Page 47 of Her Rogue to Ruin
She lifted the kerchief clutched in her hand. “Oh, no. I never returned this to Lady Mary.”
“You can send it to her.”
“Yes, I will.”
He didn’t know why he was hesitant to approach her when all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms. But she’d not come down to breakfast, and somehow she’d stumbled upon Lady Mary, and now the path was open for them to have a future together.
But they’d never discussed any of it. They’d gone from acquaintances to lovers so quickly. And yet his heart knew it was right. That she was what he’d been looking for without even knowing he was searching.
“Portia…”
“I know what you’re going to say.”
Phin laughed. “I thought I was the one who read your mind.”
She came to him then, reaching for him, settling her body against his as if it was precisely where she fit.
“If you’re going to ask me…” She reached a hand up to shelter his cheek in her palm. “The only thing I know is that I love you. But as to what should happen next, I don’t know.”
Phin wrapped his arms around her curves, stroked a hand up her back, and dipped his head to taste her lips. She responded instantly, eagerly, and all the worry, all the uncertainty, was swept away.
When he pulled back and looked into her eyes, he couldn’t resist smiling. “My darling planner doesn’t wish to make plans?”
She pushed against his chest. “You may tease me all you like, but this is…unexpected. My heart is so full. Perhaps that’s why my mind is so muddled.”
Phin chuckled and kissed her again, then rested his forehead against hers. “We have time, love. This is ours. The choices are ours to make as we wish.”
Portia grinned up at him. “And I still get to paint you without any clothes on?”
“Only if you teach me how to paint too.”
“Weren’t you supposed to be the one giving me lessons?” she said in an arch tone.
“I quickly realized you don’t require lessons in seduction, my love. I was half in love with you after the day we met.”
“And I with you.” She smiled. “And now you’re more than half in love with me?”
“I am completely and utterly yours.”
Phin looked into her lavender eyes and saw his future. He wasn’t sure of the shape of it. He didn’t care. As long as they were together.
“And I am yours,” she whispered back. And his heart felt whole.
