The Royals of Monterra: Midnight in Monterra (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read online

  She whirled around when she heard a box drop onto the kitchen table but by the time she did so, the driver was already on his way out to bring another box in. Her heart gave a funny little flutter as she watched the driver walk back out to the car. She closed her eyes.

  This simply had to stop. She couldn't continue to compare every man she saw to Luis. That wasn't fair to half of the world's population, not to mention that it was a sure fire way to drive herself crazy.

  But her traitorous heart didn't concur because it began to race as she saw the driver walk through the front door. The man was about the same height and build as Luis, with shoulders just as broad. Madison took a deep breath in an effort to steady her heart rate.

  The driver set the stack of boxes on the kitchen table and took a step backward. He took off his cap and sunglasses, and looked at her.

  "Luis," Madison cried out in surprise. Tears welled in her eyes and she covered her mouth with her two hands. "Luis."

  "Madison."

  She lowered her trembling hands. "What are you doing here?"

  "I couldn't stay away." His brown eyes searched hers. "I've missed you."

  His words were like arrows that pierced her heart. He really was here. "I don't understand. Why are you dressed like that?" She frowned. "Is this your idea of a joke? One last laugh at my expense?"

  "God, no, Madison." Luis ran his hands through his hair. "Listen, I made a terrible mistake by doing something without talking to you first. But nothing was what it seemed. Will you give me a chance to explain? Please?"

  The angst in his voice went a long way toward convincing her to say yes, but still Madison hesitated. "What was that all about at the airport? You talked to me about forever and only hours later you were with-" her voice broke, she couldn't make herself say 'you were with another woman'. "Why?"

  "Because I was arrogant. That night I left you, I found out that someone had taken pictures of us together in Monaco. I knew what would happen if I didn't find a way to distract the press. More than anything I wanted to protect you from the craziness that comes with this life I was born into." He paused, his eyes pleading with her to understand. "I also, selfishly, wanted you all to myself. I didn't want us to be thrust into the spotlight of media attention." He touched his heart and then motioned toward hers. "This is something precious that I wanted to protect."

  "Who is she?" Madison's voice was barely a whisper, but she had to know.

  "Graciela. She's been a part of the team at Santa Rosa Wines for years, and she's been a good friend to me. I also hope she's the woman that my brother will marry. But all she was doing was helping me out by acting as a decoy." He ran his hands over his face. "I know I was wrong. If I had it to do over again, I'd come to you so we could make a decision together."

  Together. The word was a balm to her wounded heart. Luis' anguish was real, and she wanted nothing more than to assure him that she could forgive him anything. Before that, though, she needed to understand something else. "You still haven't told me why you're wearing a chauffeur's uniform."

  He glanced down at his suit and then back at her. "This is me. The real me."

  "You're a driver? And a prince?"

  Luis took a few tentative steps toward her. "I am. I'm a prince because I was raised to honor my duty to my country."

  "And you're a driver because...?"

  He came close enough that she could see the sincerity in his expression. Sincerity and humility, a combination designed to destroy what little resistance she had left.

  "Because that's the way you first saw me. My life changed forever in that moment when you looked at me. I know I should have corrected you, but when you smiled at me, I wanted to be the man you thought I was."

  Madison covered her mouth with her fingertips. Tears of understanding, of empathy, of love, pricked at the back of her eyes.

  He took one step closer. "I am a prince, I am vineyard owner, I am a brother, a son, a friend, but in the last month, I've learned that I'm nothing without you."

  "Oh, Luis," she whispered. "I love you."

  He closed the distance between them and drew her into his arms. "Madison, my beautiful Madison. Will you give me the chance to prove my love?"

  "You already have, Luis." She stood on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his lips. "You already have."

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