Chapter 58 #2
I complete painting my lips and set down my lip gloss. "Logically, I agree with you. But the emotional part of me can’t get past the image of him lying hurt after being shot by a bullet meant for me."
"He was also your head of security. It was his job to do that," she says slowly.
"That changed when I married him. I feel… like I’ve pulled him into my life and all the complexity that goes with it.
And all because I wanted the money he and his family could invest in my country.
" I twist my fingers together. "If something had happened to him, I wouldn’t have been able to survive it. Every time I close my eyes, I see him on the ground, bleeding out. And it’s making me feel I need to do something about it.
As long as he’s with me, he’s going to be exposed to the same level of threat I am. "
"He’s a Marine, and a scion of the Davenport family, who may be even more well-known than your family. He’s used to being in the line of fire, as well as in the media eye."
"But I’m the Duchess, a member of the Royal Family of Verenza, with public-facing duties.
I’m the one whose lifestyle people are envious about, enough that they want to take me down.
The level of scrutiny he's come under is nowhere close to what I've faced. By marrying me, he’s put himself squarely in danger, as well.
" I slip into my stilettos and grab the phone from where I’ve balanced it on the dressing table.
"Have you spoken to him about this?" she asks slowly.
I hesitate, then shake my head.
"Why not? It’s clear, you’re tying yourself up in knots. Nothing I say is going to help resolve the questions in your mind. You should discuss them with him. He’s your husband, after all."
"You’re right, of course. I need to be more open about my fears with him. But it’s taken me a little time to even identify what was bothering me, you know?"
The lines around her eye softens. "Honey, that’s normal.
You had a shock. And it’s normal to be so overcome that you pull back.
Likely, you needed a little space to regroup.
But he’s your husband. And he was there when it happened.
It must have been traumatic for him, too.
He must have been just as upset to realize Veronica was the one who came prepared to hurt you. "
"Not to mention that his brother's and uncle’s boats were blown up, too.
He probably feared they were already dead.
" Another thing that makes me feel guilty.
"Thankfully, no one was hurt." Both men made it clear to me they were doing their job and, given a choice, would do it all over again. Which makes me feel lucky to have them as part of my new family. But that doesn’t lessen the guilt of what I put them through.
"You really should talk to him—"
"Talk to who?" My husband’s voice reaches me from the doorway of my suite.
After what happened, he upped the security and installed locks outside my suite which now require a passcode.
A passcode only he and I, and one member of my household staff responsible for the cleaning, have.
No one else is allowed in here, or into the cottage he bought on the premises.
The security outside the palace was also increased, and all of the staff was subjected to more rigorous background checks and enhanced skill development. All of which makes me feel safer… But if I'm being honest, the only time I feel completely safe is when I’m with him.
"Hi, Ryot," Zoey calls out.
"Zoey." He nods at her "How’s the job coming along?"
"As well as can be expected, considering so many of my authors have missed their deadlines." She rolls her eyes.
"I promise, I’ll be done with the redrafts by the end of the month," I hasten to add.
She laughs. "Oh, I know you will. Despite all of the changes in your life, I know you’re so professional, you’ll stick to your deadline. Unlike some of the others I manage." Someone talks off screen, and she nods at us. "Okay, I’m late for my next meeting."
"Take care, Z."
She disconnects. I hang up and slide my phone into the tiny purse I’ll be carrying. Then, because I need something inane to talk about, I step away and pose with one hand on my hip. "How do I look?"
He peruses me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, and everywhere his eyes alight on me, it feels like he’s touched me.
Little sparks of heat dance off my skin.
Tiny stings of pleasure nip at my nerve-endings.
His gaze is so hungry, so admiring, so lust-filled and tender, all at once, my heart swells in my chest. A heavy sensation squeezes my pussy.
When our gazes connect, I feel like I’m being pulled in his direction.
As if in a dream, I take a step in his direction, and another, until the tips of my stilettos bump into his dress shoes.
It’s my turn to scan him, from the razor-sharp crease of his black pants, to the crisp white of his shirt, and the emerald green tie which brings out the silver highlights in his eyes.
The breadth of his shoulders stretches his jacket.
The dark, spicy scent of his aftershave crowds my senses and turns my nipples into pinpoints of need.
The lack of his five o’clock beard indicates he recently shaved, and his hair is combed back, with an errant strand falling over his forehead.
My fingers tingle and, unable to stop myself, I go up on tiptoe and brush it aside.
His gaze widens, and as I pull back, he plants one big palm on my hip. The heat of his fingers burns through the fabric into my skin. "You look beautiful."
"You look beautiful," I murmur.
He slides a hand into his pocket and pulls out a ring. He releases me, only to take my left hand in his and slide a ring next to my wedding band.
"Oh!" I take in the large, oval sapphire in the center of the ring. It's deep blue, with a sparkle. So, like my eyes. My heart stutters. A warmth squeezes my chest. Surrounding the sapphire are brilliant cut diamonds that enhance the beauty of the sapphire. It’s simple, yet elegant, and very regal.
"Fit for my Empress." He kisses the ring, then holds my hand between both of his.
"It’s gorgeous." My throat aches with unspoken feelings.
"It belonged to my grandmother. She left a piece of jewelry from her collection for each of us brothers to give to the woman we love. She’d have wanted you to have this."
"It’s beautiful." A pressure drums at the backs of my eyeballs. I can’t take my gaze off the beautiful stone. "It feels… Perfect."
"You’re perfect," he says with such feeling, I raise my gaze to his.
On his face, I see the wonder, the love, and the tenderness. That look which marks him out as mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. His green irises spark. That underlying current of lust that underpins our interactions flares.
I take a step toward him and tip up my chin. He lowers his chin, and a buzzing sound interrupts us.