She nodded against my chest. “I didn’t taste it. Just… felt it. Right after I swallowed.”
“It won’t happen again,”
“You can’t control everything.”
“Watch me.”
“It’s okay, Vince. It was an accident.”
And then she did something that hit harder than any words could. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to the center of my chest. Just like in the elevator.
And I forgot how to breathe. What the fuck is wrong with me.
I kept my arm around her waist.
“I should’ve prepared better. I thought I covered everything. I banned the ingredient. I had the kitchen warned. But I didn’t… I didn’t realize the labeling system hadn’t been updated. I didn’t think to check the registrymyself.”
Her thumb brushed under my cheekbone.
“I’m so fucking sorry, Madeline. I should’ve known. I should’ve—” I broke off. Swallowed hard. “I’ve never done this before.”
Her brows pulled slightly. “Done what?”
“Dated. Had a girlfriend. Any of it. I don’t know the rules.”
She leaned in and kissed my cheek so gently it nearly split me open.
“Most heirs would’ve called for staff and stood back. Or just walked away and blamed it on someone else. But you didn’t. You acted. Youstayed.” She stroked my temple once. “And I’m really glad… it happened with you.”
My throat went tight. I couldn’t speak for a moment.
“I think I know my love language now.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded, my heart beating too fast.
“This. You. Laying on me. Telling me I’m enough. Not walking away when I don’t know how to do this.”
Her face softened completely.
“And if you ever use that against me,” I muttered, “I swear I’ll have to exile you.”
She giggled, actually giggled, and moved closer. My thumb traced her mouth.
“Noted. But for the record, I’ll always be the high-maintenance one in this dynamic.”
“You really will. You’re exhausting.”
Her smile was smug. “And beautiful.”
I moved her hair over her shoulder, “Very beautiful.” I kissed her slow, holding the side of her head. “You’re going to destroy me,” I murmured.
“Maybe,” she kissed me back, slower. “But I’ll do it gently.”
The next morning. The day started quiet. Madeline lay half draped across me, cheek pressed to my chest, one of her legs hooked lazily over mine.
I hadn’t moved in ten minutes because I didn’t want to risk shifting her away. The way her mouth parted just slightly.
