He stiffened beside her.
She knew that yesterday he would have refused her intimation outright.At least as it concerned him.But now he was silent.That was progress, she supposed.
She had walked to the center of the little garden.She turned now and found him only a few paces behind her.He was staring at her.She could not see him particularly well.The light overhead was faint.Nevertheless she could make out a terrified hunger in his eyes.
“It’s true,” he said.“But I needn’t tell you that I’ve never done such a thing.”
“Not even once?”
“No.Not even once.”
“Kiss me, then.”
He groaned.“Beatrice.”
“What are you afraid of?I know you want to.”
“I do—I—”
“Then do it, Leith.There is no one else here to see us.”
“Thomas,” he corrected.“You said you would call me Thomas.”
“Kiss me, Thomas.”
He leaned forward, slowly, and took her mouth.The kiss was searching, tentative, but she could feel his cockstand pressed against her thigh.
It thrilled her that he wanted her.
She let him explore her mouth, however, not rushing him.He grew bolder there, bringing his tongue to her lips, and she let out a sigh of satisfaction at the pleasure.He took her waist in his hands and pushed her so that she was leaning, lightly, against the hedge.She could feel his cock more clearly now and the greater heat of his kiss, the passion he began to let into it, had her wanting.
She brought her hands to his shoulders, interlocking them behind his neck.
With that encouragement, he kissed her more deeply.She let her tongue slide over his lip and he gave a little sound of assent.He then reciprocated the motion, opening his mouth to her.
“That’s good,” she sighed.
He said nothing in response.
“Thomas,” she repeated.“That isgood.”
He stilled.
She drew back.“Don’t you like praise?”
“Not if it is only to flatter me.”
“It’s not.Why would you assume such a thing?”
“I ampayingyou, if you had forgotten.”
“I cannot enjoy a man’s kiss, even if he is paying me for the pleasure?”
He scoffed and looked away from her.
“Explain,” she urged, taking his hand and interlacing his fingers with her own.
That simple motion seemed to work.He looked back at her.
