Page 117 of Rosabel and the Billionaire Beast

The two women exchanged secret smiles.

“What’s that look for?” I asked.

“That man is crazy about you,” Pat said.

The two women laughed like they were schoolgirls rather than middle-aged women.

Their laughter was contagious. “I think I’m getting the idea.”

Nicole turned away from her cutting board and approached me. “You could do a lot worse than having a man like him. It’s not my place to say anything, I know, but we’ve been watching you two, waiting for him to finally get over himself and tell you how he feels.”

“Did he tell you that he told me?” I asked in surprise.

Why else would she have brought it up now? And considering how worried Duncan was, why would he have? It didn’t seem like something he would do—not with how anxious he was about the ramifications of his feelings.

“He’s never said a word,” Pat said.

“But he doesn’t have to. Anytime you’re in the room, you’re his light.”

My heart trembled at that. And my worries compounded all over again, filling me with renewed urgency to find him.

“Thanks,” I said, waving to them and stalking out into the living room.

The minute I rounded the wall, I startled. He was standing almost directly behind me. “Duncan!”

His gaze was solemn like always, but sure enough, the glint Pat and Nicole had mentioned glimmered in his eyes. He wore jeans and a blue t-shirt that did him all kinds of favors.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

I peered toward the barrier wall, at the large picture of a lake situated in its center. I wouldn’t put it past Nicole and Pat to eavesdrop, and I didn’t want them hearing anything we might say. Nice as they were, we didn’t need a new round of gossips.

Wordlessly, I captured his hand and towed him toward the back door.

THIRTY

rosabel

Without question,he followed me onto the deck. The air had warmed up a little since I’d been out for my run, and the sunlight on the lake was less blinding.

“What is it?” Duncan asked once I closed the door.

Though it wasn’t cold, I rubbed my arms. “I think I’m going to go home,” I said.

He frowned and closed the distance between us. His voice dropped, and he took over rubbing his hands along my arms. “I scared you, didn’t I?” he asked. “Last night?”

What did he mean just last night? “You always scare me.”

He chuckled and brought me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple.

I wrapped my arms around him, basking in his embrace and the opposite of fear I felt with him. The living room was visible through the sliding glass door. Undoubtedly, if either of his housekeepers peered this way, they’d see us.

That was the problem. There was no way to hide this thing between us anymore. And I didn’t want to. I wanted as much of him as I could get.

“I’m just worried about my dad,” I said. “I talked to Sarah this morning, and she mentioned a nurse I’m not familiar with.It’s just…everything has me on edge, and more and more, I’m eager to get back to Westville.”

His face fell, but he quickly recovered, working to hide his disappointment. It was kind of adorable.

“Of course you want to get back.”

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