Page 127 of Duty and Desire

Gio’s eyes shone. “Marriage equality?”

I nodded. “And I won’t let it get left behind in months of deliberation. This needs to be laid down now.” I stopped outside the door to the chamber. On impulse, I pulled him to me, locking our lips in a tender kiss. Then I leaned in. “Because I want my marriage to belawful,” I whispered. “And the sooner we enact this law, the sooner I get to put a ring on your finger.”

Gio’s soft gasp was music to my ears.

I straightened. “Now why don’t you go find a quiet spot and work on your book. I’m sure you haven’t even looked at it since you arrived.”

He smiled. “You’d be right. And right now I’m feeling inspired.”

“Then I can’t wait to read it. Tonight. In your room.”

Gio gaped at me in mock horror. “Your Majesty. What will people say?”

For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t afraid of public opinion.

It felt liberating.

It felt amazing.

The previous night I’d wanted to find Hans Hasler and have him tossed into the deepest dungeon I could find. But now?

I wanted to thank him. That miracle Gio had spoken of?

Hasler had brought it about.

“Nick. Before you go in there, I need to remind you of something really important.” I gave him an inquiring glance, and he smiled. “I love you.”

I didn’t hesitate. I put my arms around him and kissed him, a sweet, chaste kiss that would have to do until we were alone.

“Feel free to remind me as often as you like.”

Gio’s gaze met mine. “How about every day for the rest of our lives?”

I returned his smile. “That sounds like a good start.”

The palace slept, but I was awake, my steps soundless as I crept along the hallways toward Gio’s room, my heart pounding. When I reached the solid door, I didn’t knock. I turned the heavy handle.

It wasn’t locked.

Gio sat on the bed, his laptop on a pillow over his lap, hisnotebook open beside him. He didn’t turn toward me immediately, but I didn’t miss the way his breath caught.

He’s been expecting me.

Gio closed the laptop and gave me a knowing smile. “You’re late.”

I let out a mock gasp. “I don’t believe I specified a time.” I closed the door. “I hoped you’d still be awake.”

Gio chuckled. “You think I could sleep after today?”

I walked over to the bed, my pulse racing. Gio swung his legs over the edge of the mattress and stood.

Neither of us moved. I could feel the weight of this moment settling around us, the hush before a storm. I couldn’t bear the distance between us a heartbeat longer.

I closed the gap.

Our lips met in a slow, aching kiss, one that held within it all the times I’d wanted and waited, all the minutes we’d been forced to be apart. It wasn’t a hurried kiss, nor a stolen one. It was deliberate, deep, and soul-shaking, the kind of kiss that silenced all thought and unraveled every word.

Gio’s hands were on my shoulders, then my neck, and finally his fingers combed through my hair. I shivered at his touch, reveling in the warmth of his body, a warmth that mirrored the heat building within me.

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