Page 50 of Revealing a Rogue
Staring at her husband’s lips, Bronwyn slid her arm up and about Landon’s neck and pressed herself close. She wanted to taste the lips that she had dreamt of kissing her intimately. She needed to feel them pressed against her neck. Tilting her head, she leaned in.
Landon placed a finger upon her lips, preventing the kiss she longed for.
“If we kiss, I’ll not want to stop until I have you atop me, riding me—hard.”
The intensity of his gaze set her blood to boil. Heat and desire pooled at her core.
There were truths she promised herself she would no longer withhold from Landon. She needed to clear them from her conscience.
Bronwyn leaned back slightly, leaving her hand on the back of his neck where her fingers stroked his skin. “What are these revelations you want to share with me?”
Eyes shut, Landon said, “Eight years ago, when you walked into my office, I had doubts that a girl from the east side would be wise enough to fill the position of legal assistant.”
“I, too, had concerns.”
At her admission he asked, “Is that so? I’d have never guessed, for I distinctly remember you brazenly standing before me and claiming there was no one else better suited for the position.”
“At the time, I wasn’t referring to the role of being your assistant. I was speaking of the importance of someone within the Network keeping an eye on you.”
Landon’s face became dangerously expressionless. “Explain.”
Taking a moment to arrange her thoughts, she placed both hands in her lap and interlocked her fingers. “The Network elders deemed it imperative someone be assigned to your protection as long as you were unmarked. They deemed the probability of you inheriting high, given the tendency of men in the Neale family to leave this earth well before their time. I petitioned for the position and was granted the honor of being assigned to you. I had no idea what was expected of a legal assistant.”
Landon’s features transformed from a frown into a knowing grin. “Yet you excelled. And that is why I know you will be a wonderful countess.”
Grinning, Bronwyn said, “That is the same conclusion I arrived at. Except it took days of sorting buttons and…” Her body shook with a shiver. “And mending, to figure it out.”
“I have one more confession.” Landon’s arm tightened about her waist as if he feared she might flee. “While I was traveling abroad with Mary and Waterford, I realized I’d subconsciously fallen in love with you and simultaneously been callous toward your feelings for me.”
Bronwyn couldn’t help but stiffen as she asked, “You knew I’d fallen in love with you?”
“For six years, I assumed I was misinterpreting the subtle lingering looks and undercurrents. I persuaded myself that your feelings for me were purely platonic.” Landon placed a chaste kiss upon her cheek. “When Mary accused me of already being in love with another, I couldn’t deny it any longer.”
A knot twisted in her stomach. “Tell me, when did Mary make this accusation?”
“It was while I…” Her husband cleared his throat once more. Not a good sign. Unblinking, he said, “Amidst my attempt to convince her to consider my suit.” He quickly continued, “It was the honorable and right thing to do, and I hoped it would spur Waterford to act.”
“You did not know they were already betrothed?”
“You did?”
“Aye, the Network is well informed. Waterford signed the betrothal papers before he left for the Continent.” Bronwyn frowned. “You had already received the mark. How is it Archbroke did not inform you of these details prior to your departure—unless you were not forthcoming with your own plans.”
She had guessed correctly; guilt was plastered across Landon’s features. Bronwyn placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek and whispered into his ear, “It’s a good thing you married me. This way, I can prevent you from making such mistakes in the future.”
Before she could pull back, Landon’s lips fastened on her neck. The rogue was going to leave yet another mark. She didn’t care, she let out a moan.
The pressure of his lips lightened. Landon asked, “Any other confessions?”
“Two.” She wanted to be done conversing. His teasing lips had her rushing to get the words out. “I agreed to marry you because I loved you all those years you were a barrister but also because…” She took a deep breath. “I honestly didn’t believe I had a choice despite your reassurances.”
Landon ceased kissing her. No longer crushed to his body, the additional three inches of space he placed between them felt like a vast chasm. “You didn’t believe me?”
Bronwyn tried to edge closer, but for every inch she moved forward, Landon moved back. She wrung her hands in her lap. “Not until I left, and you didn’t come after me.”
She regretted the hurt that resided in the depths of his eyes. Bowing her head, she continued her attempt at explaining her thoughts. “I realized it was entirely my decision if I wished to remain married to you—and I do. I’ve fallen in love with you. Not a barrister. Not an earl. Not the head PORF, but with the man who is amazingly patient, caring, and is…” Despite the heaviness in her heart, her lips curled into a smile as she added, “An excellent lover.”
He lifted her chin. “And your other admission?”
