He groaned. “Will Ieverlive that down?” He kissed her forehead. “Let it be known, you make me forget every reason I ever built walls.”
“Good. I can’t imagine what I look like right now.”
He stepped back, just far enough to see her whole face. The curve of her lips. The fire in her eyes. She woreher love like she wore her skin. Boldly. Unapologetically. “You look like forever,” he said.
She blinked, then smiled. “Is that a vow?”
“It is.”
Her expression softened. “Say it again.”
“Forever.”
She reached up, fingers brushing his jaw. “I never thought someone would love me like this. Fiercely. Freely.”
“Neither did I.” His voice dropped. “Shall we go back?”
“To knowing smiles and smirks?”
“Or… stay here for a tryst?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Are you sure I can’t tempt you?”
She tilted her head. “I mean…”
He grinned and kissed her again. “Still no?” he asked.
“That’s not fair.”
“I’m not aiming for fair. I’m aiming forirresistible.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“And you’re not saying no.”
“I’mthinkingabout saying no.”
He leaned in again, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. “That’s practically a yes.”
“I have to preservesomereputation.”
He nuzzled her neck, shameless.
“Darling, that ship sailed the moment you brought me tea in bed.”
She laughed, shoving his chest. “That wasmedicinal!And I wasn’t sneaking, I washealingyou.”
He caught her wrist, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles.
“Come away with me. Sneak into my chamber again. Just ten more minutes.”
She stared at him. “Ten minutes?”
“Ten minutes of you. Then I’ll shield you from all their smug grins.”
She shook her head, but her smile said otherwise.
