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Chapter 8
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2021-10-03 18:34:41Bab terkait
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 9
“I think it might be closed,” I said.“The windows are boarded up. Of course it’s closed.” Olivier, for his part, kept trying to peer through the small spaces between the wooden boards hammered to the windows. Like he’d be able to see someone inside. But he was so agitated, I wasn’t about to tell him as much.“Shit,” said Olivier. “Shit, shit, shit.”I yawned. “Yeah, pretty much.”We’d taken a taxi across Paris to find this antiques shop, the address of which Olivier had on a small piece of paper in his pocket. Despite both of our attempts to find the address on Google Maps, Google kept trying to redirect us to some random spot that turned out to be a broken-down bridge on the Seine.So we’d had to wander around on foot. Olivier had stopped to ask for directions—which made me grateful that he spoke French, but I wouldn’t tell him that, no way—but we got a lot of confused expressions. One man told us we were in the wrong part of Paris entirely. Another woman said that we were
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2021-10-03The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 10
“He says it’s the right phone number,” said Olivier in exasperation. He returned to speaking French with the shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with his hair parted right down the middle and smoothed down with an excessive amount of hair gel.We’d returned to the bookshop where Olivier had gotten the phone number yesterday. Apparently, the shop owner was insisting that the number was correct. I could see Olivier getting frustrated, mostly that the man didn’t seem inclined to double-check.I began to wander through the aisles of books. Most of them were in French, obviously, but I found the small section of English books. Most of the selection consisted of French authors translated into English, along with various classics. At the bottom of the shelf, though, were a handful of romance novels—in English, no less.I pulled out a historical romance by a favorite author of mine. I hadn’t read this one, and I’d already finished the one romance I’d brought with me. I was a total bore and
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2021-10-03The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 11
My brother Liam glared at me through my phone screen. “Why do you keep ignoring my calls?” he demanded.Okay, I had been ignoring his calls. I’d also yet to inform Liam about the whole thing with Olivier, the clock, and our da. Liam knew I’d gone to Ireland to deal with our grandda’s estate, but I hadn’t told him I’d wanted to look for our da. He’d blow a gasket.“I’m busy,” I said, which was true. “Besides, the time difference means you keep trying to call me in the middle of the night.”“Not true. I’ve always called you in the morning here, which would be the afternoon your time.” He peered at me, like he could make out all of my secrets. “You look tired.”“Wow, thanks, bro. You always know how to make a girl feel good.”“I told you I didn’t want you going over there by yourself. Is it too much? Maybe you should come home.” He upped the guilt trip by adding, “Your nieces miss you.”Liam and his wife Mari had two daughters. Fiona had just turned four, while Dahlia was almost two
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2021-10-03The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 12
The drive to Jeanne Durand’s home took longer than either of us expected. Despite only being a few miles outside of Paris, the traffic crawled at the slowest possible pace. By the time we’d left the city, we were both hungry for lunch and had stupidly not packed anything to eat. I’d almost asked our taxi driver if he had any food, but I hadn’t yet gotten that desperate.When we arrived at our destination, Olivier paid the driver and headed straight for the front door. As for me, I was enjoying taking in the beauty of the French countryside. The address was a little cottage that looked like it had been built centuries ago, although for all I knew it had been built within the twenty-first century. A lovely little garden took us down a path to the front door of the cottage, hanging vines nearly covering the door number.It was idyllic, straight out of a fairy tale. The bees buzzing, the smell of fresh, blooming flowers, the warm sun. All of it together made me antsy, like an axe m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2021-10-03The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 13
The moment the train left the station in Paris, Olivier rose and said, “I’m going to get some coffee,” and left me to my own devices.After my drunken shenanigans last night, Olivier had practically carried me back to the hotel. I’d proceeded to puke a second time—thankfully, in a toilet this round—and had eventually fallen into a restless sleep. It had only been upon awakening that I’d realized that I’d forgotten to book the flight for our trip to Berlin.When I’d informed Olivier, he had said calmly, “I know. I took care of it.”I’d been simultaneously grateful and annoyed. And I was even more grateful that he’d booked us train tickets instead of a flight, because good lord was I hungover. The thought of being smashed inside a plane for hours was enough to make my stomach lurch.Besides, according to Olivier, the only available flights would’ve taken about as long as riding the train. I hadn’t had the energy to confirm that tidbit. All I cared about was closing my eyes and trying
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2021-10-03The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 14
My head rested against the warm grass. I groaned, stretching, feeling the rays of the sun on my face. I didn’t want to wake up. It smelled so good, and it was so deliciously warm.Then I heard someone call my name. “Niamh,” the voice said. It repeated my name, more forcefully this time. “Niamh.”I opened my eyes. Olivier was lightly shaking me awake, and I realized in a flash that I’d fallen asleep with my head against his shoulder. And to make things even worse, I’d proceeded to drool all over his sleeve.“We’re arriving in Frankfurt,” said Olivier. “Wake up.”“I’m awake, I’m awake.” I grimaced at the wet spot on his jacket, but he hadn’t yet noticed it. I wiped my mouth of any remaining drool. Geez, could I be any less sexy?Olivier pulled at the arm of his jacket. Then he raised an eyebrow at me. “Left me a gift, did you?”I sank down into my seat. “Sorry. I don’t usually drool.”He took off his jacket and stuffed it into his bag. “That jacket cost me over a thousand eu
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2021-10-03The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 15
We arrived at the address we’d received from Jeanne early the next morning. After meeting in the lobby, Olivier had been polite but distant. It still snagged at my heart, but I forced myself to put it behind me.We had more important things to deal with. Like finding this stupid clock and my father. Then again, if he knew the effort I was putting into finding him, he’d probably think it was hilarious. I hadn’t known him, of course, but based on what Liam had told me, Connor Gallagher hadn’t taken many things seriously. Including his family.The store was located five miles from our hotel, in the northern part of Berlin. It was a nondescript storefront, except for the creepy mannequins in the window.One wore a dress straight out of the fifties, a lacy apron tied in the front, while the other mannequin wore a suit that had shoulder pads so large that it looked like a linebacker. Furniture from various eras—leather couches, stuffed velvet chairs, and mod-style tables—were just a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2021-10-03The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 16
“You have saved me, Your Highness.” Stefan bowed low. “My daughter will never forget this night. So, the information you require in exchange for your service tonight.”As the taxi passed through the city, I gazed at the documents. The documents that included my father’s address. Or at the very least, his last known address.And because my life was absurd, Connor Gallagher just so happened to be living in Dublin, Ireland.What an asshole. He was right under our noses the entire time.“You don’t seem pleased,” said Olivier as we took the elevator to our hotel rooms.I blinked. “What? Oh. No, I’m pleased. We got what we came for.” I folded up the papers, handing them to Olivier, but Olivier pressed them back into my grasp.“This is your father, Niamh. Not mine. Aren’t you excited? Happy?”At the moment, I only felt tired. Tonight had been so emotionally draining that I struggled to feel anything about this.It should feel like a victory. We should be toasting each othe
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The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One About the Author
A coffee addict and cat lover, USA Today bestselling author Iris Morland writes sparkling, swoon-worthy romances, including the Flower Shop Sisters and the Love Everlasting series.If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.Sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date with new releases, sales, and exclusive giveaways! Facebook Twitter BookBub Goodreads Instagram
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Also by Iris Morland
The Prince I Love to HateThe Princess I Hate to LoveSay You’re MineAll I Ask of YouMake Me YoursHold Me CloseWar of the RosesPetal PluckerHe Loves Me, He Loves Me NotOopsie DaisyincludingThen Came YouTaking a Chance on LoveAll I Want Is YouMy One and OnlyThe Nearness of YouThe Very Thought of YouIf I Can’t Have YouDream a Little Dream of MeSomeone to Watch Over MeTill There Was YouI’ll Be Home for Christmas
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Enjoy this exclusive excerpt
When I imagined my wedding night, I never expected that I’d be standing outside my beloved wife’s bedroom door, pounding on it to let me inside.“You can’t avoid me forever!” I pounded my fist one last time against the expensive wood.“Of course I can. Have you seen this place? It’s fucking huge!”I heard what sounded like rustling. I closed my eyes, leaning my forehead against the door. I’d imagined helping Niamh out of her wedding dress, but here I was, a dog barking at the door to be let in.“Niamh,” I said, forcing calm into my voice. “We need to talk.”“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m tired. Go away.”I growled. I jiggled the knob, but it stayed firmly locked. Someone cleared their throat behind me, and I turned to see my secretary Arthur Laurent, who was studiously avoiding looking at the locked door.“Would you like me to procure the key from Madam LeRoux, Your Highness?” he asked in French. While I spoke English solely with my American bride, I rarel
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 21
I spent the next two weeks at the estate. I spent a lot of time in bed and the rest of the time either in the library or wandering along the beach.One day I went to the spot where I’d first met Olivier when he’d been playing gardener, but the plants in question had been moved elsewhere. It was just as well. I didn’t need any more reminders that he existed.“He sounds like a bloody idiot,” Liam had said to me multiple times now. “Not worth your time. He can go rot.”Mari, Liam’s wife, had taken a more measured approach. “It sounds like he cares for you, and he was clearly in shock. Plus, if what your dad said is true…” She’d given Liam That Look, and he’d just grunted.Liam hadn’t been overly thrilled with the news of our sharing DNA with the Salasian royal family. He’d at first said that Da had just been spinning tales to mess with everyone. But when I did some more research here at the estate, I discovered that Da hadn’t been pulling our legs at all.Da was the cousi
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 20
Cara met me in at the entrance to the estate before I’d even toed off my shoes. “Ma’am, Mr. Valady wants to speak with you immediately in the library.”I grimaced. “Thanks, Cara. I was going to go search for him anyway. When did he arrive back here? Do you know?”“He arrived before you left for your appointment, I believe.”So he’d made a point to avoid me. Great. “Oh, well. We must’ve missed each other.” I turned to go upstairs, but I looked over my shoulder to add, “Can you bring up coffee and snacks in, say, an hour? We’ll probably need it.”“Of course.” She bobbed a curtsy and hurried off. Despite my best efforts to tell all the employees here that they absolutely did not need to bow and curtsy, habits died hard. Olivier had seemed to instantly feel comfortable with the show of deference. He’d make a better owner of this grand estate than I would, that was for sure.I walked up the stairs slowly. My body felt heavy, like all of the revelations had physically weighed it down. M
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 19
I was frazzled when I arrived the following day at Da’s. I’d woken late, my phone not going off for some reason. Olivier had gone for a walk, so he hadn’t been there to wake me. I’d hurried through my shower and had almost forgotten my wallet. I had to run back inside the estate, nearly mowing over poor Cara in the process.Now sitting once again in Da’s apartment, I waited for him to make me a tepid cup of tea for a second day in a row. The clock still sat on the coffee table. I had the urge to wipe down the surface of the table. Surely the clock was too valuable to sit on a bunch of cigarette ash and wrappers.Da handed me my cup of tea that tasted like dishwater. After lighting a cigarette, he said, “Do you know who your companion is?”The question startled me so much that the tea sloshed in its mug. Luckily it wasn’t too hot, but I had to dab at my jeans with a stray fast-food napkin as my mind whirled.I decided that honesty was my best bet here. “Yes, I know
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 18
Two days later, we were back in Dublin. Rain poured from the sky as we traveled to my da’s last known address. Located on the west side of Dublin, it took about a half hour to get there from my grandda’s estate.No, my estate. It was mine in all but name. Once I found my father and Mr. McDonnell had the proof he needed—what that would entail, I had no idea—it would be mine.When I’d been little, Liam had told me a few stories about our dear ole da. He’d been reluctant to share them, as if by talking about Connor Gallagher, it would somehow make his abandonment of us acceptable. I’d cajoled and begged Liam to tell me anything. I’d heard stories of Mam, but not Da. If he was included in a story, it was only in passing.“He was a drunk and he left,” Liam had said gruffly. At the time, he’d been visiting me in Olympia, where I lived with my aunt and uncle. I’d started second grade the month before, and I’d been waiting for Liam to visit for weeks.“Mam must’ve liked him,” I point
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 17
I woke to the sound of rain. Yawning, I stretched my arm across the bed, only to find myself alone. Olivier must’ve returned to his room. Disappointment slashed through me, until a minute later the door unlocked and he came bearing coffee and pastries.I might be able to resist an actual prince, but I couldn’t resist a handsome man bearing food. He smiled at me as he handed me a latte.“I bought a few different pastries,” he said, “since I wasn’t sure which one you’d like.”My eyes lit up as I looked at the array of food. I ended up choosing one that looked like a coffee cake but was denser and had sliced almonds scattered across the top. Olivier chose one that had strawberries and strudel as its topping.After we finished eating, Olivier said, “How are you feeling?”I almost blushed like a schoolgirl. The night before came roaring back, and I could almost feel the sensations he’d awakened in me again.“Um, fine. You?”He licked his thumb. “I woke up with a major cas
The Prince I Love to Hate: The Heir Affair Book One Chapter 16
“You have saved me, Your Highness.” Stefan bowed low. “My daughter will never forget this night. So, the information you require in exchange for your service tonight.”As the taxi passed through the city, I gazed at the documents. The documents that included my father’s address. Or at the very least, his last known address.And because my life was absurd, Connor Gallagher just so happened to be living in Dublin, Ireland.What an asshole. He was right under our noses the entire time.“You don’t seem pleased,” said Olivier as we took the elevator to our hotel rooms.I blinked. “What? Oh. No, I’m pleased. We got what we came for.” I folded up the papers, handing them to Olivier, but Olivier pressed them back into my grasp.“This is your father, Niamh. Not mine. Aren’t you excited? Happy?”At the moment, I only felt tired. Tonight had been so emotionally draining that I struggled to feel anything about this.It should feel like a victory. We should be toasting each othe
