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The sound of a door opening cuts through my thoughts, and I sit up in bed, darting my eyes toward the hallway.It’s after ten, so my staff has left for the evening.There are only a few people who have the code to get in, narrowing down who it could be.
My bare feet barely make a sound as I glide down the carpeted hallway, tightening the sash on my silk robe.Did Anderson sneak out of his apartment once Nora was asleep to come talk to me about everything?That’s the only explanation I can think of.
But as I step into the living room, I come to an abrupt stop, realizing there’s another explanation for who might sneak into my apartment without knocking.
A man who’s done it several times before.
But a man who I didn’t think would risk it now.
Creed’s gaze burns into me, the turmoil and distress within stealing my breath as he stalks across the room, mouth set in a determined line.My pulse skyrockets, heart thrashing in my chest with every step he takes until he reaches me.When he does, I don’t have a chance to ask what he’s doing here before he clutches my cheeks and crashes his lips to mine with an intensity that shakes me to my core, sending shockwaves through my body.
His kiss is powerful.Consuming.Anguished.As if my mouth on his is the only thing able to quiet the storm raging inside of him.
He moves a hand to my back, yanking me against him.His possessive grip holds me captive as he deepens the connection we share.
When I’m not sure how much longer I can go without taking a breath, he breaks our kiss, our heavy pants filling the room.
“Is everything—”
“Tell me you love me.”His voice is choked, strained…pained.
“Is this because the royal household isn’t happy with the idea of Anderson marrying someone normal?I promise that won’t be us.They tried to dictate who I could be with before and it blew up in their face.They won’t dare try it again.”
He vehemently shakes his head, screwing his eyes shut.“That’s not it.”Leaning his forehead on mine, he draws in a shuttering breath, bringing his hands back to my face.“Please, Esme.I need to know you love me.”His gaze locks on mine.“Please.”
I part my lips, searching his expression for a clue as to what brought this on, if not the royal household.But if Creed needs my reassurance, I’m more than happy to give it to him.
“I love you, Creed Lawson.”
He expels a long breath, tension rolling off him.
“Today,” I continue, hoisting myself onto my toes and kissing the corner of his mouth.“Tomorrow.”I brush my lips to the other side before placing my hand over his heart.“Always.”
“Always,” he repeats, closing his eyes as he wraps himself in my promise.
“Always,” I say once more, mouth skimming his in a ghost of a kiss.
But it doesn’t stay that way.
He clutches my hip and yanks me against him, his free hand going to my hair.His lips are consuming, demanding attention as they move hungrily over mine.I whimper into his mouth, the roughness and desperation in his kiss lighting me on fire, making me burn for him.
Making me want to spend all night showing him just how much he means to me.
How much I can’t live without him.
How much I love him.
He steers me out of the living room and down the hall toward my private suite, navigating the path with ease, his lips never breaking from mine until we reach the bedroom.
When we do, he brings our kiss to an end and peers at me, indecision swirling in his eyes.
This isn’t the first time he’s snuck into my apartment.And it’s not the first time we’ve been intimate here.
But when we started down this path back in March, Creed was adamant we draw firm lines.That we refrain from any sort of behavior that could put his career at risk, at least while we’re in Belmont.
I need to respect those boundaries.Need to respect his need to retire from the military with honor.If nothing else, Creed Lawson has always been a man of honor.
But when he reaches for the tie on my robe and tugs, it’s obvious that doesn’t matter.Not right now, anyway.
