Page 36 of Princess and Country

I silenced him with a kiss. “I feel the same, but it doesn’t excuse what you did.”

We kissed until we both needed a fresh intake of air. Until our hearts beat in synch again.

“What can I do to earn your forgiveness?” A sly grin appeared on his face.

Tingles filled every inch of me.

I huffed and rolled my shoulders back. I raised one finger. “First, don’t ever lie to me again. I might be just a kid, but I’m strong enough to hear all you have to say. If you want us to work out, you have to tell me when you’re sad. Or unhappy.”

“Won’t happen again. And you’re not a kid, Dahlia Ellis. You’re a strong, smart, and resourceful girl. You’re my woman. And I’ll never let you go. I’ll make you proud.”

My body overflew with heat.

How could Jeff be so sure we’d last forever?

I raised a second finger. “And you need to come clean. Your family loves you. And I’m in love with you. For better or for worse.” Another layer of anger left me. “No more secrets.”

My hand found Jeff’s, and we made it back to the truck.

“Are we okay?” he asked, lingering pieces of fear swimming in his eyes.

I nodded. “We will be. Actually, there’s one more thing.” Jeff halted and studied me, his head hanging low.

“Name it.”

I rose to my tiptoes and whispered in his ear, “You know that thing you do with your fingers?” I clenched my thighs together and bit my lower lip. “I’d like you to do it to me later tonight.”

My body sizzled, all excited at the mere thought of it.

Jeff’s hand molded around the back of my neck, and he kissed me. I opened my mouth and welcomed his tongue inside, yearning for him to touch me. Everywhere.

“I can’t wait for dinner to be over,” he said, breathless.

“Me too. Let’s get you home first. You’ll need me when you break the news to your parents. And please tell Carter beforehand. I know he’d hate to be the last one to know. You owe him that.”

Jeff dropped his head and shoulders and followed me, never letting go of my hand.