“Well, we’ll never know if my baser needs would have won out, because here you are, rosy-cheeked and beautiful, smelling of lavender and goodness.”
She rolled her eyes, a smile lingering on her full lips. “I wouldn’t have minded if you’d started without me. I know I was in the bath for a really long time.” She blushed and looked down at her plate. “I never get the chance to simply soak like that. Thank you.”
He blinked and sat as well, realizing once again how very different their lives were. He’d never really appreciated how wonderful access to a hot bath whenever he wanted one was.
“Do you remember those wonderful dinners we used to have back in the cottage when it was just you and I and conversation flowed as easily as the wine?” he asked, deciding a change of subject was in order. He wanted desperately to remind her how good things used to be between them and convince her that they could be that way again.
She took a sip of her wine and then met his gaze. “Yes,” she murmured. “But do you have any idea how nervous I was that first night to serve an earl dinner from the dredges of my cupboard?”
He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Did you know I thought you were a fairy, some sort of sprite, when I first glimpsed you through those trees? You were a revelation to me, Serenity. I never knew women like you existed. I’ve missed our conversations most of all.”
Dropping her gaze once more, she pulled her hand away and picked at her meal for a while in silence. “I miss them, too,” she admitted at last. “I’d never had a true friend until you. Not someone I could talk to like that, someone who really listened.”
“You were my only true friend, too,” he told her, wishing she hadn’t let go of his hand. He wanted to touch her, somehow reignite that intense connection they’d once had. Instead, he settled for baring his soul to her, once and for all. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, angel. All these years, and my heart still belongs to you.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “You never said it, Luke. I waited so long for you to say it. If you had, perhaps I wouldn’t have believed your mother...” She trailed off and shook her head abruptly, the pain in her eyes stealing his breath. “How could you be so cruel as to tell me this now, when it’s far too late?”
“It’s not too late,” he insisted, refusing to believe it. “We’re sitting here right now, together, after all these years. Why can’t we start over? I promise I’ll do right by you this time. Please, just give me another chance.”
She bit her lip, tears spilling from her expressive green eyes, each one like acid to his soul. “I can’t,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, Luke. I just can’t open my heart to you again. Loving you nearly killed me the last time.”
He didn’t know whether to be ecstatic that she’d admitted she’d loved him, too, or devastated that she was so determined not to give him another chance. Exhausted, he pushed his food away half-eaten and scrubbed his hand across his face, bereft. He didn’t know how to fix this. All his money and power were no match for this slip of a girl’s guarded heart.
To his great surprise, her hands suddenly closed over his shoulders, kneading gently. He hadn’t even noticed her get up, and he wondered if he’d somehow fallen asleep for a moment. His brain certainly didn’t seem to be working properly.
“You’re falling asleep in your chair, Luke,” she murmured. “Why don’t you try to rest? We can talk about this tomorrow.”
He twisted to look up her, and what he saw in her eyes took his breath away. She stood very close, and her fresh lavender scent filled his senses. Lifting a hand, he brushed his fingertips across her cheek, remembering with stunning clarity the way she’d felt in his arms. Was it just this morning?
She seemed to be remembering it, too. Instead of pulling away, she leaned a bit closer, her lips trembling.
So much remained unsaid between them, but the passion had never dissipated, and he was too tired to fight it. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he tugged her into his lap and lowered his mouth to hers before she could muster a protest.
Sweet.
God, she tasted like heaven. He groaned into her mouth, his hands pressing into her sweet, soft flesh as she came alive in his arms. She kissed him back, just as she had the very first time...
Serenity finally broke the kiss and sat back, staring at Luke with mingled love and dismay. It would be so easy to give in to the passion between them. This wouldn’t last, it couldn’t, but she wanted him. She wanted to make these precious moments count. Create a new memory to keep her warm on all the long, lonely nights to come.
A tremble went through him, and he stroked an errant lock of hair from her eyes tenderly. "I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right. I want to make love to you, I want it desperately, but there is still so much we have to work out, and I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
“I have enough regrets to last a lifetime,” she told him wanly. “But I’ve never regretted the time I spent with you, Luke. Nor the passion between us.”
He groaned and pressed his forehead against hers, hugging her tightly. She’d always enjoyed his hugs, the warmth and safety only he could provide. “Let’s go in the bedroom,” he said at last. “Can I hold you tonight? Just hold you while I sleep? There is so much I want to say to you, but I’ve been up for nearly two days, and right now, I just want to fall asleep with you in my arms.”
Her heart surged with affection for this gorgeous, weary man. “Yes,” she breathed, wanting to be the one to give him comfort this time. “That sounds wonderful.”
Taking her hand, he smiled and led her to the bedroom that was supposed to have been his alone, shutting the door behind him. Though not large, the room did boast a very large and comfortable-looking bed, and a flickering fire lit the hearth.
He swept the lovely blue quilt back, revealing crisp white sheets. Feeling awkward, she clambered up into the big bed, pulling the quilt up to her chin and scooting to the edge.
Chuckling, he climbed up beside her. “Come here, angel,” he whispered, his voice low and intimate. “I promise I won’t do anything but hold you.”
Gathering her courage, she shifted closer, until he put his arm around her and abruptly pulled her against him, wrapping her tightly in his embrace. She lay flush against his big body, her head nestled against his shoulder. He pressed his lips against her hair and hugged her tight, then loosened his grip.
His warmth suffused her, and she snuggled closer, remembering how much she’d always loved to sleep beside him. So many long lonely nights had passed since the last time he’d held her like this, and the thought of all that wasted time brought tears to her eyes.
“I love this,” he whispered, his lips brushing her temple in a sweet benediction. “I’ve missed you so much, Serenity. I don’t think there’s been a single day since you’ve been gone that I didn’t think about you at least once.”
