Page 76 of How to Kill Your Rival

‘Me too,’ Eliza says through a smile. ‘I used to watch them from my bedroom window and imagine them to be the faeries having parties in the woods.’

‘Very whimsical of you.’ I pull her tight to my side and watch the dancing lights.

The estate is visible at the top of the hill below the lights, the spires dark against the sky.

Eliza turns to face me, her arms snaking around my neck.

‘About last night…’

I wait.

‘I’m sorry for accosting you with Vivienne. It was immature.’

‘Oh, darling, please never apologise for your jealousy. I love it. I love that you want to warn women off me. But be assured, I have no interest in anyone but you. You’re it for me.’

‘James,’ she breathes.

‘I mean it.’

I tip her chin upward and graze my lips over hers.

‘And when you’re ready, I will ask your father for his blessing, and then marry your perfect arse.’

Eliza’s eyes narrow. ‘I don’t need his permission.’

‘Not permission, but I’d like to have his blessing. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll marry you whether he gives it or not, but I want him to feel respected, too.’

‘You’re a soppy bastard, aren’t you?’ Eliza laughs.

‘Utterly and completely smitten.’

‘Shut up and kiss me, James.’

And I obey. As always. Taking her face in my cold hands and kissing her until we’re both breathless beneath the Aurora.

24

JAMES

Holy shit.

I wake up with my arm slung over Eliza’s waist.

Eliza Hamilton is in my bed. I freeze, worried that the slightest move might send her scampering.

The morning light spills in through a gap in the hastily pulled curtains, falling over her face, her red hair glimmering in the glow.

Then she snuggles closer to me, her perfectly shapely arse nudging me to fully awake. Everywhere.

I’m surprised I can get it up with the way my heart feels ten sizes too big with Eliza finally staying the night. Her waking up with my dick jabbing her in the back is the last thing she needs, but every time I try to make a little more space, she follows me with her glorious arse.

‘James,’ she says, rolling over and scowling at me. ‘Why are you depriving me of your dick?’

It catches me off guard, and I stutter out a weak, ‘You stayed, and I don’t want to scare you off.’

Eliza rolls her eyes. ‘Your dick’s lovely, but it’s hardly going to make me run away. I love it. You know that.’

‘You know what I mean,’ I say, slipping the covers down a little and running a thumb over an exposed nipple.