Tommy climbed in, his jagged breath misting in the cold wintry air. A second later, he hauled her onto his lap and took her lips with his. She opened her mouth eagerly and sighed at the press of his tongue against hers. Her hands roamed across his broad chest and she thrilled at the bulge of muscles beneath his vest and coat. She cupped his cheeks, ran her fingers through his cropped hair. She couldn’t touch him enough. Too soon, the carriage slowed, and with one last hard kiss, Tommy let her mouth go. Forehead pressed against hers, he whispered, “I missed you every day.”
She let out a shaky breath. “Let’s never do that again.”
“Agreed.”
The carriage door swung open and Tommy handed her down to the street. She turned in a half circle, frowning at the darkened street that was vaguely familiar.
“This way.”
Tommy guided them to a darkened doorstep. He fumbled with a key, and Imogen inspected the rundown storefront with befuddlement. “Is this the ice cream parlor we used to sneak off to?”
The door shuddered open, and Tommy guided her inside with a hand pressed to the small of her back. He lit an oil lamp just inside the door and held it up to illuminate the shabby interior. “It is. I bought it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“This, Genie love,” he said, twining his fingers in hers, “is where you helped me finish Arabian Nights. What better place for my first reading room?”
“You sold the book,” she managed over the lump in her throat.
“Yes, but that’s not all.” He took a deep breath. “I’m afraid my employer, Mr. Hughes from England, passed away. For good this time.”
“How…sad?”
“Indeed it is, but my grief is tempered by his most generous bequest. A lump sum of money, to use however I choose.”
She didn’t know what to think. “Does this mean your burglary days are over?”
“They’re done. Forever.” He sidled near to cup her cheek. “Because I plan on being with you for the rest of my life, and I would never jeopardize your safety.”
She blinked back tears of relief. “Oh, my love. I hope you don’t regret giving it up.”
“I won’t,” he swore. “I was good at it, but it was exhausting living a double life. Always measuring my words, always planning for the worst case scenario. I don’t want to live in the shadows anymore.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “You reminded me how short-sighted I was being. Imagine how many people could gain access to books if I but tossed aside my pride and revealed my plans to those who can help?”
“I’ll assist you in every way I can,” she assured him.
“You already have. I took your advice and arranged a meeting with Mr. Jennings at the Central Library. He was very interested in my expansion plans, and—once I was able to provide a sizable donation to get us started—appointed me the head of the project.”
“No,” she breathed, clapping her hands together. “That’s wonderful news!”
He gave her a jaunty grin. “Will I lose my status as a scoundrel if I work for the public library system?”
“Indubitably,” she said, laughing.
“But I’ll gain the respect of those that matter.” His eyes burned into hers. “Starting with your father.”
“My father’s opinion doesn’t matter?—”
He held up a hand. “I’ll not stand between you and your family. Your father might have been offensive the day he warned me away from you, but he wasn’t wrong. I had nothing to offer you. Now I do, and I aim to do things the proper way. Your needs come first, always. And if that means I must become a respectable citizen to court you the way you deserve, then so be it. I love you too much to do it any other way.”
Her smile was radiant. “Not half as much as I love you.”
He groaned. “Why must you always contradict me?”
“Because I love how much it rankles you.”
His hand coasted down her back and rested lightly on her bottom. “I think you like what happens when you push me too far.”
She batted her eyelashes. “Whatever do you mean, sir?”
