said. “I am here, happy to offer you my assistance in the completion of the second objective on your list.”
Her heart beat faster, and though an ache blossomed into life between her thighs, she also knew a pang of disappointment. Perhaps she was asking too much of him, too quickly. Mayhap he was not ready yet.
“But I am also here,” he continued, moving closer to her at last, “to tell you I love you.”
She swallowed down a lump rising in her throat. It was time for honesty from the both of them. “Decker, I saw you in the salon earlier today with Lady Tinley. I know about the letter you received from her before your mother’s death. Her name was on the envelope you left behind. Callie told me about your past with her.”
His jaw hardened. “I want nothing to do with her, and I told her as much. I am sorry I did not tell you sooner, or that I did not write to her myself making it clear she was not welcome in my life. But she will never again call upon me, I can assure you of it.”
“I know,” Jo told him, “because I overheard some of your conversation with her. I am ashamed to admit I was eavesdropping. I did not intend to, but I was afraid, Decker.”
“Afraid?” He frowned now, his gaze searching hers. “Of what, bijou?”
“I was afraid you were still in love with her,” she admitted.
“Ah, Josie.” He reached out to her then, taking her in his arms. “I am so sorry for making you wonder and worry. My mother’s death forced me to make a great deal of realizations, and one of them is how much you mean to me.” He buried his face in her hair, inhaling. “I have been an arse. Can you forgive me?”
She clutched him tightly to her. “There is nothing to forgive, my love.”
“Am I?” He raised his head, searching her gaze with his. “Your love?”
“Of course you are.” She cupped his beloved face in her hands. “My heart is yours, Decker. It always has been and it always will be. I love you.”
“I love you,” he said again, before his mouth swooped down on hers.
Jo kissed him back with all the love bursting inside her, all the need, the relief, and the passion, too. It felt as if forever had passed since she had last known the sweetness of his lips on hers. She opened for him, their tongues tangling. He tasted like forgiveness and love and tea and everything she wanted for the rest of her life.
He tasted like hers.
She broke the kiss with reluctance, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. “I finally completed number eight on the list. I was wondering if you might aid me with that one now.”
“That depends.” His flirtatious manner had returned, along with his devilish charm. “What does number eight say?”
“It was meant to have said ask a gentleman to help you disrobe,” she told him. “But I have made some realizations myself since I first wrote the list, and the most important one is that there is only one man with whom I want to complete it. You. No one else will do.”
“When you phrase it thus, Mrs. Decker, how can I resist?” He kissed her again lingeringly, slowly, masterfully.
It was a kiss of love and worship and reverence.
A kiss of promise and forever.
She never wanted it to end, and she kissed him back with every bit as much veneration. Lips moved in tender, seductive rhythm. Tongues glided together. Her fingers slid into his hair, sifting through the thick, luxurious strands.
A lingering, nagging question reared its head then. Or rather, two of them. She ended the kiss, trying to gather her thoughts. If this was the moment in which they were both embracing complete honesty, then these questions could not wait, regardless of how badly her body longed for Decker’s.
He traced her brow with a gentle swipe of his forefinger, the caress casual and yet at once so caring that it made her heart ache. “Something is bothering you, my love. What is it?”
She inhaled, exhaled. Locked her gaze on his. This was the man she loved. Her husband. She could tell him anything. Ask him any question.
“When you were attempting to convince my brother to give you my hand,” she began, “you told him I could be carrying your child when there was no possibility of that.”
His sensual lips compressed. “I did. In truth, I was desperate