Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 132625 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132625 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
I take my time washing up. The water isn’t hot, but it’s not so cold it leaves a chill either, and after being in my riding clothes all day I’m more than grateful for the chance to have clean skin before slipping into such a lovely gown.
When I return to my room, I release my hair from the high tie and take my time brushing it out.
The top section has gotten long and nearly falls to my waist now.
A soft knock sounds at the door and a tiny shiver races from my belly to my sternum. “Come in?”
The door slowly opens and Kendrick steps inside the room, looking uncharacteristically bashful, his gaze pointedly not straying from my face, which means there’s no way he’s missing my eyes on him. He’s clearly done his own cleaning up before joining me. He’s shirtless and wearing a pair of soft breeches that show off his strong thighs. His golden chest has a spattering of light brown hair on it and my gaze snags on the line of characters tattooed over his heart.
“Hi,” he says softly. Shyly.
There’s no point in pretending this hasn’t been a very calculated evening, so I stand and wave a hand down my body. “How do I look? Amelia thought you might like this.”
His pupils dilate and his tongue darts out to touch his bottom lip. “I like you. Doesn’t matter what you wear.”
“You like me.” I catch myself crossing my arms in front of my chest and drop them. “But maybe I hoped you’d want me.”
“I have wanted you since the moment Remme and Skylar brought you to our cabin eight months ago. I wanted you when you were angry with me and when you were scared and when you were reckless. When you were in your dress from the palace and when you were in those outfits of Sky’s.” He strolls forward, letting his eyes sweep over the slip, and my bare thighs, before he stops in front of me and traces one strap of the slip with a callused fingertip. “A nightgown couldn’t make me want you more than I already do. That’s just not possible.”
“Amelia will be disappointed all her thoughtfulness was for nothing.” I sound a little breathless. I feel a little breathless.
“I’m not so concerned about what Amelia thinks. I’m more interested in the fact that you wanted to wear this. And you want me here?” It comes out as a question, and I realize he’s still not sure where he stands with me. Still not sure where we stand. And that’s my fault.
“I always want you to be wherever I am.”
His throat bobs. “Happy to oblige.” His gaze skims over me again. “I do think this suits you, though. You deserve more time in pretty things.” I shiver and he glances to the fireplace. “Though if that’s really what you’re going to sleep in, I should get some more wood on that fire.”
I admire the roll and pinch of the muscles in his back as he works, and when he turns to me, he catches me staring. His grin is all dimples and crinkled eyes and I feel more in love than ever.
This, I think. If I get to live, I want more moments like this. The simple joy shared between two people who see each other, the quiet moments somewhere cozy.
And if I live but Kendrick serves on the Eloran throne married to another woman?
After being doused in Amelia’s optimism, it’s easier than ever to push that thought away.
“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours,” he says, rising to stand before me.
I scan his face, study the kindness I recognized in his eyes from the first time we met. “I’m thinking about not thinking too much, actually.”
He brushes his knuckles against my cheek. “What happens if you think too much?”
“I get hung up on things I can’t control.” I swallow. “I’m not going to trade this moment’s happiness for worries of something that may or may not happen tomorrow.”
“Happiness.” He traces my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. “Is that what this is for you?”
“I think it might be. Ridiculous, given the circumstances, isn’t it?”
He drops his hands to my hips and pulls me close, bending down to rest his forehead against mine. “I think that’s how we know it’s happiness. It isn’t contingent on everything around us feeling easy.” He releases a breath. “Though I would like a little easy, even if just for a while, if you’re going to keep looking at me like that.”
I breathe him in. He smells like soap and pine. Like safe. “How am I looking at you?”
He cups my face, skimming the bridge of his nose over mine. “Like you might want me to kiss you.” He takes my hand and places my palm against his chest, right over the steady thump of his heart. “Like you might want to touch me as much as I want to touch you.”