I shrug, laughing. “You’re not wrong. It started when she went on a date with me that was meant for her twin…”
By the end of the night, Lorelei has charmed my entire family by being herself just as I knew she would. We took frequent breaks so that she could decompress from the interactions, touring the gardens not once but twice today. Safe to say it’s her favorite place.
The library comes in second place. We spent almost half the day there, even after my parents had to leave to attend to business.
Lucy’s favorite place coincides with Astrid’s—the Royal Treasury, where we keep all of the family jewels, crowns of previous monarchs, and priceless heirlooms.
Beside me on the loveseat in her room, Lorelei sits looking like a queen in her baggy sweatpants and holey t-shirt, her hair in its classical low ponytail. She types away on some cases she had started at work while I look through different documents on their wayto the governing body,Riiksaag.I definitely could get used to a routine like this, but I wonder what Lorelei is going to do about her job. Has she thought about it? Of course she has, she’s Lorelei Spence…
“What are your plans for your career since you have decided to stay by my side?” I can’t quit saying that phrase. It brings great joy to my heart.
She speaks as she continues to type away at something on her laptop. “I’m going to talk to Mr. Austen when we arrive back in Juniper Grove tomorrow. I want to wrap up the cases I’m currently working on, but I will not take on anymore. I have until June, right?”
“That’s the plan,” I state. “But honestly, we don’t need to wait until June. That was my deadline. We can come back soon—”
“No,” she interrupts, frenzied eyes boring into mine. “I need until June. I need time to make sure I have everything together, all my ducks in a row so to speak. Plus, I’m a bridesmaid in Karoline’s wedding. Speaking of, aren’t you a groomsman?”
“Mason hasn’t said anything…”
She covers her mouth with her hand. “Oops. I guess he hasn’t asked yet.”
I can’t fight back the smile at the thought Mason will ask me to be an integral part of his wedding after knowing him for only a short while. I guess it’s true that living with someone draws souls close together. He’s definitely become one of my best friends. I love that redneck man. “I guess we are staying in Juniper Grove for another month and half, then. I will need to slip out to get pictures of myself here in Korsa. That way people will think I'vereturned home for the meantime and won't flock around us in Juniper Grove. We will have to stay on the down low.”
“Thanks, Finley,” she says, reaching out to pat my thigh. I grab her hand, our eyes lock on to each other, and I tug her arm, causing her to fall on top of me, her laptop and mine sliding to the floor.
“What the—” she says, shock written across her face, so close to my own. I want to kiss it off.
I waggle my brows. “Let’s practice some more, love.”
She laughs breathlessly, but then she places her thin hands on either side of my face, her elbows resting on my shoulders—but I won’t complain of the dull ache it’s causing. Lorelei closes her eyes and leans in, her lips causing a sweet, delicious fire in my veins when they meet mine. She lingers for nine seconds (yes, I’m counting) before pulling away.
“Are you well?” I ask, as I have after every “practice” I’ve initiated.
She grins, her freckles shining through her flushed skin. “Very well, actually.” And then she surprises me by pressing her lips to mine again, forcing mine slightly apart. I gasp against her mouth and melt into her kiss, my hands roaming up her back, one tangling in her ponytail while the other grips her hip. My head is swimming, all thoughts of counting forgotten. I take control of the kiss and whisper her name. She sighs, her body sinking into mine, her fingers gripping my hair. My world is spinning as I feel the love radiating from this beautiful woman. I can’t believe she’s mine. All mine. I love her so much, andGod, I am so grateful to know her.
We continue to kiss and explore for what seems like mere minutes but also hours upon hours. When she finally pushes off myheaving chest, I’m left as a thoughtless ball of mush, unable to say anything other than, “Wow.”
“I want more,” she whimpers. “Will I be able to handle more?” It’s as if she’s speaking her thoughts aloud, not necessarily fishing for an answer from me. I let her continue to catch her breath outside of my touch, though I crave to have her hands in mine or to hold her in my arms.
“Finley, I lasted,” she says through a beaming smile. “I kissed you. Really kissed you. And I didn’t feel icky!”
I snort, but laugh. “I’m proud of you, Leilei. And that was the best kiss of my existence. You should know that. Kissing is worthless if it isn’t with someone you truly love.”
“If what we just did is representative of that belief, then I would have to agree.” She laughs, a cute, breathy sound. “Thank you for being patient with me. Please continue to do so. I never know if I will get stimulated or not, so it will always be a gamble when we kiss.”
“Always, Lorelei. I will protect you. And when I fail to, I pray you will be forgiving and patient with me.”
“Always, Finley,” she reiterates my sentiments. “And please know I will protect you as well.”
“You went toe-to-toe with my mother behind my back. I fully believe you will protect me.” I scooch closer to her and fiddle with the hair that’s fallen from its black constraint band. “Thank you for that, by the way. I don’t know if I’ve properly said those words to you. It’s been such a whirlwind having you here in my world. Not to mention this world is one I’ve avoided for a long time.”
She rests her head on my shoulder, and I move my hand to clutch hers. She sighs. “I protect and defend those I love. And I just so happen to love you very much. I’m still unsure of how it happened. Was it slow? Quick? Did we float? Crash? The truth seems to lie somewhere in between. Either way, Lucy was right. Love comes for you. And then it’s up to you to choose it. Thanks for choosing a girl like me, Finley.”
I couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off my face if I tried. Everything about this moment feels so right. Like she’s my missing puzzle piece. Life just makes sense with her. “There’s only one of you, Leilei. You are not a girllikeyou. Youareyou. The only one of you. Perfect. Lovely. Brilliant.Weird.” I nudge her and she laughs. “But your weirdness is everything I’ve prayed for, so thanks for staying true to who you are and not trying to diminish or change yourself. I love you.” I kiss her temple. “I can’t say that enough. I love you so much, Lorelei Raine.”
“Too much emotion,” she hums. “My brain is struggling to keep up. It wants to float into Happy Land and relive our kiss over and over.”
“I can give your brain more fodder if you wish.” I kiss her temple again, running my fingers up her arm.
