Standing on a little balcony attached beyond the two french doors adjoined to the Lounge, Leah breathed deep the evening air, filling her lungs with its fresh and invigorating life. Her gaze swept to the valley sprawled in front of the Kingsley mansion and she couldn't help but notice how elegant the sinking sun's rays made the field look as it reflected on the swaying tall grass rolling with the gentle breeze.

"Are you going to stand out here all evening?"

Not turning at the sound of Wren's voice, she nodded. In truth, she didn't want to go back into her home. If she did, she would be forced to face her guilt. It had only been a day since they had returned from the hospital and all of it's nightmares, and yet, she couldn't shake her guilt for lying about the attacker. The police had questioned her continuously, trying to gather any information on the man they had arrested, but she had insisted he said little, only asking her to be silent. Ever since, her conscience berated her. If she came forward with what she truly knew, would it help secure justice be delivered? Perhaps, even others like him would be caught if she revealed all. Yet, to do so, she would expose Wren. Or chase him away.

Of whatever past he is hiding, she thought, her sense of worry growing. Her mind drifted again to the God she was discovering. Her heart clenched. She had promised to become His, to make Him her God. Yet, could she really go to Him while in the middle of a lie? Conviction added to her turmoil and she struggled against a tear.

"Leah." Her name was gentle on his lips but she avoided eye contact as he came to her side.

"I'm still shaken from the incident, I think," She said, softly. "I think I need some time alone if that's okay."

She heard his sigh. His retreating steps. His returning steps. Shocked riveted through her as his arms wrapped her from behind, tightening around her shoulders. Her eyes widened, heart beat accelerated, breathing froze. On instinct, one hand lifted to rest on his thick arm.

"Wren," She whispered, shocked as his cheek rested near her ear.

"Do you know how afraid I was when I saw you on the floor? It terrified me." His breath fanned her cheek, a slight tremor in his voice. "I haven't been able to sleep from the nightmares replaying that scene and others that, Lord willing, will never happen. You can talk to me, Princess. Don't try to carry everything alone."

A soft smile touched her lips and she relaxed into his embrace as her resistant heart melted. How could she tell him she lied to keep him with her? When she tried to twist in his arms, he released her, though with some reluctance. She melted further as she gazed into his eyes, the depth of his feelings shining through, almost leaving her speechless. He loved her! She was pretty sure he could see hers just as easily for she didn't even attempt to hide them.

"Thank you for coming for me when you realized the danger," She smiled with more ease than before.

His features turned serious. "I will always come for you, Princess. I promise. No matter the danger or the problem. Butler or no butler...." He raised one hand from her shoulder to her cheek. "If you are ever in danger, I'll come for you."

Leah's eyes drew to his lips like a magnet. She regretted moving from his first embrace as he dropped his hands from her. She felt bereft when he stepped away, but the emotional war strung across his own face emboldened her next actions. Closing the distance between them, she lifted herself to her toes and pressed her lips against his.

She didn't move them; she had never kissed at all so she didn't have that courage. Instead, she took a step even closer when Wren stumbled one back, gripping behind his neck to pull herself up to his towering height. For one embarrassing moment, she thought he wouldn't respond; His lips stayed as motionless as hers. But, suddenly, his arms were back around her, pulling her flush against him. Pleasure pulsed through her as he deepened their kiss, moving his lips to pull gently on her lower one. Then, as quickly as he had responded, he groaned in agony, ripping himself from her.

Leah staggered from the sudden loss, reaching to grip the balcony rail behind her. She sucked in a ragged breath, the other hand fluttering to her chest and stared as Wren paced back and forth, one hand raking over and over through his hair. He seemed agitated. Hurt filled her. Did he find her repulsive? Did her breath smell?

She watched him move in silence, not daring to be the first to speak. Finally, he turned to her, his gaze burning with desire and regret.

"That shouldn't have happened," Wren expelled a shaky breath, "I promised your father.."

Understanding dawned on Leah as his voice trailed off. She had forgotten the terms of his job agreement in her rush of emotion. She licked her lower lip, still tingling with the warmth of Wren's. "It wasn't your fault. I kissed you first so - "

"And, I returned it," Wren said, his tone matter of fact.

Leah blushed at the frankness, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Yes. Yes, you did."

Their eyes connected and she had to resist the urge to throw herself at him again. Every desire for her butler was roused to the extreme but somehow she knew he would reject any further advances.

They both remained silent before Wren moved to stand beside her again at the rail. He stared unseeing at the valley below them, bent over to rest on his elbows. "I owe everything to your father, you know?"

Leah blinked in confusion. "No, I don't know. I really don't know anything about you. Not really."

Wren sighed, dropping his head before straightening and facing her. "I will tell you anything you want to know, but it will have to be later. But, you need to believe me when I say we can't ever do that again. Please, don't put me in that position."

Her brows narrowed. "You hugged me first."

Wren looked as if he had been struck. He swallowed. "You're right. I started all of this, didn't I? You just seemed so broken, I couldn't stand..." His words trailed off and he closed his eyes as if fighting himself.

"Do you care for me, Wren?"

He opened his eyes, obviously in turmoil. "I can't say."

Leah studied him, reading everything. "Because of Daddy?"

"Because I promised to never tell you if I did."

Leah raised a brow. "That is the stupidest promise I have ever heard. Just so you know." She meant her words to lighten to mood or make him smile. Instead, he darkened.

"Yeah. It really was stupid," he said, his voice husky.

"What other promises did you make?"

"No romantic involvement."

Leah grinned again. "Oops. Guess that one's over."

Wren, however, frowned. "I broke my promise; this is no laughing matter to me."

Leah sobered. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't make light of it, I guess. I am a little angry he put all these restrictions on you though."

Wren didn't answer.

"Alright, here's a question for you." Leah raised her chin. "Was it hard to pull away from me?"

Wren lifted a hand as if to touch her cheek before jerking it back to his side. "Very Hard. Almost impossible."

Warmth spread over the young Kingsley Heiress. It wasn't the words she really wanted to hear but the message was there still the same.

"I have news," Wren changed the subject. She guess it was an attempt to calm both of them. She played along.

"Oh?"

"You father is coming home."

Leah eyes widened. "What?!"

"He called me just now. It's why I came to find you in the first place. He's worried about all that's happened to you and wanted to be here for your birthday. He said to tell you he will be here Thursday morning."

"That's just two days away!"

Wren smiled small as a Leah's face took on a new glow.

"I was beginning to think he cared nothing for me at all," Leah admitted.

"He adores you. Don't think that. He just shows it ...differently."

Leah nodded, wondering if there was a deeper message behind his words. "Men do show love differently than women." She cast him a shy smile.

Wren cleared his throat. "I'm going to bed now. You should do the same. Hilda is already panicking about getting the mansion in order and its looking like a work day tomorrow."

Leah nodded. " I will. Good night."

"Night, Princess."

She watched as he left her, before turning back to the scenery in deep thought. But, when one hand touched her lips, it was obvious, her mind wasn't on her father.

Hey everyone! Thank you so much for reading! Were you surprised by the turn of events. Are you disappointed like Wren or grinning like me? hahaha! Anyway, Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. See you soon!