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"Wait, what feelings?" I ask, genuinely surprised by her revelation.
Her cheeks flush a deep crimson, and I can't help but want to see more of that beautiful blush on her face. Unthinkingly, I reach up and remove her mask, allowing me to fully take in her stunning features. As I brush my fingers gently along her flushed cheeks, I ask again, "What feelings?"
She doesn't say anything, but her eyes seem to plead with me to understand. And suddenly, I do. I lean forward slowly, giving her every opportunity to pull away if she wants to. But she doesn't. Our lips meet in a tender, almost desperate kiss, as if we're both trying to communicate everything we've been holding back for so long.
As our lips move together, the world around us fades away – the noise from the fundraiser, the biting cold of the night air, even the looming threat of discovery. All that matters now is this moment, this connection between us that feels like coming home after a lifetime spent wandering in the dark.
My hands find their way into her loose waves, tangling themselves in the soft strands of her hair, while hers rest lightly on my chest. We pour everything into this kiss – all our fears, our doubts, our desires – knowing that once we break apart, reality will come crashing down on us once more. But for now, we allow ourselves to get lost in each other, finding solace in the warmth and tenderness of our shared embrace.
Eventually, we pull away from each other, our breaths heavy and our eyes locked on one another. The weight of what has just transpired settles upon us, but there's also a sense of hope that lingers in the air.
"Teddy," she whispers, her voice filled with emotion, "I don't know what happens next, but I know I want to face it with you."
"Whatever comes our way, we'll figure it out together," I promise her, my voice barely audible as the sound of applause drifts towards us from the ballroom. And for the first time in a long while, I dare to believe that maybe – just maybe – we can find a way to navigate this twisted, dangerous world and come out unbroken on the other side.
ChapterTwenty-Five
I'm kissing her again and for the first time, I don't feel guilty about it. It feels right and good and pure, like a sip of fresh water after wandering through burning desert sands. I want to drink her down, lose myself in her. I move in to deepen the kiss, but the sounds of people walking among the gardens come closer. Damn it.
I pull back and she looks at me in confusion, her hazel eyes clouded with desire. She's lost in the kiss and I know she feels it too – that sense of finally being able to just be with one another. "Let's go somewhere more private," I murmur to her, my voice hoarse.
"Where?" she asks, her breath still ragged from our embrace.
I stand up, holding onto her hand like she might disappear if I don’t squeeze her tight enough. The presentations are starting to wind down, and people are spilling into the gardens like ants invading a picnic. I get an idea.
"This way," I say. Then we're running through the gardens and then the castle, dodging people going in the opposite direction.
"Teddy!" Enzo calls out to me. He's standing with Carmine, and both of them look upset. Shit, this can't be good.
I briefly look back at him and wave.
"Can't right now!" I shout over my shoulder. He turns to say something to Carmine, and I know I should care. Deep down, I know I'm not putting on the show I need to as the leader of the family, but I can't bring myself to give a damn. I never wanted to take over the family business; it was thrust upon me. So, I'm doing my best, but what I have with Raven, or what I'm about to have, is worth so much more to me than any of that.
She pulls on my hand, and I look at her.
"Do you need to go to them?" she asks.
I pull her into my arms, whispering into her ear. "Absolutely nothing and no one is more important to me than you and this moment."
She smiles. "Okay." And then we're running through the rest of the crowd and out to the valet.
The valet raises an eyebrow at me, clearly puzzled by my presence. I toss him my ticket and say, "Just give me the keys; I'll be faster." He doesn't argue – good man. I shoot a glance back at Raven and tell her to wait where she is.
I jog back to my car, and my Mustang roars like a beast when I fire it up. The engine hums beneath me as I rev it, pulling around to the front of the castle. But as I approach, I see Raven talking to someone. My eyes narrow as I recognize Declan, that brutish second-in-command of the Westies. I don't want to waste any time.
"Raven!" I call out to her.
She turns and smiles at me, instantly lifting my spirits. She says something else to Declan, but I can't hear it over the hum of my engine. With one last stare down between Declan and me, she gets into the car. I peel away from the castle, leaving him in the dust.
"What was that about?" I ask her, my curiosity piqued.
She shakes her head, her hazel eyes telling me not to worry. "It's nothing," she says over the rumble of the engine. "Where are you taking me?"
I realize that if this is going to work, I need to trust her. So I put the whole thing with Declan out of my mind and flash her a wide grin. "Somewhere private," I say, my heart pounding with anticipation.
"Are we going back to the mansion?" she asks, excitement lacing her voice.
"Nah, that place will be swarming with people after the fundraiser," I reply. "You'll just have to wait and see."
