Page 116 of Pandora's Pleasure

“I shouldn’t have told you that.”

“You asked me to help you escape. Now it’s all I can think of.”

“I didn’t think you and I would work out.”

“That’s not what you want anymore, though, right? To be free of this commitment? Of me?” He looked conflicted.

“Could you ever love me?”

He stared at me. “You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

He clenched his palms in frustration. “I promise to do everything in my power to make you happy.”

“Phone me, that makes me happy.” I loved hearing his voice. When he didn’t call it felt like a strike to my heart.

He let out a frustrated sigh. “What if the way I feel traps you.”

“I admit to saying those things.”

“You’re still young—”

“No, don’t do that.”

“You talked about wanting a career. I ignored what you were saying because I couldn’t see any other way forward.”

At least we were talking. Sitting here in the quiet garden finding time to just be together.

He pulled away, turning to look at me intently. “Tell me what you want.”

I want you to love me.

“Other than your ridiculous name, you are too fucking perfect—from your blinding beauty to your ability to endure a man like me.”

“You think my name’s ridiculous?” I grinned at him. “Yeah, and wow—do I ever endure a lot.”

His expression softened. “I want us to work.”

“Because we have no choice?” I asked softly.

He broke into a sweet smile. “I’m quiet in the morning. Is that something you think you can cope with? I mean, until my first mug of coffee reaches my brain.”

“Are you asking me…?”

“Move in.”

“Aren’t we meant to wait?”

“I’m done with appeasing others.”

“I’m not sleeping in your spare room.”

He pulled me onto his lap, his face nuzzling my neck.

Wide-eyed, I tried to comprehend the words he’d spoken, the invitation to live with him before we were married, my heart stuttering with the realization he was sincere.

Damien was going to say it…