The Earl of Davenport: Wicked Regency Romance (Wicked Earls' Club #7)(26)

So instead of saying the words back to her or kissing her like he wanted, he continued to stare in silence.

He watched in shock and awe as her lips tilted up at his stunned response. “Well, that wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for, but I suppose it will do.” She tilted her head to the side. “At least you didn’t run away in horror.”

He thought to fight her on it. You don’t love me. You cannot. But it was an argument he didn’t want to win so he continued to keep his mouth shut as his heart cried out for him to believe her. Let us have this. Take her love while you can, even if you know she’ll regret it.

She reached up and twined her arms around his neck. “I can see that my loving you will take some getting used to.” Her tone was teasing but he saw the vulnerability in her eyes and hated himself for not being able to reassure her in some way.

But how could he when he was frozen like a statue, too afraid to believe that she meant what she said. She sighed quietly as she played with the hair at the nape of his neck. “I was so scared to tell you how I felt but suppose now that my secret is out, there is some freedom in having nothing to lose.” Her sudden grin made his heart leap in response. “I’ve always had feelings for you, you know.”

He shook his head. What? She had? No, he hadn’t known.

She nodded. “It’s true. Even as a little girl I loved the fact that I had this secret with you…or rather, about you.”

“Secret?” he managed to repeat.

She nodded. “Mmm, I loved that I was the only one who truly knew what sort of person you are.”

He blinked at her, suddenly beyond curious to know how she saw him, though scared to hear her say something he knew not to be true.

As if in answer to his unspoken plea, she tilted her head to the side, met his gaze straight on, and said quietly, “A good man.”

He opened his mouth to protest automatically but was silenced by her hand over his mouth.

“Not a perfect man,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I know you have your faults. But you are a good man.” She said the words slowly and with passion as if hoping to make a point. “You might be able to sell yourself on this wicked reputation you’ve created, but I know better. Whenever I was in trouble, you came to my aid. When my family was in trouble, you were there.”

His mouth moved beneath her hand and she shook her head. “I don’t want to hear it. Your actions speak for themselves, my love. And you are a good man, whether you like it or not.”

A laugh bubbled up in him at her fierce tone. His soon-to-be wife was the only person to ever speak to him like that… and he loved it.

She dropped her hand, her eyes glinting with laughter as well. “You don’t have to believe me, but I’ll prove it to you yet.”

That promise—that vow—finally jolted him out of his shocked stupor. He let out of growl as his arms tightened around her waist, pulling her even tighter against him. If it were up to him, he would never let go.

“That is where you’re wrong,” he said. “I will prove it to you.”

She stared in shock for a moment before tipping her head back, her eyes closing briefly as she laughed.

God, he loved that laugh. “I meant what I said, you deserve better, and I aim to give you what you deserve.”

Her laughter trailed off as she met his serious gaze. Her own was filled with such unconditional tenderness, it nearly knocked him off his feet.

He leaned down and kissed her. When he pulled back he said all the words that were in his heart. “I will spend my life trying to be the kind of man you deserve.” Fear held him temporarily hostage but then she smiled, and it broke through the last of his reserves. “Because I love you, Anne Cleveland. I love you and I want to be the man you see when you look at me.”

Her gaze softened and then tears filled her eyes once more. Before he could brush them aside she flung her arms around his neck and buried her head against his neck. Her sobs came loud and unexpected and he found himself rubbing her back and kissing the side of her head, desperately trying to console her. “Hush, my angel. Please don’t cry,” he murmured.

She eventually pulled back, her nose red and her eyes puffy but her lips curved up in the most brilliantly beautiful smile he’d ever seen. “I can’t help it,” she said, “I’m just so happy.”

As his gaze drank in the mischievous glint in those gorgeous blue eyes, he was momentarily overcome with gratitude. He leaned down and kissed her with all the passion in his heart, his lips claiming hers with all the ferocity he felt but couldn’t express.

She met his kisses, welcoming his urgent caresses and returning them with demands of her own until they were both panting with desire.

When he lifted his head, he saw that her lips were puffy, thanks to his kiss, but her tears had long since ceased. He felt a triumphant grin at the sight and said a silent prayer that he always be the one to ease her sorrow and give her joy.

And if his kisses helped do that, all the better.

She seemed to be reading his mind. Her eyes flashed with a mischievous twinkle as she ran her hands over his chest and shoulders. “So this new plan of yours to do right by me and marry me in the proper manner…” She arched a brow. “What if I refuse?”

He laughed at her teasing tone. “What, you refuse to marry me now? I’m afraid it’s too late for that, love. You’re already mine.” His hands moved down to grip her bottom and pull her up against his hard length. Her gasp made him laugh even as it intensified his desire.