had helped her through it all. When Ava refused to come, so had Ella’s mother. But her father had gone agains
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Nick found her on the terrace one morning. Sitting down, he looked at Ella, studying her.She knew he wanted to say something. “What?”“How do you feel about a visit from Stephen and Ava? They are currently in Greece for their honeymoon. Stephen called to say their wanted to finish their honeymoon off with a few days here.”Ella wondered if it was truly Stephen’s idea or Ava’s. She knew she couldn’t very well say no. Stephen was Nick’s friend and it would seem unforgiving to never see Stephen or her sister again. With a sense of dread she said, “Ok.”“Are you sure? I have no issue saying, no, we don’t have the time right now.”“I think it needs to be dealt with, don’t you? At some point, we will see them again. Our wedding. It’s better that all the awkwardness is out of the way before then.” Taking a deep breath, she asked, “So, when do they plan to be here?”“This afternoon.” Nick said simply.“So soon?” she could do this. “Ok.”Later that day, the family limo pulled into the circula
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Ella moaned, stretching in bed. Her bones protested in a way that reminded her she had been well loved last night and into the morning.Sun streamed through the bedroom windows. It was the sunlight that had woken her up. Looking at the empty space beside her, she realised Nick must have left soon after she had fallen asleep that last time, in the pre-dawn hour. Picking up her phone on the bedside table, she saw it wasn’t as late as she had thought it might have been. 7:47am.She was going to be truly tired today, but she took comfort in the fact that if she was, then so was Nick. Grinning, Ella sat up in bed, stretching her arms above her head. She needed a shower, and what she really needed more than anything was something to eat. The energy used last night had really increased her need for food. Slipping from the bed, Ella headed for the shower.Twenty minutes later, she was dressed in a yellow and white flowery sundress and tan sandals, hair pinned back at the side and makeup free.
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Ella got into her nightgown and was brushing her hair, then she heard the door click closed behind her. Nick was leaning against the door with his arms folded over his broad chest, silently watching her. “Don’t you have your own room?” Ella said in a cheeky manner, laying her hairbrush on the dressing table and facing Nick. He grinned at her. “Yes! You’re mistaken if you think I’ll sleep there by myself. So it’s here or there? But I didn’t think you would enjoy sneaking back here in the morning.” “Oh, the dreaded walk of shame.” Teasing still. Nick laughed. “I hope leaving my bed isn’t a walk of shame.” Ella blushed, thinking of the things he did to her. It wasn’t shame she felt in his arms. Nick stepped away from the door, stalked her across the room. But she didn’t wait for him. Ella met him halfway, sliding her arms around his neck and reaching up on tiptoes to cover his mouth with hers and effectively moulding her body against his hard, desirable body. He was so deliciously w
Royal Masquerade - The Prince And Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Eight
They wouldn’t be sharing a room, which left Ella disappointed. On seeing her downcast face, Nick pulled her into her assigned room, closing the door. “It’s only for appearance’s sake. I will still be in here with you at night, Bella.” Taking her into his arms.“Are you reading my mind?” She demanded, slightly worried.Nick laughed. “No, your face is an opened book though.”“I will have to learn how to hide my expressions better.”“I enjoy that you don’t hide anything. It’s so you. Now I better go and get ready.” Nick said before slipping from the room to find his own.They had little time to get dressed and Nick told her she didn’t need to dress up for dinner. But she still changed into one of the dresses Em had sent with her. A beautiful green dress that hugged her upper body but fell into a full skirt to her knees. With some light makeup. She was just putting on her shoes when Nick knocked on the door before pushing it opened. “Ready?”“As I’ll ever be.”Smiling, he held out his hand
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The next day was a hive of activity. Their flight to Cristonia was to depart from Heathrow Airport at 1pm that afternoon. Ella had already packed for her move to London. Nick had arranged for someone to come in and move the rest of her stuff to her new homeland.She was just taking two suitcases for now. This would be more than enough to see her through until the rest of her stuff arrived.To say she was nervous was an understatement. She felt petrified! Today she would meet his father, but not only that, the man was a king. Holy shit, was she ready to marry into this family? She had lived her life in the shadows, then all of a sudden, she was taking centre stage with Nick. It was a world stage at that, not just with her family.Their plane left Heathrow on time. She was glad their flight wasn’t too long. Because any longer and she would have brooded. Nick never left her side, held her hand during the flight.Ella hoped that her outfit, a simple white pantsuit with a royal blue shell
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“Stephen.” Nick acknowledged Stephen with just his name, taking Ella out of his arms and into his own. Ella had done so well today. It had been hard on her, he knew. But she needed to fight her demons, and she had come out on top.“Thanks again for coming.” Stephen reaffirmed, looking back at Ella.“Ella, why don’t you go get your bag and we can leave? Ask Tate if she would like a lift.” Before kissing her on the lips and staking his claim in front of Stephen.When she walked away, Ella felt slightly dazed.“Well, that showed me,” Stephen said.“Stephen, you are my friend…. but if I ever catch you looking at Ella like that again, I will break your nose, and that’s only for starters. Do I make myself clear?”Stephen responded like any spoilt child, “Ella is my friend, and I had her first.”Nick got in his face, saying in a deadly voice. “Let’s make one thing clear: you never had her.” Flicking his head towards Ava. “and after choosing Ava over Ella, you have no rights. So, I repeat myse
Royal Masquerade - The Prince And Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Five
As Ella sat down in her seat next to Nick, he put his hand on her thigh to let her know he was aware of her, even though he was busy talking to another guest.A feeling of relief washed over Ella, as if someone had taken a weight off her shoulders. As if sensing her feeling, Nick rubbed his thumb over her leg.Tate sat down as well in her assigned seat. They smiled at each other. Dragon slayed. This had been her biggest fear today. Thanking God that it had all happened in the bathroom. Ava had been waiting for her to come out of that toilet stall. But why was she so surprised when it was her that had stepped out? Because she had, Ella had seen the shock on her face.Frowning now. Needing to run this through. Was Ava still up to her old tricks? Looking for the richest man available. This was her wedding day. Surely, she wasn’t that mercenary. But nothing else made sense.Shaking her head, feeling sorry for Stephen and the Blackmore family. Almost glad though Ava wasn’t her problem anymo
Royal Masquerade - The Prince And Cinderella Chapter Thirty-Four
In the back seat of the limo, Nick squeezed Ella’s hand. “Are you ok?”“I will be,” Ella reassured him.“Do you want to pop back home before the reception? We don’t have to go to it if you don’t want to.”“I promise my dad,” Ella said, unsure.“You don’t owe them anything.” Nick growled, expressing anger at the way they had treated her. Not just today, but always.“I know, but I owe it to myself to finish this. If I don’t go to that reception, people will think I’m still hung up on Stephen.” Ella pleaded with him to understand.“Are you?” Nick asked. Needing to know.Ella looked at him. “Of course not. I know he wasn’t for me. I have known that for a while.”Taking her hand to his lips “Good.. maybe going back to your place isn’t a good idea after all.”Puzzlement overcame Ella. “Why?”“Because it was hard enough to leave the apartment without taking you the first time. If we go back there, you will not stand a chance and I would say screw the reception.” Nick clarified for her.Heat s
