She wanted to ask more questions, but held back. Rob was always going to give her polite answers. Even if she had not been all that good last night, he would never say so. He would never even think so because he loved her.
Loving her first as childhood friends. Then as mature, adult friends.
And now…this.
Apparently, he adored the full package of who she was. Outspoken. Brash. Definitely stubborn. But also willing to give her full heart to him if ever he needed it or needed her.
Yes, she would give him everything she had to give…except for her hand in marriage.
The sun was blazing down on them by the time they reached the Brighton shore. Rob hopped down from the carriage and took her by the waist to help her out. “Hot as blazes already,” he muttered, shading his eyes as he looked skyward.
“It was quite warm in the carriage, too,” Fiona remarked. “Why don’t we stop and have ices first? Then we won’t feel so wilted as we walk around.”
He cast her a wicked smile. “Ices?”
“Yes, aren’t you in need of cooling down?”
He nodded. “Yes, every time I look at you.”
“Oh, good grief. Behave yourself.”
“Not a chance.” He led her toward one of the confectionery shops, the grin still on his lips.
She paused to stare up at him. “All right, I give up. What is so wickedly funny about our having ices?”
“Must I spell it out for you?”
“Yes.” She cast him an impatient glance. This was another one of her failings—impatience.
But he seemed to take it all in stride. “It isn’t about the ices, it is that we must lick them to eat them. Get it? Lick. L-I-C-K.”
“Ugh! Rob!”
“Do not berate me because I likeyourflavor, Fiona.”
She covered her eyes, although this would do nothing to keep her from hearing what else he had to say.
He laughed softly and drew her hands off her face. “What remains to be answered is…”
“What? Stop grinning and just tell me.”
“Whether you are going to like the flavor ofme.”
“What?” Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped open. “I don’t know how to respond to that. Do ladies do this to…”
“Men? And their private parts?”
She nodded. “People do that? Is this what I…?”
He tucked a finger under her chin, nudging it upward to close her mouth.
He studied her for a long moment and frowned. “Here’s the deal. We donothingunless you are willing. Your answer will not change my feelings toward you. This is completely up to you.”
“Should I not consider what you might like?”
A smile quirked the corners of his mouth. “It would be appreciated. But again, not necessary.”
She contemplated the matter as they sat overlooking the water, a salty breeze swirling around them as they ate their ices.
