Without speaking a word, Evander pulled me into his arms again. He lowered his head, his lips found mine, and he kissed me.
I'd been kissed before a few times, but never like that. Never with such wonder and passion. He was both tender and demanding. He slipped his tongue into my mouth, and I could taste the wine he'd been drinking and, underneath it, his desire for me.
He pulled me closer until I was flush against him. Every soft curve of my body molded against every hard plane of his. I lost myself in him, in his kiss, wrapping one arm around his broad shoulders and sliding the other into his thick, silky hair. He groaned in my mouth and gathered me closer, if that was even possible.
Finally he pulled away, staring into my eyes. "Anna…."
"Well, isn't this a pretty picture."
We whirled to find Tamzin glaring at us, hands on hips. Her gold gown glittered in the fairy lights. She looked like a fairy queen. And she was pissed off.
"Tamzin, this is none of your business," Evander snapped. "Go back inside."
"Excuse me. I think that little slag snogging my man is very much my business."
"I'm not your man," Evander snapped. "We broke up last night, or have you forgotten?"
Tamzin all but growled. "I haven't forgotten, but it was a mistake. You know it was. We are perfectly suited for each other. Not like that…." She sneered at me. "That piece of trash. She's not even in our realm."
Evander opened his mouth to blast her, but someone else beat him to it. "That's enough, Tamzin." Bella stepped out from the kitchen.
"You don't understand, Bella. That little slut is trying to steal my boyfriend, and I won't have it."
"I'm not your boyfriend, Tamzin." Evander hadn't let up his hold on me. Instead he pulled me against him. "I should have broken up with you a long time ago, but how you've treated Anna was the last straw."
"I think you should leave, Tamzin. Now." Bella's tone brooked no argument.
Tamzin stamped her well-shod food. "I can't believe you are choosing this… commoner."
I stepped away from Evander, holding up my hand to stop him saying anything. It was sweet of him to want to defend my honor, but I could defend myself.
"I may be a commoner, Tamzin, but at least my mother taught me manners."
Her eyes widened. "Why you…."
"You know," I said thoughtfully to Bella, "another thing my mother taught me is that wealth and position doesn't guarantee class. I can see she was right."
Bella sputtered. I could feel Evander trying desperately to hold back a laugh. Tamzin let out a shriek of anger and stormed out of the garden.
"Way to go, Anna," Bella said with a smile of approval. "I'm glad to see the backside of her." She gave Evander a meaningful look. "I hope you've figured out you deserve better than that woman."
Evander glanced down at me. "Oh, I have." He said softly. "Believe me. I have."
I'm not sure when Bella went back inside. I was too busy kissing my prince.
Chapter 8
I stared nervously into the mirror. The woman staring back at me was barely recognizable. So much had changed in the past year, and tonight was Valentine's Day and Bella's party. Only this year was extra special.
Bella knocked on my door. "Anna?"
"Come in." Bella and I had become best friends. I was still nanny to the twins, but it was less an employee/boss relationship and more of a sisterly one.
She smiled when she saw me. "You look absolutely gorgeous. Evander is going to flip."
"I hope so. Are you sure this isn't too simple? I mean, he is a prince, after all."
"Yeah, of tiny little Davinia. It barely counts. At heart he's an Englishman, and he doesn't like too much fuss. This is perfect. You are perfect."
I got a little misty-eyed. "My mother hasn't been driving you crazy, has she?" I'd had to kick her out of my room. It was too small for her carrying on.
"I can deal with her. Don't worry. Are you ready?"
I took a deep breath. "Yes. More ready than I've ever been."
She nodded and held out her hand. I took it, and she helped me down the stairs. My dad was waiting in the hall. Bella handed me a bouquet of pink and red roses and kissed me gently on the cheek. Then she turned and glided elegantly down the stairs and into the living room. I heard the quartet strike up a rather exotically Latin version of the Wedding March.
"Ready, girl?"
"You bet, Dad. " I smiled up at the big gruff man who loved me like crazy, even if he had a hard time showing it sometimes. Together we descended the stairs and entered the living room.
The living room and dining room had been opened up, and chairs had been arranged like a small chapel. At the opposite end of the room was an Anglican priest, and next to her stood Evander in his full-on prince regalia, complete with black, regimental jacket, red sash, and about a dozen medals. I'd insisted on it, and he'd finally agreed. Wasn't every day a girl got to live out a fairy tale, after all.
My dad walked me up the aisle and handed me off, his eyes suspiciously moist. I gave him a kiss before he went to sit with my mom, who was grinning like she'd just won the lottery. I might not care much about Evander's title, but she sure did.
The actual ceremony was a bit of a blur. I couldn't take my eyes off Evander, and he couldn't take his eyes off me, but I definitely remember the part where the twins started jumping up and down, chanting, "Kiss him! Kiss him!"
So I did. It's not every day a girl gets to kiss a prince.
Coming February 2015
Kissing Frogs
Notting Hill Diaries: Book One
Sometimes
