Behind every smile, every kiss, and every touch, lived the beating pulse of truth: this might be the last one. With the vote ten days away and the critical work done on their business, time was running out. “What if you went home for a while, put in some face time in your country, and then came back?”

“It doesn’t work like that. I’ve been away for seven years already. My parents can’t force me to marry a douchenozzle, but they will insist I take on my responsibilities. I have to start my philanthropy and get involved in others.”

“What about the marriage part? Isn’t the priority producing an heir?”

“Well, I’m not a genie.” In her agitation, the robe slipped off one shoulder. “I can’t snap my fingers and produce a future husband. So, the best thing I can do is jump into my life there. I’ll launch my project…create a life firmly rooted in St. Christophe. That’s all I can do at this point.” She dragged a comb through her hair, working through the tangles. Droplets splattered onto her bare shoulder, and he wanted to lick them off. “But first—before I do any of that—I’m going to open up my bath and body shop in the capital city of Villeneuve. I want to get it up and running.”

Otherwise, she’d never have a business. “And what if we’re so wildly successful we want to expand?”

Excitement shone in her eyes. Not a moment later, it died out. “Hold your horses, cowboy. One thing at a time. First, let me test our product today. See if they even like it.”

“They’ll like it.” But what he really meant was, they’ll like you. Everyone liked her. She was open and honest, elegant, and yet down to party.

She watched him a moment, all of her certainty fading. “I know what I have to do—I’ve always known, and I’ve been fine with it. But that was before I came to Calamity. Something happened to me here. Well, you happened to me, and I feel like…I don’t know, like I’m twenty-five, and I’ve never met anyone like you, and I’m pretty sure I never will again, and how am I supposed to just get on a plane and leave you and have our only communication be about sales reports and ordering new pumps, when you’re the one I most want to talk to? You’re the one I want to brainstorm with. Your hands are the only ones I want on my body, your face the only one I want to see next to mine on my pillow.” She reached for him, clasping her hands behind his neck and sifting her fingers through his hair. “I’m not ready to leave you.”