Page 30 of Adoringly, Edward
“Would I have received one?” She fluttered her eyelashes at him, and he grinned.
“And risk the warlord’s hot iron against our throats? Not likely.”
“Oh.” Her spirits fell when, once again, her father’s position threatened how she wanted toliveand not just go along with life like a porcelain doll. The harsh restraints on her lifestyle were why she’d done reckless things in the past. Because she wanted the thrill of adventure.
And of course, that desire had gotten her into deep trouble.
“Turn around,” Edward instructed softly.
Giving him a curious glance, she did as he asked, facing the other way. But then her heart picked up as she heard him approach, stopping directly behind her. His heat seeped into her back. His breath caressed her ear.
And then he draped the strand of pinecones over her neck, tying it in the back with a few tugs.
She blinked rapidly as emotion crashed into her, her fingers caressing the beautiful gift. She had received gorgeous, expensive jewels from the duke, but they paled in comparison to this simple offering. Because the gift was heartfelt, filled with friendship, promises, and dare she think it, love.
“Perhaps our treasure hunt is over now,” he murmured near her ear. “Because we found the most exquisite jewels lying at the bottom of the sea.”
“I love them.”
Before he could see how her eyes pooled with emotion, she spun around, grabbed a fistful of his coat, and pulled him down for a kiss. Heat sparked between them. Stronger than ever when so much time had passed since their last kiss. The heat from his soft lips jumped into her body, filling her with the most pleasant warmth from the man she cared about most in the world.
But she was still scared, afraid to give him a chance to either kiss her back or reject her advances. Therefore, she broke the kiss all too quickly and ducked out of their secret spot while her laughter trailed behind her.
“Catch me if you can!” she called back to him.
She broke out of the treeline and faced a glittering lake reflecting the light of the moon off its rippling surface. It took a moment to locate the small boat resting upside down on the rocky shore, but when she found it, she brushed off the layer of snow gathered on it and tipped it over with great effort, relieved to find it in good condition after all these years.
Edward appeared out of the trees, his gait slow and his expression dazed. She’d clearly taken him off guard with the kiss. And the way his heated glance took her in… He’d undoubtedly felt something with their shared kiss. Would he want to try again?
But this time, she needed him to take the reins. She’d cast the line. Now would he bite?
“Don’t get your shoes wet,” he cautioned as they pushed the boat into the water until it scraped against the bottom of the lake. “Your toes will never forgive you.”
She settled down on one of the two benches, allowing him to push them the rest of the way into the water before he hoppedin after her. The boat rocked with the movement, and before he took the opposite seat, his hand brushed over his heart, his breathing labored at the simple action.
“Edward?” Worry leaked into her voice, as this wasn’t the first time he’d struggled with a physical activity. “Are you up to rowing? I’m fully capable of handling it myself.”
“Hmm?” he asked distractedly before his gaze landed on her. “No, I can do it.”
He dipped both oars into the freezing but not quite iced-over lake, the boat cutting smoothly through the water while a serene stillness descended upon the night. Vivienne inhaled a deep breath, enjoying the way the fresh air created a pleasant chill in her lungs. High above them, the silver stars twinkled like gems on the dark canvas.
It was one of the most beautiful nights she’d ever experienced. But it likely had to do with the company she kept as well.
“It’s beautiful,” he murmured, echoing her thoughts out loud. “I enjoy looking at the stars. There is so much we don’t know. So much I want to learn. There’s not enough time…” He cleared his throat and tore his gaze away from the sky. “Not enough time to learn and observe like I wish to do.”
“Your work must keep you busy. I can’t imagine what responsibilities you must face every day.”
The rhythmic splash of water as the oar dipped into the lake brought a measure of peace into her soul. Somehow, she knew everything would turn out all right. She didn’t need to fear the future as much as she currently did. Things would work themselves out.
But she needed to help it along.
They rowed in silence for several minutes, each enjoying the stillness of the atmosphere, not needing to converse to fill the hush. She felt as if she could remain by his side, not a singleword uttered between them, and still feel a measure of peace and comfort in his presence.
She glanced across the boat to find him staring intensely at the water, a frown puckered on the corners of his mouth. His attention seemed far away, almost distracted. But she couldn’t deny that she liked the way his mouth curved when in deep concentration, that she liked how a strand of black hair fell over his eye as he rowed. She enjoyed watching the movement of his arms as he rowed slowly, with unhurried movements. A cloud of breath escaped his lips, and despite the cold growing steadily chillier, he didn’t complain once. Rather, it seemed as if he enjoyed the bitter sting just as she did.
What was he thinking about? Could he possibly be pondering a future with her? Or was she too hopeful?
Nervousness raced through her stomach as she tried to find a way to broach the topic of the future. Their close friendship had successfully returned after years of separation. But she needed something more.Wantedsomething more.
