Page 97 of Anything But a Duke
“I told him I was fond of you.”
“Fond?” He pulled back and chuckled. “That’s it? You describe your pneumatic device with more enthusiasm. And what did you tell him of my feelings for you?”
“I said you admired me.”
“Too tame, Miss Ashby.”
“He’s my brother. I didn’t want to be too explicit.”
“But here, now, it’s just you and me.” He wrapped his other arm around her, pulled her an inch closer, and stepped one leg forward so that his thigh pressed between hers. “You can be very explicit.”
“You did say you love me. I am recalling accurately, am I not?”
“I could repeat it again, if you like.”
“Could you?”
“Mmm. We could make it a daily ritual.” He slid a hand up her back and stroked a delicious trail back down again. “I love you, Diana.”
He bent his head. Diana licked her lips, starving for the taste of him. But after just brushing her lips with his, he pulled away.
“What will you say when I repeat the words every day?” He tipped his head and cast her a mischievous smile. “It seems to beg some kind of response. I’m curious what yours would be.”
Diana held the words on the tip of her tongue a moment longer. Then she couldn’t hold them back anymore.
“I love you, Aidan Iverson.” She sealed the words by bouncing onto her toes, slipping a hand around his neck, and pulling him down for a kiss. She was so relieved to have him in her arms that she sighed against his mouth and kissed him again. And once more.
“Do you think it will get repetitive?” he teased, as he trailed hot, openmouthed kisses down her neck. “Me telling you. You telling me.”
“Perhaps,” Diana told him on a gasp when he ran his tongue along the dip at the base of her throat. “There are times when actions speak louder than words.”
She felt him smile against her skin.
“You’re such a clever woman.” He lifted his head and stared down at her, a question in his eyes. “Shall we start now?”
“A quarter of an hour isn’t much time at all.”
He reached a hand down to cup her bottom and sighed. “And a practical woman too.”
“Then we should join the others?”
“We should,” he agreed, and then pressed a quick kiss to the tip of her nose. He lowered his arms, but immediately clasped her hand. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop touching you even once we’re in the ballroom. Will it scandalize everyone terribly?”
“Probably.” Diana chuckled, and her heart felt lighter than it had in days. Years. Perhaps ever.
She let Aidan lead her to the sitting room door, but he stopped short and turned back.
“We’re forgetting something very important,” he told her with a frown.
“Are we?”
Aidan released her hand and dug in his pocket. Then he got down before her on one knee. “We never quite did this last time, did we?”
“You know my answer, Aidan.”
“Do I? You know I’m a man of business. I like the details.” He reached for her hand. “And you deserve this to be done properly.”
Diana grinned.
