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“But do you love me? Do you want to spend the rest of your life with only me by your side? Or is this all about winning at any cost?”
“Winning isn’t everything when you can’t be with the person who matters the most.”
She dragged her tongue across my bottom lip. “I almost believe you. I want to believe you. God, you have no idea how much I do. I love you, Kendrick. It’s crazy. I mean, I really don’t know you very well.”
“Perhaps you know more than you think you do.”
“What? That you drink your coffee black and prefer bloody steaks and potatoes to anything else? Or maybe that you’re an excellent dancer and speak several languages? Those aren’t what’s hidden underneath all those layers of yours. I want to know every fear and every joy, what you hope for when and if we’re lucky enough to grow old together. I want to know all your body tics, not just that you talk in your sleep.”
“I do not!” I teased.
“Oh, you do. And you snore too.”
“Well, you snort when you laugh.”
As if proving me right, she did just that, her laughter floating into the air even as she placed her hand over her lips. “Oops.”
“It’s adorable. Everything about you is adorable and so alive. I want nothing more than to shower you with gifts, share every moment with you. Holidays. Birthdays. And rocking chairs when we get too old to walk. That’s what I want.”
“But do you love me?”
By way of answer, I crushed my mouth over hers, enjoying the way her body melted into mine. As I thrust my tongue inside, she rose onto her toes, arching her back and pressing her luscious breasts against me. The taste of her was always sweet, but tonight it was pure nirvana. I sucked on her tongue, shifting my hips back and forth, capturing every moan she issued.
Only when I heard applause did I break the kiss, nipping her lower lip before allowing her to lift her head. She smiled, her expression dreamy then rubbed my thumb across my lips. However, there was no doubt that my inability to say the words caused her pain.
Maybe I was afraid of them and what they’d mean. Or maybe I wasn’t certain I could give her the love she needed. She deserved much better than a man who’d cripple her emotionally.
“While I know the color would look good on you, I doubt you want to go into that room with lipstick on.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I told her. “I like the honor of owning you.”
God, I adored the way she laughed, the lilt that would forever haunt me. I’d managed to capture a stunning little bird, but she didn’t belong to me. Not by a longshot. It wouldn’t be fair to clip her wings.
Look at me, gaining a conscience after all this time.
“What are the plans for the evening?” she asked, pushing herself away once again.
“Fact gathering. I’ll issue the crushing blow later.” When she winked, I shook my head. “Why do I know for certain you have something up your sleeve?”
“What if I do? You trust me. Right?”
“With most things. What are you doing?”
“Let’s just say we might have a little floor show.”
I cocked my head, taking a single long stride and wrapping my hand around her throat. “Be careful playing with fire, my exquisite flower. Your soft petals will burn within seconds.”
“You’re going to need to trust me. Oh, and keep Senator Winslow occupied while I play maid of honor. Can you do that?”
“Only if you tell me what you’ve done.”
She laughed and kissed my lips. “Not a chance. You’re going to need to wait and see. We’ll just call it an eye-opening experience.”
“I assure you that I will punish you later.” That meant she was prepared to make a scene of sorts.
“Promises. Promises.” She sidestepped me then winked. “I think it’s time we head inside. But I assure you this will be over within thirty minutes.”
Before we walked inside, I took a deep breath and glanced at the stars.
