“My father proclaimed one earlier today upon seeing you and I together.”
“Is it a miracle, Cortez?”
“For me, yes, I must say it is. I wasn’t sure I was capable of opening up to anyone the way I have to you. And before you begin to feel immense pressure less than a day after we first made love, I credit you with making me see I could open my heart again. I do not expect you to hold it in your hand forever.”
“And what if I want to, Cortez? Will you allow me to?”
“Can you honestly say you’re ready for that, Kensington?”
She stiffened. “Evidently, you don’t believe so.”
I brought her fingertips to my lips and kissed them. “What I believe is that we have plenty of time to explore each other’s bodies and souls before we hold each other’s hearts.”
As I watched Kensington’s eyes, I felt as though an invisible wall had raised between us. I had no idea what she was thinking, and more, she didn’t want me to know.
15
Kensington
“Will you be staying on to celebrate Fiesta de los Reyes?” the Duchess of Soria asked as the two of us sat enjoying morning tea.
“I’ve no idea,” I responded, steeling my thoughts as my gaze met hers.
“Cortez has not said?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Odd.”
“Perhaps he is unaware of his schedule.” I excused myself and walked over to the buffet to plate a pastry and some fruit.
“There she is,” I heard him saying, walking up to kiss me. “I thought perhaps you’d join me for a swim.”
“Mmm, I should have. Perhaps I’ll take a few laps later this morning.” He studied me, but like with his mother, I kept my thoughts to myself.
When I turned back to pour more tea, he moved my hair from my neck and kissed my nape. I felt my knees weaken when the stiff tip of his tongue replaced the softness of his lips. I leaned back against him and then remembered we were not alone. However, when I turned my head, his mother was no longer at the dining table.
“You are holding yourself back from me,” he said, scrunching his eyes. “You are punishing me, no?”
“No,” I answered too quickly. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Two lies. Two punishments, my sweet.”
I laughed, but Cortez did not. “Come.” He led me over to the staircase and, when we reached the first step, swung me into his arms and carried me the rest of the way up.
He pushed the bedroom door open with his foot and deposited me on the bed.
“I’ve imagined doing this to you.”
“Doing what?”
“Giving you the punishment you deserve.”
“You’ve got to be…” But he wasn’t joking. I knew that now. I got off the bed, knelt before him, and rested my hands on his thighs. I looked into his eyes, imploring him. “Please, Cortez,” I begged. “Forgive me.”
I moved my hands from his thighs to his belt, but before I could unfasten it, he pulled me to my feet, cupped my arse, and kissed me—hard.
He weaved his fingers in my hair and pulled my head back. “You will not hold yourself away from me. Not your body or your thoughts. Do you understand, Kensington?”