“Of what?” she pressed him gently as she closed the gap between them.
Their eyes met, and slowly he reached for her hand, taking it. It was warm, and he felt that warmth spread up his arm as if giving him life. He met her eyes, saw the shine in them, felt it touch at his heart, and he knew then that his words had landed.That it is not too late…
“I am sick of being alone. Love might cause pain one day. It might lead to ruin. But what does that matter if, for even a short time, I am allowed to be happy? Is that not worth it?”
She was smiling, and her eyes were glistening. “A month ago, I would have said no. But lately…” She shook her head, and her smile grew. “I have started to wonder the same thing.”
“I am sorry.” He took her other hand. They faced one another. “For everything. I understand if you don’t want to hear it. I will not hold that against you. But you deserve to know the truth. And now that you do…” He smiled awkwardly, still unsure what she might say. “If you want to keep things as they are, Iunderstand. But if you wish to try for something more, well… times are that I might be open to it.”
She frowned playfully. “Are you suggesting that people change?”
He laughed. “It has been known to happen.”
“I have yet to see it.”
“Shall I prove it to you?”
She tilted her head, her eyes flashing. “And how might you do that?”
The time for words had come and gone. Sebastian had spoken his truth. Margot had heard it, accepted it, and seemed to want the same as he did. And as they stood looking at one another, holding hands, their hearts seeming to beat as one, Sebastian knew what he had to do.
He pulled her into him, pressed his body against her own, and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. And unsurprisingly, she kissed him right back.
It was a kiss unlike any Sebastian had ever had. Beyond mere lips pressing together. Beyond the amorous. It was… the right feeling. It felt natural in a way he could not explain. A kiss that was so overdue and so needed by both that he felt his entire body tingle as if life itself was being breathed into him.
His hands moved to her face and cupped it. Her hands took his waist and held him. And for a few perfect seconds, they kissed, showing the other not only how much they cared but how much they were willing to work for this marriage. Finally.
Once they parted, Sebastian found himself beaming. “So… you forgive me?”
She laughed. “I am starting to.”
He smiled awkwardly, taking her hands again. “What… what happens now?”
“I am not sure,” she said with more laughter. “But I am excited to find out.”
“As am I.” He squeezed her hands, and that urge to kiss her again took hold. To lift her and carry her to the bed and make her his wife, as he had wanted to do since they married. And was it with anyone else, he would have done just that. Only this felt different, and Sebastian was determined to treat it as such. “I think we should take things slow.”
She scoffed. “Do you know the meaning of the word?”
“What I mean is… I am often one to rush into things…” His hand cupped her face again so she could not look away. “But with you, there is no need. Tomorrow, let us have breakfast and spend the day together. Prove what we both know.”
“And what is that?”
“That this marriage will not be a complete and utter tragedy.”
She laughed and rolled her eyes. “Here’s hoping.”
“Good…” It was hard to do, but Sebastian stepped back from her. “Now, do not take this to mean anything, but I need to go.”
“Wh – what? You do?”
He sighed. “Business, I am afraid. Lord Livingston, he insisted that I meet with him tonight to sign some papers.”
A shadow passed behind her eyes, which he assumed to be sadness at him leaving. “Papers? What… to do with what?”
“Nothing to concern yourself with. A loan, as part of a greater business deal, is in the middle of boring stuff, truly. But tomorrow…” He stepped into her again, wanting to kiss her and never stop. “Tomorrow, things will be different, Margot. I promise.”
She was frowning, her expression pained, again, he assumed, because she did not wish to see him go. “As you say.”
