“Would you have received me?”
He sounded so aggrieved she wanted to punch him. Of course she would have received him! “I would have considered it.”
A beat of silence passed before he admitted softly, “I didn’t have the damn confidence.”
“To apologize?” Elowyn didn’t know what to think anymore. This was a side she hadn’t seen from him before.
“To say I love you.”
The cloth dropped from her fingers. “I beg your pardon?” Had she heard him correctly? She glanced around to ask if anyone else had heard him, but they were the only ones in the drawing room. Flustered, she met his gaze again.
Those eyes blazed once more. “I love you, wildflower.”
She shook her head, retreating a few steps, then turned on her heel and marched off, only to whirl back almost at once. “Impossible. You don’t love me.” This couldn’t be real. He couldn’t be confessing.
“It’s the most possible thing in the world. I love you more than life itself.”
She shook her head again. “When? How?”
He rose to his feet, eyes never leaving her. “How can I not? I loved you from the first moment I saw you. Forgive a man for being a fool, Elowyn. I made so many mistakes. I stole your first kiss and your first dance, though I can’t bring myself to regret it. Even if you hate me, can you please give me a chance to steal your heart, too?”
Elowyn couldn’t hold back anymore.
All her defenses died.
She rushed up to him and flung herself into his arms. Perhaps she was mad, but she’d be mad with this madman. “You cold barbarian.” His arms circled her, catching her without so much as a grunt even though she knew he must be hurting. “I loathe you to death.”
***
Julien laughed. Relief had never outweighed regret like this. Not even with every step of revenge he took. “I’ll take that, love. I’ll damn well take that.”
She loved him.
She bloody loved him.
Even after what he’d done. Looking like hell. And his body in cursed pain.
Her arms tightened fractionally before she moved to let him go, but there was not a chance in hell he would allow that. Not when he’d only just gotten her into his arms. He didn’t give her the chance. The instant her arms loosened, he caught her closer, one hand sliding to her back as if to keep her locked against him, the other at her jaw. He bent and took her mouth in a kiss that was all hunger and disbelief. He wanted to devour her. Meld her into him until they were one and could never part again for any reason. Without meaning to, and without words, she had claimed every demon lodged in his soul.
He deepened the kiss, and for a moment, she followed his lead, before she pushed at his chest, wrenching her lips away. She glared at him, stepping out from his embrace, panting. He captured her wrist gently so she couldn’t go far.
“What’s wrong, love?”
“I can’t believe you kissed me in a drawing room. Again. My brother is nearby!”
Ah, setting.He pulled her closer to him. “Not the perfect spot?”
“No!”
“Then have you thought about the perfect spot yet?” She’d better not have. He drew her back to him fully. “Because anywhere where you are is the perfect setting for me.”
Her lips parted and closed as she stared unblinkingly up at him. “You . . . Where have you been hiding this side of you?”
Julien cupped her cheek. “He only comes out for you.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Silver-tongued devil.”
“It’s the truth, love.”
