LOGINShare
Chapter 12
Last Updated:
2024-11-14 08:55:17Related chapters
The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 13
The restaurant is no livelier than usual this evening. Ironies of all ironies, that continues to work in my favor.During a particularly bleak and depressing lull—following a particularly bleak and depressing dinner “rush” that consisted of one couple celebrating their anniversary (and selected us because they’re out-of-towners and I surmise they didn’t know better—though we did make a big deal out of the event) and a double date with teens—I gather my primary staff, such as it is, and make my very first announcement regarding my takeover of the establishment.“I’ve been charged with resurrecting this place,” I inform the five people settling around a high-top table in the bar area. I don’t confess to having charged myself with this task. For the moment, I opt to play this fast and loose while I assess the reactions from this portion of my crew; then I’ll address the others when they come in for their varying part-time shifts and see where the chips fall.“So, my most immediate change
Last Updated : 2024-11-19The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 14
He doesn’t say a word and that actually speaks volumes.My stomach and my heart flutter. My inner thighs quiver, like there are flames flickering against them—or his tongue.We are both riveted, and I couldn’t tell you if there was anyone else in the mansion, in one of the wings or currently tidying up my suite.I literally have tunnel vision; my sole focus is on Nick.I’ve even tuned out the crashing of waves onto the shore that’s close by.I am a million percent preoccupied.Nick tosses aside the potholder in his hand and rounds the end of the island, his gaze still locked with mine.I’m not sure I’ve taken a breath yet—or if I ever will. Every fiber of my being ignites and anticipation mounts within me. Lightning quick. So that I can’t even be bothered to worry about the dinner or the bottle of champagne he’s uncorked or… Anything at all.Nothing matters, other than this man as he inches toward me, his expression smoldering so that I could simply melt at his feet.I stay rooted whe
Last Updated : 2024-11-19The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 15
No, we’re definitely not playing by the rules.He’d called me “babe,” for one thing.Terms of endearment are… Such a no-no in a scenario like this. Correct?Second… We’re being reactionary with each other, rather than paying close attention to the fertility testing and the monitoring that’s at our disposal, which can accurately alert us of the perfect time to copulate.And, hell… We’re not exactly “copulating” in a clinical sense.What we’re doing is something altogether different.Nick and I are hot for each other, plain and simple.Except… There really isn’t anything plain or simple about this.We should not be so caught up in each other, so tangled up.He knows it too. And murmurs, “This is going to be a problem.”He withdraws from me and climbs off the couch. He crosses the vast room that’s filled with other sofas, chairs, and accent tables. He ducks into the bathroom, of which I’ve discovered there’s one in each of these wings. When he returns, he’s wearing the shirt I’ve all but
Last Updated : 2024-11-19The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 16
He laughs sexily again. “Not everyone. My closest friends call me Nick. And I’m primarily known as the Prime Minister.”My brow jumps. “You hold a political position?”“It is my country,” he simply says.True. But… “I once read the Queen of England doesn’t have real political power, mostly she’s considered influential.”“My immediate family and ancestors have always been part of the overall governing body. Within small realms, as well. We’re a melting-pot region. An asylum for a hodge-podge of ethnicities. Our strongest persuasions are French, British, and Italian; however, we have a secondary balance that is an eclectic European mixture, we basically cover the gamut.”Hence the reason I’ve detected so many different hints of accents without a particular one being more predominant than the others.“It gives us diversity, culturally, yes,” he continues. “Also constitutionally, religiously, and ethnically.”“A real ‘one nation,’” I muse.“Absolutely,” he asserts. “That was an original p
Last Updated : 2024-11-19The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 17
He takes a shower while I lay completely sprawled and limp across the bed.I stare up at the glamorous ceiling fan, never having realized the style was a “thing.” This one has a stunning, crystal, subtle-heart-shaped dome. The brackets on the cherry wood blades are ornate with a little bling that catches the golden light emitted.Only Nick can distract me from the lovely sight. The vision of him, even the slight one out of the corner of my eye as he comes from the en suite, has me focused solely on him.My head rolls to the side and I watch him strut back into the room, a towel slung low on his hips. Droplets trickle along the thick cords of his throat, one pooling in the indentation at the base, the others tumbling from his collarbone to his pecs.I bite back a sigh, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip.Oh, the pecs…The swells are magnificently defined and so enticing. They give way to cut abs and tapered obliques.My gaze continues to follow the beads of water left over from his sh
Last Updated : 2024-11-19The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 18
“Good morning, Mr. Angelini. Miss Storm. My name is Edward, and I will be serving you,” he announces in a tone meant for an ostentatious wedding reception at Buckingham Palace. And while Nick is a royal, isn’t this just brunch? Not even on a holiday.Edward inquires, “May I start you off with a Bellini, bloody Mary, hot tea?”Nick allows me to order first, and I request a champagne mojito, which seems to catch the waiter by surprise. I’m prepared to offer the ingredients, but he doesn’t ask. Rather, he directs his attention to Nick, who says, “I’ll have the same.”When we’re alone again, Nick peruses the menu, but I’ve already decided to sample the buffet, so I can glean a wider indication of what’s on display and how it all tastes.Nick concurs with my logic and follows suit when we give our orders.Our drinks are delivered, and we lightly tap rims and sip. I’m not overly impressed. In fact, I’m certain the bartender looked up the recipe—this is obviously the first time he’s made the
Last Updated : 2024-11-19The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 19
I gasp.My eyelids fly open.“What is it?” Mitch asks with great interest. Standing, as well.Blue had not been a hue I’d contemplated, for fear it would meld right into the ocean scenery. No, I want something that grabs and commands attention.I immediately visualize a shade so rich and brilliant, a blue-turquoise so sensational, it truly would be a beacon.Turquoise and white. With a darker blue or possibly black as a faint enhancement around the fringes to make it all pop.I tell Mitch of my choice and add, “Imagine an awning out front in turquoise with ‘Bailey’s’ in white script, sitting on top of ‘CALIFORNIA CLAMBAKE,” capped in a stamped-type font, along with a logo that’s in the blue and outlined in white—a pot with a lid leaning against it and a lobster, crab, and prawn rising out of it, but it’s filled with, you know, clams and oysters and mussels. I don’t fucking have the concept down—I need a graphic designer. You get what I’m saying though, right?” I very enthusiastically
Last Updated : 2024-11-19The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 20
What am I to do here?Sure, I can ask for another day. Perhaps two.Except, my fertility window has closed and there’s no real reason for him to stay.I mean… There is a reason. Ten of them, at least. All twisted up in my ruminations and misconceptions of being engaged in a romance with Nick Angelini.But, as usual, I’m in need of reminding myself this is not a romance.Oh, one-thousand percent, it feels like a romance. But it’s not.So I buck up and smile and pretend there aren’t a million daggers piercing every inch of me as Nick exits the vehicle.Just act as though this is no big deal. Easy come, easy go. That kind of thing.Problem is, he doesn’t simply walk away.No, instead he extends his hand to me, and I have no choice but to get out of the limo too.We walk toward the jet. It’s not as small as a Lear, yet not as jumbo as a 747 or anything of that ilk. Decently sized so that I imagine a dozen people can party the night away, despite me already knowing that’s not Nick’s style.
Last Updated : 2024-11-19
Latest chapter
The Royal's Baby Proposal Epilogue #2
~ BAILEY ~Every time I think I can’t be more in love with this man… I fall even deeper under his spell.My arms twine around his neck and I lose myself in yet another searing kiss. His devilish tongue does wicked things to mine, sparking endless fireworks.My heart flutters and my blood sizzles through my veins.I have no clue as to how much time passes. We only briefly gasp for air here and there before we’re engaging in another scorching lip-lock. He has one hand on my ass and the other arm encircles my waist. He’s still holding the present I’ve given him, but neither of us seem to have that on our minds.My fingers thread his lush hair, and we’re pressed together so tightly, a sheath of paper couldn’t pass between us.And yet… That still doesn’t feel close enough.Damn the fact that we have to wear clothing in everyday life!I would be perfectly happy to be naked with this man twenty-four-seven. Also tangled up with him in absolute seclusion.Not a possibility at present, though.
The Royal's Baby Proposal Epilogue #1
~ BAILEY ~“I’m sorry… whhhaaat did you just say?” Claire stares at me as though I’ve grown a third eye and perhaps an extra nose.I smirk.Her expression doesn’t change. “Bailey-soon-to-be-Angelini, aka Your Majesty… With all due respect… Are. You. Shitting. Me?”Now, I laugh.She’s learned that term from me, with the correct punctuation.I snicker at her and say, “Feel free to bring the incredulity down ten notches. You and I both know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that planning a wedding in less than a month is not the hideous undertaking you’re insinuating it is, particularly for a woman of your mad skills.”The compliment does nothing to placate her.She shoots to her feet and begins to pace, partially obstructing my view of the fountain and the large pond surrounding it, which had been expeditiously “installed” while Nick and I were in California. Apparently, if I requested it, this portion of the estate—the outer perimeters of the private apartments—would be turned into a lake t
The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 55
~ NICK ~How could I not request this?Other than… Well… There are the standard obstacles, of course.She’s entangled in a “should I stay, or should I go?” tug of war that involves me, a child, and a restaurant—a dream she’s had forever. One that’s significant and fulfilling, given she’s achieved it primarily on her own. What help I’ve provided is financial. She’s the true victor in this vein, with her vision, ingenuity, and initiative. With her hard work.Thus, I understand I’ve just tossed her into a new mix of uncertainty. We haven’t resolved our current situation and now I’ve gone and complicated matters to the degree that her jaw slacks, she gazes at me with wide eyes, and she’s at a complete loss for words.That’s advantageous for me, so that I can explain, “I didn’t plan that, Bailey. Not necessarily. Though… It’s been on my mind. For some time. A long time, truthfully. Even before you came here.”She blinks. I’m guessing that’s to let me know she’s heard me. She just can’t res
The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 54
~ BAILEY ~Of course, I’m blown away. How can I not be?Sure, I’ve been made fully aware, at every turn, this is to be a formal event, and so I did have it in my head that no expense would be spared. However, that’s actually a vague phrase. While it’s true I can come up with some impressive dining and décor scenarios, and even went a little over-the-top with Bailey’s Clambake, I have not been sufficiently exposed to the word “excessive” in such a concentrated manner.Granted, the palace fits the term. Certainly. Though, it’s incredibly vast and spread out and not something that you take in all at once. Like, seriously, I can only process its grandeur in bits and bites.This gala, however, is in my face.There are chandeliers so beautiful, I want to weep. The one in the center of the room, hanging in the domed ceiling, is so huge, so stunning, I just can’t even… Fathom it.Coming from the gilt edges, which I have no doubt are twenty-four-karat gold (as is every fixture, I’m sure), are
The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 53
~ BAILEY ~We’re trapped in some bizarre time warp where our eyes are locked and there’s an electrical current arcing between us and every second that slips by is laced with anticipation.It’s Grayson who finally breaks the ice, discreetly clearing his throat. And quietly announcing, “The limo is ready.”“Thank you, Grayson.” Nick manages to speak.He raises a hand again and his thumb skims over his bottom lip.I resist the urge to bite mine, his absent gesture being so subtly sensual. Yet I remind myself not to ruin my lipstick.He takes a couple of wide strides toward me and my breath catches. He hears it. Sees it. And there’s a spark in his grey-green irises because of it.“You picked the most striking dress of all,” he tells me.Miraculously, I’m able to reply. Albeit breathily. Like, full-on Marilyn Monroe. “It’d probably look a lot better if I wasn’t pregnant.” Not that I regret being pregnant. That’s a total no-brainer.He comprehends my unspoken sentiment and gives another sha
The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 52
~ BAILEY ~I’m trying to breathe, but the gown I’m being fitted for doesn’t allow much opportunity for that. Time is of the essence today and I feel as though my entire existence is moving at the speed of light. Claire has taken over my schedule and there’s barely time to pee. Though, you know… I’m pregnant, so I must insist she build in potty breaks to avoid any sort of accident.And I won’t let her nix my daily reading with Antonio from my calendar. Unfortunately, it will be later in the morning and that will provide ample time, I’m sure, for word to reach him that I’m attending a gala with His Highness.Oh, that phrase completely curls my toes, when I actually know better—I shouldn’t let it curl my toes. Or send a rush of exhilaration through my veins. For the hour that I’ve been standing on a platform surrounded by full-length mirrors while two women work simultaneously to nip and tuck, and another one continually holds up shoes for inspection and then puts them against the dress
The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 51
~ BAILEY ~Nick snickers at me.I tell him, “Don’t you dare try to separate me from lobster mac and cheese.”He carefully unravels us. Grayson assists me into the chair he’s once again pulled out.I accept the napkin. Even bounce excitedly in my seat, which pleases both men. They’re clearly convinced I’m cured of the seafood curse, whether it was a psychological manifestation, or that the peanut genuinely isn’t into fish.But the truth is, her mom can’t go long without her fix. So.To tide me over, there is a prime cut of beef with an aromatic Hollandaise sauce I’m certain Grayson would have added crab legs to if I’d previously expressed my interest in dipping my toes into the water, as it were, this evening. Or he’d have gone straight for Oscar-style.No matter. I’m instantly famished and reach for the steak knife and a fork, completely bypassing the salad he’s also delivered.Normally, he does the customary presentation of individual courses, but given the hour and how Nick and I de
The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 50
~ BAILEY ~I might be building the perfect bridge.Well, maybe not totally perfect. But darn close to it.An hour of reading to Antonio leads to a half-hour of him sharing a quaint story from his childhood. One that does not involve magnificent horses and banners flying, or silver platters piled high with glorious desserts, or anything else expensive and exquisite that screams privilege. It’s simply a remembrance from when he was a small child and had wandered off in the forest during a group hunting expedition. He was alone and had panicked that he might not be able to find his way back. But he learned a handy trick. Look to the sky.The sun at noon offers a southern alignment. Since it rises in the east and sets in the west, Antonio was able to gauge an appropriate direction by the movement and shadows. He navigated toward the hunting encampment by the western lakeshore. His father had not yet sent out a search team for him. He’d allowed Antonio the opportunity to get his bearings a
The Royal's Baby Proposal Chapter 49
~ BAILEY ~“His baby mama?” I inquire, my brow raised.Her eyes pop again. “Absolutely not what I was going to call you! No one’s used that term. You’re his special guest. Though…” She turns more conspiratorial now. Even glances about to see if anyone’s within earshot. Satisfied no one will overhear us, she says, “Between you, me, and the lamppost—”“You know that phrase?” I’m surprised, truthfully. Despite her being quite capable of keeping up in our conversations without hitting language barriers too often.She squares her shoulders this time and tells me, “I’m well-versed in colloquialisms favored in numerous countries. However, I’m mostly fascinated with American adages. You have a very rich and diverse culture. I’m particularly intrigued with your musical stylings—such as hip-hop.”“You listen to hip-hop?”“Oh, yes! I have an extensive playlist. Anyway, I see why His Highness takes a great interest in your country.”A golden nugget is embedded in there, somewhere. I sense it. I j
