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Chapter Thirteen
Drake walked Heatherback to the house, his hand at the small of her back, his emotions in utter chaos. What the hell had just happened?
He hadn’t invited her out here with the intention of asking her to marry him, but the words had somehow spilled out just the same. He knew it was sheer madness, but it was the right thing to do given the fact that he’d made love to her in that cellar and again just now.
He’d thought that he’d taken her virginity, that he’d ruined her, but she’d told him that wasn’t the case. He’d wanted to ask her who she’d had before him, but he was very afraid that it hadn’t been a good experience, that she’d been taken advantage of by some bastard like her father.
And he was still reeling over the fact that she’d turned down his proposal.
He couldn’t believe he’d ever thought himself above her in any way. He’d come to realize she had the heart and soul of a queen, and he’d suddenly felt as though it was he who didn’t have enough to offer.
As they neared the house, where laughter spilled out on the terrace, he slowed and turned to look at her. “Promise me you’ll think about everything I said.”
A rueful smile tugged her lips. “Only if you promise to do the same.”
He nodded, then leaned down and gave her a lingering kiss, wondering if he’d ever grow tired of this. She was endlessly fascinating to him. He wanted to talk to her for hours and have unlimited time to explore her sweet body, and most of all, a large bed with a locking door.
With a sigh, he finally let her go. “Sleep well. I have some things to do in the morning, but you’ll be safe here. When I get back, you can tell me what you’ve decided.”
“I will,” she murmured, walking through the door, then pausing and turning to look back at him. “Goodnight. Thank you again, for everything you did for me during the last few days. I’ll never forget it.”
“You’re welcome,” he said quietly, though he didn’t like the way she’d said that. As if she was saying goodbye instead of just goodnight.
With a sigh, he sank down on a bench on the terrace, staring up at the starry sky, feeling nearly as powerless and out of control as he had in that cellar.
That woman did the strangest things to him. But strange in a good way...
He suddenly grinned, thinking of the explosive passion they’d shared just now in the garden. No other woman had ever made him so hungry for her that he was willing to risk everything just to have her one more time.
For several minutes, he allowed himself to relive the last half hour, but finally, he shook the erotic thoughts away.
As wonderful as it had been, he couldn’t forget her reaction to his proposal. And he couldn’t help but be stung by it. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but it certainly hadn’t been that.
With a groan, he pushed himself to his feet. He planned to leave the house early in the morning, and though he doubted sleep would come to him, he should at least try.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, DRAKEleft Heather in the care of O’Brien while he and Ness went to Scotland Yard. He was eager to try and get to the bottom of what had happened and bring the leader of the Citizens Committee to justice. Heather wouldn’t be safe until he did.
