Surprise Bidder

Afterwards, I rest my head against Leah’s back and take a moment to catch my breath. Then I wrap my arms around her and pull her close to me. I plant a kiss on her shoulder before bringing my lips near her ear.

“I love you.” The words tumble out of my mouth in a whisper.

Leah glances at me over her shoulder and smiles. “I love you, too.”

She turns her head to kiss me, then rests against my shoulder, our cheeks pressed together.

“I think I’ve loved you since that night at the masquerade party,” Leah adds. “I’ve never been in love before, but I just saw you and it’s like my heart came to life. I came to life.”

I smile against her cheek. “Same here. I haven’t been able to forget you since.”

She gives me a puzzled look. “Really?”

I look into her blue eyes as I stroke her cheek. “Remember what I told you then? I told you you were mine. From that moment, you were mine.”

Leah kisses my hand. “And I will always be yours.”

I smile.

Even before the auction, she was already my prize, and she will always be my greatest prize.

I kiss her hand in turn.

And I will always be her protector.

~The End~