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Susie sighed, she knew she shouldn’t, that it wasn't right, but honestly, who was she hurting- she thought. He was there talking about the business and explaining to a new client how they worked. She examined him, it seemed they’d worked in this for years. Susie realized that the more she denied it the more present it became.
It’s been years since she felt this way, she had many suitors and lovers; she even thought she had fallen for Charles when she was 20 or 22. Clearly, it didn’t work, she wasn’t prepared, she had to take care of her brother, the business, many responsibilities. But this time, this time was different, now the question was how she could conceal her feelings . He turned around and looked at her, with that special look that could melt the ice on the poles, warm, lovely, and only for her. “Is everything alright?” - he asked when they finished the meeting while opening the car door for her, very near her ear, nearer than etiquette allowed, his hot breath tickling it. She could smell his perfume and made her blush. If she turn around she could kiss him -like she’s been dreaming this week- not that she will. Of course not, she couldn’t... Well she shouldn’t, the business was in the middle “Nothing” - She answered.- “you did great there, explaining everything. Who would've thought you were a gangster” - she said teasingly. Looking at him intensely, trying to explain what she was feeling, how much she admired him, how much she desired him. Oh god, she desired him deeply. She looked down, hiding herself and when they looked at each other, his eyes were on her, his intense gaze full of adoration, she couldn’t bear it. So she did what she was used to do… Push him and her feelings away.
She started to avoid him, only phone calls and texts. When she went to the farm he wasn’t there and when he was there, she went to other locations. Thankfully she moved and nobody knew her new home, or that’s what she thought… It’s been a week since she last saw him. She missed him, his perfume, his body next to her when they walked, how he brushed her hands when he noticed she was nervous, his warmth, his deep voice when he was commanding something that made her go weak on her knees…
She arrived home after a long day, she had been to the other farms today because she knew he was doing inventory at Halstead. She entered her apartment, her senses aware that someone was there. Who could possibly know she lived here? She grabbed her gun, which was always in her purse, and moved slowly towards the living room. She smelled his perfume first, her belly doing that thing it did when she saw him, like somersaults. She knows he’s there in her house and starts wondering, what is he doing here? Why? How does he know where she lives? She gathered courage and confronts him. “What is it that you are doing here?” she asked. He’s sitting on the sofa, his head back asleep. He looks tired like he hasn’t slept in a week, she melts at the vision. He opens his eyes, looks at her, and says fondly “I wanted to see you” - his voice rough, doing things to her she pushes away. So, she’s defensive, she knows she shouldn’t, it’s the duke, but she comes out strong when she says “How do you know where I live?” - She remembered the time she asked the same thing in very different circumstances. Everything has changed since.
“I wouldn’t be able to protect you”- he says matter of factly.
“I can protect myself”- she said.
“I know, but that’s not the point”
“What is the point exactly, then?”
“I wanted to see you”- He says again softly.
A pause… -What is he doing?- Susie thought. Eddie stood up from the sofa and walked towards her. She couldn’t move, her emotions getting the best of her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, gaining some composure she asked him. “Is there a purpose for your visit, Edward?” He’s closer now, she can feel the heat radiating from his body. “Like I said, I wanted to see you” - He’s inches away, if she moved she could kiss him, not that she would because she can’t mix business with pleasure. “Yes, I heard it Edward, but do you need something?” - Her voice came out uneven. His eyes darken. He’s handsome -she thought and sees this look, the one for her, full of adoration, desire, and devotion.
He touched her face, like proving she was here, in front of him. She couldn’t help it and close her eyes, relishing in the moment. He closed the gap between them, grabbing her face between his hands, he looked at her intensely like asking for consent, her eyes aparently told him what he needed to know because he kissed her.
She has waited so long for this moment, the moment of truth, of knowing he wanted her as much as she wanted him. And while they were kissing, the kiss becoming more and more fierce; it felt like drinking water after being thirsty for years, and realization hit her, there was not point in fighting anymore, she knew it deep down… in her bones… she was falling… she was falling for Edward, the duke, her duke.