Page 9 of Only You

‘All the time,’ she told him a little later.

They sat on a bench near a fountain, eating a light lunch.

The chef had packed brie, bread, apples and thinly sliced ham for them to share.

She ate like a lady, but he could tell through her precision, it was practised.

‘My mother loved tending to the small farm we had. I liked racing with my father for what felt like hours. When I would visit my grandmother, all the village kids would play outside every day. It’s not like here, where everyone is always hiding.

’ Her eyes filled with longing, and she started to pick at her sandwich.

‘I’m surprised you’re not spending more time with your father.’

Sabine smiled, but there was no joy. ‘He’s a soldier on a mission. He has things to do. I will see him when it’s done.’

‘Being a liaison is a full-time job.’

Sabine snorted. ‘Among other things.’

‘Ah, so he’s not a stand-up citizen.’

She shrugged and gave him a knowing look. ‘You French should know more than anyone else that landowning can be a tricky business.’

Damien hummed in agreement but said nothing more.

‘He works hard and is not one to be trifled with,’ she continued. ‘He can make General Roulet look soft-hearted in the right context.’

‘Ha! I doubt that,’ he denied with a shake of his head, stopping when he saw the troubled expression on her face. ‘Mademoiselle…’

‘You shouldn’t do that. Too many people have gotten hurt by underestimating him. Including me.’

‘Are you afraid of your father?’

‘No,’ she answered quickly. ‘My father protects me. It’s only when we disagree that I… worry about the consequences.’ She looked at him, her gaze so piercing he almost shivered.

This is dangerous , his mind warned. He wanted to ask, but she started smiling again.

‘Either way, you shouldn’t doubt the kindness of your general. After all, he is letting me stay in his home.’

‘Very true,’ Damien agreed, letting the conversation drift to a new topic.

‘It’s interesting to me how he never had children,’ Sabine mentioned. ‘I guess he views his soldiers as his sons.’

The comment was offhanded, but it still made Damien tense. There was again the implication he kept trying to ignore. Had it really become so obvious?

Sabine huffed. ‘Oh, what is it now? It’s the second time you’ve stiffened up when I’ve mentioned the man,’ she fussed. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘It’s nothing.’

‘Talk to me.’ She slid closer to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. ‘You bear my burdens. How shall we be friends if I do not bear yours?’

Damien clutched her wrist and put it back at her side. She struggled to pull away, but he pinned it there.

‘You have luxuries you do not understand,’ he said, his eyes boring into hers. ‘Ones I cannot indulge in. Truths that contradict my vow of protection. I do not have free rein with you. I am not allowed to be comfortable with you. You warned me of such implication mere moments ago, remember?’

‘This has nothing to do with my father, and I refuse to have him dictate every aspect of my life,’ she said defiantly, pushing forward. ‘Since when have you cared for such restrictions anyway?’

He said nothing, only letting go of her and turning away before she saw the answer in his eyes.

He never cared to be restricted. That didn’t change the fact that he knew he should be, instead of holding necklaces, sharing stories and giving her leeway at every turn.

The price would be high if he made a mistake with her.

He would lose Roulet’s trust, a thought that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Before he could stop himself, he spoke. ‘Roulet’s changed.’ ‘How?’ Sabine asked carefully.

‘Your father cares for you,’ Damien said suddenly. ‘Yes… I am well aware of that fact,’ she said, puzzled. ‘How do you know?’

‘Because I’m his first priority,’ she told him. ‘I may not always agree with his methods, but I’m not a pawn to him. I can trust him because I know he will not sell me, not like other power-hungry men. He raised me at his side. He’s always chosen what is best for me.’

Damien stared at her intently, the confession heavy on his tongue until it finally escaped.

‘I see Roulet as a brother-in-arms,’ he explained.

‘He was the one who took me off the streets, made me a soldier. I became the best and people always gave him credit for finding and training me, as though I did it for him. I didn’t care; he’s a good leader.

I would fight for him the way I would fight for any one of my soldiers. But now…’

Sabine waited patiently for him to find the right words. ‘I think he sees me the way your father sees you,’ he admitted. ‘I don’t know what to do with that, how to feel about it.’

Sabine nodded slowly, contemplating his words. After a moment of silence, she placed a hand over his. ‘You do nothing.’

‘What?’ Damien asked incredulously.

She giggled before facing him, unintentionally bringing herself closer to him than before.

‘Roulet may see you as his son, but he’s not insisting upon a title or credit or more respect.

He’s letting you be yourself. You can’t stop people from caring for you or change how they do so.

Just as you can’t stop how you care for someone else,’ she told him. ‘So, don’t worry about it.’

Damien raised his eyebrows. ‘If you say so.’

‘I do.’ She stood. ‘As the smarter one of us, you have to listen to me.’

‘Your fencing strategy says otherwise.’ She scowled and he laughed, light re-entering the conversation for a moment. He quickly sobered as he looked up at her. Strong, brave and daring as always. He felt a low hum under his skin, something that always lingered under his fondness for her.

‘Will you take your advice on letting someone care for you in their own way without question?’

‘Yes,’ she said smugly, crossing her arms with a playful grin.

Heat built under his collar as he stared up at her. He looked around, seeing the area was clear of any visitors, anticipation making his heartbeat speed up. He was going to get into so much trouble. Still, he shrugged nonchalantly as he stood. ‘Very well,’ he agreed.

Without further hesitation, Damien cupped the back of Sabine’s neck and pulled her into a kiss.

Sabine froze at the sudden touch. His lips were demanding on hers, but he noted the way she held onto his arm, tugging him closer.

He let himself get lost in the touch of the lady that was finally in his arms, instead of across the room.

How many times had he thought about this when remembering the way her face flushed after helping her with her necklace?

How easy it was to always step closer over stepping back?

Every brush of her lips fuelled his desire, wanting more.

The way she parted her lips to sigh tempted him to go further – to cross another line – but she was already trembling.

Slowly, he pulled away. Sabine panted as she tried to catch her breath, subconsciously leaning forward for more. Damien’s lips brushed over her heated cheeks, his words a whisper in her ear.

‘I won’t apologise,’ he told her. ‘I was taking your advice.’

He pulled away too soon and Sabine blinked at him, her eyes still wide in surprise. ‘Ready to return?’ he asked.

‘Yes, I believe so,’ she said, still a bit breathless. He motioned for her to lead the way.

With one last look over her shoulder, she started walking along the path to the exit. He didn’t linger by her side, instead staying two steps behind. His face remained impassive, but his heart jumped every time she touched her lips or looked over her shoulder to make sure he was still there.