“I believe it even more. Because now I know you aren’t perfect.”
“There’s an understatement.”
“But I like that you have flaws because it makes you more, well, like me,” she said earnestly. “You have made mistakes, and sometimes your emotions have gotten the better of you. This makes you human. I don’t see you as an idealized shifu any longer, but a man who has overcome tragedy and pain to be a better person. And that is how I know I love you, Wei. Because I see you for who you truly are, and you still take my breath away.”
“Glory.” He framed her face with his hands. Hands that were powerful, capable of giving and taking life, and that were shaking with the force of his emotions. “I never knew what love was until I met you. But you’ve turned everything I thought I knew on its head.”
“I have a way of making things topsy-turvy,” she said breathlessly.
“Before I left for London, my shifu told me that I would only find what I was looking for by not trying. I did not understand what he meant until now. All I have been focused on is getting my final vengeance; the last thing I thought I needed or wanted was to fall in love. But I love you, Glory, and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Even if you deserve better.”
“There is no one better for me than you.”
“And you do not care that I am not an English lord?” he asked roughly. “Your life with me won’t have the luxuries to which you are accustomed. Society will frown upon your choice to be with someone like me and—”
“And I won’t care. Because I love you, Wei, and you love me. That is all that matters.”
“What about your family?”
She swallowed, for this was the one sticking point.
“My parents might not agree with my decision at first,” she admitted. “But they love me, and I am certain that, with time, they will get used to the idea. By the by, they have agreed to let our lessons continue…and Mama even said I could invite you to my birthday ball. If you, um, want to come.”
“I want to.”
Wei’s intensity stole her breath.
“I want to be there for all your special occasions, Glory,” he said. “From here on in. I want to love, cherish, and protect you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She gave him the answer bursting in her heart. “Yes, Wei. Yes.”
His eyes flared, and when he kissed her, passion ignited between them. For once, they had privacy, and their love didn’t need to take place in shadows. Yet as Wei lowered her onto the divan, Glory realized that she wanted something different.
When she pushed at his shoulders, he looked surprised but helped her to sit up.
“You are right.” He cleared his throat. “Now is not the time—”
“It’s not that. I just want to, um, try something.” She blushed. “Something I’ve been curious about.”
He cocked his head. “What is that?”
She mustered her courage and brushed her fingertips over the bulge in his trousers.
“Will you teach me how to…to pleasure you?”
Glory’s shy yet eager smile beguiled Wei.
Her offer wasn’t one he’d expected. With Chun, he’d done all the pleasuring. With prostitutes, they’d done whatever he’d paid for. But he’d never been with anyone like Glory. A virginal lady whose wanton generosity made him want to burn an offering to the gods for his good fortune.
“You want to frig me?” he said thickly.
He saw her breath quicken at the naughty word.
“If you don’t mind,” she said, biting her lip.
No, I don’t bloody mind.
He burned to feel her touch—the touch of his future bride. A woman who’d given him the gift of her love and acceptance. Whose sweetness and loyalty were almost too good to be true and everything he’d longed for. Everything he’d given up hope of having…until Glory.
