Page 76 of The Moonstone Major
“You?” She looked up at him with so much misery, obviously believing he was about to comment on somethingshehad neglected. “What is that?”
“Tell you that I love you.”
She stiffened and held herself as straight as a board while still in his arms. She tried to pull away, but he would not let her. “What?”
“I love you, Chloe.”
She seemed ready to burst into tears. “Do not say it if you do not mean it. You cannot lie to me because you think I am now ruined.”
“I mean every word. I am desperate to have you. I cannot breathe for wanting you. You fill my dreams and my every waking thought. You soothe my empty heart. Youaremy very heart. It has only ever been yours.”
Her smile was so hopeful and fragile, it broke his heart.
“It will only ever be yours. I love you, Chloe.” He brought his mouth down on hers, allowing the tempest inside him to pour forth. This kiss could not be gentle, for he could no longer hide the truth of his feelings, the pain of all his empty years, and the joy in finding her.
She was surely his salvation. Surely this exquisite girl was all the missing pieces of his heart.
He kissed her with fervent longing, his desire raw and savage.
You are mine.
Mine.
He took no mercy, plundering her sweet, plump lips with a fury to match the storm raging outside.
No one but Chloe would ever possess him. With this kiss, he pledged his heart and soul to her.
And yet he’d made her doubt because of these obstacles he had thrown in her way. Part of it was fear that a woman like her could never really love a street urchin like him, for beneath the uniform this was all he was, a boy off the London streets.
She kissed him back with a fiery longing to match his own.
This was his Chloe and everything he loved about her. She cared passionately. She gave everything of herself and wanted him for who he was without demand for more.
He was the one throwing demands at himself when all she wanted to do was love him.
He lifted her up against him so that her soft, little body was pressed to his and not a scintilla of light shone between them.
He deepened the kiss.
Thunder rolled above them. Wind and rain surrounded their cozy nest.
“Chloe,” he whispered.
His hands roamed up and down her body, for he needed to touch her, taste her, lose himself in her. Possess her. Memorize her every luscious curve. She was small and slender, but her breasts were full and womanly.
He adored her.
Revered her.
But also ached to bed her.
Was it not right that a man should burn with desire for the woman who was to be his wife? “I love you so much, Chloe.”
Her eyes lit up like starlight. “I love you too. Please say it again, Fionn.”
He grinned. “I love you, Chloe. Whether we are ever found out or not, I would like to marry you. So will you? Do me the honor of marrying me, that is.”
She still had her arms around his neck, and he still had her soft curves pressed against the hard length of him. “Yes, you know I will. I love you so very much.”
