Page 99 of The Duchess He Couldn’t Resist

“I love you,” she breathed.

“I am never letting you go, Marigold,” he promised.

Their breaths came shallow, and his eyes dropped on her lips.

“I have no intention of ever leaving, Brandon,” she said breathlessly.

He couldn’t hold back anymore. His lips found hers. The kiss was not gentle. It was filled with the anguish of almost losing each other, the relief of being safe, the joy of confessing.

He cradled her head, and she tightened around him. When he nudged her lips open, she did not hesitate, not caring who was watching. She needed to taste him so that she could erase the bitter tang of fear. She needed to feel him, make sure this was real. And she needed to reassure him with everything she had that she was his forever, for good.

“Well, that is a scorching kiss,” a familiar voice interrupted them.

Marigold and Brandon broke the kiss and looked up, still entangled in each other’s arms. Owen was standing there. His clothes were charred, his face covered in ash, and he had blood all over, but he was smiling.

“It must have been you that set the warehouse on fire,” he continued.

“Owen,” Brandon said, “I see that you survived.”

“I did. Please hold back your tears.”

“Owen?”

“Brandon?”

“Go away, or I will be tempted to throw you in the pyre.”

“Fine, fine. I know when I’m not wanted.” Owen raised his arms in defense. “I am glad you are safe, Marigold. Not a word about all this to Lily.”

“Glad to see you are safe too.” Marigold smiled.

She didn’t get the chance to say anything more because Brandon claimed her, pulling her close to his chest. His heart was beating so fast. It was strong, steady, and above all, alive. Her head rested on his chest, breathing in his scent even covered over the smoke.

“You are everything to me, Marigold.”

“You’re everything to me too, Brandon.”

CHAPTER 30

AFTERCARE

Brandon stood to the side, his arms crossed, his jaw tight. He was very reluctant, but at some point, he had to let Marigold into the doctor’s care. She was sitting still on that crate, her feet bare and her ruined shoes disregarded nearby.

“Can we trust him?” Brandon asked Duncan.

“He has been my family’s personal physician for quite a while. He is privy to some of our cause,” Duncan replied. “He is sympathetic and more importantly, very happy to take my money.”

Brandon turned a watchful eye as the doctor took care of her. It was always a relief to leave details like this to Duncan. He had even alerted the Runners to be ready to face any emergency, and it seemed that the police force took that warning to heart.

The building that was once Johnny’s lair was burned to the ground, but beyond that, the fire did not extend anywhere else.

“Thankfully, Your Grace,” the doctor came closer, “the damage is only superficial. Some minor blistering is not to be avoided, but nothing that will not heal with proper care.”

Brandon exhaled. He too had inspected her feet, but it was different to officially hear that despite this tremendous ordeal, Marigold was almost unscathed. The breath that he had been holding for what felt like years finally escaped.

“It would be better if she kept off her feet for a few days. To avoid scarring, please use this salve twice a day and change the bandages.”

“It will leave no permanent damage?”