“But I’ve done exactly this throughout our rushed trip to Scotland.”
“You’ve been running for your life. That is not indulgent.”
“Perhaps you are right, but people can change. What if I do?” She gazed up at him with big, hopeful eyes, so obviously desperate for answers about herself. If only she could see herself for who she truly was, but it would take time for her to understand and appreciate her strengths.
“People, at their core, do not change,” Octavian insisted. “A sneaky, petty child is going to turn into a sneaky, petty adult. A kind, compassionate child is going to turn into a kind, compassionate adult.”
“Unless they are so badly hurt, they become embittered.”
He still had hold of her hand and gave it another light squeeze. “But they also have the capacity to become unembittered when their fortunes turn.”
“Or they become cynical and never trust again.”
“Is that you, Syd? Too cynical to ever trust me?”
She frowned. “No…that is…I do trust you. In fact, I trust you more than I trust myself.” Her frown now faded into a smile. “It is a nice feeling, Octavian. But that does not stop me from being stubborn and irritating to you.”
He laughed. “I’ll accept that, so long as you trust me. That is good enough for me.”
“You have no idea how much I do,” she said, surprising even herself by the revelation. “To the depths of my soul. This is how deeply I trust you, Octavian.”
“I know. That much was clear the night you baredeverythingto me.”
She blushed again. “I did do that, didn’t I?”
“Sweet heaven, yes.” He cast her a rakish smile. “Care to do that again?”
Her blush deepened to the brightest shade of pink and she began to fidget in her chair. “What would you do if I said yes?”
CHAPTER 12
SYD STIFLED HERlaughter at the look of surprise on Octavian’s face.
In the next moment, he rose, almost knocking over his chair in his haste. “Are you done, Syd?”
“Yes.” She set aside her table linen and rose along with him. “Did I just shock you?”
“You delighted me. Care to go upstairs?”
She nodded and placed her arm in the crook of his elbow. “I’m ready.”
In truth, she was ready in so many ways.
Ready to retire upstairs to their guest chamber.
Ready to shed her clothes.
Ready to be intimate with Octavian.
She was still scared beyond belief because he was too good to be true. How could he accept her with all her faults? He had none, that was for certain. In truth, it was terrifying because he was so perfect and she was so imperfect.
“Love, you are fretting again,” he said, sparing her a glance as they walked to their room.
Love.
The endearment warmed her soul.
How did one go about making this feeling last and grow deeper over time? “Yes, I am not very good yet at handling happiness. It worries me.”
