Chapter 10 #2
The air itself carried a hushed quality, as if the world had collectively decided to lower its volume in deference to the pristine beauty surrounding him.
It invoked a peacefulness he’d only recently discovered was possible.
He’d felt the same way when he held Imogen in his arms before the fire.
When he read aloud to her in bed. When she draped herself over him and whispered every single thought in her sharp, impressive mind.
He pulled the faded handkerchief from his pocket and stared at their intertwining initials.
He was willing to give all that up for…what?
“I’m making a goddamned mistake.”
Swiveling on his heel, he hurried back to the cabin. The wooden door banged against the wall at his forceful entry, but he didn’t stop to check for damage. He crossed the floor in three strides and sank to his knees in front of a slack-jawed Imogen.
“I love you.” He wrapped his arms around her hips and pressed his lips to her stomach. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” With each declaration, it was as if a heavy burden was lifted from his chest, and the tension that had gripped him for so long began to unravel.
Imogen shuddered out a long breath. “Finally.”
He smiled against her midriff. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“That doesn’t solve everything,” she warned. “We still have things to discuss.”
He rose to his feet and pulled her to the rocking chair.
Once she was comfortably in his lap, he began.
“In my family, expressing emotions was a sign of weakness. We gritted our teeth and we worked harder. My teachers were no better, so I stopped going to school. My life was bland, empty. Then I met you.” He squeezed her thigh.
“Truthfully, you overwhelmed me. I had never met someone who wore their heart on their sleeve. It intrigued me, made me want to try again.”
Imogen sighed. “Was your first attempt on my father?”
“Sadly, yes. After he sent you to boarding school, I pleaded with him to change his mind. I explained how important you were to me, how I would work hard to provide for you. His response was to remind me I wasn’t worth the dirt on your boots—”
“He was wrong.”
“Was he?” He rubbed his chin against her forehead. “I have nothing to offer you. Love can’t possibly be enough. You’d be much better off with someone who deserves you.”
She groaned and pushed at his chest so she could look him in the eye. “Stop with all this nonsense about not being deserving, and stop making decisions for me.”
“I don’t—”
“I am tired of everyone thinking they know more about my needs and wants than I do. I told you, despite ignoring my letters for two years, that I wanted to be with you—”
“I thought you didn’t mean it.”
“You decided I didn’t mean it. And now you’re doing it again.”
The bitter taste of regret filled his mouth. She was right.
“I’m not a girl any longer, and I refuse to let you hurt us again.
” She cradled his cheeks with both hands and stared deeply into his eyes.
“You are enough, my love. You’re more than enough.
I couldn’t care less about where you come from or what your profession is.
I never did. All I know is that it almost broke me when I lost my best friend.
And now that I know you love me? Well, good luck escaping me now. ”
A huff of laughter slipped past his lips. “I wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“None whatsoever.”
He gripped her closer. “You’ve made your point, Genie love.”
She smirked, then turned serious. “That said, I have three questions for you. If the answer is no to any of them, you can walk out that door and I’ll never contact you again. Do you accept the conditions?”
Hell no, he didn’t. Even the possibility of that coming true made his stomach curdle. “If the answer is no, I’ll simply counteroffer until we find a solution that suits us both.”
Her brows rose, but she seemed pleased by his answer.
“First question. I know you’re concerned about having something to offer me, but the truth is, I don’t need anything.
Your lack of money was only ever a problem for my father.
I have a rather large inheritance and I could buy a home tomorrow if I wished.
Can you live with the fact that I’ll likely always have more money than you? ”
“It would be silly to fault you for something I’ve always known.”
She nodded approvingly. “Question two. As I’ve made abundantly clear, I have no wish to be separated from you again. I’ve already had one nightmare about the police raiding our cabin, and it was more than enough. Are you willing to give up the scoundrel life?”
He considered his words carefully. “I am willing, yes, but I must see this final sale through first. On my life, I swear this is the last time. Can you wait for me to do that?”
She dropped her gaze and played with the buttons on his coat. “How long will that be?”
“A few weeks, maybe a month.” He lifted her chin with his forefinger. “I have a potential buyer, but I need time in case the sale doesn’t go through.”
“Are you going to sell it in Mr. Hughes’s name?”
“It has to be this way, Genie. It would rouse suspicions if I sold it under my own name.” He raised his brows. “What do you say? Can you trust me to finish my business and return to you?”
“I’ll give you a month. Take longer, and I will be forced to hunt you down.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
“When will you leave?”
“Tomorrow morning. The sooner I go, the faster this will all be over.”
“Then you’d better answer my last question. It will determine how we spend our last few hours in the cabin.”
Her subtle smirk caught his attention. “Go ahead.”
She leaned in close and pressed her lips to his ear. “Do you promise to spank me every time I’m naughty?”
“God, yes.”