Page 48 of Close to My Heart

Sutton nodded thoughtfully. “That’s true, but I still appreciate it. It’s nice to have someone by my side.”

I attempted a smile but wasn’t sure I quite made one. “I’ll always be your plus-one.”

Sutton shifted in my arms, her hand curling around my neck and pulling me down to her. This time, she kissed me. It was soft and sweet and sent tingles down my spine.

“What was that for?” I couldn’t help asking.

“I wanted to see if it would be the same if we did it again.”

“I think so.” Nothing would erase my feelings for her. They seemed to expand more each day. The talk of the wedding, sharing a bed, and going to events like this only made us feel more like a real couple.

This time we danced like we had in high school, her hands around my neck, mine on her hips. I wanted to draw her close and drop my chin to her shoulder, but we weren’t lovers. At least, not yet.

When the music stopped, I let her go. “We should get back to the party.”

“You think people will talk when we go back inside?” Sutton asked as we made our way to the house on the path.

I took in her hair which was windblown, her pink cheeks, and her swollen lips. “That was the idea.”

Her cheeks were flush. “Oh. That makes sense.”

I hated not being honest with her, but she wasn’t ready for the truth. That I’d been in love with her since we exchanged names under that slide. It might have been a crush, or I didn’t understand why I was drawn to her.

She had to realize that she had feelings for me too. If she didn’t, I’d have my answer. It would hurt, but this ultimatum was good. It was forcing me to deal with my feelings.

When we returned to the party, Mrs. Rosesmith met us by the door. “You went for a walk?”

I winked at her. “I wanted some time alone with my new fiancée when the ball dropped.”

Sutton blushed hard, but Mrs. Rosesmith looked pleased. “And I heard there was a ring.”

I lifted our joined hands so she could inspect the diamond. “It’s exquisite.”

“Thank you,” Sutton said, and I felt good that it passed the test.

I’d decided to buy the ring as if she were my real fiancée, and let my intuition be my guide. “I wanted something that was Sutton, a diamond that sparkles but was unique like her. There’s filigree on the band that looks vintage. Sutton loves old things.”

Sutton met my gaze and blinked at me as if she was confused or maybe a little dazzled by my comment. I wasn’t good with women, but there was something about Sutton that brought out my softer side.

My brothers would have roasted me for making a comment like that in front of them, but Sutton and Mrs. Rosesmith seemed to like it.

“You’ll make a fine husband.” Grandmother touched my shoulder, then walked away.

I grinned. “Did you hear that? I’ll make a fine husband.”

Sutton rolled her eyes. “Aren’t I lucky?”

I placed her hand in the crook of my arm and guided her to the bar where we grabbed another glass of champagne and danced to a few more songs. When she got tired, I suggested we head home. We made our goodbyes, which took a while, then drove home in the same car.

I wasn’t sure I’d get used to town cars driving me around, but it was nice not to have to worry about having a drink or two.

At home, I let Otto out, and Sutton headed upstairs to get ready for bed. If we were a real couple, I would have kissed her before we got inside the door and pressed her up against the wall. I would have dropped to my knees and tasted her.

I had to stop thinking like this, or I wasn’t going to survive this arrangement. The kiss tonight was risky enough. The tradition of kissing at midnight didn’t excuse me taking her to the gardens and doing it in secret.

Thankfully, the cool night air eased some of the heat inside my body. After Otto did his business, I whistled for him to come inside. I locked the door, then headed upstairs where Otto jumped on the bed and spread out.

There was a light under the bathroom door, so I went into the walk-in closet. I shrugged off the coat and hung it on a hanger. Then pulled the shirt out of my waistband.

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