Operation Honey Trap vs The Emperor of the Apocalypse-Chapter 162: Delphi’s Confession

"What does ’everything’ mean?" Delphi asked Alton.

"Does it need defining? It means I want everything you’re willing to offer me, and probably more... Don’t you remember my confession on the rooftop?"

"N... not really, no. I was so distracted trying to recruit you to the Rebellion. All I could think about at the time was what were the right answers to your questions."

"Delphine!" Alton looked at her with exasperation. "Talk about a blow to the ego, girl! Do you know what that cost me? I’ve never said those words to anyone before, and as I recall, you threw them back in my face. Is it any wonder, after you keep giving me nothing in return, that I might over-rotate when I see you locked in the bathroom with another man right after you’ve practically climaxed on his chest?"

"Can we stop talking about that?" she said grumpily. "I told you I have a video. Watch it before you keep imagining things that never happened."

"That oughta be an interesting watch..." he muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing..."

"Can you say those words to me again?" she asked him shyly.

"That oughta be an interesting watch?"

"No! Your confession. I promise I’ll listen and respond properly this time!"

"No, Delphi," he said with frustration. "I’ve gone out on a limb for you and shared what’s in my heart. Nothing has changed for me since then, in fact it just gets more intense. But I need to hear how you feel about me now, before I open myself up to more hurt. I told you when I confessed to you that I’m in so deep I’m scared. Your first rule was you were not making any guarantees you’d fall for me. Has anything changed?"

His heart was in his mouth waiting on her reply.

She nodded solemnly, gazing up at him from his lap.

"It has changed?"

"Yes."

"Do elaborate, dear. Don’t keep me in suspense."

"I missed you when you were ignoring me."

"I’ve already understood that bit. But you’re probably missing Bogden too, now you’ve left him at Squeaking Point. Don’t make me drag it out of you please Delphine. I need to know that I’m not leading the witness."

"I... I think I like you, Alton," she looked out at the lake, avoiding his eyes.

He couldn’t help the smile that appeared on his face the moment she said those magic words to him.

"Like me how?"

"You know how. That’s the words you say when you’re confessing. I know that from class. I like you... as a man."

And there they were finally! Those magic words he had so longed to hear from her... It felt like she’d shot him through the heart with a Delphi arrow, an arrow that filled his heart, so that it was fit to burst.

She capital ’L’ Liked him!

It was more than enough!

To have secured the heart of this wild, brave, crazy, gorgeous, loyal, naïve, innocent, intelligent woman, who had lived through his Uncle’s machinations, harem, surgeries, training, lack of education, and come out the other side not only intact, but kicking ass!

He could only hope to deserve her...

"Thank you, Delphine," he said simply, squeezing her hands, "thank you for liking me as a man. I love you, you beautiful, brave, smart, amazing woman. My heart beats for you. I’ll do my best to be worthy of you. And now that you’ve said that you like me, don’t even think about ever leaving me," he growled playfully.

She laughed and traced a finger through his close shaved whiskers. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’re in the middle of a war, let’s not forget."

"What does that mean? It should mean we move more quickly rather than go slowly."

"I definitely don’t want to get married until we defeat the Emperor."

"But you do want to get married? To me?" he teased her.

She blushed in his arms. "Shouldn’t we date first?"

"We already courted and dated. I want more than that."

He thought about proposing to her there and then, but it seemed inauspicious with Delphi still dressed in the torn rags made by that vicious man.

"But your confession is enough for now," he told her. "From now on you’re my official girlfriend until I can make you more than that."

His mind was already ticking on how to move her forward to accept his marriage proposal.

He leant in to kiss her.

She met him and responded with an enthusiasm that told him she had well and truly missed him.

It was the most fervent and passionate kiss she had ever given him. The last time they had kissed was in the farmhouse where she held herself back because they were sharing a bed. But this kiss was beautiful... It was her truly genuine response.

Alton took control of the pace, kissing her with all of the suppressed feelings he’d been holding back while he was trying not to overwhelm her and chase her away with his intensity.

Now, he didn’t care if she knew how intense he was! The woman he’d lost his heart to liked him back! She had missed him! A lot, apparently!

She might not realise it yet, but she would never be rid of him in this lifetime now... He would chase her to the ends of the earth if he had to. Actually, he had already done that...

"Slow down, slow down, babydoll," he laughed gently against her lips, not wanting to ignite the physical burn that always simmered very close to the surface for them.

He was mindful of what she’d just been through. Right now, she might not even know it herself, but she could use some gentle tenderness.

"We’ve got a lifetime to enjoy these kisses. Now I can show you how much I love you that I’ve been holding back on, waiting for you to catch up to me and realise we’re meant to be. You know you’ve probably been tormenting me for a thousand lifetimes, don’t you?"

"Are you saying we’re destined?" she laughed.

"You and I have the destiny to meet across a thousand miles, Delphine. There’s not a skerrick of doubt in my mind that we’re destined to meet and destined to change the world together. It’s my sorry fate to fall for you at first sight and chase you across continents."

"And it’s my fate to run away from you and resist you until the fact that I like you socks me in the nose."

"Apparently," he tickled her, and she giggled. "But I’ve caught you now and there’ll be no more running..."