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Crossing the room, he pulled it open to find Emily on the other side.
He couldn’t hide his grin. “What are you doing here?” Had she known? Sensed the change?
But she didn’t return his smile as she pushed him back into the room, following him in and closing the door. “I need to speak with you.”
“About?” His smile slipped as he reached for her waist, drawing her close. Was something wrong? He’d never allow anything to hurt her.
“Listen to me,” she started her hands coming to his biceps. “I know that you claimed you’d never allow me to support you.”
“I did.” He drew his brows together as he stared down at her, his hands spreading out on the small of her back.
“But.” She pressed a hand against her chest, her fingers spreading wide. “I’ve thought about it and I think we should run away together.”
He nearly choked on his own saliva. “Run away?”
“I know you don’t want to leave your family but they’re settled now and besides, wouldn’t you be a greater asset to them in Paris than in prison?”
There was logic there. If prison were still a possibility. “And we’d fund this lifelong trip to Paris with…”
Color rose in her cheeks. “I have more than enough money.”
He shook his head. Was she suggesting that she’d leave Ken, her entire life, for him? It stole his breath the lengths this woman would go to help him. He pulled her closer still, until not a breath of air separated them.
“I see you shaking your head. Don’t say no. Not yet.” Her other hand splayed out on his chest. “Ken will marry. Start a family. He’ll be all right without me. I—”
“Emily,” he cut her off a second before he captured her lips with his own. By God, he loved this woman.
The kiss lingered and built until they were both breathless, their tongues tangled together.
When he finally lifted his head, she had the dazed look of a woman befuddled by lust, which suited him quite well. He smiled down at her again, lowering his mouth to kiss again and again.
Forever.
But her hands pushed against his chest, her eyes clearing a bit.
“Ace.”
“Yes?”
“I…” She swallowed, her expression growing almost pained. “Please don’t dismiss my offer. I love you. I want to be with you. Now and always.”
Those words melted his heart. That wasn’t true, his heart had already been thoroughly defrosted. But it warmed him, a rosy glow filling every fiber of his being. “I love you too. More than I could ever tell you.”
He saw the hope spark in her eyes.
“But we’re not moving to Paris.”
He saw her face fall and he realized he needed to share a great deal more. He’d not hurt her now or ever. But her shoulders squared. “Rome then?”
That made him laugh, his head tossing back. When he looked down again, her eyes were narrowed in question. “How about the north of England, at least for part of the year?”
“The north…” She shook her head and he left her arms to return to his desk and hand her the letter he’d received from East.
She read it and he knew the moment she reached his favorite part. Her hands began to tremble.
He drew her closer as her gaze found his again. “East is going to…” But she couldn’t seem to get the words out. Which suited him just fine. He’d much rather kiss her.
And since they were in his room alone…he could think of a few more things he’d like to do as well.
