Bride for a Night(171)

Now that the words hung in the air, however, he had no desire to take them back.

Why should he?

He was not ashamed of his feelings for Talia. In truth, he would willingly shout them to the world.

His only concern was Talia’s stunned reaction.

Surely she should be a bit more pleased by his announcement?

Unless, of course, she did not return his feelings?

Had he destroyed any hope of her love…

No. He squashed the unbearable notion.

No matter how long it might take, or what he had to do, he would eventually win her heart.

She cleared her throat at last and managed to croak, “Did you just say you love me?”

He smoothed a hand up the curve of her spine, cupping her nape in a loose grip. He did not think she intended to bolt, but he was unwilling to take any risks.

“I did.”

Her expression remained wary, as if unable to accept the truth of his words.

“You no longer fear I might be a burden?”

“My feelings for you…” He faltered, unable to describe the emotions that filled his heart.

Dammit, he was not a bloody poet.


Talia allowed her hand to slide up his chest and gently placed it against his cheek as she regarded him with a pleading gaze.

“Please tell me.”

He sighed, unable to deny her soft plea. “I thought they would make me weak, but I have never felt stronger,” he admitted softly. “As if there is nothing I cannot accomplish with you at my side.”

Her mouth parted, then with a low cry she threw her arms around his neck and flashed a dazzling smile.

“Gabriel.”

He hauled her tightly against his body. He was not entirely certain what had prompted her sudden embrace. Or that smile that warmed him to the tips of his toes. And at the moment he did not care.

The sensation of her soft curves pressed against him was a delectable distraction, reminding him that it had been far too long since she had shared his bed.

“My beautiful wife,” he murmured, lowering his head to press a hungry kiss to her lips.

An urgent heat exploded through him as her lips softened and parted in welcome, allowing his tongue to dip into the sweet temptation of her mouth.

He felt her shiver, and he pressed a hand to the lower curve of her back, urging her against his aching arousal. He heard her breath catch and started planning the quickest route to his bedchamber without being interrupted by a servant. But Talia pressed her hands against his chest and arched away from his seeking lips.

“Wait,” she breathed.

He groaned in genuine pain, desperate to have her naked beneath him.

“I have missed you, my dear.”

“I still need to know why you did not want me to travel to London.”

He frowned, uncertain why she continued to nag upon his perfectly reasonable request that she remain in Devonshire.

“I have told you. I do not want you hurt.”

“But…”

He shifted his hand to press a finger against her lips. It was obvious that Talia was too preoccupied to be properly seduced. He had no choice but to confess his plot.

“Allow me to finish,” he commanded.

She arched a warning brow, but thankfully he felt the amused twitch of her lips beneath his finger.

“Very well, my lord.”

He absently outlined the full curve of her lower lip. “I cannot alter what happened in the past, but I can make certain that your future among society is considerably more pleasant.”

She stilled, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “I do not doubt your ability to browbeat others into pretending they accept me, but to be honest, I would prefer their insults.”