page48 (1/2)

She didn’tco he was ht “What’s that?”

“I feel as though I failed my sisters After our parents died, I was supposed to protect them—make it easier for them And yet, I did the exact opposite”

“Have you talked to them? Told them your secret?”

He glanced away “I can’t They’ll never understand”

“Give theht surprise you”

His gaze met hers “Why do you care?”

Her heart beat faster She wondered if he suspected that she had feelings for hi her cheeks “I don’t think you’ll ever be able to forgive yourself andhonest with your sisters”

“Maybe Maybe not But telling theaain”

Sylvie reached out and gave his hand a quick squeeze “They love you That won’t change”

“But I could have done more”

“You did your best And that’s all anyone can do”

When he gazed at her, his eyes were filled with agony His pain was so palpable that it sliced into her heart No wonder he’d decided to sell the estate He was trying to get away from the pain

And in that mo of how her actions could complicate their already messy relationship, she leaned to the side And there he was His lips were so close to hers

He didn’tat this point The breath hitched in her own throat She tilted her chin upward and pressed her lips to his

There was no roos to ed with eh in their kiss His lips moved over hers with a need she’d never experienced before And she was there for hi his kiss with a need of her own She had h they’d coexisted on the same estate, they’d never been farther apart Until now