Page 37 of Love in Bloom

The slightest rush of cool air moved across her, and she opened her eyes.

Tristan had taken a half-step backward. His features hidden by the darkness as he turned his head away. He cleared his throat. “We should continue our tour.”

Disappointment, cold and icy, washed through her. “Why?”

His brow furrowed. “So we can visit the rest of the stops before we need to meet the bus.”

“No.” She closed the distance between them and, with her hand, turned him toward her. “Why do you keep us apart when I can see that’s not what you want?”

“What I want and what I deserve are completely different. I don’t deserve you. I’m trying to protect you.”

She frowned at him. “From a broken heart?”

“From me.” He took two steps down the path. “There are things in my past. I’m not the man you think I am.”

She caught him by the elbow, and the lantern swung wildly. “As your wife, don’t you think I should have a say? Who has the right to think better of you than me?”

“Camille, please, let’s finish the garden and go to bed. It’s been a long day, and I’m not certain that either of us is totally rational. I don’t know about you, but my emotions have been on an unexpected roller coaster from maintaining this charade. I thought it would be simple. Share a room, see the flowers. Enjoy a week of luxury living. But it’s not.” His tone was both wary and pleading.

“But—”

“Perhaps, it’s best if we don’t talk anymore tonight. We can try again tomorrow with clear heads and clear hearts.” He crooked his elbow at her.

With a frown and deeply disgruntled, Camille slipped her hand around his bicep and followed him throughout the garden. What had started as a wonderful nighttime stroll had ended in tense silence, leaving Camille thoroughly irritated and emotionally drained.

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