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Chapter Thirteen
For a full minute Talliestared speechlessly at Zander, who remained on his knee before her, though the eager expression on his face had begun to fade to one of concern. “Tallie?” he said softly. “D-did you he-hear me?”
Zander, usually all full of guff and bluster, sassy and sexy, had been reduced to anxiety and nerves waiting for her reply. It was the sweetest thing she had ever seen and immediately filled her with an awareness of her own power over him. The power of love.
She knelt down next to him and cupped his face in her hands. “Yes,” she whispered. Then as joy surged through her heart at the realization of what it all meant, her whispers turned to shouts. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” They fell to the floor together, wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing and laughing in an ecstasy-filled tumble.
“I thought you were too old for me,” she teased, straddling him.
“I am,” he said, giving her bottom a playful swat. “But I cannot live without you and so you will simply have to put up with me in my old age.”
“I suppose you will try to spank me with your cane,” she said, before lowering her head and covering his face with exuberant kisses.
“Oh, I am sure there will be plenty of spanking happening well before I am in need of a cane to assist me in walking,” he said, rolling her over until he had the upper position.
Tallie gazed up at him, love overflowing. Though she had been deeply touched by his vulnerability, she much preferred Zander’s bold and take charge demeanor.
“Thank you for rescuing me,” she said.
“That bastard. I wish I had tossed him in the river as well.”
“You rescued me from more than his attack. You have saved me from a tedious life of teas and social calls. Balls and minding my manners.”
“And you have rescued me from a life of loneliness and regret.”
“I suppose I ought to be grateful to Lord Banyon for being such a louse.”
“There might be some truth to that.”
“I believe I will jot him a quick note of thanks right now,” Tallie said, pushing Zander back on his heels and attempting to rise.
“You will do no such thing, my naughty little ward. Remember, I am still in charge of you.”
Tallie giggled and rushed to the bed. “Maybe you need to teach me a lesson, then.”
“Maybe I will.” Zander joined her on the bed and drew her close for a soul-searing kiss. With a sigh, she wrapped her hands around his head and buried her fingers in his hair, luxuriating in the pleasure of holding him in her arms after believing him lost to her forever.
When the kiss ended and Zander raised his head, Tallie looked up at him, her vision fuzzy from lust. “I-I think I felt the earth move during that kiss.”
Zander chuckled. “I think I did too, though I have a feeling it is because we have set sail.” They rushed to the porthole and looked out as the ship gradually pulled away from the dock and moved toward the open sea.
Zander grabbed her hand and squeezed. “If you do not want to go to South America, Tallie, say so immediately. There is still time for the captain to dock and you may leave.”
Tallie turned him to look at her. “You will not get rid of me so easily, Mr. Thwaite. I intend to stay by your side until you are old and gray. And then until you are older and grayer. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, my darling Tallie. Yes.”
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