The stubborn look on her face told him she wasn’t leaving without having this conversation. “Infuriating woman,” he said and grabbed her by the elbow to pull her inside and closed the door. “Walters, ready my carriage. I take it you walked here.”
“Of course.”
“Oh, wonderful. How many people saw you?”
“Please stop changing the subject.”
Vexation boiled inside him. “As I said there is no subject to discuss.”
“I don’t know if your purported feelings for me are real or a reflection of being in such a vulnerable state when I helped you. It’s perfectly natural to be grateful for such assistance.”
“Should I be grateful now when you risk both of our reputations?”
“Please focus. This is important.”
“And your reputation is not?”
“Are your feelings for me based on gratitude?” There was full seriousness in her eyes, and she wasn’t leaving until he answered. It was a fairly in-depth subject for just letting someone in the door.
“No, of course not.”
“How do you know?”
“Well, I sincerely feel like strangling you, but unfortunately that does not dampen my feelings. Is that what you wish to hear? How is the prince? You two seem to get on very well together.”
“Perfectly fine, I assume. And yes, we do get on very well together, but I’m not on his doorstep interrogating his feelings, am I?” she replied with her arms crossed.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Now it was her turn to be searching for words. “It’s just...” she started. “With you, it’s all or nothing, and I needed more time to see if the all is... tolerable.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Finn said with confusion.
“What if we marry and then find out that this affection was all a reflection of the vulnerability you felt when you were injured?”
“Who said anything about marriage?”
“Oh, so these affections you’ve developed were all for toying with me?”
“No,” he had to concede, but he didn’t like to. Speaking of vulnerability, this was forcing his vulnerable heart fully open, and it was a lie to say it was comfortable. “But it wasn’t as if I was making an appointment with your father.”
“But you were upset with me for spending time with someone else.”
“What is the point of all this?”
“The point is, you need to be a little more considerate before banishing me from your life—particularly as you have no intentions for me.”
“I never said I had no intentions.” His one main intention had been to kiss her, and he’d never had the chance. Truthfully, he hadn’t thought beyond that, even as he knew in his gut that once he started kissing her, he wouldn’t be able to stop.
“Oh, really, wha—?”
He was probably damned, but he stole the kiss he wanted. Soft, surprised lips met his. The taste of her was all-consuming. The softness of her body to his. He needed more, he needed everything she would give him. The kiss deepened and his tongue sought the sweetness of her mouth. Desire flowed through every part of him, and he felt right for the first time in a long time. This was where he needed to be.
His hand at the back of her neck drew her in closer. If he shocked her, her soft groan showed he wasn’t entirely unwelcome. Her tongue stroked along his, taking from him as much as he was giving. His whole body was alive, and ran with energy as he broke the kiss. He had her against the vestibule wall, caught between his elbows. Nothing in him wanted to move away from her, but he had to. Because it wasn’t just a kiss he wanted. He wanted everything. Years of bickering, children, family, sex. Sex more than anything right that minute. In fact, he was fully ready right now, here against this wall. He would shock her with his ardor. As much as she liked to push the boundaries, she was an innocent.
“You have to leave here. You won’t be safe if you stay,” he said breathily.
Her eyes dashed between his. All he wanted to do was get lost in another kiss, but he wouldn’t be able to stop again.
“Will you turn me away if I stay?”
“What? No.”
“I’m not asking lightly. I want to stay, but I need to know what your intentions are, and what your true feelings are.”
“Will you marry me, Octavia?”
“Yes.”
The relief inside him was like a floodgate opening. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Because I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“You literally drive me up the wall most of the time. Saying that, I very much like having you against a wall too.” The softness of her body teased him. “But I wasn’t jesting. You really must go, because I’m in threat of being lewd.”
“Really?” she said with a smile. “Now I am so curious.”
“Don’t be. Just go. Now.”
“No.” She bit her lip and it undid him. He rushed into another kiss, claiming her luscious lips again. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he should be cool and aloof, but he couldn’t. He wanted her so much. And what would a few more kisses hurt?
His grip on reality wavered as she accepted him, her body flush to his. He was self-conscious of his hardness and hoped she wouldn’t judge him too harshly for how badly he wanted her. This certainly wasn’t the cool self-control he liked to have in all things. It had never worked with her. She pierced every one of his defenses, and always had.
With his hand, he stroked down the side of her face. This was going to be his wife, and he couldn’t be happier. The thought sobered him for a moment, and he
