Despite his unflappable demeanor, John’s breath hitched. Victoria flushed under her mask and she hoped that wasn’t the most embarrassing thing she’d ever told a man. Doubt made her withdraw from his chest, but John swiftly caught her by the wrist. His gloved fingers pressed hers back to his heart. “Do you mean that, Victoria? Do you really believe it?” His voice was a hoarse whisper that caused her knees to buckle.

Victoria’s mouth fell open, unable to fathom her luck. His hands were on hers, he still wanted to listen to her. They were still connected by an invisible string, tugging them closer by the second. “Yes, I do.”

“Tell me, Victoria,” he said. “Meet me halfway.”

She wanted him. All of him. This was another test, another part of the courage she had to screw to the sticking place. Just say what you want and he will give it to you. He’d made that promise from the start. “I love you,” she said in a hurried breath.

His grip tightened.

“I love you more than I can even articulate.”

“Try,” he ground out.

Victoria gave a shaky nod and swallowed. They stood so close now, connected by their hands. She wanted to fall into his chest and bury her face against the V of his shirt. Against the patch of skin revealed through the fabric. “John, I’ve been a professor for nearly a decade, but when I’m with you... I realize I have so much to relearn about life. Your mind is so much more open and inviting than mine. Your heart is full of kindness and patience. I love you, completely and without conditions.”

There. She’d spilled her guts. Victoria didn’t feel quite as nervous after telling the truth. As she stared into John’s partially hidden face, she wanted to share all her secrets.

If she was going to make a habit of taking chances, Victoria decided to risk it and push her all of her chips to the center of the table. She stood on her toes, and went in for a kiss that she desperately needed. But John stopped her, just a short distance from his face, and he held her still by the shoulders. “No,” he said in a firm voice.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Thirty-Nine

John knew what he was prepared to do and it killed him to stop her. Flush against his body, her curves threatened to sink against his hardness. It had taken everything in his being not to laugh when she’d admitted to having the book. For the Duke’s Convenience was the least of his worries. But John had still wanted more. He wanted her to meet him halfway.

And she had. With the words: I love you.