“I’ll stay.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
She looks so peaceful.
That was the only thought that was going through his mind as he traced little circles along his wife’s exposed skin. She lay beside him, her body pressed softly against his, her breathing slow and deep in the haze of sleep.
Simon, however, was still wide awake, unable to keep his hands off her.
He hadn’t meant to keep touching her, nor had he meant to keep kissing her even after the heat between them had faded, but he couldn’t seem to stop.
His lips ghosted over her shoulder, over the curve of her collarbone. Even in sleep, she shivered beneath his touch, and something in Simon’s chesttwisted.
It made him almost want to wake her up and repeat what they had been doing before. Twist with her in the sheets until she was left breathless and exhausted, but still asking for more.
Stop this.
He had never been like this before. After his release, he had never felt the need to stay, let alone linger in a woman’s arms, touch her, andstillnot get enough of her.
Of course, with her, it was different. Like all things. Rachel had somehow becomehis.
His breathing faltered at the thought. It was one after the other—this need to consume her and make her entirely his own was not something he had ever felt before.
And I am not about to start now.
His jaw tightened as he forced himself to pull away, to create space between their bodies. He could not afford to think this way.
Hewantedher. That much had always been true. But this was more than that. It was deeper, and Simon felt the world slip out from under him as he gave a name to the feeling.
This waslove.
Simon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he sat up in bed.
When did this happen?
To most people, the realization that they had fallen in love was a pleasant one. Or at least, not one that inspired dread. In his case, it only caused a sheer sense of panic to grip him.
He had married her because he hadneededto, because it had been necessary for the title, for his standing, for the life he was meant to uphold. He had not married her tofall in love with her.
Simon clenched his jaw, staring down at Rachel as she slept beside him, oblivious.
Once again, he wanted to reach out and touch her. Somehow, seeing her face made him forget all the worries that occupied his mind. But it was too dangerous to play this game.
Not when he still had unfinished business. Not when his focus needed to be on the truth, on finding the person responsible for his parents’ deaths.
Simon forced himself to stand, moving as quietly as possible. His body was reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed, but his mind knew better.
He needed to put distance between them before it was too late. Before she woke up or before he did something foolish like tell her the truth.
He reached for his robe, fastening it around his waist with careful, steady hands. Then, sparing one last glance at the woman who had somehow becomeeverything, he left.
It is better if she is heartbroken than if she is in danger.
It was a good morning.
That was her first thought when she woke up in the morning.
She turned onto her side, reaching instinctively for Simon, only to find the space beside her empty.
