Page 87 of Earned Husband

We jumped apart to see Jasmine standing on the garden path, her arms folded and a mischievous smile on her face. “I was going to tease you, but instead, I’ll do you a favor. People are looking for you.”

“Thank you.” Deja grinned at her sister. “We’ll hurry.”

“You’re going to have to. I can distract them, but I won’t manage it for long.”

Without giving myself time to overthink it, I slipped an arm beneath Deja’s knees and another around her back, scooping her up.

Jasmine shooed us away with both hands. “Go. Quickly!”

She spun around and headed back to the party while Deja let out a surprised laugh and held on. I carried her across her family’s gardens and ducked away from the windows where the party, larger than a typical American wedding, was still carrying on.

I couldn’t believe the size of engagement parties over here, but when she looked up at me, her eyes bright under the lights illuminating the paths, I stopped worrying about how big the wedding was going to be.

Instead, I only focused on her, the woman I was now officially engaged to. The one who was going to be my wife.

CHAPTER 36

DEJA

My bedroom door had barely shut behind us before Colin’s mouth was back on mine, his kisses so intoxicating that for a second I forgot where we were and what had just happened. He held me cradled to his chest, the laughter we’d been trying to contain on the run across the gardens dissolving into sighs and moans.

When he finally set me down on my feet, one of his hands slid into mine while the other landed in the small of my back. A burst of rational thought finally returned now that I wasn’t in his arms, completely enveloped by him anymore, and I reached behind us to throw the lock on my door into place, knowing it was likely that someone would eventually come looking.

Jasmine would do her best, but there was no guarantee anyone would buy that we’d simply been exhausted and gone to bed early—or whatever other excuse she was going to offer. Either way, as soon as I heard the lock snick into place, I looped both arms around Colin’s neck and drew him closer to me, so relieved that our engagement was finally official that I felt emotional about it.

Not only did it mean that it would be easier and more acceptable for us to spend time together from now on, but alsothat we could stop sneaking around.Well, mostly. At least it wouldn’t be such a disaster if we get caught together anymore, anyway.

Colin kissed me deeply, his tongue stroking mine in long, hungry lashes that sent tingles running through me. I kissed him back just as passionately, already feeling my body responding to having his strong frame pressed against me.

As soon as I reached for his jacket to push it off his shoulders, however, he broke the kiss, the look in his eyes heated but conflicted. He lifted his head and brought his forehead to mine. Our breathing was choppy and uneven, but he didn’t let go of me or kiss me again. Instead, it seemed we were suspended somewhere between, in a place where his brain appeared to have caught up with him.

“Deja…” He trailed off, closing his eyes and swiping his tongue across his lips. He drew in a deep breath like he was desperately trying to gather his thoughts.

I frowned, taking his face in my hands and stroking my thumbs across the sharp lines of his cleanly shaven jaw. “Colin?”

He finally opened his eyes again and they landed directly on mine. I just didn’t understand the uncertainty there.

“I’m not sure we should do this.”

“Do what?” I asked.

“What we both want right now.” He searched my face, still holding me tight but obviously not wanting to presume anything. “I don’t want you to think that I expect anything just because we’re engaged now.”

My heart squeezed at the thought that he was still pausing to check in with me, even after everything we’d already done. “It’s okay, Colin. I’m wearing your ring now, remember? It’s official. We’re getting married soon.”

“I know, but we can wait,” he said gently. “Don’t get me wrong, I want this. I wantyou, so I’m not trying to stall. It’s just that I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“The only thing I’m feeling is happy.” I smiled as I pushed up on my toes to plant a hot, open-mouthed kiss on his neck. “Well, that and a few other things, but they all tie into my happiness and how very muchnotpressured I’m feeling.”

“You’re sure?”

“So sure.” I kissed him again, dragging my mouth to his lips and threading my fingers into his hair. “I’ve been wanting this for so long and you’re going to be my husband, Colin. Now that it’s official, I don’t see any reason to wait.”

“Some people think only marriage makes itofficialofficial.”

I chuckled against his mouth. “Are you one of those people?”

“Nope, but are you?”