“What?” she whispered, gazing at him.
“If I don’t kiss you right this minute, I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life.”
Chapter Ten
Elinor’s heart stopped beating for one long moment, and then rapidly picked up its pace after Caleb’s words. It was the look on his face, the soft need, the way his eyes dropped to her lips…
“Breathe, Elinor…”
She sucked in air. “Yes. Kiss me. Oh please, Caleb…kiss me…”
His arms tightened even more, crushing her against his chest as he slid a hand up to her chin and positioned her just where he wanted her.
It was a light touch at first, a brushing of lips against lips, so marvellous that she parted them instinctively and closed her eyes.
Within seconds, it became something else entirely.
Her mind blanked as his tongue swept into her mouth, demanding, encouraging, tasting…
The moan that followed shocked her, since it had come from her own throat and had started somewhere else within her. Stunned by his passion, and her own response, Elinor let herself tumble into their embrace. She moved in his arms, pulling free, catching her breath, and leaning back in, lips parted this time, eager to taste him again, to lose herself in this wonderful, burgeoning fire he was stoking somewhere deep inside her body.
It was as if they moved in concert, her arms rising to encircle his neck, her fingers grasping his hair, thick silk sliding through in a sensual wave of pleasure.
For his part, Caleb’s hands were on her back, low on her back, but Elinor found the heat thrilling, her skin responding everywhere he touched.
Their bodies were crushed together, her breasts against his jacket, an arousing and unique sensation that made her shudder, and pull her mouth free of his so that she could gasp aloud.
“Caleb…”
She opened her eyes to see him watching her, his cheeks flushed, his lips shining from their kiss. “More…” She could have sworn his eyes turned fiery amber at her demand. “Please don’t stop…”
This time it was Caleb who groaned, crushing her to his chest, and sliding his hand further down her back to cup her bottom and pull her even more firmly into his arms.
“Ohhh…”
Delicious shivers racked her, she moved against him, every part of her alive and burning with some sort of excitement that was completely new to her. His taste, his lips, the feel of their bodies as they clashed fiercely…Elinor was swept away on a tide of emotions that ignited something new. Something almost painful in its pleasure.
It wasn’t even in the same hemisphere as Sir Mortimer Hackenby’s disgusting attack, but could easily have been described in one of Lady Celata’s romances…
She froze. Dear God, she was doing it again. Creating a potential scandal. Should anyone have observed them? Her reputation would be completely and irrevocably ruined.
Pulling free of Caleb, she sucked in a harsh breath and turned away. But he wasn’t having any of that, and kept his hands on her.
“Ow,” she yelped. “Let me go.”
“No.” The word was firm. “Never.”
“But…”
“I know what you’re thinking, Elinor.” He ran his hands down her arms and caught her hands in his. “You’re thinkingthat here you are again, kissing a gentleman in a garden. And you’re also thinking that if observed, you’ll be shamed. Again.” He dropped a light kiss on her nose. “And that, my sweet, is utter rot.”
“But…”
“Hush.” He lifted a hand to her hair and smoothed it so gently, bringing tears to her eyes.
“Caleb,” she whispered.
“I know. I look at you and I see magic, Elinor. Something I never even believed in until I met you.” He released her hands. “Am I bespelled? Have you practised any elfin spells here?”
