“But not completely?”
“No, but then he is a passionate man; something that you should be able to appreciate and understand. You are too tired to think right now. Sleep, and in the morning talk to him. I am certain there is enough love and compassion between the two of you that a solution to both of your situations can be found. But before you enter the deep waters of Antonio, perhaps you should resolve the shallow waters of your own kisses,” he suggested and disappeared.
Unwilling to wake Antonio to get him beneath the sheets, she retrieved a light blanket and covered them both. The moment she curled in beside him, his arm slipped about her waist, and he murmured her name. Her absolute certainty of his love returned, and she knew, somehow, they would find a solution to this problem.
Chapter 54
The solution was not the first thing they addressed in the morning. She woke to the pleasure of Antonio’s kisses between her legs and naturally she wished to repay the favor. By then it was lunch and they were both starved; having overslept breakfast.
By Amy’s suggestion, they returned upstairs after lunch and Antonio was more than happy to oblige. Before she could gather her words, they were lost to passion and so it was nearly two in the afternoon, as they lay contented in each other’s arms that she confessed she had enjoyed Chavier’s kisses.
She feared he would be hurt as she had been when she’d discovered he’d been with another woman. Yet, all she sensed was compassion and love. “There is nothing wrong with enjoying a kiss. It is part of the process of finding a husband.”
She would have enjoyed his assurance more if his words had not sounded so impersonal.
“Why do I need to kiss other men to find my husband?”
Her question seemed to frustrate him, and it took him several moments to find his answer. “You have choices, Amy. You must investigate them all so that when you choose you will know you have made the best choice.”
“I choose you,” she said, placing her hand on his heart, wondering how he could not possibly know that.
He gathered her hand in his and kissed it. “It is not time to choose yet. It is too early for you to have seriously considered your other choices.”
“And enjoying their kisses is allowed because it is part of my job of choosing a husband?”
He kissed her softly. “That is exactly right.”
“Then the same must be for you, Antonio. While you are out there keeping our country safe, you must use all your skills, and if that means sometimes you have a chance to grasp a moment of pleasure while in the line of duty, then do so and feel no guilt. It is no different than my enjoying kisses of men who will never be my husband.”
He stroked her face. “How did you know?”
She pointed to his pants.
He pulled her to him. “Amy, I swear to you it meant nothing and it was in the line of duty.”
She pushed him back, so she could see his face. “I know that, and it’s obvious for a moment you were enjoying it. But then you felt guilty about that enjoyment and it almost got you killed.” Her hand traveled to his side. “We were lucky this time. If that bullet had traveled two inches further, it would have punctured your lung.”
“How can you know what happened? Are you reading minds now?”
She smiled and shook her head. “Uncle John was watching over you. He is very concerned that if we do not come to an understanding on this point, it could get you killed. So, let us be firm and true to this understanding. I love you and even though for some reason you will not say it in return, I know with complete certainty that you love me, and no kisses from suitors or brief moments of pleasure in the line of duty will ever change what is between us. Our love is solid and right. And to prove it, I’m going to be very flirtatious tonight at the ball and you will take pleasure in my pleasure.”
“And if I were to flirt with a woman as well?”
“I will enjoy your pleasure.” She then cocked her head. “Have you been ordered to flirt with a woman at the ball?”
“Yes, and I had no idea how I was going to do it.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Well, the way I’ve decided to do it, is to think of it as an enjoyable reward for having to go through this ritual of finding a husband. You should think of it as a reward for making our country safe.”
He pressed her down upon the bed. “I would prefer you as my reward.”
“But you do have me, and you always will.”
His eyes sparkled with joy. “Then we can survive whatever comes our way. Thank you, Amy. Thank you for being the most reasonable, understanding young woman in the entire world.”
“I love you with my whole heart, Antonio. What you do for our country will never impact our love for one another, I promise you.”
THE END
of book 2
If you enjoyed this book, please write a review.
Reviews are candy to an author’s soul
Want to know when the next book comes out?
Follow Liza on Amazon
OTHER BOOKS BY LIZA O’CONNOR
HISTORICAL
The Adventures of Xavier & Vic
Humorous, Late Victorian Sleuth Series
The Troublesome Apprentice
The Missing Partner
A Right to Love (a romantic spinoff)
The Mesmerist
Well Kept Secrets
Pack of Trouble
The Darkest Days
The CrimeLords’ War
Toxic Diamonds
A Despicable Crime— Sept 7, 2018
SPINOFFS FROM JANE AUSTEN’S PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Lydia Bennet’s story:
Untamed & Unabashed
The Duchess Lydia
The Extraordinary Life of Amy Winston
Pure Innocence - Jan 5, 2018
Love’s Betrayals - April 8, 2018
Lies & Deceit - July 8, 2018
SINGLE HISTORICAL NOVELS
Six Sisters of Shame
Romance/Suspense/with Jack the Ripper
CONTEMPORARY
A Long Road to Love Series
Humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance
Worst Week Ever
Oh Stupid Heart
Coming to Reason
Climbing Out of Hell
The Hardest Love
CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE
White Oak Series
Snarky, Romantic, Suspense Thriller
A Fortune to Die For
Unexpected Love
Dance or Die
Requires Rescue Series
Often Humorous, Contemporary, Romance/Suspense
Standalone books with a special twist
Even the strong can use a helping hand when life gets hard.
Saving Casey
Saving Molly
Proud Mary
Angel Series
Spicy, snarky, sensual, and, on occasion, disturbing
Angel of Mercy
Easy Love — Oct 8th, 2018
DAVY’S SAGA SERIES
Contemporary Western/Bull Riding Life Story
Slammed
Slammed Again—June 8, 2018
SINGLE CONTEMPORARY BOOKS
With Suspense/ Romance
Lessons from Wabbaseka
A Strange & Wacky Suspense Romance – Mar 8, 2018
PARANORMAL/SCI FI MASHUP SERIES
Cat Refuge – Nov 8, 2018
An Alien Species lands on Earth.
SINGLE CONTEMPORARY BOOKS
With Paranormal Touches
Ghost Lover
Humorous, Contemporary Romance with Ghost & Ghost cat
Luck Be an Angel
Contemporary Romance with a Paranormal Twist
Ancient Love
Romantic/Suspense Ghost story
RANA: Teenage Queen
Young/New Adult, Sweet Romance Fantasy
Ghost Walker – Aug 8th
Leaving one’s body is easy for some.
SCIENCE FICTION<
br />
The Multiverse Series
Sci-Fi Soap Opera with humor, romance, and science
The Gods of Probabilities
Surviving Outbound
Surviving Terranue
Surviving Sojourn
Artificial Intelligence Series
Sci-Fi/Romance
Public Secrets
Birth of Adam
The SkyRyders Series
Sci-Fi Romance/Future Earth
Scavenger’s Mission
Scavenger Falters
Scavenger Vanishes
Coming in 2018
The Titan Series
Sci-Fi Soap Opera
Destination: Titan — Feb 8, 2018
Arrival: Titan – May 7, 2018
Love's Betrayals (The Extraordinary Life of Amy Winston Book 2) Page 31