Page 70 of Secret Silver Nights

Chapter 30

She’d just stepped out of the shower when she heard it. The doorbell. Looking at the clock, she figured she’d imagined it. Who would be coming to see her at 1:00 a.m.? But there it was again, a ring followed by a knock. Seconds later, her phone began to ring. What was going on? She hurried over to the nightstand in her master bedroom to retrieve the phone.

“Niko?”

“Please let me in. I’ve only been mayor for a few hours, way too soon to make front-page news.” Monique grabbed a robe and hurried downstairs. She opened the door and immediately found herself wrapped in Niko’s embrace.

They stepped inside. “I’d thought you’d be celebrating at the club.”

“They’re still there. But I wanted to have a different kind of party.”

“You are absolutely insane to be standing in my living room. But I’m so glad you’re here.”

She hugged him, relishing the body she’d missed so much. He embraced her just as fervently, and touches became kisses—hot, wet, thorough—before both stopped to catch their breath.

Niko pushed an errant strand of hair away from her face. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

Monique noted how Niko’s eyes traveled the length of her body. She became aware that the silk robe she’d snatched from the foot of her bed now clung to her partially wet skin; the thrill from his touch had hardened her nipples.

“I just got out of the shower,” she stuttered.

“Figured as much” was his soft reply as he visibly swallowed.

“Um…would you like to sit down? I could make tea.”

“Actually, I brought this.” Niko pulled out a bottle of pricey bubbly from Drake Wines and Resort, his Southern California cousin’s thriving winery.

Niko’s unexpected presence had Monique so flustered she’d not even noticed the wine bag hanging from his wrist. “Why, of course. It is a night of celebration.”

“Monique, I know you wanted to win…”

“No.” She held up her hand. “Really, there is no need for apologies. Earlier when I called to congratulate you, Niko, I meant it. Yours was a hard-fought campaign and you deserve the victory.”

“It didn’t feel complete until now. We went through it together.”

“That we did. It was quite the experience. But the election is over. It’s time for me to reorganize my life.”

“I hope that doesn’t include your leaving Paradise Cove.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because after all the drama with Ashley and Rob and elections and scandals…I’m still crazy about you?”

“We’ve shared some special moments.”

“For me it was that…” Niko took a step toward her, love radiating from his pores. “And so much more.”

Monique took a breath, trying to slow her rapidly beating heart. She’d longed for this moment, never thinking it would come true. But he was here. And he wanted her.

She stepped into his open arms. For several moments there was only silence, save the sound of their hearts beating in perfect synchronicity. When he stepped back to look at her, he saw tears in her eyes. “Baby, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Her dazzling smile showed through the tears. “Everything’s right. This feels so right, Niko. And I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m happy for us. Tonight, no one in the world can be happier than me.”

Slowly, their eyes locked on each other, he lowered his head. At first the kiss was soft, tentative. He lightly brushed his lips against hers before lifting his head ever so slightly to kiss the tip of her nose and the eyelids that had just fluttered closed. Taking his time, he moved to kiss her temple, then lowered his head back down to claim her mouth, this time thoroughly and possessively, leaving no part of her luscious lips untouched.

Monique was drowning in desire. She’d never said it aloud, but her heart felt it. She was head over heels in love with this man. Now she could admit it, at least to herself. Because for the first time she felt there was a real chance that he loved her, too. It made her swoon with happiness and wet with the need to consummate this truth.

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