Page 94 of Moonshine and Magnolias
Her statement sunk its way into his brain. “Fountenoy Hall is full?”
“Until Monday. And my mom is bunking with me. But if you really want to stick around, we’ll find room for you somewhere. And you better want to stick around, Rob. Because you’re right. We have something.” She placed a hand on his chest, the warmth seeping through her glove and his clothes and lighting his heart on fire. “You brought something out in me that had been lost for so long, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to be that person without you.”
He kissed her then, crushing her tight against him, even with her petticoats in the way. She flung her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, demanding a silent promise from him which he readily answered. He skimmed his hands over her back, her hair, her shoulders, to trace what his heart had already claimed. She buried her face into his shoulder and relaxed into him, yielding to his touch.
“I love you,” he murmured into her hair, holding her tighter when her muscles almost imperceptivity stiffened for one too-long second. He breathed in the peach scent of her, the scent of home and peace and belonging. “I don’t expect you to say it back. I just wanted it all on the table. No more hiding who I am or what I want. I love you.”
She raised her head, undisguised hunger burning in her eyes. Her fingers threaded through his hair, slid over his face, until they rested on his shoulders. “I didn’t realize how lonely I was until you showed me. This fulfillment. I never thought it could be mine.” A trace of a smile graced her lips. “You need to kiss me again.”
“Gladly.”
They stood there as one, in the shadow of their ancestors.
Footsteps rustling in the grass had them leaning away from each other to see who approached them. It just had to be Sebastien, who glared at Rob before assessing Wendy more slowly. When he looked at Rob again, his expression seemed satisfied. “You guys ever going to come back? Pansy has to make her announcement.”
Staying there alone with Wendy was preferable, but he followed her as shescrambled back to the reenactment with her skirts clutched in her hand. Jordan, Brandi, and Wendy’s mom and aunt stood along the dirt path leading to the grounds and followed the couple back to the reenactment. Patrons still crowded the area but they parted like repelling magnets as Rob and Wendy approached, giving them a clear path to the steps of Fountenoy Hall. When they reached the landing, they faced the audience. A hush rippled from the front row to the people in the back.
Rob kissed her hand again and she glowed.
“The town is saved!” she proclaimed. The crowd cheered, drowning out her next words, meant only for Rob. “And so am I.”
THE END
