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“Do you know how much I suffered looking for you? I was ready to burn this whole country to the ground if I thought it’d help me get to you. I turned away from my family, responsibilities, and dreams—all so I could find you. And when I couldn’t, I drowned myself in drink. Yes. I am that pathetic. Absolutely pathetically in love with you.

“But that’s what you do for the people you love! You don’t abandon them in the middle of the night with a cryptic, bloody message!” He flung the book from the table as he roared the last words. Lydia shrunk and flinched away from the gesture.

Thorn turned away, placing his hands flat on the table, his breaths heavy. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Lydia stood frozen in place, not quite realizing what had just happened. Her gentle, tender Art would never have done that. But then, she hadn’t seen him in over a decade. He had obviously changed. And so had she.

There was hurt within him that wasn’t there before.

He finally turned toward her. “I love you. And I am not letting you go.”

“Then what do you propose?” she cried.

“Propose! That’s a good start.” He took her hand and tugged her toward him, but she wrenched it away. “We are going to get married.”

Lydia stared at him in disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? How are—”

“We are going to elope.” He ran his fingers through his hair, his face twitching. “And I will go straight to the King if I have to in order to get your pardon.”

“King? Thorn, you’re starting to sound like a lunatic.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps I am. At least I am willing to act like a lunatic. I am willing to do anything to keep you in my life. Can you say the same?”

Lydia paused. Yes. The answer was, without question, always yes.

If she were totally selfish and didn’t think about how that would affect his life, she would say yes in a heartbeat. She would sacrifice everything for him.

There was just one thing she wasn’t willing to sacrifice. Him. “Anything, Art, but ruin your life.”

“I have no life without you.”

They stood for a long moment just breathing loudly, staring into each other’s eyes and not speaking. His gaze spoke of promises. Promises of everything they’d ever dreamed of. It was crazy to even contemplate a life with him. Especially now that Lydia was irrevocably ruined.

They’d lost ten years already. Was she willing to lose more without even trying, without even seeing it through? And would she be able to forgive herself for that cowardice if she did?

She grimaced, the decision made. “Very well. What is the plan?”

He grinned, his lips curling into a wicked tilt, then he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her close. His warmth seeped through her clothing. “You promise you won’t leave?”

“I promise,” she cried with annoyance, although a chuckle erupted from her lips. And if she’d lied the night before, this time, she meant it with her whole being.

“Good. Here’s the plan,” he said in his low, seductive voice. “First…” He lowered his head and claimed her lips in a savage kiss. Lydia sagged against him as her knees gave out, forcing her to wrap her arms around his neck to stay upright. He pulled her closer, his hands roaming her waist, his mouth nipping at her lips before soothing them with his tongue.

Lydia wrapped her leg around his thigh, and he slid his hands around her legs, lifting her up. Her legs around his waist, she rubbed her center against his already hard and erect length. Liquid heat gathered low in her belly and spread even lower, making her squirm uncomfortably.

She writhed, wanting the clothes between them gone.

He placed his hands on her buttocks, then ran them down her thighs, covering her skin in gooseflesh beneath his touch. Then he turned and slowly lowered her onto the desk, still not taking his demanding mouth off her. He gently disengaged her hands from his neck and moved them over her head, one hand holding both of hers by her wrists. His other hand roamed her body. He cupped her breast, pressing his thumb over her nipple, and she arched against him with a cry.

Her wrists jerked against his fingers, but he didn’t let go. He lowered his head, biting on her chin, then placed his open mouth against her throat and licked. Lydia moaned, her hips rising to rub against him as he continued his sensual assault on her senses.

Lydia forgot what they were arguing about just a moment ago. She forgot the entire world because nothing existed in that moment except for her, him, his skillful hands, and his wicked mouth.

He tore his mouth off her and watched her with his searing gaze under hooded lids. Then he let go of her hands, grabbed her by the waist, and did something completely unexpected. He flipped her onto her stomach.

He plastered himself to her, kissing her neck. She could feel his cock rubbing against the slit between her buttocks through the coarse fabric of her breeches. She wished she could take them off, lead him where she wanted him, and have him fill her fully.

But her position didn’t allow for much movement. Lydia whimpered and turned her head, seeking his mouth.