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“I will keep you safe, always. And before you say another word,” he knew what she would say next, “’tis my choice to do so. Sara believes there’s no longer a threat. Gilbert approves. But more importantly, I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you’re safe and showing you how much I love you.”
Her eyes widened.
“I love you, Clara. And if you think I’ll let the woman I love walk away from me again—”
“I love you too, Alex.”
Her warm, soft eyes peered into his soul. And he held her gaze, glad for it.
“And you won’t have to come looking for me again. I will not leave you.”
Reluctantly, he lifted her off of him. She tugged his hand toward the river’s edge, and he followed. Kneeling beside it, she dipped her hand into the water and brought it to her face, washing the smudges there.
He watched, mesmerized, hoping it meant what he thought it did.
Alex followed her lead and helped her wipe every bit of dried mud from her cheeks until they were clean.
“He is gone.”
And then she stood, giving him a full view of the glorious body he had first spied when she washed herself at the lake. But this time, she would not be putting her boy’s clothes on. Instead, she picked them up from where he had discarded them, walked back toward him, and promptly tossed every piece into the river.
He roared with laughter as she made a second trip for the cap. He stood as she marched back to him as proud and tall as an ancient water goddess.
“It will be okay,” he said.
He ran his hands along her sides, her back. She was beginning to feel cool to the touch.
“Clara,” he said, holding her face in his hands.
Clara’s fingertips glided down his arms. “Aye,” she murmured.
“What do you intend to wear back to the inn?”
Her eyes widened.
“Aye, lass, I’m sorry to have mentioned it.”
“Alex, ’tis not funny. What will I do?”
He ran his thumb along the outline of her lip.
“I will find something, love.”
Her expression changed from concern to. . . something else.
“I could get used to hearing that.”
He caressed the length of her body until he reached her hands, which he clasped, squeezing them gently.
“I will say it every day. All day.”
“You complained about your brother and Lady Juliette,” she reminded him.
“I did. But I expect to act just the same. . . when we see them.”
“What do you mean?”
He leaned forward and kissed her on the nose.
