Page 76 of A Royal Arrangement
“What makes you say that?”
Colin settled himself down next to her. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to look out at the view when I have a better one sitting beside me.”
She nudged his shoulder with hers. “Doesn’t sound like a problem at all to me.”
“I have something small for you.” Colin reached into his pocket and pulled out a seashell. When she took it from his extended hand, it took everything in her to bite back tears.
The ridges of the shell were rough beneath her fingers. It was colored in different hues of brown, reminding her of Colin’s eyes as the sun hit them. But mostly, it made her think of her sister.
“This isn’t small. This means everything to me. Thank you.” She looked up at Colin, emotion written across her face.
“I thought it might be nice to start a new shell collection in memory of Ariana.”
She wrapped her arm around his middle, leaning her head onto him. “When did you start getting such good ideas?” Rosalie teased, squeezing where her hand rested on his hip. He jumped at her touch, and she tilted her head to look at him. “Are you ticklish, Your Majesty?”
He backed away from her, holding her hands tightly in his to restrain her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She cataloged that little tidbit of information away for later.
A good chunk of their day was spent talking on the boat about anything and everything. When they got too warm, they jumped from the top deck into the water and went on a jet ski ride together. Wrapping her arms around his waist, feeling his ab muscles flex beneath her touch…it was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. By the time they got back to the boat for dinner, she was famished.
Immediately after they sat down at a covered table, servers placed plates in front of them. Rosalie’s mouth twitched as she peered down at a giant lobster tail. She pressed her lipstogether to contain her laughter as the chef stepped forward to present their meal.
“I’ve made a butter-poached lobster served over risotto. Enjoy.”
Colin thanked the chef as Rosalie tried to keep it together. Once the chef left, Colin looked at her with a smirk, and she lost it. He soon joined in with her, laughing freely, and it was her new favorite sound. His unbridled laughter sounded like a melody of hope and fresh beginnings.
Rosalie took a sip of water and leaned back in her seat. “I don’t think I’ll ever look at lobster the same way again.”
“Agreed.” Colin took a bite. “I must say, I prefer it in my stomach rather than hitting my face.”
She bit back a smile. “I thought you were going to send me right back to Findorra after that.”
“I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind.” Amusement danced in his eyes.
“But now?” she prodded.
Rosalie was being vulnerable and putting her heart on the line, but she knew they needed to talk about the kiss and what it—and the new physical dimension of their relationship—meant for them. It wasn’t like he was going to ask her to be his girlfriend now. They weremarried. Their entire relationship was happening all out of order, and she didn’t know what that meant about where they went from here.
“Well, I don’t want you to leave now, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“What do you want?”
“From what?”
“From us.” She gestured between them. “This. Our relationship.”
“I mean, we’re already married.”
“I know, but we…” Rosalie lowered her voice. “Wekissedyesterday.”
He smirked at her. “I know that, sunshine.”
“So, what does that mean for us? I think we can both agree our marriage hasn’t been a romantic one.”
He set down his fork and looked at the table for a moment before moving his eyes back to hers. “I know I haven’t been the best husband these past few months. I was still struggling with how to move on after losing Isabella and having been forced into a marriage I didn’t ask for. But I’ve enjoyed spending more time with you recently, and that kiss was…” Colin bit the inside of his mouth before breathing out a long sigh. “That kiss was something I didn’t expect, but I enjoyed it. You’re a great stepmother to Addie, and she loves you. And I—”
Hope swelled in her heart that he was going to say the three words she wanted to hear most. That he was going to say he loved her.
