She stilled in his arms.
Overcome.
Jackson patted her back, more reassurances crowding his mouth. “You are blameless—”
Two lovely, gloved hands pushed at his chest. Hard.
Her expression was nothing short of livid. “‘Blameless’?” Not overcome, it seemed. She stuck a finger in his face. “Now see here. I am stubborn, opinionated, incapable of withholding my insults. For better or worse, husband, there will be no more one-sided anything in this marriage. If you are at fault, then I am equally culpable. When we argue—”
“No chance ofifin that statement, I see.”
“—we will fight and resolve our issuestogether. You will tell me when I am being reckless, and I will—”
“Constantly beard this lion in his den?” Jackson smiled down at the woman he’d never lock out.
A single gesture of her hand, her palm pressed over her heart, a code he needed no cipher to crack:Affection. Care.
He was shaky drawing in air. Not only that. Hands unsteady, he cradled her face and pressed his forehead to hers. “I need to tell you something.”
“We’ve done so much talking already.” She smiled. “We used to never need words to say what we meant.”
He pulled back, needing her to see as well as hear. “Not this time. Some things must be spoken out loud.”
The green eyes staring up at him were patient, tender. “I’m listening.”
“I love you.”
“I know.” At his furrowed brows, she explained, “The marks on the lampposts.”
“Redisa becoming color.” He kissed her upturned lips. Once. Twice. In quick succession. “I’ve always loved you. Since I was a boy. There’s never been anyone else for me. Never.”
“Jack.”
“I’ve been ripped open since you left. A man wounded. My work with the Home Office has been a tourniquet, stopping the bleeding, but only just. Without you, the pain won’t go away. I won’t ever heal—” He ran a hand through his hair, realizing what he was saying. “God, I’m a fool.”Wounds and blood. “This isn’t romantic at all.”
“Shh.” Her soft lips were wet and tasted of salt when she pressed them to his. “Surviving but not living,” she said againsthis mouth, more tears spilling. She knew what he was saying. “I love you too.”
His heart swelled. He dragged her against him and buried his face in her hair, his own eyes burning. She loved him.
Her nails raked along his arm, but the words she whispered in his ear were feather soft. “This snake you spoke of?”
‘Snake’?He hadn’t mentioned anything about a reptile—
Jackson stopped breathing. “Yes?”
The look in her eye when she pulled back, it was pure temptation.
“Will you show me how topetit to its satisfaction?”
“Bloody hell, yes!”
She giggled as he scooped her into his arms.
Finally,finally, he’d take his delicious duchess to bed.
Knock knock.
Or not.
