One Kiss

One Kiss by Nadia Lee

Book: One Kiss by Nadia Lee Read Free Book Online
Authors: Nadia Lee
Tags: Romance
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to my mother. The only reason for leaving was that I no longer wanted to be subject to Princess Serenia, but if she’s a toad, well… Of course, we may move eventually since my mother loves to garden, and ours is rather small, the soil poor. With the money—”
    He put a finger to her lips.
    Her cheeks warmed. Suddenly embarrassed, she stopped. “Sorry, I’m babbling.”
    “Molly, I must return to Lustrea as soon as possible.”
    “I will miss you.” She forced a sunny smile. “But I think you’ll make a wonderful king.”
    “You don’t understand.”
    “What is it that I’m not understanding?”
    He pulled away suddenly and started pacing.
    She hugged herself. She felt alone and bereft without him next to her. If he was trying to say goodbye, he should just say it and be done. Or was he trying to find a better—more clever—way to bid her farewell?
    He stopped short and fell to one knee. “I wanted to do this right, with proper ceremony, but I’m afraid it’s not possible given the time constraint. I give you my oath I’ll make it up to you somehow.”
    Tremors ran through her body, and her mouth suddenly felt dry as parchment. “Robert,” she said faintly, “What are you doing?”
    “Will you come with me to Lustrea?” he asked. “Your mother as well. I think she’ll enjoy the palace. It’s large and warm in the winter. She can have one of the gardens—or all of them—if she so wishes.”
    “You’ve been generous en—”
    “I don’t want your gratitude, Molly,” he said tautly. “I want your love. I’m asking you to be my wife.”
    She blinked. When she opened her mouth to speak, nothing but a little peep came out. She cleared her throat. “You can’t. Didn’t you say you have to marry a royal princess?”
    He shook his head. “That was my pride. My curse could only be broken by a kiss willingly given by a woman of worth. Because I am a prince I thought it would have to be a royal princess.”
    Molly gazed at him.
    “But you needn’t be a princess to be a woman of worth…as I have learned these past days.” He kissed Molly’s hand. “You’re worth a score—no, a hundred—like Serenia. You’ll make a good and wise queen, the kind of queen my people deserve, the kind of queen I’ve always dreamed of.”
    She swallowed a big lump. Her vision blurred.
    “Molly. Will you marry me?”
    She started to shake. She wanted to, terribly, but fear kept her mute and unable to respond. How could she measure up to all the nobles and royals?
    “I love you.”
    The three words smashed her fears, incinerated her doubts.
    Trembling, she dropped to her knees so she could be level with him. “Yes, Robert. And this is for the kiss I never got to properly give you.” She took his face between her hands and pressed her lips against his.
    He responded instantly, his firm sensual mouth meeting hers. Feeling like a blossoming orchid, she melted into him, holding onto his beloved face to anchor her. Her palms tingled against the abrasive hint of beard on his jaw, and the delicate desperation of the kiss sent streaks of heat all through her. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, his thumbs against her erratic pulse points. There was so much strength in his large hands, but also restraint and control. She flushed, her stomach fluttering.
    She wanted this. She wanted Robert.
    I love you. I cherish you. Come with me. Stay with me.
    How could a simple kiss convey so much? How could it touch her so much more deeply than a passionate sonnet or honeyed words?
    Finally he broke away, his rough breath fanning against her cheek. “We…shouldn’t continue. Your mother is waiting, and this is neither the time nor the place.”
    She nodded, resting her forehead against his, and licked her lips, secretly thrilled with the lingering taste of him. “A field in full view of the townspeople might present some complications.” She looked into his eyes, which were bright with adoration. “But I believe this

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