Cocking her head to the side, she narrows her eyes. “What has gotten into you?”
“Are you ready for that walk?” I say softly.
She places her pen down and looks at me with questioning eyes. “Deflecting?”
I shrug, still watching her, and she rolls her eyes. “Why would you want to take a walk?”
“I said I’d take you for a walk through the grounds this morning.” I stand and offer her my hand.
“You meant that?”
“Of course.” I frown.
“Sorry.” She places her hand in mine, rising with me. “I know you did.” Sighing, she leans into my chest, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders as we walk toward the tranquil gardens. “It’s just Ezra always said he would do these things but then he would make an excuse to get out of them. He never understood why I enjoyed things like this so much.” My muscles lock at the mention of his name. “And I’ve now ruined this perfect morning by mentioning my ex. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” I force myself to relax. “I understand why you enjoy this. You’ve always been calmer in these types of environments. Living in the city is convenient because of your job, which I know you love, but you thrive in quiet and tranquility. Your plants and gardens give you that.”
“How do you know me so well?” she whispers.
“I pay attention.” I shrug as we reach the clearing that is full of unique flowers and a contrast to the perfectly manicured lawns and shrubs in the patio area. It is wilder and awash with vibrant colors. Bees fly between the mixture of roses, lavender, and pink and red fuchsias. The large oak in front of us casts a shadow over the white wooden bench underneath, and my lips curve up in a smile as a tiny rabbit spots us approaching before hopping away.
“Oh my goodness,” Ria gasps at my side. “Did you know this was here?”
“I did.”
“But how?” Her eyes sparkle up at me as we pause to a stop in the center of the space that looks like it has been pulled straight from a British historical romance novel.
“I came with Rebecca when she dropped our luggage off yesterday, and when I saw the grounds, I knew I needed to take a proper look.” Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I continue. “And I stumbled into here and knew you’d love it.”
Reaching up, she kisses the corner of my mouth and I freeze. Last night and this morning is weighing heavy on my mind, because we haven’t spoken about it or how she feels. I don’t want to overstep if she just got wrapped up in the moment. Hunter’s words roll around my head—she doesn’t do one-night stands.
I don’t want just one night with her.
I want all my nights with her.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her hot breath lingering against my skin. Swallowing, I hold back, but my fingers dust down the column of her neck, and her skin pebbles under my touch. Her hands move to grasp the back of my head, twisting her fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck. Pulling me down, she places another tentative kiss to my lips, but this time I return it, taking her lips in a slow, meaningful way. It’s not hurried or rushed. As I wrap her up in my arms, she melts into me, her curves pressing against my rough, sharp edges, and I revel in the soft moans that fall from her lips as I continue to kiss her slowly. I pour everything into the kiss, hopefully showing her that I’m in this with her. Pressing my tongue against the seam of her lips, I deepen the kiss when she opens for me. She takes everything I give her, and her hands slide from my hair to rest on my shoulders before she pulls away, her breaths coming quick and fast as her gaze darts between my eyes. “What are we doing?”
“I don’t know. But I don’t want to stop.”
Chapter 36
Ria
Surrounded by pure paradise, I lost my senses, falling once again into Leo’s arms. He is constantly surprising me with these tiny little details, and I’m getting swept up in it all. But the way he’s holding me right now makes me feel like I’m his, and that has my heart thundering and my stomach flipping. He’s my brother’s best friend and I have known him all my life, but he has never looked at me the way he is right now.
Like I am all he can see.
I told him earlier that a woman always knows when a man is watching her, and I’ve never felt the heat of his gaze like I have since I said “I do.”
His hands hold me almost possessively, and a thrill rushes through me at what he could do with them. He showed me asmall part last night, and I want more. Tipping my face up and licking my lips, I silently beg for more.
Someone clears their throat, and I close my eyes, suppressing a groan, as we both turn to the staff member who shifts on the spot. “Mr. and Mrs. Brent?” I’m still not used to being called that, and after what has just happened and my overactive brain working faster than normal, I foolishly smile at the term.
“Terribly sorry to interrupt, but we are ready for you both in the spa,” he informs us before gesturing for us to follow.
“We will be there shortly,” Leo answers while rubbing his hands up and down my arms.
“Of course, Mr. Brent.” He nods and spins on his heel, and we both watch as he disappears, which gives me time to clear my head. Whatever moment we were just having, I sense it slipping away as Leo takes a small step back.
