Page 115 of When Hearts Surrender

A tear slips out of her eyes and her lips tremble.

A flash of pain stabs me—I don’t ever want her to cry over me.

“Maxwell, I…I can’t tell you what you want to hear,” she whispers, the tears falling down in earnest and my heart clenches because I know how she feels and what she’s going to say.

And maybe it’s because we are in this bubble, away from the mansion, an overwhelming elation sifts through me, smothering the curl of dread threatening to break through.

“I love you, I love you so much, you beautiful man.” The words tumble out of her mouth as she stares at me with so much love, so much affection, I’m robbed of my voice.

My heart bursts with warmth, the exhilaration disorienting and I can’t do anything other than to stare at her, this goddess beneath me I don’t deserve.

Then, the fear sets in.She just told me she loves me. The curse.My breathing quickens.

“I’m sorry, Maxwell, I know you told me—”

“Shhh…” I hush her before I seal my lips with hers once more, kissing the only lips I’m going to kiss for the rest of my life.It’s okay, I haven’t said the words back to her yet. It should be fine. Fuck, please let it be fine.

Our tongues tangle with each other, my lips moving reverently on hers, our fingers clutching each other tightly so we’ll never be apart.

“Don’t say anything more,please.” My heart pounds ferociously inside my chest. The sentiment inside me, the one that has been banging against my rib cage, begging to be let out, is at the tip of my tongue.

And it’s taking every ounce of restraint I have to hold it in, to not say the three words I want to tell her aloud.

Instead, I kiss her like there’s no past, no tomorrow, no curses, no deaths. I kiss her like the present is all that matters, like this moment can last forever.

And I pray…I pray the curse didn’t hear her.

Chapter 42

I’m walking on cloudnine.

It’s been three days since I told Maxwell I love him at The Lilith and he hasn’t pulled away. He even mentioned this morning that he has a surprise trip planned for us. I bite back a smile, wondering if this is all a dream.

Even Old Morris noticed my good mood this morning before I left the estate. The butler handed me an umbrella by the door and murmured, “Have a good day, Ms. Belle. The weather looks dreary.”

I grinned. “It can be thunderstorms for all I care.” I did a little twirl in the foyer.

He chuckled. “You’re a breath of fresh air, Ms. Belle. You remind me of my sister—she made everyone smile too.” His eyes took on a faraway look, like he was reminiscing about better days from long ago. “She was the sunshine of our family, always positive no matter how life treated her. My parents loved her. I loved her.”

My chest clenched at the pain in his voice and I remembered what Melody told me at the gala, how Old Morris had no one left in this world. Without another thought, I threw my arms around him.

Morris coughed, clearly surprised. “Ms. Belle!”

“She sounded wonderful, Morris. I’m so sorry your family is no longer with you.” Disentangling from him, I gave him a soft smile. “But if you want, I’ll be happy to be an honorary family member. My grandfather passed away when I was sixteen, and you, sir, you look like good honorary grandfather material.”

Morris swallowed, his eyes reddening, clearly overcame with emotions. “T-Thank you, Ms. Belle. I’d be so honored,” he rasped.

I smile at the memory, glad I get to make the old man happy. He deserves more love and companionship.

“Geez, that smile on your face is making me lose my appetite. You’re turning into my sister,” Taylor mutters.

“It’s a compliment, Belle, because Tay loves us.” Grace snickers as she loops her arm around mine and we brave the chilly weather and leaden skies.

A fresh flurry of snow falls as we walk down the streets of SoHo toward Wraithmoor Antiquities, because I want to know what Eleanor didn’t tell me last time and if she knows anything about the curse. Millie is attending some event with Ryland and couldn’t come with us.

Maxwell had a meeting at the Fleur headquarters this morning, and I asked him to meet us at the shop afterward. Maybe if we learn the origins of the curse, the mystique and fear will disappear.

I know the curse is still bothering him. I see the flash of guilt in his eyes before he pulls me into a deep kiss, like he’s afraid I’ll slip away. I feel the tension in his arms as he tethers me to him when we sleep at night in his bedroom, since we’ve long abandoned sleeping separately.

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