Page 76 of Her Sinful Duke

“No,” she shook her head on the verge of tears. “You could never hurt me, James. Never.”

Penelope nestled against James’ chest, her fingers tracing the lines of his muscles with a featherlight touch. He held her close, his hand gently stroking her hair, their breathing in sync. The silence between them was comfortable, a testament to the deep connection they shared.

“I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost you,” she heard him whisper.

“You didn’t lose me, James,” she whispered back, turning to him and cupping his cheek. “And you never will.”

James leaned down to capture her lips in a gentle kiss, pouring all his love and gratitude into the embrace. When they finally parted, he rested his forehead against hers, both of them savoring the closeness of their bodies and the quiet comfort of their shared breaths.

They lay there for a while longer, wrapped in the warmth of their love and the quiet certainty of their future together. When she turned to him again, she realized that he had fallen asleep. She smiled, listening to the sound of his heart beating and his steady breaths. It brought her so much joy.

Still, this perfect moment had a dark cloud over it. She would need to face Vanessa. She couldn’t even begin to comprehend what that confrontation would be like. She was certain that her parents would take Vanessa’s side. After all, that was how it had always been. Vanessa was the golden child, and she could do no wrong.

Now, Penelope decided that she would no longer endure such torment on the part of her family. She finally knew that it was not her fault. It had never been her fault although they made her feel as if it were. She was deserving of love just like everyone else. She was not the black sheep of the family. They merely never accepted her as their daughter, and she suffered horribly for it.

Finally, that torment and suffering had come to an end. She didn’t need them any longer. No. She didn’twantthem any longer. The only person in that family whom she truly loved was Adeline. She was nothing like their parents, nothing like Vanessa, and Penelope had vowed to herself that she would help Adeline in every way she could so that she would never suffer the same fate as she.

Although she was afraid and nervous, Penelope knew one thing. She had James by her side. And with him, no one would ever be able to harm her again.

With that knowledge, she nestled even closer to him, pressing her hand to his chest, exactly where his heart was. In that tender moment, nothing else mattered but the undeniable truth of their connection. Their bond was unbreakable. She was certain of that now. And so was he.

She glanced at him once again, smiling, her heart full of joy. She closed her eyes and finally drifted off to sleep.

CHAPTER37

James woke with a start in the middle of the night, the room bathed in the soft glow of moonlight streaming through the window. He turned to the side where Penelope lay soundly asleep, her breathing slow and steady. For a moment, he simply watched her, his heart swelling with a profound sense of love and tenderness.

The events of the past days flashed through his mind: the fear of losing her, the relief of finding her, and the overwhelming joy of holding her in his arms once again. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her serene face, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, and the way her hair spilled over the pillow in a dark cascade.

James leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Penelope. He thought of his father, a man who had been responsible for all the heartache in James’ life. James vowed that he would never be like him. He would never allow the shadows of the past to taint his love for Penelope or his commitment to their future. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his touch light and reverent.

He knew there would be challenges ahead, that life would test them in ways they couldn’t yet imagine. But as he looked at her, he felt a fierce determination to shield her from harm, to be the anchor she could always rely on.

James pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering there for a moment, savoring the closeness. Then, with a sigh of contentment, he lay down next to her again, settling in with a renewed sense of purpose. He watched over her as she slept, a silent guardian in the night, his heart filled with love and a steadfast resolve.

He was the first one to wake up the following morning. His gaze not leaving her side, he walked over to the armchair, wanting a better look at her. He waited until she started to stir. He watched her stretch languidly, her eyes fluttering open to meet his gaze. A smile spread across her face, filling James with joy and contentment.

“Good morning,” he said softly, rising from the armchair and moving to sit beside her on the bed. He then took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss.

“Good morning,” she replied, her voice still thick with sleep. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and looking at him curiously. “Why are you sitting over there?” 0.

James chuckled, his eyes twinkling with affection. “I couldn’t help but watch over you.”

Penelope’s smile widened, and she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. They sat like that for a few moments, enjoying the tranquility of the early morning.

‘Penelope,” James began, his tone taking on a more serious note. “We have special guests coming for dinner tonight.”

She pulled back slightly, looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. “Special guests?”

“Your family,” James said gently, watching her reaction closely. “I know it’s not easy, but I believe it’s important. We need to face them together.”

Penelope’s expression shifted to one of worry. “I don’t know if I can, James. Not yet.”

James took both her hands in his, his grip firm and reassuring. “I understand, Penelope. But I’ll be right there with you. I… I love you more than anything, Penelope,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “I will do everything in my power to protect you, to keep you safe from the world and its cruelties. I promise you that.”

“You… love me?” she asked incredulously, her mind a swirl of deep emotions for this man.

“Always and forever,” he nodded.

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