Tempting Prince Charming, page 25
It was up to her now. She didn’t need to stand in front of the microphone to tell him how she felt. As stupid and cliché as it was, she did the only thing she thought she could do that wouldn’t make her cry.
Sing.
She chose the song that had touched her heart the first time he’d ever come into her life like a shooting star in the dark abyss of her night sky: Calum Scott’s You Are The Reason came from her lips.
She sang about how she’d been losing sleep and wanted him back, how she always thought about him. By the time she reached the first chorus, Zelda had rushed over with the microphone, and the song now filled the entire room.
Her heart pounded and her hands shook. She stepped closer to him as she sang of how she would climb every mountain and swim every ocean just to be with him, of how she wanted to fix what she’d broken. Her heart pounded with every word and her hands shook as he took a step closer to her with every verse she sang.
When they were only a foot apart, he cupped her face in his palms and the last of the words tumbled from her lips.
When the chorus ended, he leaned down and kissed her. Her racing heart went blissfully, peacefully, still for a moment as the pain bled away and that encroaching darkness was bathed in a fiery beacon of pure, powerful light. It took her a moment to realize all the cheers she heard were coming from everyone in the coffee shop, and not just inside her head.
This was love. This sweet ache in her chest and burning hope left her dizzy with euphoria. This was explosive passion mixed with quiet mornings in each other’s arms. It was shared smiles in the dark as they both tucked Lyra into bed.
Thad’s lips moved slowly over hers, a sweet hesitancy to his kiss that made her want to cry again. She curled her arms around his neck, holding him tight to her. A moment later, he wound his arms around her back, gripping her tight as though he feared she would vanish. When at last their mouths broke apart, he was breathing hard and so was she.
“Hey…” he whispered.
“Hey…” she breathed back.
She bit her lip as she peeked at the crowd staring at them, some still applauding. More than one person had their cell phone out and had been recording them, Zelda among them.
Veronica’s face heated and she buried her cheek against Thad’s chest, completely mortified. His arms tightened around her protectively.
Zelda started toward them. “You guys should go upstairs. I’ll close things down with Zach.”
Veronica reached out and squeezed her friend’s arm. “Thank you.”
She took Thad’s hand and led him to the private stairwell, her heart still beating way too fast.
21
The second they were alone, Veronica looked at him with her heart on her sleeve and a silent prayer on her lips.
“I’m sorry,” Veronica whispered. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I sorry I didn’t believe you. Can you forgive me?” She wanted to be in his arms again, to feel safe and loved, but she needed to feel certain that he wouldn’t push her away, even after that life-altering kiss they’d just shared.
Thad pulled her back into his arms. “You never had to ask,” he said. “I am and always will be yours.”
It was as though the weight of a century of pain had been lifted off her at that moment. She wasn’t sure how long they stood there in the stairwell, simply holding one another. Eventually she felt him chuckle.
“What?” she asked.
“I have a present for you, from my parents. That’s why I came here. I didn’t intend to talk to you, but then I saw the guitar and I just had to say what was still in my heart. My father will never let me live this down.”
“What? Why?”
“Because my parents will have been the cause of bringing us back together. Believe me, they will never let me forget that.” He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ears. His smile was both seductive and sweet at the same time. He held her a long moment before he stepped back. “Don’t move.”
He left her in the stairwell, more than a little nervous that he might not come back. Part of her was wondering if she’d been dreaming. When he returned, he held a gift bag out to her. She opened the beautifully decorated bag and pulled out the tissue paper. A trio of Philip Pullman books sat inside.
“They’re autographed,” said Thad.
“Oh my God,” she said, opening the cover of the last one to see.
To Veronica, Thank you for believing in the power of my stories so much that you named your child Lyra. I know she will grow up to do great and wonderous things. -Phillip Pullman
She looked up at Thad, who’d suddenly gone pale, no doubt he was terrified about how this looked.
“I swear it wasn’t my idea. It was my father. I thought he just—”
She hugged him. “They’re wonderful.” He didn’t need to explain. Not about this. “Let’s go upstairs. Lyra’s been missing you, and so have I.”
She was still ready to cry, but this time from joy. The tightness that had built in her chest the last three weeks was beginning to ease and she knew that the longer she had him back in her life, the better she would feel.
They walked up the stairs hand in hand, fingers laced tight. How had she thought she could survive without him? When she opened the door and let him inside, she felt something change inside her, a shifting of tectonic plates beneath the surface. It was a massive change, and one she knew she wouldn’t regret. She had a few moments to speak before Lyra would realize Thad was there. She nodded to the folder on the table.
“I didn’t file the paperwork you gave me.”
“What?” He picked up the papers and studied them before turning puzzled eyes to her. “Why not?”
“Because removing you as the owner would have been removing the last thing connecting us. I guess, deep down, I couldn’t lose that last small tie to you.”
Thad set the papers down and wrapped her in his arms. “God, honey, you are killing me.” He nuzzled his face in her hair and she swore she could feel him trembling.
Lyra’s door opened and her sleepy face peered up at them. “Mommy, I had a bad dream…”
Lyra’s lip quivered as her gaze fell on Thad.
“Mr. Thad!” She dropped her large teddy bear and rushed toward him, tears in her eyes. Thad released Veronica just in time to catch the child in his arms and hug her as she started to cry.
“Hey, I’m here,” Thad murmured, stroking Lyra’s hair. “It’s okay now.”
“You won’t leave again?” Lyra asked, her tiny fingers curling against the collar of his coat.
“No, honey. I’m here to stay.” Thad’s eyes closed as he smiled, his expression full of love and relief.
Lyra buried her face in his neck and sniffled. Veronica had to fight to hold back her own tears. Thad truly loved her daughter; it was written all over his face.
Veronica held her breath as she saw that bright, beautiful future with Thad unfurling once more in her mind. This man who had saved her home, though no doubt he’d argue she was the one who’d saved him. But it didn’t matter who saved who, she would never turn her back on him again. He really was her prince.
“Why don’t I sing to you?” Thad said as he carried her back to bed. Veronica followed them and watched from the doorway as he sang to Lyra, and she drifted back to sleep.
Thad came over and turned off the bedroom light. They both simply stared at one another in the hall.
“You’ll stay the night?” She wanted to ask him to stay forever, and she would, soon.
“If you want me to.”
She put her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat through his shirt. “I do.”
“I need to tell Simon to go home for the night.” He slipped his phone out of his pocket and called his driver. “Simon, it’s me. I’ll be staying the night… Yeah…” His gaze met hers as he spoke again. “You’re right about that. Have a good night.” He hung up.
“What did he say?” Veronica asked.
“He said, ‘I guess sometimes miracles do happen.’”
Veronica smiled and motioned for him to follow her to her bedroom. “I guess they do.”
Veronica dashed about, picking up clothes scattered on the floor and a few of Lyra’s stuffed animals, which had wandered in here with the little girl when Lyra had needed to share her bed. It felt strangely like the first night she’d met him. Her heart beat nervously as she tried to give herself something to do by cleaning up. Thad came over and gently grasped her wrist, taking away the shirt she’d picked up from the floor. He let it drop back down and then clasped her hands in his, holding them as she trembled.
“Are you okay with this?” he asked.
She nodded, afraid she’d burst into tears if she tried to speak. He pulled her once more into his arms, sensing what she needed.
“I want to fight to keep you, you understand?” he asked. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. If you’re still angry with me, we can talk about it. Tell me what I need to do to be a better man for you.”
The tears came then, but she kept herself from falling completely apart. “You don’t have to do anything,” she said. “It just took me a while to realize what sort of man you are deep down. The flash and sparkle of the dream of you, I was so afraid that wasn’t real…but it is real and you’re so much more. You aren’t just a man who lives from sunny day to sunny day. You’ll be here for me when it rains. I know that now.”
Thad smiled. “Storms could never keep me away.” A shiver swept through her as she felt the gravity of that promise. “Just don’t hold it against me if I buy an umbrella now and then?”
Veronica laughed despite herself. “Deal.”
Thad pulled her into him with a kiss. Neither of them spoke as they took turns undressing each other. Her fingers searched for the buttons of his shirt, taking her time slipping them through the slits while he unfasted the knot of her Chi-Bean Apron and let it fall to the floor. She pushed his jacket off his shoulders and it slid to his feet before she started pulling off his shirt.
Thad’s lips made love to hers, devouring her, proving to her that she was his. He cupped the back of her head, tilting her face so he could kiss her as he pleased. She adored that gentle physical command of his when they came together like this. She felt desired, and she surrendered to it, feeling safe with letting him set the pace.
She gasped as he pulled back to remove her sweater. His hands cupped and gently squeezed the mounds of her breasts, still concealed by her sensible bra. She felt a little embarrassed she’d didn’t have on any fancy lingerie when she was with him, but he never seemed to mind.
His lips covered her skin, teasing her in the most sensitive places, like the curve of her neck, which made her body flare to life with heat. He removed her bra, jeans, and panties with agonizing slowness. She, in turn, explored him just as slowly, softly kissing his chest, his throat, his shoulder. She reveled in knowing that this beautiful noble man was hers, now and forever.
“This is punishment, isn’t it?” he moaned. “You are trying to drive me crazy.”
“I call it a reward.”
She whimpered as he turned the tables on her, sucking one of her nipples between his lips. She hissed as he gently nipped the tip before sucking on it again. That slight hint of pain sent bolts of need shooting through her. She was going to lose control if he didn’t make love her soon.
“I’ve spent three weeks torturing myself with dreams of how I’d take you, Veronica,” said Thad. “Thinking about how I’d show you that you’d never want another man after being with me.” He shot her a dark, hungry look that held a hint of teasing to it. “Consider this a necessary torment for the both of us. Next, I think I’ll—”
That was it. She’d had enough. “Enough thinking. Just shut up and kiss me.” She dragged his head to hers and claimed his mouth.
This loss of doubt left her aware of him on a whole new hard to explain level. It was as though some divine being had dragged its hands through the cosmos, yanking her and Thad’s private stars together in alignment.
She pulled him down on top of her. The weight and heat of his body were so welcome.
“Love me,” she begged him, her voice almost breaking. It was a plea not just for sex but something infinitely more.
“For the rest of our lives,” he promised, and she shivered with the flood of emotions. She parted her thighs and he slid between them, his muscled body settling perfectly against hers. Thad kissed away Veronica’s quiet tears of joy as their bodies united. He filled her completely, and she clenched herself around him. He groaned and began to move within her. She gripped his hips with her knees, rocking against him as he joined himself to her.
“I love you,” he whispered between slow deep kisses. She came apart in his arms, pleasure sweeping through her like a tidal wave. She held on to him as he gasped her name, his breathing a harsh contrast to the softness of his eyes.
Long afterward, as they lay entwined beneath the sheets, she pressed a kiss to his chest and met his gaze.
“I love you. All of you.” Those words were so full of power and filled her with a surge of hope for where life would take them. Whatever happened, they were together and they loved each other—the only things that mattered. Perhaps that old grandfather clock had held onto some magic after midnight had passed.
Epilogue
Christmas Eve — 1 month later — Orlando, Florida
“Are you ready?” Thad called through the door to Veronica.
“Just a second.” Veronica called back.
Thad looked down at Lyra who stood by his side. Lyra wore her Princess Elsa gown, all blue and glittering. She twisted her body slightly, so the filmy see-through top layer of her gown decorated with snowflakes glittered in the light over her dark blue underskirt.
“You remember what we planned?” Thad asked in a low whisper.
Lyra covered her mouth to stifle a giggle so Veronica wouldn’t overhear their plotting. “Yep!”
Today was the most important day of his life. He’d planned everything down to the last detail, but it didn’t change the fact that he was still nervous as hell. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his costume’s trousers, hoping to keep his hands still while they waited.
At last, Veronica opened the door. She looked incredible. Her dark hair was pulled up into a lovely hairstyle off her neck and a frosty pale blue ball gown hugged her body at the bodice and spilled out into voluminous skirts of iridescent blues and purples. She looked like Cinderella.
“Mommy!” Lyra gasped. “You’re so pretty.”
Veronica’s cheeks reddened. “You think so? I feel a little silly to be wearing a Cinderella costume.”
“Well, we are at Disney World and I think it’s perfect. If you’re ready should go, I don’t want to miss our photo shoot.” Thad offered his arm to Veronica and she obliged before she touched the gold braiding on his shoulder.
“Your prince costume turned out nice,” she said.
Thad grinned. He’d spent top dollar on having a seamstress from Hollywood create costumes for Veronica, Lyra, and himself when they’d decided to celebrate Christmas at Disney. They’d even planned a photoshoot on the steps of Cinderella’s Castle. Candace had given them access to a private room near the front of the park to change into their costumes.
Now came the big surprise. Thad hoped Veronica wouldn’t think it was too silly, but that was the advantage of having a little kid around all the time… you learned to appreciate the silly things in life.
They left the small office building and stepped into the park. Veronica halted suddenly as she saw what awaited them.
Six white horses pulled a glittering white carriage. It resembled a pumpkin turned into a coach with leaves and vines carved into the white wheels.
Veronica was momentarily stunned. “Oh my God.”
Lyra was already running for the coach. A footman in a white and silver uniform with a white powdered wig lifted the little girl onto one of the seats.
“You ready?” Thad asked Veronica.
She nodded, her eyes still wide as he escorted her to the coach and helped her inside.
“I’m afraid to even ask how much this costs…”
Thad waggled a finger. “Uh uh. This is for Christmas; I’m allowed to be a bit excessive. Besides, in case you haven’t figured it out by now, I’d give you the world.”
Veronica cupped his face and pressed her forehead to his. “We only need you.”
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Well, you get me and all of this too.”
Lyra sat facing them on the opposite cushion, kicking her feet as the coach started to move.
Everyone in the park stopped to stare and some waved as the coach rolled along the cobbled streets of the park. The coach stopped in front of the path that led to the castle. The footman lifted Lyra down and Thad helped Veronica. Their photographer, Hazel, started taking pictures as Thad pulled Veronica close and kissed her in front of the coach.
“Is it too much?” he whispered into her ear. “Too cliché?”
“No, this is wonderful. Just look at Lyra.” Her child was clearly in princess heaven.
For several minutes, they paused for shots both with and without Lyra as well as poses of Lyra alone. After a short time, Lyra caught Thad’s attention and gave him a big thumbs up when Veronica wasn’t looking. It was their signal, the secret one that said she was ready for what was about to happen next. Thad gave the photographer a subtle nod and Hazel nodded back.
“Veronica, I have one more idea. Come over to me.” Hazel called out.
Thad turned to the footman, who had retrieved the blue box, and then started toward where Veronica faced away from him. He was going to put it all on the line again, and he could think of no better way to do it than this.
Veronica listened as Hazel explained what she wanted.
“Just start walking away. Then let one of your shoes slip off when I tell you to look over your shoulder at me.”
“Okay, I think I can do that.”
