Page 37 of Strawberry Moon
A smile plays at his mouth. “I could have gone on my own to the wedding. It wasn’t that big a deal. But then you offered to pretend to be my boyfriend, and I jumped at the chance to spend more time with you. I wasn’t thinking anything would happen, but I hoped. Everything is so much more fun with you. You lighten me up and make everything in my world colourful.”
I stare at him, and I know my heart is in my eyes because he flushes.
He says, “I just didn’t realise that there were plans afoot which would put the writer ofGame of Thronesto shame.”
“Oh, shut up,” I say as he laughs.
He sobers. “Do I think I’m too old for you? Perhaps.”
“You arenottoo old.”
“Let me finish, please.” He takes my hand. “But I also realised this weekend that despite being mouthy and impulsive, you’re also decisive, focused, and fiercely protective of me. The way I am of you. And somehowI’mwhat you want. I couldn’t quite believe that even after we slept together. And then I read this book and saw what you were up to. So I started to believe in a couple of things. One, is that you want me.”
“Well, that’s a guarantee. Who else would I be a pretend boyfriend for?”
He growls. “No one.”
“That’s unexpectedly hot. Keep that in mind for later.” I pause and add cautiously, “And the second thing you came to believe?”
“That the author ofTorridly Yoursis actually a certified fucking genius.” I laugh and he carries on. “And I knew that if you were prepared to go to those lengths for me, maybe I meant something to you too.”
I swallow hard. “You meaneverything. You are the best man I know,” I say steadily, staring into his face. His eyes are very bright. “You are clever and so kind, and I want to look after you and love you for the rest of my life. And I know you’ll say it’s too soon, but I didn’t fall in love with you this weekend. That happened years ago.”
His eyes flare, and he looks impossibly beautiful. “I love you too,” he whispers.
I pull him towards me, feeling his weight against me as he kisses me, his lips full and warm and his scent weaving around me.
Finally, he breaks away, which is probably good because the people in the next cubicle are definitely still listening.I’m guessing they aren’t prepared for full sexual intercourse, however.
Keeping my hand in one of his, he picks up the book. “I’m so glad I could finally read the opusTorridly Yours.”
I wink at him. “Don’t mock it. Maybe Fiona and Jared had the right idea.”
He lifts my hand and kisses my fingers with a courtly gesture that makes me warm. “I think they did.”
I smile at him. It’s wide and so happy it fills my whole face. “Well, we did forced proximity.”
“Only someone with Stockholm Syndrome would say that as cheerfully as you just did.”
“And we did only one bed.”
“You bet we did.”
“We checked off the maiming by innocuous car accident.”
He shakes his head. “Let’s not do that again.”
“Well, because you said it, so it shall be.”
“Can we please keep that attitude?”
“Highly unlikely.” I tap my chin. “I think we’ll miss off the accidental pregnancy.”
“Was that in there? I must have missed that bit.”
“It’s part of the third-act breakup. She leaves him for a while.” I give him a cautionary glare. “I’m not leaving you, by the way.”
“Thank you,” he says solemnly.
