Page 6

“I just need a moment.” Lenora was panting in Edward’s ear, still waiting to catch her breath.

What had she just done? Obviously it was the most amazing experience of her life.

And she wanted to repeat it ad infinitum.

That, she knew without a doubt. It was as if her heart had at long last caught up to her mind.

After so many years of friendship, trusting him, knowing him, relying on him, she had finally allowed herself to be thrilled by him.

And…

Oh.

My.

God.

What a thrill that had been.

But she needed a moment to understand what had just happened. To compose herself. To somehow head back into a ballroom full of people. Including her cousin.

Oh my stars. What would Mirabelle say? Would she even tell her?

Normally, Lenora would tell her sister Seraphina everything, but since she wasn’t here that wasn’t possible. She and Mirabelle were close enough that it wouldn’t be cause for concern to discuss this with her.

“Are you alright, Lenora?” His hand caressed her face as if his fingers had always tenderly stroked her cheek.

This was her best friend. The man who knew how to calm her down. The man who could always dance her cares away. The man who shoved treats in his pocket for her. The calm one. But right now she felt anything but calm.

The reality of what just happened, or parts of it, started to crash down on her.

“I just…um…need a second.” But she wasn’t actually sure if a second would be enough time to gather herself. And where she would gather herself she didn’t know. But she had to get out of that room. Had to breathe. Had to remember who she was in relation to Edward.

“Wait—”

But she dashed out of the room. Wild. No concern for her hair or her dress or the flush that surely pervaded her cheeks.

Less than a few seconds later, she could hear footsteps coming around the corner behind her. Of course he would follow. She tugged on a door, opening and closing it to throw him a red herring. Then she slipped into a different room across the hall, hoping he didn’t see her.

Her breaths were coming in quickly now. Her heart hammering. Her chest heaving. Palms were sweaty.

She just needed a minute.

To think.

To breathe.

She pushed herself against the door, locking it. Her head rested against the hard wood as she focused on her breaths and closed her eyes.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” A deep voice rumbled in the darkness.

Lenora froze. Palms to the door. Eyes flickered open.

Of course.

Wouldn’t that just make sense…it was Gabriel, Duke of Thornhaven.

Exactly when she didn’t want him to notice her, he finally had.

And all she had to do was unlock the door and leave.

And she would have.

Had she been thinking clearly.

Had her brain not been frazzled by the mind blowing pleasure she had just received at the hands, mouth, and cock of Edward. Her best friend.

But her brain was frazzled from the mind blowing pleasure she had just received at the hands, mouth, and cock of Edward. Her best friend.

So she wasn’t thinking clearly.

So she didn’t unlock the door and just leave.

Gabriel stood up from the chair he had been slouched in. Was that a book in his hands? She watched him return the unidentifiable object into the inside pocket of his jacket.

“Um…” Where were the words she needed when she needed them?

“Yes?” He took a step closer.

Her feet were working faster, though not necessarily smarter than her mouth, and they sidestepped Gabriel’s approach.

Now she stood near the middle of the room while his back was to the door.

“What are you doing here?” He asked none too gently.

“I-I…”

“I asked you what you’re doing here. It’s a simple question.”

Yes. It was. It was of the simplest variety, yet her brain felt like it was wading through mud. And all she could think was, what were words doing buried underneath all that mud?

Gabriel reached out his hand toward her.

In hindsight, he was probably making some small gesticulation to prompt her to answer the aforementioned question.

But in the moment, Lenora’s heart turned to fire.

Fire claimed by Edward, and she wanted no hands on her except his.

So when Gabriel—in all probability with exceptional innocence—started by calling her name, “Lady—”

She misunderstood and shouted. “No!”

It took less than a second for the door to crack open with a loud bang.

“Lenora!” A disheveled, sweaty, glowing, and altogether too handsome Edward bellowed at her.

He turned toward Gabrial and drew back his fist.

“Wait!”

But it was too late. Edward threw the punch and the unsuspecting Gabriel fell back a half step, rubbing his jaw.

“Edward. Wait.” She tried again. “This isn’t what you think.”

“I’ll say,” Gabriel muttered.

“She’s mine,” Edward growled. “My betrothed. Don’t even think about laying a finger on her.”

Slowly, Gabriel brought his hands up in defense. “Upon my honor, I had no intentions—”

“I don’t want to hear another word from you or your honor.” Edward’s words charged ahead while he turned around to find Lenora.

“My love, are you alright?” The panic, vulnerability, and love in his eyes was overwhelming.

This was her man. Her best friend. Her calm. Her thrill. Her everything. In that split second it was all clear to her.

She had loved him all along, as her best friend. And now knowing this other side of him—this passionate and possessive side—there were no hurdles to fall further in love with him.

“I’m f-fine,” she stuttered. “I’m more than fine.” She threw her arms around him. “Edward, I love you.”

At her words he picked her up and dropped to his knees. “Lenora, are you sure?”

“As nice as this performance is, I think I’ll just take my leave now—”

“You had better,” Edward said gruffly without giving Gabriel a passing glance.

“And if you see my cousin, Mirabelle, please tell her I’m fine. I’ll be out soon.”

Gabriel nodded awkwardly and exited the room.

“Edward,” she said, rubbing her head into his neck. “I love you. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.”

“Perhaps I didn’t let you.”

“Or perhaps I’m a fool.”

“You’re no fool, Lenora.”

“Only a fool for you, Edward.”

“I love you Lenora. Please, say you’ll be mine.”

“Forever.” She kissed him. “And ever and ever.”