The Lady Of The General's House

Chapter 19

"Why did you do that? You could have died do you understand?" Rose cried as she tended to Hux's wounds.

He winced and she softened her movements. "It's your words, not your hands that are causing this pain," he said sulkily. "Aren't you supposed to fall into my arms and tell me how amazing I am for saving your life?"

Rose fell quiet. "You shouldn't risk yourself for me."

"Why?" Hux pressed, sitting up a little in the bed. Rose averted her eyes from his bare chest. It has been necessary to strip him to the waist to treat his wounds and Rose has been struggling not to run a hand down his slim, toned stomach since the moment his head hit the pillow.

"We aren't even a real couple," she replied with a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"It's real to me," came the response.

Rose's eyes snapped to his. "Are you being honest with me?" she whispered.

Hux nodded and took her hand in his. "I care about you Rose, in fact I....love you."

Rose's mouth fell open. "You do?"

Armitage nodded and ran a hand self-consciously through his hair. "Rose, if I had lost you yesterday, I don't know what I would have done. Since you came into my life, all I see is you. I've followed you around like a loyal dog since you arrived. Surely you noticed my feelings for you? They were present from the very start."

Rose shook her head. "I thought you were just doing your duty."

"I was, to an extent. But the more I saw of you the more I liked you. I quickly found that my thoughts were filled with you and I also discovered that I liked it that way."

Rose blushed and looked at their joined hands. Armitage squeezed her fingers within his which drew her eyes once again to his face. He looked concerned. "What will you do now?" he asked. Rose shrugged. "I will inform my sister that I have completed our mission and then... I don't know."

"Will you leave?" Armitage asked.

Rose shrugged.

"Don't leave," Hux said firmly.

"Why should I stay?" Rose asked. Her eyes begged him to give her a reason.

"Because I love you and I can't bear to be parted from you. Stay for me. Marry me, Rose. Please."

Rose was quiet.

"I saved your life, you're in my debt," Armitage blurted out suddenly.

Rose laughed. "Are you trying to blackmail me into marrying you?" she said with amusement.

Armitage smiled back. "I'll use whatever method is necessary to get you to say yes," he said with a grin.

Rose stood up, leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his forehead, then she tilted his chin up with one finger and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips.

"Here's the deal," she murmured as she pulled away and rubbed her nose against his. "When you are fully healed then I'll marry you."

Do you mean it?" Armitage asked looking into her eyes.

Rose placed a hand on his cheek. "Yes, now get some rest."

Rose sat back down and helped Armitage to lie down. He lay on his side facing her though she protested it was not a good position for his injuries. He ignored her and reached out a hand towards her, Rose took it in hers.

Armitage squeezed her fingers with his "Will you stay? Will you stay with me?" he asked as his eyelids fluttered closed and he finally allowed exhaustion to claim him. Rose looked lovingly at him and brought their joined hands in her lips. She kissed Hux's soft skin.