Page 163 of Guarded King

I smile against her damp hair. “I loved it the moment I saw it, and now I understand why. It makes me feel like redefining ourselves is as easy as opening our eyes to a new day and embracing its opportunities. It’s what you and I are doing—what my family and the King Group are doing…” I shake my head, a faint smile tugging at my mouth. “It belongs where everyone can see it.”

Her lower lip trembles. “So everyone knows about us?”

I dust my thumb over her mouth. “Everyone important. I want to be with you, Chloe. Once I realized it’s as simple as that, it all became clear. I don’t want my father’s twisted lessons to destroy my future with you. I won’t let his ghost steal our happiness.”

Fresh tears overflow. “You want a future with me?”

Fuck. The thread of uncertainty in her voice is like a knife slicing between my ribs. It’s my fault it’s there. I hid her away when I should have been shouting to the world how I feel about her.

I pull back a fraction, wrapping my hand around her nape. “If I haven’t made it clear, I love you. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but if I had to make every single one of them again to end up here with you, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”

Her lashes flutter closed. When they open again, her eyes shine so brightly I can barely breathe.

“I love you too. You made me feel secure enough to take risks, to ask for what I really wanted, to embrace the unknown rather than run from it.” She sniffles. “I don’t want a life that’s just about playing it safe. I want to color outside the lines, to take risks and create something new and unique. I know with you beside me, anything I create—anythingwecreate—will be beautiful.”

I press my mouth to hers, pouring every bit of emotion that’s built up inside me into the kiss. Every ounce of longing anddesire and love I’ve experienced since the very first time I saw her in that elevator. Her lips, soft and sweet, part for me, and when I slide my tongue between them to claim her mouth, she moans. We cling to each other like we’ve both been starved, heat and need crackling between us as we desperately try to get closer. We haven’t touched in four long, brutal weeks.

By the time we break apart, we’re breathless.

With her flushed cheeks and swollen lips, there’s no way I can hold off until I get her back to my place.

I stab the intercom. “Sophie. Make sure everyone knows we’re not to be disturbed, then head home for the day.”

She giggle-snorts in response. “Of course, Mr. King.” Her tone is mostly level as she addresses me, but her pitch rises as she says, “Chloe, I’ll talk to you tomorrow!”

Chloe covers her face with her hands. “Everyone will know what we’re doing in here.”

I hook my thumbs into the waistband of her damp yoga pants and peel them down her legs, then pick her up and deposit her in my chair. Bracing one hand on the back, I hover my lips over hers.

“Ask me if I care.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

ROMAN

“Are you ready?” I ask.

Chloe slides me a nervous look from the corner of her beautiful eyes.

We’re standing at the back door of Mom’s Westchester estate, about to join my family for lunch on the east lawn. It’s been a week since I proved to this woman that I wouldn’t hide my love for her anymore, but this is the first time we’ll be attending an event as a couple. Even if it’s just lunch with my family.

I cup her jaw, turning her face up to mine. “Do you have any idea how happy they are that you’re coming today? They’ve been waiting a long time for me to find someone, and they already know and like you. You have nothing to worry about. I promise.”

She relaxes into me, and I brush my mouth against hers, savoring the ability to do it whenever and wherever I want. No more hiding, no more pretending. Those days are over.

She loops her arms around my waist and squeezes. “I’m worried about what your mom will think. After your dad…”

I shake my head. “She has to live with her own past transgressions. She doesn’t have room to judge. And anyway, she knows this isn’t anything like what happened with Dad. I’mnothing like him, and you’re nothing like Katherine or any of Dad’s other conquests.”

With one finger, I trace a line down the satin soft skin of her cheek. I’m suddenly overwhelmed by the desire to skip lunch and take her home so I can enjoy her instead. There’ll be another lunch next month. Maybe I should keep Chloe to myself for a little longer.

That thought is derailed when she firms her lips and pulls her shoulders back. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

Though I’m slightly disappointed, I can’t help but laugh. “Why do you make having a meal with my family sound like we’re about to go into battle?”

Expression softening, she presses a warm palm to the side of my face. “Do you have any idea how much I love it when you laugh?” Her fingers trace higher. “When your eyes crinkle and I can see your smile lines.”

I capture her hand and press a kiss to her wrist. “Are you calling me old, sweetheart?”