Page 116 of Rags to Royals

He gives me a grin. “Thick enough. Especially since I wouldn’t mind the other people living there hearing you.”

I blush hotly but tuck up against him more fully.

I like Autre. A lot.

I like the idea of my new job. A lot.

And I more than like His Royal Highness Prince Cian O’Grady.

Chapter 25

Scarlett

So…this is what it feels like to be in love.

I think it took me a minute to realize that’s what’s going on because it’s been a long time and it’s so different this time.

I was in love with Eli. I don’t doubt that. But that was young love. That was first love. That was an inexperienced, starry-eyed girl falling for an older man who she saw as a future husband and the father of her children. A guy who she thought was exactly who sheshouldfall in love with.

I fell in love fast. It was easy. Itfeltright and good.

Like this does.

But I’m more mature this time. I’ve been through some stuff. I know that love should feel good, but I also know that it has to be more than just feelings. It has to make sense. It has to stand up to tests and trials. And the only way to know that it will is with time.

But…I can admit that Iwantthis to be real with Cian.

Cian O’Grady couldn’t be more different from that soft-spoken, conservative preacher who’d had his life all planned out and his goals clearly defined.

And who’d run at the first sign of adversity.

This exuberant, sexy, charming younger man who thinks I can do things that I haven’t even imagined for myself has made my life fun and happy and sexy. He is vastly different from my first love.

Cian doesn’t let obstacles deter him. In fact, I’m not so sure he believes there trulyareobstacles to the things he wants. He hasn’t even let his own grandfather set the rules—not in where he’s lived, orhowhe’s lived, for the past twelve years, and not in who he should marry. I can’t imagine Cian listening tomyfather try to imposehisbeliefs on Cian or his life. That makes me feel…safe.

Cian does what he wants to. That sounds very privileged, and it is, to be sure, but I also know his heart. What he wants to do is good. And when he says he wants to take care of me, I can’t keep it from seeping in and making me believe it. Not just that he wants to, but that he will.He’s brought a warmth to my life that I didn’t even realize was so cold.

Eli ran away from me. Cian never stopped looking for me.

So, yes, I’m falling in love with him.

That’s clear as day.

But I have to be smart. I have to be careful. I have to take my time. I’m a mom. I have to learn from my past experiences. Because it’s happening so fast with Cian. And it has been easy.

Of course, some of what I’m feeling tonight might be due, at least in part, to the nearly non-stop laughing with the Landrys and their inner circle—which ishuge—and the delicious food and drink. Particularly the moonshine that Leo Landry makes right there in the backyard where everyone is sitting around in chairs and at picnic tables.

After Cian and I agreed to stay tonight, the party moved outside to the area behind the bar, where they threw together a crawfish boil when they found out I’d only been to one in all the time I’d lived in New Orleans.

Tables, dishes, and food seemingly appeared by magic. We ate and drank, talked, drank, told stories, drank, even danced…and drank some more.

I haven’t had this much fun in forever.

Seriously, maybe ever.

Now I’m watching Cian cross from the other side of the firepit where he went to talk to Henry for a minute, back to me.

God, he’s gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. His eyes, his smile, his shoulders, his ass.

---