“An attachment to another? Someone you’ve not mentioned to anyone before now?”
Garrett couldn’t resist a snort at that suggestion. “No.” He stole a peek at her face, wondering if he’d caught a glimpse of relief or if it was simply his imagination showing him something that he might want to see. “You?”
“I could tell Mama that I’m thinking of becoming a nun and want to spend the weekend at a convent.”
“Really?” He drawled the word in derision.
“Well, doyouhave any better ideas? I seem to be the only one coming up with anything at the moment,” she shot back, rounding on him, hands on hips.
He stared at her, all flushed and irritated, and amazingly beautiful. “Yes. I have a much better idea.”
She sensed it, her gaze flashing to his mouth, her breasts rising with an indrawn breath. “Ohh…”
This time they both knew where they were heading, his arms encircling her with determination, hers slipping around his neck as if they belonged there.
The kiss was passionate, eager, lips parting, tongues duelling, sounds of pleasure drifting softly into the quiet forest air around them.
Garrett couldn’t get her close enough to him, gripping her fiercely, as if to let her know she was his, and that was all there was to it. Her taste, the scent of her skin, the feel of her hair and her body as she moved against him, and her eagerness to be an equal participant—it was all overwhelming and he felt knocked askew by the unexpected emotions that jolted him as he kissed her.
To judge by the sounds she made, Cherry had surrendered as well.
Tiny moans and whimpers escaped from her throat as she moved her head, snuggling tightly against him, experimenting, enjoying, letting her body dictate her moves and unabashedly taking everything he was giving her.
As his hands slid down to find her roundness once again, and daringly pressed their bodies intimately together, she hummed with pleasure, her fingers in his hair, rising on tiptoe to find the right place to match his movements.
She was going to drive him insane if he let her, so with almostpainful care, he eased them apart.
“Cherry,” he whispered, kissing her once more quickly. “God, Cherry.” She staggered a little and he caught her arm. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“Don’t be silly.” She straightened her skirts, but couldn’t quite meet his eye for a moment or two.
“I’m not being silly.” This time it was his throat that needed clearing. “I find…”what? What could he say that would excuse his conduct? “I find you most attractive.”
“As I do you,” she answered promptly, her gaze rising to his face. Bold and courageous, she met his look, with a slight tinge of colour rising to her cheeks. “Kissing is a pleasant pastime, to be sure.” She swallowed. “One I’ve not pursued very often, so I must ask your forgiveness for my…erm…overt enthusiasm.”
“No apologies or forgiveness needed.”
“Perhaps we should return. Our absence will be remarked if we remain here much longer.”
“Indeed.” He looked around. “I believe my path leads that way.” He nodded to his right.
“Yes.” She sighed. “And mine is straight ahead.”
“We didn’t come up with a plan,” he commented as they moved apart a little.
“No, unfortunately.” She squared her shoulders and sighed. “I suppose we must try to keep our distance at the dance. Perhaps that will persuade our mamas that they shouldn’t get their hopes up.”
“It’s for the best,” he answered.
“It is.” She nodded firmly. “Until we meet again.” A tiny curtsey.
“Until then.” A slight bow.
It wasn’t until she was out of sight that Garrett turned to his path, then realised that his teeth were clenched so hard it wasquite surprising they hadn’t cracked.
Chapter Seven
In Which our Hero and Heroine Anticipate an Adventurous Evening - with Mixed Emotions
