Page 107 of Late Nights & Love Lines
She squeezes me tighter, then kisses my chest, right over my heart. “This doesn’t mean I like to cuddle now—you know that, right? I’m only doing it because you need me tonight.”
“I need you every night, but God forbid I bring you over to the dark side of something as nefarious as cuddling.” My chuckle shakes my shoulders. “Yes, Peach. I know you’re putting yourself through the misery of allowing me to hold you for my benefit only.”
“Good. Good night, Seb.”
“Good night, my sweet Peach.”
With her by my side, I feel a little less powerless, and I’ll hold on to her with both hands for as long as it takes to make her mine.
26
EVEN BETTER THAN A PRINCESS
ROWAN
The doorbell rings, and I roll over, but Sebastian’s side of the bed is cold. Something changed the night he took Miles fishing, and he hasn’t slept in his own room since. I try not to worry too much about how my pulse spikes every time he leaves.
What if the kids see him sneaking out of my room?
What if Pappy gets the wrong idea?
What if Sebastian thinks I can stay?
What if I do too?
Meow.
My gaze darts to the end of the bed where Lucky sits, staring at me like an evil wizard.
“How the hell did you get in here? Shoo. Go away. I don’t need your bad luck today.”
Lucky stands, spins in place, then plops down to glare at me as if he has every right to curse me.
Excitable voices echo up the stairs, and I groan, pulling Sebastian’s pillow over my face. Why does his scent have to be what calms me? Groaning, I attempt to suffocate myself with his pillow.
“Rowan?” Seren calls through my door with a soft knock.
“Come in,” I reply, tossing the pillow to the side and sitting up. The movement startles Lucky enough that he jumps down and scurries from my room when the door opens.
She walks through the door, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth and shifting her weight from foot to foot.
“What’s wrong?” I ask. When did I start holding my breath every time I ask that question?
“Nothing, but…” Her gaze jumps around my room before falling back to me sitting in the middle of my bed. “Miss Stella and Miss Tabby are downstairs.” She twists her hands together in front of her belly. “Um, they’re here to take you dress shopping.”
My chin falls to my chest in exaggerated exasperation. “I hate shopping,” I whine.
“It can’t be that bad, can it? They said they have a whole day planned.”
Something in her tone has me searching her face a little more closely. She’s nervous.
My lips twitch as a plan forms.
“Do you want to come with us?” I ask carefully. She said her mom got her a dress, but did she get to choose it?
Her gaze snaps to mine, and I recognize the lost emptiness in her emerald irises.
“You mean it?”
