She turned his words over in her head, ignoring the part of her that wanted to gleefully shout that she loved him too, and happily ever after could start this minute, preferably after they’d locked the door and removed their clothes. Alicia’s epiphany was hers, too. She had a choice.
“Would you be happy?” It hurt to ask, but she needed to know.
“What?”
“Staying on land. Would you be happy tied to the ground? You’ve wanted nothing more than a ship under your feet since you were a little boy, Jack. I can’t be the person who stands in the way of that.”
“You want me to be happy?”
Exasperating man. “Of course I do, Jack. I love you.”
And then, for a few minutes, there wasn’t any talking at all.
Finally, laughing, she tugged his hand out of her bodice and separated her lips from his. “I’m serious, Jack. How could you possibly just give up the sea completely? You’re Captain Jack Boone.”
“Mm. My legend only grows.” He made one last attempt at the laces of her dress, and when she pushed his hand away, he chuckled. “All right, all right. I confess, I have a compromise in mind.”
“Do tell.”
“You’re right, and your insight into my sterling character is yet another reason I love you, by the way.” He pressed another kiss on her lips before she could say anything. “But a shipping company ships, you know. And if we’re to serve the magical community, there would be certain runs that needed both executive and supernatural authority. In the person of yours truly.”
“So you’d still make the occasional trip aboard the Delphine,” she said. “Keep your oar in, so to speak.”
“Well put.”
“What about the estate?” It was harder and harder not to fling herself into his arms with a breathless yes. But Kate Ashe—Kate Boone—had only ever done one spontaneous thing in her life. She needed to analyze.
“Still yours.” He shuddered theatrically. “Pigs and all.”
“Would we live there?”
He stilled. “Do you want to?”
She thought about it. All her life, she’d expected and hoped for nothing more than to live somewhere like her grandfather’s home, managing an estate and enjoying the seasons. But she’d enjoyed her time in London far more than she’d expected to—at least, the parts of it when she hadn’t been plunged into desperate crisis. And Jack’s family was so kind, and so interesting.
“Maybe we could compromise there, too,” she said.
“We could investigate Rothwell House in London,” he offered. “Lease or no lease. I’d wager it could use some updating.”
“Are you trying to tempt me with another house to manage?”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe.” She grinned.
He slipped his arms around her waist and tugged her out of her chair and onto his lap. “Duly noted. The key to Lady Rothwell’s heart isn’t jewelry, it’s projects.”
“Mm,” she said as his lips found her neck. “Learn to write a good list and you’ll have me forever.”
She felt him smile against her skin. “Item one: I love you. Item two: I love you. Items three through ten: See previous items.”
As her hair came tumbling down her back with his fingers tangled in it, she laughed. “It’s a very good start, Lord Rothwell.”
“I rely upon you to improve me, Lady Rothwell.”
Also by Jamaila Brinkley and Soul Mate Publishing:
THIEVES’ HONOR
Thomas Dalton, Earl of Westfield, is the heir to a duke and a talented wizard. But he’s always hidden in his library, too shy to emerge into society from the shadow of his larger-than-life friends and family. When he’s asked to investigate a crime, he seizes the chance to prove that he’s as cunning and brave as anybody. But he’s quickly out of his depth in London’s underground; especially when he’s confronted with the prettiest thief he’s ever seen.
Em Stackpole lives an in-between life; she grew up on the streets, but preys on the Ton by using her skills at illusion to fit in among them at elegant Mayfair events. When Lord Westfield asks for her help finding a missing jewel, she strikes a bargain: she’ll help him learn to think like a criminal if he’ll teach her the magic she needs to get off the streets for good.
Falling in love was never part of the deal. But as Em and Thomas navigate magic, Mayfair, and Thomas’ charmingly interfering family, she’ll discover secrets she never knew she had, and the wizard and the thief will have to decide if they can ever be more than just partners-in-crime.
Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/yazjy5zo
WITCH’S STONE
Duncan Lowell’s explosive magic is fueled by an equally explosive temper. He’s stayed away from the earldom he rules from afar to escape memories of his vicious father. But when he must return, other memories surface, too – of his childhood friend and conspirator, Fiona: the future Witch of Kilgoran.
Fiona Fanshawe has dedicated her life to the people of Kilgoran. After tragedy marred her family, she’s vowed to stay aloof, serve the village, and never marry. When Duncan arrives, demanding that she retrieve the Stone that caused her family so much pain, she’s forced to re-evaluate all of her choices.
Duncan’s demons make him fear hurting those he loves; Fiona’s make her terrified of getting hurt. Now, the witch and the earl will have to decide whether they will be more dangerous together – or apart.
Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/y8gxd7d6
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