Page 31 of Reign or Shine

“I shouldn’t have left,” I continue, not really sure what I’m saying but trusting my heart to help me. “I was afraid. Terrified, really, of what you had come to mean to me.” I wring my hands, growing more anxious the longer he doesn’t turn to me.

“From the moment we met you’ve thrown me. At first it was because of your kindness toward a fake, nervous princess. And then I found out who you really were.” I laugh a little at that, our first meeting playing out in my mind’s eye. “That was a real shock. But then you threw me again and again as we kept meeting and you kept wanting to know more about me. Which is crazy, because…well, look at me. I’m a mess.”

I laugh again but still Henry doesn’t move. I’m becoming desperate.

“I get why you’re angry at me. Hell, I’m angry at myself too. I ran from you and didn’t answer your calls because I was afraid.” I ready myself, trying to stay calm as I pour my heart out. “And because it’s the first time I’ve ever loved someone. When I realized that, how much I’d come to love you, I didn’t know how to deal with those emotions. It’s a big feeling, really overwhelming.”

Finally Henry moves. His head lifts, but still he doesn’t turn to me. Here I am, being vulnerable and laying my heart at his feet and he stands there unmoved. Son of a bitch.

“The least you could do, Henry, is look at me while I’m telling you I love you.”

“Sorry, sunshine. Didn’t want to interrupt.”

I scream when a head pops out from around one of the highbacked chairs. I take a few steps backward, almost tripping. The man who I had assumed was Henry is now looking at me too. In fact, there are three pairs of eyes staring at me.

“Holy Hell. There are three of you.”

Standing, Henry rounds the chair and comes to me. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he smiles down at me. The two men behind him have similar coloring and height, but neither of them have my Henry’s stunning eyes.

His hands glide up from their hold on my shoulders to my neck and on to frame my face. It’s only been a week but I’ve missed him so much. Seeing him now, having him touch me lets me know just how much. The ache in my heart melts away under his sky-blue gaze.

“You were saying?” Henry grins down at me.

I shake my head at him a little, laughing with him. I’m not afraid now. Not with Henry here.

“I love you, Henry. I love you so much. And I know that our path to a happily ever after won’t be smooth. There’ll be a lot of rocky moments and challenges and people in our way. But I want you. I love you so much that from this moment forward, I’ll fight for you, for us, always.”

“You were never one to shy away from a hard trail.”

“As long as you’re by my side, I’m prepared for anything.”

Taking a step closer to me so that are bodies are pressed together, Henry bends down, his lips hovering over mine.

“I love you too, sunshine. Thank you for saving me.”

“Saving you?” I whisper back, confused and a bit distracted.

“You weren’t the only one who was thrown when we met. You’ve helped me find joy again and given me a love I’d never dared to chase.”

“Well then, you’re very welcome. But, Henry—”

“Yes, my love?”

“If you don’t kiss me in the next two seconds, I’m going to lose my ever-loving mind.”

“We can’t have that, can we?”

His lips capture mine in the sweetest kiss. Relief, love and immense happiness burst from my chest and travel through my whole body. I’m home again in Henry’s arms.

Our kiss turns heated, and I can’t wait to get more of Henry, but a sound has us both freezing.

It’s a slow clap, growing faster after every beat.

Shit. I forgot we’re not alone.

Turning toward the sound, I feel my cheeks heat when I see both men giving us a standing ovation.

“Okay, assholes, get out of my room.”

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