Page 56 of Impossible Heir for the King

‘I tracked Stefan down. He’s spent the last few years moving from job to job. He was glad to hear you’re well and that you’ve left your father’s boat.’

‘Why did you go looking for him?’

‘Because he was nice to you and he was badly treated by your father. Which is the absolute opposite of what should have happened. I wanted to see if he was okay or if he needed anything.’

Niko’s thoughtfulness, kindness and honour awed her. ‘And did he?’

‘I offered him a part-time retirement job on the island. Aron can only make salads and I thought that our children might like a sweet pastry with breakfast.’

‘Ourchildren?’

‘I half hoped you might want more than one? I’d like a big loving family.’ He hesitated, his eyes widening. ‘But only if you do too. When you do. I mean you haven’t had much choice around—’

She put her hand on his mouth. ‘I would love a big loving family. Thank you for finding him for me. For even thinking of it.’

The bikini was gone in moments. His shirt and trousers were slightly more troublesome but they got there.

‘I’ve never had someone want me,’ she whispered. ‘Someone really and truly just wantme.’

‘Ido. So completely.’ He braced above her. ‘And I offer you all ofme.’ He tightened his hold. ‘My arms to hold you. My ears to listen to anything you want to tell me or even just to tease me. My whole body really, however you want me.’

‘Now, I want you now.’ She’d missed him so much she was already hot and ready and they both groaned as he pushed home.

‘I offer my loyalty. My fidelity. I’ll only ever be yours, Maia. Because you have my heart. I didn’t want to admit that before because I was scared and I’m sorry about that. But I love you, Maia. And I’m here and I don’t ever want to let you go again.’

He thrust deep, pressing closer and closer still—anchoring her to him. She wrapped around him and simply hung on. Letting him love her. Letting him take her so fast, so intensely, she couldn’t even scream. She simply shook—and he just held her closer still, until he groaned with agonising ecstasy.

Maia couldn’t move after that cataclysmic release. She felt as if she’d been tossed through every emotion and was utterly wrung out. All that remained was joy.

She lifted her head just enough to catch his eye and smiled. ‘Is that all you’ve got?’

He began to laugh and she too giggled. But suddenly her laughter turned to tears and he swiftly wrapped his arms around her again—so tightly.

‘I’ve got you,’ he muttered.

She knew the reassurance was not just for her, but for him too. She hugged him tightly back and as her sobs eased she heard his sigh of aching contentment.

Her longing. Her absolute truth escaped her too. ‘I love you, Niko.’

‘Thank you,’ he whispered.

His fingers rhythmically combed through her hair in a tender touch of love. Of wonder. She closed her eyes. Jewels and thrones and things meant little—what she’d found with him was family and yes,freedom. To be herself, to ask for what she wanted—to give and to take. Because there was no freedom more complete than that she’d found in the security of his love.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Almost three years later

PRINCESSKAILANILIKEDto splash her father. Repeatedly. King Niko sat in the shallow end of the pool and patiently helped his toddler refill the little bucket—that she would then tip all over him. And giggle. And immediately refill it again.

Niko didn’t mind. He loved his daughter, the sunshine, thetimethat he had to do this.

‘Mama?’ Kailani questioned, staring at him with her big brown eyes.

‘Soon. She’ll be home soon,’ he answered, distracting her with a different water toy.

Honestly, he couldn’t wait for Maia to arrive either. She’d had a meeting on a nearby island and frankly he’d expected her to be here already. He’d seen some coverage on his tablet earlier—Maia sitting in a circle of dignitaries discussing ship workers’ rights. Sometimes he was so filled with awe of her he didn’t know what to do with himself. She’d flourished, his beautiful wife. Popular with his people, down to earth, she had an accessibility and relatability that other royals from nearby nations had told him they wished they could bottle. He got it—she had a quality, a resilience and a generosity, that was rare and that he would never ever take for granted. Often they worked together but sometimes for practical reasons they took on separate engagements. That was what had happened today. But Niko’s straightforward plaque unveiling had concluded sooner than anticipated so he’d been able to bring Kailani to the island a little earlier than planned. While Maia’s meeting had run late.

Aron shuffled out from where he’d been sitting in the shade. ‘The boat is almost here.’

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