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“Your kissing abilities are definitely worth being cocky about.”
Chad figured he’d better prove that to her again, but first he had to say, “I am overconfident in my kissing abilities, but I’ve never experienced a kiss like yours. It’s you, love. You’re the ingredient that makes each touch and kiss fire and joy combined. You’re the only one for me, Hope.”
He paused, hoping she’d agree. Her face pulled into a worried little frown. “I want to believe that, Chad, I do. But …”
“This we must agree on, love. Believe that you are everything to me. Every interaction with you, I’ve fallen deeper in love. Life would not be worth living without you by my side.”
She arched up and kissed him. He loved that response, and he prayed she would believe he was wholeheartedly committed to her through his kiss.
“Okay.” Tristan and Jennifer bumped into them from the side. “Keep this up and you’ll be married before we are.”
Chad liked the sound of that.
“Let me charm her into agreeing to that worthwhile idea,” Chad said.
“I’ve never seen a woman resist his charms,” Tristan said to Hope, all smiles. “Except Jenn and Sophie.”
“T,” Jenn warned him, probably worried Sophie was a sore subject. “I only resisted him because you’re perfect for me.”
How could Chad explain they were jesting? He’d never made a play for Jennifer. She’d always been meant for his best friend.
Hope stiffened in his arms. He couldn’t let her distance herself from him. Not after those incredible kisses. She couldn’t possibly deny their connection now.
He adored Tristan and Jennifer, but they had not been helpful today.
“I need to go check on Faith,” Hope said.
“We should,” he agreed, taking her hand. “See you both later.”
“For sure,” Tristan said. He danced away with Jennifer.
Chad and Hope wove through the dancers, his mind crowded with worries that Tristan’s words might discourage Hope from knowing she was his soul’s true match. How could he convince her of that?
They found Faith close to the exterior wall, still talking with Captain Levi.
Captain Levi saluted smartly. “Major,” he greeted Chad, then nodded to Hope. “Ma’am.”
“Major,” Faith said with a mock salute.
“Everything’s quiet?” Chad asked Captain Levi.
“Yes, sir, except for your mum and Roger Pitcher.”
Chad’s neck and back tightened. “What about them?”
“They were ‘discussing’ something by the gift table earlier.” He glanced down at Faith for confirmation.
“More like arguing vehemently,” Faith said, glancing up at Levi with an adulation that concerned Chad. He had no problem with Levi, but Faith was an airy, creative, and innocent lady. Levi was an honorable man and a dedicated soldier, but his dark past would damage Faith’s delicate soul. She needed a guy in a band or a fantasy author, not a soldier carrying his own heavy burden.
“Where are they now?” he asked.
“Mr. Pitcher left, sir.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” He glanced around for his mum and spotted her holding a medium-sized gift in a square box and walking toward the king. Why would she be taking a present to the king? General Ray hadn’t allowed gifts at Derek and Ellery’s wedding because of the threat from William and Naomi Rindlesbacher. He’d individually screened every present of Derek and Ellery’s with equipment and trained dogs before allowing the couple to open them.
Things had relaxed quite a bit since William and his son Treven were both dead and Naomi had to be deep in hiding. Ray had conceded to allow presents brought in for Malik and Sophie, but they passed through a scanner.
His mum’s movements were odd. She wasn’t walking a straight line, and her head was twitching.
