“Gad,” he muttered, “you truly are something else.”
“Something good, I hope.”
He drew her out of her seat so that she now stood before him. “Number five,” he said with a husky rumble that turned her legs to water. “Close your eyes, Ailis.”
She had been staring up at him, wondering how she was ever going to escape falling in love with him after this. Perhaps she was meant to love him, even if it was unrequited. But was his friendship not a valuable thing in its own right? “My eyes are closed and I am breathlessly awaiting magical number five.”
His lips sank onto hers with just the perfect mix of scorching heat and soul-searing tenderness, a kiss that somehow retained all its power and yet was achingly gentle.
It was a kiss that demanded her surrender but did not force it.
He understood—perhaps on instinct, since experienced men such as he seemed to understand a woman’s body and the cravings of a woman’s heart—that whatever she gave of herself had to be done willingly, for that was the true magic of a kiss.
Of course, such men as this duke knew how to be quite persuasive. His kiss embodied all the confidence and arrogance that had made him the man he was, but with it, he was also giving her a secret piece of his heart.
Or was she misunderstanding this treasured fifth kiss?
Perhaps nothing of his heart was meant to come with the tantalizing thrill of his lips as they plundered and probed hers. But what beautiful lips he had, commanding and yet tender as they moved in that hot, slow grind over hers.
Nor could she resist the perfection of his muscled arms as he held her in his protective embrace.
How could there ever be a better man or a better kiss than this one?
Her head began to spin. She felt claimed and possessed, as though kiss number five had branded her as his forever and she belonged to him now.
But could he ever belong to her?
She did not think so.
She would dream of him and dare no more, for powerful dukes did not fall in love and marry the spinster nieces of a village vicar.
“Ailis,” he whispered, ending the kiss with a groan, “join me tonight at Langford Hall. I would like you and your uncle to come for supper. I’ll send my carriage around for you.”
She took a moment to restore order to her reeling senses. “Oh dear. I cannot. Please do not ask me. I really cannot.”
He frowned. “Why ever not? I thought you were amenable to this.”
“I was, but then your mother insisted…and so I promised her I would not accept your invitation if you offered it to me.” She searched his face and noted his irritation. “Just as I would never betray a promise to you, nor would I betray a promise to your mother. Do not look at me that way. And please do not let go of me just yet. I am still in a swoon over this last kiss.”
“It cannot be much of a swoon if you are still clearheaded enough to reject my invitation,” he grumbled.
“I am not rejecting it, merely explaining why I cannot accept it. Would you think me so honorable if I broke my promise toyour mother? And I do not need an answer to that question. I know you would be disappointed if I blithely broke oaths.”
He moved away now that she seemed to be on steadier footing, and raked a hand through his hair. “Why did you make her that promise?”
“Because she asked me not to interfere with your chance at happiness. This is what we both want for you.”
“But I have made it clear to you that none of those young ladies will do.”
“Then speak to your mother about allowing me out of my oath. Even then, I do not think it is a good idea for me to attend.”
“Why not?”
“Because it is an insult to those young women. Need I point out it is also an insult to me? They will think I am your… I cannot even say what they will think I am to you. Nothing respectable, I assure you.”
“Ailis, I will not take no for an answer.”
“Jonas, that is too bad, because it is the only answer I can give you.” Overset that their beautiful kiss would be forgotten as they bickered, she resorted to helping him as he rolled up his sleeve, fastened the cuff, and donned his jacket. Although she was not really of any help to him at all while her arm was in a sling, so doing things one-handed was proving very difficult. “By the way, I loved kiss number five.”
