No, I wasn’t. My mouth was as dry as if I’d chugged a bucket of sand. She was . . . breathtaking. Hopefully my plans wouldn’t ruin her dress beyond repair.
I rose from the sofa and met her at the foot of the stairs with my hand outstretched to help her down the last few steps.
She placed hers in mine with a smile. “Thank you.”
Over the past couple weeks, I’d always felt self-conscious about showing affection to her when we had an audience, the bitter taste of doing something forbidden still lingering. For some reason, today was different. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her in. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe I get to call you mine.”
She laughed, her hazel eyes glowing. “Most beautiful woman?”
“Yes.” I leaned in and claimed her lips, and though I wanted to show her that I meant every single word, I kept the kiss chaste for Giuliana’s sake. Maybe having an audience wasn’t so bad after all—it kept us in check.
When I let Harley go, she took in my black slacks and white dress shirt. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
The fact that she approved pleased me more than it should. “Are you ready to go?”
“Am I? I mean, since you don’t want to tell me where we’re going, I just assume I am.”
I couldn’t help the smile. “Patience, Sweetheart.”
“Well, excuse me if I have the patience of a five-year-old.”
Her mock exasperation made me grin even harder. “I can work with that. Great practice for what’s to come.”
“Smooth as always.” Harley placed a hand on her still very flat stomach. “I can’t wait.”
A rush of emotions hit me, hard and overwhelming. I cleared my throat. “Me either.”
We said our goodbyes to Rome and Giuliana, then I escorted Harley to Keaton’s TRX. It didn’t take her long to realize where we were headed.
“Really?” she asked, watching the jungle only illuminated by the headlights roll by. “Saint James?”
I nodded.
“Have you seen them since you left?” Her question oozed compassion.
“Only Father Cruz. We met in the city the other day.” To talk about tonight.
Saying going back didn’t have me on edge was a lie. My hands were so clammy I could hardly grip the steering wheel. At the same time it felt right to replace the sinful memories with new ones that weren’t tainted.
A warm hand covered mine. “It’ll be okay,” Harley said.
The fact that she sensed my unease and was here to support me . . . If I hadn’t already had plans to marry this woman, I would’ve made them now.
By the time we’d made it up the mountain, my shirt was plastered to my chest. I got out of the TRX and stalked around it to get Harley’s door.Lord, I know this is Your will. Give me the strength and courage to execute it accordingly.
Chapter 36
Harley
Kingsley’s stiff posture as we walked across the gravel parking lot to the monastery’s entrance spoke volumes. Whether he was nervous because he was about to face the monastic community for the first time since he’d left, or something else—I would stick by him and help him through it.
I caught his hand and interlaced our fingers. “Why don’t we pray together before we go inside?”
He slowed, then stopped. “That’d be great.”
“Okay.” Facing him, I took his other hand and dipped my head. “Jesus, I ask that You would give Kingsley the right words when he talks to his brothers. Allow him to close this chapter, and give him peace. Amen.”
“Amen.” Kingsley tugged me against him and gave me a kiss. “Thank you.”
