“Open it and see.” He grinned as she made quick work of the yellow ribbon, flinging it to the ground.
“Sweet merciful heavens,” she breathed, removing a pale pink macaron. “I could kiss you.”
“If you insist.”
She threw him a shrewd look. “I was talking to the macaron.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. “Sadly, I believe you.”
She popped the macaron in her mouth. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she let out a breathy moan.
His stomach muscles clenched, and his fingers itched to pull her into his lap. “You’re so damned beautiful.”
Her eyes flew open, and she brushed crumbs from her lips in a self-conscious gesture. “Surely not.”
“Definitely. I could watch you eat macarons all day.” He reached over and pressed his thumb into a stubborn flake clinging to her chin before raising it to his own mouth. “Why does that make you blush?”
She fiddled with the ribbon. “I shouldn’t draw attention to how I eat. It’s unladylike and only makes others notice I could do with fewer macarons.”
“Nonsense. You’re perfect exactly as you are.”
When she gave him a doubtful look and a self-conscious shrug, he was floored. How was it possible a woman like Winnie could doubt her own attractiveness? Yes, she was heavier than was fashionable. He didn’t care one iota. In fact, her generous hips and breasts turned him on.
A lot.
“Look at me.” He waited until he had her full attention. “You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. If I were a poet, I would compose lines about your hair, how it’s the color of an autumn sunset. Or the adorable freckles on your nose, and how I want to kiss each one. Or your wide, full lips that I can’t stop imagining in indecent scenarios. Hell, I’d dedicate an entire stanza to the ways I want to caress your bountiful curves.”
Her mouth dropped open slightly. “Are you sure you’re not a poet already?”
“Only for you. That’s what you do to me.”
Though she appeared pleased with his compliments, there was something off. She held herself back, as if complimenting her body was nice, but not the most important thing. His gaze fell to the notebook in the sand beside her, the one in which she scribbled all her thoughts and plans, and everything clicked into place.
Mrs. Winnifred West wanted to achieve things, and the way to her heart was through helping her do exactly that.
He chewed his macaron, his thoughts whirling. If he followed his uncle’s demands to the letter, he would lose Winnie’s respect and any chance at a future with her. But if he convinced her to publish elsewhere, andhelpedher do it, he could avoid the worst-case scenario while also supporting her in the way she needed.
“Have you thought about writing for a publication dedicated to woman suffrage?”
“Of course. There are already rumors the Washington Equal Suffrage Association will produce a publication within the year. I would be honored to be part of that, but I don’t want to wait that long. ThePosthas such a large readership. It boggles my mind to think of how many people will read my work, how many minds I can change.”
His heart sank. If he tried to dissuade her now, she would know something was wrong. The first thing he’d do when he returned to Seattle would be to research which other large-scale publications were most likely to hire her. But would that be enough to soften the blow?
His gaze returned to the notebook. If there were other things he could help her do first, maybe there was still a way to prove he had her best interests at heart.
“Earlier, you said you’ve been prevented from achieving any of your dreams. Other than employment, what have you wished for?”
“Oh, too many things to say.”
“Then let’s make a list.”
She cocked her head to the side. “A list of what?”
“All the things you were unable to do before. We’ll do them now.” He rose to his feet, his enthusiasm growing by the minute. The plan was foolproof, and frankly, he was impressed with his cleverness.
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re mad.”
“Perhaps, but we’re stuck together for now, so we might as well have a little fun. Write down some relatively harmless things you have never done because you’re a woman. We’ll do them together.”
