“You are so lovely,” he said, his voice deep and gruff. Not his usual cultured tone at all. He was being kind, and she was grateful for it. “Thank you. I know I’m not—” “Stop. If you are about to disparage yourself, I do not want to hear it. Not now, not ever, mon ange.” Her heart tripped over itself in her chest as it expanded and solidified. She wouldn’t be surprised if he could see her heart beating through the layers of clothing. “Mulligan,” she breathed, unable to say more than that one word. She hoped he understood what he was doing to her. “Jack.” “What?” Leaning in, he dragged his nose
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