“Maybe I need a spanking?” I joked.
She glared. “Can you just behave yourself for five minutes?”
“Negative. I would like to take you down a dodgy looking corridor and do all sorts of awful things to you.”
She blushed, failing to maintain her composure. I longed to kiss her as we waited off stage for the cue. As we stepped forward, I involuntarily brushed my hand on her back, trying to move out of the way as someone passed.
Ella glared and whispered, “I’m going to take it out on you later.”
“Good. I hope you do,” I said. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get all inappropriate.”
“No one saw. It’s fine.” She handed me my speech.
I nodded. “Thanks.”
“Your Royal Highness!” Someone called.
She whispered, “Knock ‘em dead. I love you.”
Stunned by her admission, I stepped forward and pulled myself together. I figured the smile on my face—a grin the size of the Atlantic—made me look idiotic but I couldn’t manage to worry.
She loved me back.
She gave it so freely! I adored her. It had taken six months for Vanessa to say those words after I did. I expected it to take Ella time. I wouldn’t blame her. This had been a wild whirlwind. However, she said it. There was no going back now. This wasn’t the time or place to say more, but I was so happy.
I made my speech, not missing a beat but looking more jovial than usual. And I departed, taking Ella back with me. I spotted an opportunity to hide in an alcove behind a bakery cateringcart, obstructed. I pulled her off to the side and kissed her like the rest of the world could just fuck off.
“You’re cheeky if you think you can get away with that.” She slapped me playfully, “Duncan, you cannot do this here?—”
“I cannot avoid it. I want every bit of you. I need everything with you. Sorry. We can behave now.”
I tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear and kissed her again, slowly.
“No,” she laughed. “No. Down boy.”
“Later.” I pulled myself together.
“Later,” she confirmed with a sly smile. “But I need to sit down. I’m exhausted.”
“Oh,” I said. “Should we go back to the hotel right after this?”
“Duncan you have appearances to keep.”
“And you’re barely holding it together. It’s okay. I’m not the one with a still-closing wound walking around in stilettos, huh? Let’s go back to the hotel and make sure you get to bed.”
“Middle way, make an appearance at the afterparty andthengo home? I have a bit more in me. But we cannot stay here, Duncan. It’s totally suspicious.”
She was right.
I nodded. “Okay. Stay for no more than half an hour and depart. I will have security sort it.”
63
A SAFE PLACE TO LAND
ELOISE
“For you,” Duncan handed me champagne. “For making this whole tour so flawless even just from your laptop in a cabin in bloody Canada.”
