I’m so humiliated at saying it out loud. My face is red, my ears are ringing, and I can’t sit still.
“Why didn’t you think to tell me about this when I asked about your background?” he asks, seeming mystified.
I glance at Stellan, biting my lip. “I didn’t realize that you were looking for anything in particular. I was just… trying to tell you about my life,” I say, growing defensive. “I didn’t realize that you were asking for a full background check. I usually don’t tell people I date about it for the first six months, if ever.”
He looks so confused and angry. “Why not?”
“Because it isn’t really anyone’s business!” I shout. I shake my head. “When I got arrested the second time, I did a diversion program. When I turned eighteen without getting arrested again, my record was expunged. And I happen to think that my being a reformed bad girl isn’treally the most interesting thing about me, if we’re being perfectly honest.”
Stellan shakes his head slowly, exhaling as he scrubs a hand over his face. “This is fucked up, Margot.” He glances at me. “I mean, I won’t lie. I was attracted to your rebellious streak. I love it sometimes, but other times… like now for example…”
I take a deep breath. “I wasn’t trying to keep it from you Stellan. Honestly, I wasn’t. It just didn’t occur to me.”
He studies me for a long moment, then nods. “I believe you.”
My heart starts thrashing around in my chest. “You do?”
His face creases. “Ja. I don’t think you are a dishonest person, Margot.”
I launch myself on top on him, surprising him with a hug. Burrowing my head down against his chest, I let out a joyful sound. His arms close around me. He brushes my hair back, kissing the top of my head.
I’ve never been loved like this. Not ever.
My tiny brain gets totally overloaded and my eyes tear up. I hug him hard, blinking back tears.
“I’m sorry, Stellan.” My voice breaks.
“Oh,skatter,” he murmurs. “What am I going to do with you, huh?”
Wiping at my face, I lean back and look at him. “Will we have to tell your family?”
He looks at me like I might be simple. “Yes. My grandmother will have heart palpitations.”
Ducking my head, I hide against the solid wall of his chest. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Mm. Not only that, but you have to tell me everything else. Any dirt, any secrets you have… spill them right now. It’s better just to know where you might be vulnerable.”
I frown. There isn’t anything… is there?
“Well… I don’t think that I have any other secrets…” I say.
“Really? Nothing else the press will get their hands on? Nothing that would make them salivate? Because I’m basically going to introduce you to the world as my better half. Soon to be a princess, one day to be queen.”
That thought makes me heart seize. “Hearing you say that… it seems unreal.”
Stellan pushes me back a couple of inches, his ice blue eyes pinning me. “I’m sorry to bring this back around to the point, but… what is the press going to find, Margot?”
An image swims up from deep down. “The only thing I can think of…” I wince. “There may be some footage of me protesting.”
He frowns deeply. “Protesting what?”
My face heats. Occupy Wall Street. The Dakota Access Pipeline. The Red-Green party had a demonstration…”
Stellan makes a displeased noise. “Tell me you didn’t sneak off and protest with the Red-Green party while you were here. Please, Margot.”
I put a calming hand on his chest. “I didn’t. They might be an actual political force over here, but in New York they are just people making noise. I went to one of their protests originally because a band I liked was going to be there.”
He squints at me. “Has anyone ever told you that you are lucky you’re beautiful, Margot?”
