He canted his head to the side for a moment, and then smiled down at her. “The clock’s about to strike twelve, Cinderella. I should probably get you up to the safety of my hotel room. You know, just in case.”
She gave a short laugh, using the back of a hand to swipe at the black streaks under her eyes and holding it up as proof. “I’m fairly sure I’ve already turned back into my former state, but getting out of this dress and into a hot bath sounds like heaven.”
His eyes darkened with intensity and a muscle in his jaw ticked. She hadn’t meant her statement to sound sexual, but clearly that’s how it was received judging by Reid’s reaction.
Grabbing her hand, he nearly growled and said, “I couldn’t agree more.”
Without waiting another second, he spun, pulling her out of the garden toward the front of the hotel. His strides were so long and quick she had to hitch up her dress and jog behind him to keep up. Amazingly enough she was managing the pace just fine when suddenly the heel of her right shoe became trapped in a crevice, causing her to falter as her foot continued on without it. Thankfully Reid used his lightning-fast reflexes to catch her before she face-planted on the paving stones near the French doors.
Unable to help herself, she laughed hysterically as she reached down and tried to wrench it free. A couple of rough tugs freed her shoe…but not the heel. Mouth agape she stared at the stubborn spike still wedged in the stone. “Well, crap. Doesn’t that just figure.”
He swept her up into his arms, took one look at her bare foot and said, “Well now it’s official.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her broken footwear dangling from the fingers of one hand. “What’s official?”
“You really are Cinderella.”
“Well, in that case…” Lucie caught her lower lip between her teeth, traced the tan skin revealed by the open V of his shirt, then glanced up coyly through her lashes, just like he’d taught her. “…let’s get started on our Happily Ever After.”
As the last chime faded into the starry night, he met her gaze with a heart-melting smile and said, “As you wish, princess,” before carrying her off to do just that.
Acknowledgments
There are so many people who have played a role in my journey to becoming a published author, and as this is my first published work, I want to make sure I mention all of them at least this once, so please bear with me.
I’d like to thank…
First and foremost my three wonderful children who have been patient, encouraging, and hugely supportive from the first day I began writing. Thank you for understanding and dealing with the occasional “make it yourself” dinner night, or bringing me something to eat or drink so I don’t whither away while in a deep writing frenzy.
Ruthie Knox for not getting a restraining order against me when I fangirl-stalked her ass, bequeathing me with superpowers, and becoming one of my very best friends and phenomenal CP. My writing would not be what it is today without her.
Ella Sheridan for being a great friend, my other totally kickass CP, and keeping up our small accountability group on TMAS which keeps me honest and motivated when I need it most.
Jamie Burch, my moon sister and original beta, for creating the beautiful Lucie’s Anklet* featured in this story, but mostly, for all the Moon Love she’s given me over the years.
Jenni Bailey for being one of my first writer friends and for always being an enthusiastic beta, even when I asked her to read DotS so many times her eyeballs threatened to fall out.
The Romance Man, better known by me as Remy, who I think may be my long-lost fraternal twin brother, for supporting me and making me laugh until I pee my pants on a regular basis.
The BBLs—specifically Pat, Diane, Lexie, Kate, Michele, Nancy, Lucie, and Julie—for being some of the coolest people I’ve never met & the best cheerleaders ever.
My Twitter friends Cara, Cari, Edie, Serena, Amber, Del, and Charlotte who are always there to pimp me out with RTs, make me laugh with their outrageous conversations, and swap raggedy pics for a boost of half-nekkid inspiration.
Bill Brandl, aka President of the Unofficial Gina L. Maxwell Farm-Boy Fan Club (PUGLMFBFC), for harassing a poor sales lady at a bookstore by insisting I was published a couple of years ago and making her search for my (nonexistent) book for over half an hour.
Brock Miles for putting up with my incessant e-mail correspondence and creating my sexy-as-hell website that far exceeded my expectations with the limited platform I gave him to do it in.
Laura Coleman for her amazing copywriting skills who brainstormed her butt off to come up with a new tagline for my website I didn’t completely reject. It says it all, and I love it.