Page 53 of Stranded with His Runaway Bride

He snorted in derision. ‘What comfort could I bring in the face of all that?’

‘Immeasurable’ she said softly. ‘I saw how your people were with you in the rescue centre. They hung on your every word...they love you.’

He sank his head into his hands.

‘How do you comfort family after family who’ve lost their homes? Business owners whose entire life’s work is gone in one night? It was a miracle that no one died.’

‘Start there, then,’ she said. ‘Lives have been spared. The rest can be rebuilt and you’ll make that happen.’

He ran a weary hand across his brow. ‘I kept thinking, what would my father have done?’

‘None of the things you did today. None of the things that people really needed. Grimentz is fortunate they have you now and not him.’

He looked up at her. ‘You sound so certain.’

‘I am, Leo. You’re a good man and a good leader.’

‘Today it seemed like nothing I did was enough.’

For that moment this strong, vital man looked defeated and she couldn’t bear it.

‘Have you eaten?’ she asked him.

‘No, but don’t disturb the staff.’

‘There’s no need to.’ She pointed to a trolley with covered platters on it. ‘I had something put ready for you, just in case.’

‘You’re a marvel,’ he said.

‘If I am it’s my mother’s doing. She may not have loved me and my sister, but she made damn sure we’d be useful.’

‘I’m sorry for that. I know what it is not to be loved.’

Another truth, another vulnerability to chip away at her heart.

‘Your people love you.’

He glanced up. ‘You sound surprised.’

‘No, I’m impressed. My father and uncle never tried to earn that love. They thought it was theirs by right. They could never have done what you did today. I saw you give so much of yourself.’

‘It’s just part of the royal act.’

‘No. It’s what you are. You cared about those people. You couldn’t pretend about that. I saw that old woman touch her hand to your cheek.’

She mimicked the gesture, placing her palm against his jaw. Weary blue eyes gazed up at her.

‘I’m filthy,’ he warned.

She bent and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. ‘Then let’s get you clean.’

Heat flared in his eyes as she urged him to his feet and took his hand. He let her lead him to the bathroom and stood meekly while she turned on the shower, gathered towels. She came to stand before him. Aware of his intense blue gaze tracking every move. She unbuttoned his shirt. She reached her arms about his waist to tug it from his waistband and pushed it from his shoulders.

She knelt at his feet to untie the mud-caked laces of his boots and waited as he heeled them off and bent to remove socks.

She rose up as the steam gathered around them.

A tug at the heavy buckle of his belt drew a sharp intake of breath from him. She loosened it then wrestled with the stiff metal button of his jeans. She lowered the zip over the growing bulge at his crotch. She pushed the jeans and underwear down over his lean hips. He shoved them down the rest of the way himself, stepped clear and kicked them away.

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