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CHAPTER 28
LUC
Amelia stood in front of the fireplace in my bedroom, rubbing her hands up and down her arms, no doubt attempting to pull her mother’s chill out of her bones.
“No one will ever leave bruises on you again,” I vowed, still biting back the anger and rage bubbling inside of me. “If your mother were a man and not related to you, she’d be dead.”
Amelia didn’t turn to face me but instead stared into the flames. “I’m surprised you actually have a real fire in your room. We were never allowed to use the fireplaces in my home. They were purely for decoration. Mother always said they’d leave soot on our expensive furnishings.”
“I don’t like to be cold,” I confessed. “I spent a large part of my life in frigid and drafty boarding schools. I promised myself that once I was a grown man, I’d never crawl into a cold bed again, shivering as I waited for my body heat to warm the blankets.”
“I’m embarrassed.” Her soft voice stating those words nearly took me out at the knees.
“Never be embarrassed, Amelia,” I said as I closed the distance between us and stood next to her in front of the fire.
When she didn’t look at me, I took hold of her chin to force her to lock eyes with mine. “I will make sure you never feel the way that woman made you feel ever again.”
For a moment, silence stretched out between us, broken only by the crackling of the flames. Then, without warning, Amelia turned and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around me and burying her face in my chest. I hesitated for a moment, then wrapped my own arms around her, pulling her tight.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “No one has ever... fought for me before.”
Without thinking, I leaned in to press my lips to hers. The kiss was gentle at first, but then it deepened as Amelia responded, her hands coming up to tangle in my hair. I broke away and rested my forehead against hers.
Unfamiliar feelings were rushing through me. It wasn’t just the need to possess this woman, to control her, and to dominate.
No... I felt this almost animalistic sensation to protect her at all costs.
I wanted to keep her wrapped up in my arms and never let her go for fear that something bad could happen. I wanted to?—
I kissed her again, deeper this time, pouring all my pent-up emotion into the kiss. Amelia explored my body with her hands, pulling me closer to her. She shivered against me, and just as I was about to lift her and carry her to the bed, a knock sounded at the door.
Remembering what I had planned to help lighten the mood and help Amelia relax, I went to the door to retrieve what I had asked for.
When I turned to face Amelia with a silver tray full of everything needed to make s’mores, I said, “We can use that fireplace for more than just warmth.”
Amelia’s eyes lit up as she took in the tray filled with marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars. “S’mores?” A smile spread across her face. “I’ve never had those. My mother always said they were too messy and unrefined.”
I chuckled. “Well, I’d say she was missing out. There’s something about the combination of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers that’s just...perfect.”
Amelia watched as I skewered a marshmallow on a long metal rod and held it over the flames. The marshmallow began to puff and turn golden brown, and I carefully slid it off the rod onto a square of graham cracker. I added a piece of chocolate and then topped it with another graham cracker, pressing down gently to let the marshmallow and chocolate melt together.
“Here, try it,” I said, holding the s’more out to Amelia.
She took a tentative bite, the marshmallow oozing out the sides of the crackers, and I watched as her eyes widened in surprise and delight. “This is amazing,” she said, grinning at me. “But my mother is right about one thing. I do have to fit into a wedding dress.” She eyed the dessert longingly. “A taste is all I need.”
“That’s ridiculous. Your body is absolutely perfect, and don’t let anyone, especially your shrew of a mother, tell you otherwise.”
Amelia blushed at my words, but they clearly pleased her. She took another bite of the s’more and savored the sweetness as it melted in her mouth.
“You know,” she said, looking up at me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I think this is the first time in my life that I’ve ever done something... young and carefree.”
I felt a surge of satisfaction at her words, and a warmth spread through my chest. It was a feeling that was foreign to me, but I liked it. I wanted to do everything in my power to make sure that Amelia was happy and safe, and that she never had to suffer again.
“Well, we’ll have to change that,” I said, grinning at her. “I’ve got plans for us, and they involve a lot more than just s’mores.”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? Do tell.”
I leaned in, speaking softly so that she couldn’t miss my sincerity. “I’m going to show you the world, Amelia. And I’m going to make sure that you experience everything it has to offer. The good, the bad, and the beautiful. And I promise you, when we’re done, you’ll never be the same again.”
