Her Runaway Prince

Chapter 6

Amanda felt helpless as she lost herself in Peter’s warm embrace. She returned his soft kiss with a passionate fervor. Her actions had betrayed her mind. Finally she snapped back to reality and pushed Peter back.

“Peter, no. I told you, I can’t. No,” she said, her voice shaking. She knew she was lying to herself and to Peter as well. Peter simply looked at her with an expression that told a story of raw infatuation. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently.

“Amanda, I’m not going to try and force you. I would never. I won’t even try to convince or persuade you,” he said warmly, staring into her eyes.

“Thank you…” she replied softly.

“However, let me just say this. I am completely, utterly and irretrievably in love with you. I have never felt this way about anyone in my entire life. I often imagine living out my days here with you, and the idea alone makes me feel so happy that I don’t think anyone could understand. And I know there’s a part of you that feels the same. The way you hug me, the way you talk with me, the way you laugh with me, the way you kissed me,” he told her, letting all his emotions out into the open.

“I… Peter…” Amanda tried to speak but she was speechless. Her voice was failing her. Her head was spinning from his words. Her inner conflict had now reached a breaking point as her heart and mind fought for supremacy.

“I don’t know what you’re so afraid of. I promise you, I’m here to stay. I’m never going to abandon you. I’m never going to just leave you. And I will never hurt you intentionally. And if I’m wrong, then I’ll stop this. I’ll never bring it up again. But I had to tell you. And I need to know how you feel. So Amanda, look deep into your heart. Forget all else, look only in your heart. Search for the answer there and tell me what your heart says,” he told her and placed his palm over her chest, right by her heart.

Amanda placed her hand over his and stared longingly into his eyes. Her heart and mind were still fighting to see who she should follow. However, her mind started to give in. She started to recall everything.

She remembered the first night he’d arrived. She remembered how emotional she’d felt when she’d heard him sob. She remembered the urge she got to try and help him when she saw the hurt in his eyes. She remembered how sad she felt when he’d left. How she daydreamed and fantasized about him returning. She remembered the joy she’d felt when he’d came back and asked to stay permanently. She remembered how the butterflies in her stomach had gone wild the first time he’d kissed her, even if she had put an end to it quickly.

She remembered how secure and safe she felt when she opened up her heart to him. She remembered fearing she would scare him off. Yet he listened to her intently and still felt the same afterwards. She remembered the concern he’d for her only a day earlier.

She remembered every little thing that had lead up to that moment. Her one hand covered the hand he had on her chest whilst her other hand held tightly onto his.

She stared at him. His blond curls, his serene eyes, the beard he’d started to grow. She started to imagine waking up to him every morning, and the fantasy filled her with a joy she hadn’t experienced in years.

“Well, what does your heart say, Amanda?” Peter asked her again, squeezing her hand softly.

Amanda couldn’t fight her feelings anymore. Her heart finally won the battle. She started to feel every little thing she’d tried so hard to suppress. The attraction, the affection, the hope, the love; all her repressed emotions came rushing out. She finally gave in and squeezed his hands tightly.

“I love you, Peter… I have for the longest time, and I can’t fight it anymore. Even if I wanted to, I can’t. I love you so goddamn much Peter,” she finally admitted with tears in her voice.

Peter smiled at her and moved closer to her.

“You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that… How content I feel right now. I love you too Amanda, and I want to be with you always,” he said to her, his smile still covering his face.

“Now, may I please kiss you?” he asked and brought her hands to his lips. He kissed her fingertips softly as he awaited her answer.

“Oh Peter…” she whispered emotionally. His name was the only word she could muster. He was all she could think of. She pulled him towards her and pressed her lips against his.

They were both breathing rapidly. Petro couldn’t fully believe what had just happened.

*****

Amanda played it all over in her head. She’d dreamed of this, she’d fantasized about it, but she never expected it to actually happen. She tried to process it but it felt too perfect to actually be real.