Page 153 of Temporary Vows

I frown. “Why? Why would do that?”

He shakes his head. “At first, I thought it made sense.”

Understanding dawns, but the hurt is still raw. “Because we were supposed to have separate lives.”

“Yeah. Then it became stupid.”

“And…you don’t want separate lives now?” I need to hear him say it again. I need to know I didn't imagine it.

“No.” The simple word rearranges everything, but there’s still one more thing I need to get off my chest.

“You said you’d never love me.” That’s the one thing I've carried since he said it. The one thing I couldn't bury no matter how hard I tried. And now it's out there. I've just laid myself bare and there's no taking it back.

His eyes hold mine and even though my hands are shaking I don’t look away.

“I lied. Clearly. Because I’m obsessed with you.”

My knees almost buckle. A tremor of races through my core, shooting straight to my heart. I stare back at him. Just stare, mindlessly, wordlessly, speechless. Every single fight, every cold silence, every night I spent convincing myself he didn't care, when he did.

Dorian’s stare deepens. “I tried not to be, but I can’t stop myself.”

“Don’t. I don’t want you to.”

“Good, because I don’t plan to. You broke me in the best way possible, little Lamb.”

My God. For years I fought my feelings for him. Having a chance to give them permission to breathe felt freeing.

He reaches forward and takes my hand. He looks at my rings and brings my hand up to his lips to kiss my knuckles. “Is that a yes, then? You’ll give me another chance?” He looks hopeful.

“Yes, of course I will.” I smile up at him.

He presses my knuckles to his cheek. “Thank you, Lamb.” He gives me another kiss, but doesn’t let go. “Now we need to talk about the future.”

I laugh. “You’re moving fast, Mister. The past, now the future.”

“It’s the next step. We need to know where we’re going.”

“Okay.” I chuckle. “Where are we going?”

A cunning look settles in his eyes. “First, we’re going to get dressed. Then we’ll have breakfast.”

I give him a thin stare. “That doesn’t sound very interesting.”

“Because that’s just the start of the day.”

“What are we going to do for the rest of it? Can we at least go back to bed…together.”

“Oh, that will come.” His mouth curves. “But how about we go back to bed together in England.”

I gasp. My hand flies to my chest. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

England.Did he just say… England?

“What?”

“We’re going to England.” He grins.

“Today?”