Warmth filled my cheeks. “I think I failed in the quiet department last night.”
Van’s smile grew as he held on to my waist. “I love the noises you make and the words you try to articulate as you’re coming apart. Everything about you is genuine.”
I let my forehead fall to his chest, landing on his tie. “I’m so happy we’re here.” I looked up. “What if things had gone differently yesterday?”
“They should have. You never should have been taken.” His body tensed. “I promise you, Julia, they’ll pay for what they’ve done.”
I shook my head. “Van, if what happened was Phillip’s retaliation for something you did in the past, I think we should stop the succession.” I laid my hand on his chest, feeling the steady drumbeat of his heart. “I love you. Nothing he did could stop that. I don’t want to live in a constant cycle of retaliation. Let’s spend our energy on each other.”
Van took a deep breath.
“I’m not asking,” I went on, “for you to make up and be friends. I’m asking you to concentrate on what we have.”
Van ran his finger over my cheek, down my neck, and between my breasts. “You have a heart of gold. I don’t know why you were dropped into my cold, hard world, but I want you to know, I’ll never let you go.”
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I looked up. A smile lifted my cheeks as I stared up at the way the sun coming through the windows reflected in Van’s eyes. “I’m not letting you go either. You can hold onto me for my heart of gold, and I’ll hold onto you to see what I’m seeing now.”
“And what is that?”
“An explosion of the golden flecks in your gaze. It’s magical. I didn’t realize how drawn I am to it until I thought it was gone. The flecks say so much. They tell me you love me, desire me, and respect me. They tell me that I’m important without you saying a word.”
“It’s all true, Julia.”
“If red sin is a thing,” I said, “maybe this is gold lust.”
Van leaned forward, dropping a kiss to the top of my head. “I like that.” He took a step back. “Holding your naked body against me isn’t exactly going to make my day productive.”
My arms fell to my sides. “Here’s the thing. I’m now in a suite that doesn’t have any of my belongings.”
“Then I suppose naked it is.”
Scattered over the plush carpet were pieces of our clothing from the night before. Going to the button-up Van had worn yesterday, I lifted it from the floor. “I suppose, I can wear your shirt.”
“I’m not sure that will expedite my departure.”
“What about our guests?” I asked as I pushed my hands through the armholes.
“They’ve accepted the position on a temporary trial basis. We’ll see what the future brings. Jonathon took them to the guesthouse, and Mrs. Mayhand is already working to make sure they have food.”
“Mrs. Mayhand,” I murmured, recalling how Phillip called her Paula. “Today is Friday.” It wasn’t a question, and yet it was. Yesterday was one of those days that seemed to go on for a week.
Van watched as I buttoned the front of his shirt. “It is. Margaret is downstairs, but Mrs. Mayhand will be later.”
“Does Margaret know I’m now in your suite?”
“Ours and yes.”
“Is our wedding still on for next Saturday in the cabin?”
“It seems as though we have a wedding license purchased in Illinois.”
“I’m not getting married in Illinois, Mr. Sherman. I want to be married in Wisconsin.” With the front of the shirt buttoned, I began to roll the sleeves before peering up at Van. “Don’t get any ideas. If I’m staying in this suite, I’ll need my real clothes.”
“Oh, beautiful, I have many ideas, all of which would cause me to be even later to the office.” He tilted his head toward the front room. “Most of what is out there in those bags is yours from Chicago. There are also the things in the other suite. If you want, I’ll ask Margaret to help you get unpacked and move your things.”
I shook my head, walking into the large closet I’d seen last night. “I don’t need help.” I looked down at the cotton shirt and back. “Coffee, breakfast, a shower…that’s what I need.” Standing in the center, I looked around at all of Van’s clothes. “It’s just that everything is so organized. I don’t want to mess it up.”
Leaning against the doorjamb to the closet, Van grinned. “I believe there’s room enough to share. Besides, you’re my favorite mess.”