He hated that he had been one such villain, sent to come after them.
“Then one day, not long after my father taught me to shoot, I realized that I had to be the hero of my own story. But that’s all turned out upside-down, hasn’t it?”
Jonny stroked her cheek, tucking hair behind her ear as he did so. “You do an impressive job of looking after yourself,” he said. “I’ve learned recently, however, that sometimes it’s not so bad to ask for help.”
She smiled up at him. “I think you’re right about that.”
He stared at her, unable to look away, still uncertain about how a woman so incredibly beautiful and perfect for him in every way was lying here in his bed. He wanted to tell her that he could be that prince for her, would be there to help her achieve all of her dreams, but he couldn’t do that yet.
So instead, he settled for showing her how he was feeling.
He leaned down, pressing a brief, soft kiss against her lips. He felt rather than heard her swift intake of breath as she pressed her lips back against his, accepting and giving all she could.
He would have liked to delve into her mouth, to find the sweetness within, but notnow. That could come later. Instead, he placed gentle kisses on one corner of her lips, then the other, before landing on her nose, her forehead, and finally one flush against her lips again.
She stared up at him, her eyes slightly hazy.
“Goodnight, Ada,” he said softly.
“Goodnight, Jonny,” she responded, and when he kept his arm beneath her, wrapping the other one around her and holding her close, she only burrowed deeper against him.
He didn’t think he would ever sleep, as he wanted to stay awake and relish every moment of holding her in his arms, just in case it never happened again.
But within what seemed like seconds, it was morning. He had fallen asleep and rested more soundly than he had in as long as he could remember.
As he stared down at Ada, still sleeping in his arms, his one arm slightly numb, he knew that he would do anything for this woman.
He almost didn’t know what to do with the sensation, but he knew this. He would love her as best he could.
Which meant, above all, keeping her safe.
Starting today.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ada sat on the edge of her seat, intensely watching the back-and-forth play on the field.
“This is an FA Cup game, is it not?” Lily said, and Ada had to stifle a laugh as Emmaline didn’t hide rolling her eyes.
“Lily. Of course it is. How could you not know?”
“I try to keep up, but it’s been hard,” she said, throwing her hands up in the air. “Susan is almost a year old, and…” her cheeks turned bright red.
“And…” Emmaline said with a sly grin, turning her gaze on her.
“And there might be another one on the way,” Lily finished, placing her hands over her face as she grinned.
“Oh, Lily!” Ada said as the four of them celebrated for a moment. “That’s wonderful.”
They spoke about their family lives for a few minutes before settling in to watch the match, the shouts of the players and the roar of the crowd filling their ears.
Ada tried to focus on the action on the pitch, especially as Jonny sprinted down the sideline, his powerful legscarrying him down the field as he maneuvered the ball. Two defenders closed in, but with a burst of speed, Jonny broke free and sent a perfect cross to Tommy, who headed it into the net.
As the crowd erupted around her, Ada held her hands tightly together, excited and impressed, yet still with so much on her mind — between the game's outcome and the danger that surrounded them.
She couldn’t help but continue to scan the people around them with an anxious gaze as she tried to determine if anyone was a risk.
“Everything all right?” Lily asked Ada in a low voice, and she turned, finding her friend watching her.
