twenty
ANGELINE HAD NO idea how she could have experienced the best feeling ever one moment and the next, the worst.
She’d fallen asleep in Royston’s arms after he’d taken good care of her. How embarrassing. She hadn’t reciprocated his attention, told him how much she’d enjoyed herself, or even kissed him. Instead, she’d collapsed without as much as a ‘thank you.’
Sitting on his bed, she finished buttoning her shirt. “I’m so sorry.”
“Stop apologising.” He knelt in front of her to tie her boot. “You don’t need to apologise. Feeling tired is normal.”
“But you… I didn’t do anything to you.” And she had to leave now.
He gave her a radiant smile that stole her breath. “You did a lot of things to me.” He kissed her other foot before sliding it into the boot. “I enjoyed every moment I was kissing you, and when you were asleep in my arms, I’ve never felt happier in my life.”
“I’m sure I’m your first lover to fall asleep like that.”
“Shush.” He adjusted her skirt and stood up. “You’re the first lover to make me truly happy.” He sounded so sincere she couldn’t argue.
She caressed his cheek, and he leant into her palm, his hazel eyes shining from within. The warm, fluttery sensation in her chest couldn’t be simple lust.
He kissed her inner wrist. “I’ll take you home.”
“No need for that.”
His expression hardened. “I’m not going to let you leave alone at this hour. There are all sorts of people out there. Trust me, I know that because I was one of them. The only problem is that we must be quiet.”
She clamped a hand on her neck. “I screamed so loud my throat hurt. I’m sure your butler wondered if you were murdering someone.”
He laughed. “Still, I’m coming with you.”
She tiptoed out of his bedroom, holding his hand. They went down the stairs, one step at a time. He paused halfway down to lean over the bannister. A beam of light lit the corridor, and footsteps sounded.
He pulled her back, and she ended up sprawled on his chest, a giggle rising in her throat. The whole situation was exciting. The sound of footsteps faded, but Royston didn’t move.
When the light died, they resumed going down the stairs.
The cold air calmed her when they exited the house. “That was exciting.”
“Exciting? I don’t want my butler to recognise you. I don’t think he’ll blabber, but I’m not going to take any risk when it comes to you.” He hailed a cab and helped her in.
She shamelessly snuggled close to him and rested her cheek on his chest where she could hear his pounding heart. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a protective gestureshe loved. Goodness, she could get easily used to being held by him and enveloped by his warmth.
“What we did tonight,” she said, “is it the first step?”
“Yes.” He rubbed her shoulder with his thumb.
“I can’t imagine how it progresses from there.”
“Only time will tell.”
“By the way.” She moved away from his chest to look at his face. “I want to marry you.”
At first, he remained frozen, and she worried he might have changed his mind. But then a wide smile spread across his lips, and he was kissing her everywhere— her lips, cheeks, chin, eyelids, forehead.
She chuckled as his hair tickled her. “I gather you’re happy.”
He took her face, his eyes wild with happiness. “More than happy. You’ve made me ecstatic.” Another round of kisses started, and who was she to complain?
“I didn’t know you’d be so happy to marry me, especially after I shot you.”
