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“I’m definitely willing,” she goes on. “But I hate sneaking around. I don’t like hiding this. I want to be with you. I want everyone to know."
"I know. Soon."
"You promise? Soon?"
I have no idea how long it will take to get to the point where we can safely make our relationship public. It would be ideal to wait until Torin is on the throne and in charge. But that could be years yet.
"Yes,” I say anyway. I lean in and kiss her deeply. When I lift my head I say, "But for tonight, I’m going to fuck you in the bed where I’ve dreamed of you so often. I’m going to make you come apart in that room where you first walked in on me naked.” I drop my voice to that low, gruff timbre that I know she loves. “And you’re gonna have to be a good girl and be quiet."
She shivers in my arms and gives me one of those sweet, sexy smiles. "Okay, I think I can do that. "
"If you can’t, I’ll have to find something to stuff in your mouth."
She gives me a grin and I know that we’re good. At least for now.
But yeah, staying quiet, in all the ways, is going to get a lot more difficult the longer we have to wait.
Chapter29
Linnea
* * *
"We’ll have to throw a party, so make a list. We can talk about a menu next week."
"Your sister and brother will need some notice to plan to be here, so we need to set the date.”
“Six months isn’t very long, you know."
No, six months isn’t very long.
But it’s now, apparently, how long Torin and I have until the king is going to announce our engagement.
At least according to my sources.
Who are my mother, Torin’s mother, and Queen Roisin.
I think they’re pretty reliable.
I’d sat smiling and nodding at tea with them as they told me this news and that Torin and Diarmuid were discussing the official engagement announcement in the king’s office at the same time.
They figure we can have the wedding within the year.
So much for having time to figure out a new plan.
So much for not panicking.
I knock on Torin’s office door but don’t wait for an answer before I open it and walk in.
“Can you just fu—” he starts before he realizes who I am.
I cross to stand in front of his desk, trying to stay calm.
That lasts until I open my mouth. "We have a timeline now?” I ask, planting my hands on my hips. “Six months is no time at all! Youhaveto get us out of it, Torin.”
“It’s fine. I’ve got it under control,” he mutters, sitting back in his leather chair.
“How? What are you going to do?”