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“It was before you love, no need to worry.” I take back the hand that she pulled away.

“Fiance? Really?” She crosses her arms across her chest, and tugs her lip into her mouth as she pouts.

“What? You will be.” I inform her, desperate to be the one nibbling on that lip.

“So glad to know you asked and that I accepted.” She teases, I take her hands in mine and pull her to me.

“It must have been that night, that you were delirious and lost in the throes of passion.” My words brush against her lips, my hands tug at her purple slip dress. The nearness of her, her touch, her dark humor… is just what in need after what we just heard.

“Which one?” She nips my bottom lip, pulling it between her own and sucking on it.

“Good answer. Just another reason why I love you.” I pull back to she can see in my eyes that I’m serious. I do love her. With every fiber of my being.

“I love you too, more than words can describe.” She leans back in and my mouth captures hers in a passionate exchange of affection.

“I’m still going to marry you someday.” I warn her, the thought has me growing hard.

“I don’t need your ring ,Cohen, I have your heart and that’s enough for me.” Her words move me. I’ve never needed anything like I’ve need her.

“You’ll always have my heart, but I want you to wear my ring too.” I explain, holding her tightly too me.

“Is this a proposal then?” She feigns shock, looking around as we stand on the path next to Barrington’s office.

“Cheeky thing you are. Of course not, I’m a gentleman after all. Give me a little credit. You’ll know, trust me. It may be a banner in the sky or a giant pearl buried in a basket of fish and chips at The Ship’s Wheel.” I toy with her, but thinking about it is giving me all kinds of ideas. I’m thinking either aboard my boat on a sunset cruise? Or possibly, riding a double-decker filled with black orchids.

“So how did you know your mum was coming?” Scarlett asks as we resume walking, going nowhere in particular, just away from my past, letting it all sink in.

“I went to visit, but she was gone, I got here as soon as I could. I had my driver follow her when her plane landed.” Remembering how worried I was has a chill running through me.

“Been hacking the passenger manifest have we?” She teases, squeezing my hand.

My wry smile is answer enough, but I humor her. “It was a matter of national security, there was a threat to the queen.” I tell her, when she rolls her eyes, I stop walking and lean closer, until our foreheads are nearly touching. “It’s true, my queen was in danger.”

“God save the Queen.” She laughs into my mouth as my lips devour hers, not caring that we are standing in the middle of busy sidewalk.

“Cohen saved the queen!” I correct her. And I’ll keep saving her every chance I get.