How to Marry an Earl (A Cinderella Society 1)

He turned his head slightly, enough that could see his profile, the line of his jaw. “That’s not it, at all. If you ask me to stay, I’ll stay because I want to. But it wouldn’t be fair to you.”

“Conall.”

“Yes, love?” The endearment hummed through her.

“Did we not just agree that I know who I am and what I want?” He was trying to protect her. It was sweet. Annoying at the moment, but sweet.

“Yes.”

“Then what if I want you to stay?” Did she? Was she really going to do this? It might hurt when he said goodbye, when the need for their sham engagement was over, but surely it would hurt more if she went on forever without being touched. For the right reasons. By someone who clearly knew what they were about. She was already on the shelf, already ostracized. So, what did it matter?

And she’d nearly died. There was a traitor out there possibly still willing to murder her. He hadn’t changed his mind, after all, or made penance. He’d only missed. So, if there was a better time to take your own joy in your own two hands, she couldn’t think of it.

“Persephone.”

“Yes?” His voice was dark, raw. It lit fires in the darkness of her body. There were frozen rivers deep inside her, all turning to thaw. It was a sudden riot of need.

“Be sure.”