“I see.” Toni reminded herself that she was leaving for home in a day. What harm could come of an ill-advised night if they were about to have an ocean between them? Toni wasn’t a huge fan of role-play typically, but… when in Scotland. “And what doyouwant?”
“You.” Addie’s voice quavered.
So Toni reached out and pulled Addie even closer. From this angle, Toni’s blazer did little to cover the pert nipples that stood like an invitation under the sheer white cotton of the nightdress Addie wore. “I am a fan of all sorts of wickedness, my lovely Miss Stewart. If you’re asking if I’m interested, the answer is yes. So what would you do next if you were writing this stage play of yours? No consequences. No price to pay.”
Addie took several deep breaths, nodded to herself.
Toni felt like the air was crackling.
Addie was watching her. Her lips parted, and she looked Toni over with unmistakable albeit tipsy interest. For a moment, Toni thought about the long list of women in pubs or parties in the past, and she felt a flicker of self-doubt. This woman made Toni want to be chivalrous, gentle, any manner of irrational reactions that were out of place for someone playacting in a bar on a rainy night in Edinburgh.
One-night stands happen,Toni reminded herself.It’s Addie’s choice here, too. We’re in public, and she’s likely nowhere near as innocent as she acts.Intellectually, Toni knew better than to act like this was a big deal, but her traitorous heart sped as Addie stared at her.
When Addie licked her lips, Toni was ready to scoop her up in her arms like the Victorian damsel she was pretending to be.
Toni’s voice was rough as she prompted, “Adelaine?”
For another moment, they were silent, and then Addie crawledinto Toni’s lap. She sat sideways, legs tightly together. In the firelight, those lovely legs were defined silhouettes in her cotton nightdress, and as much as a dress that reached to her ankles ought not be so sexy, it was.Shewas.
Toni quickly reappraised her situation and wrapped an arm around Addie’s waist. It was harmless flirtation, right?
Adelaine settled herself in Toni’s arms with a sigh. “You make me want to be decadent, Toni. I feel scandalous already. I am barely dressed and in your arms. Such things aren’t acceptable in these days.”
“Are the 1800s so very strict?” Toni teased.
“I am a woman of means, and there are expectations.…” Addie sounded quite convincing. “I am expected to marry, to let a man of my family’s choosing touch me, but I want… something else.”
Toni encouraged Addie, “Tell me what you’re looking for.”
“I have always wanted to kiss a woman, to feelwantedby a woman such as yourself,” Addie whispered in Toni’s ear. “Will you make me feel wanted?”
Toni opened her mouth to answer, but Addie pressed her lips to Toni’s in an awkward kiss.
For a moment, Toni couldn’t respond, thinking about her other rules. She didn’t make a habit of bedding baby gays; they tended to imprint like newly hatched ducklings, which led to notions of commitments—and the underlying rule that had created all the rest was that Toni didn’t do complicated.
But it very quickly became apparent that if this woman had kissed anyone in her life, it was not often. There was plenty of passion, but not a lot of experience.
It’s just a kiss. Everyone deserves a proper kiss.
Just one kiss.
Toni took control, guiding their kiss, and after a moment, Addie followed her lead. When Toni’s hand tightened on her hip, Addie’s lips parted in a gasp, and Toni deepened their kiss.
Addie’s hand slid into Toni’s hair and gripped as if Toni were considering stopping.
But when Toni’s thumb grazed the underside of Addie’s breast, Addie jumped up, a vision with wide eyes and kiss-stung lips. She crossed her arms over her chest.
Addie blinked her eyes and stared at her. “There arepeoplein here.”
Toni tossed a handful of bills onto the table. “Let’s go.”
Addie let out a little noise of protest, but she followed Toni outside.
“Do you live nearby?” Toni asked, hating how brusque she sounded.
“No.”
They stood quietly for a moment before Addie said, “I’m sorry I was so rude. I’ve never… and there were peoplewatchingus.”
