Chapter 16: The Night Before

The envelope went into the Judge's hands that afternoon.

Rhett's father had handed it over himself, with a bow, and the Judge had locked it in the hall's safe without opening it.

That was all anyone knew.

By dark there was nothing left to do but wait for dawn.

I had promised myself I would not spend the night waiting.

Declan found me in the kitchen at nine with a glass of wine I hadn't touched.

"You're not sleeping," he said.

"Neither are you."

"No." He leaned in the doorway. "Come upstairs."

"Is that an order?"

"It's an ask."

I put the glass down.

He took my hand and led me up the stairs, and for once he didn't hurry.

The bedroom was lit by one lamp.

He closed the door and stood with his back to it, looking at me.

"What?" I said.

"I'm remembering you," he said. "Like this. Before tomorrow."

I crossed the room and put my hands flat on his chest.

"Don't say it like that. Tomorrow isn't the end."

"I know." His hand covered mine. "Humor me."

I did.

I unbuttoned his shirt slowly, one button at a time, and pushed it off his shoulders.

He let me.

He stood there with his eyes on my face while I kissed the scar through his eyebrow.

I kissed the corner of his mouth, and then the hollow under his ear.

"You're shaking," I said.

"So are you."

He undressed me the same way, his big hands careful on the zipper and the clasp.

His mouth followed every inch of skin he uncovered.

When I was bare he stepped back to look, and I let him.

"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," he said. He said it plainly.

My throat tightened.

"Come here."

We went down onto the bed together.

I pulled him over me and wrapped my legs around his waist.

He braced on his forearms and kissed me until I stopped being able to think.

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