Still she did not move. ‘Kiss me.’
‘That’s not a good idea.’
‘Why? It’s just one kiss, not a commitment.’
He threw his hands up. ‘What if it’s good?’
‘Then it’s good.’
‘No, then I’ll want to do it again.’
She searched his eyes. ‘Is that such a horrible thought?’
He linked his hands atop his head. ‘I don’t want to mislead you, and I don’t want to ruin our friendship.’
‘You’re completely overthinking this. It’s one moment. One experience I’ve not had before. Who better to give it to me than someone I trust, someone I care about, and who cares about me?’ She took hold of the front of his uniform and backed up to the wall, brushing hair off her face in preparation.
‘This is absurd,’ he said.
‘If I let this opportunity pass me by, my very first kiss will be with the bootmaker, clunky and awkward.’
He gestured between them. ‘Thismight be clunky and awkward.’
‘And if it is, we’ll laugh it off and never speak of it again.’ Her eyes moved between his, his face close to hers once more. ‘Should I close my eyes?’
He laughed. ‘Eda, your sisters are going to eat me alive.’
‘I won’t tell them. I won’t tell anyone.’
He let out a shaky breath. He wanted to do this. She could feel it. He was just being chivalric, trying to protect her as he always did. But she did not need protecting from him.
Taking control of the situation, Eda tugged him closer until the palm of his hand landed on the wall beside her head. And there it was again, the heat, the draw.
Roul hooked a finger under her chin and tipped her face up. ‘Promise me you won’t hate me afterwards.’
‘Not because of the kiss,’ she whispered, her words coming out breathy.
He ran his thumb over her bottom lip as he studied her face. The heat inside her curled. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers, lips brushing lightly. Then he drew back slightly to see her reaction.
‘More,’ she breathed, knowing he was holding back.
Their mouths met again, and warmth spread through Eda this time, moving in all directions at once. Then she was reaching for him, her fingers brushing the short hairs on the back of his neck as she drew him closer. It felt better than she had imagined.
A warm hand landed on her waist, sliding to the middle of her back. Sensation travelled up and down her body. She deepened the kiss, not really knowing what she was doing yet more than willing to experiment.
Roul drew her closer until the warmth of his body met the warmth of hers. Her breath hitched this time, an involuntary response that made him break the kiss.
‘Please tell me we’re done,’ he whispered.
The deep edge to his voice made the heat gather in her belly. It was the sound of Roul Thornton not in control.
She shook her head. ‘No. No, we’re not done.’
His mouth came down hard on hers this time, hungrier than before. His body was a delicious contrast to the icy stone at her back. His hand left the wall, feet edging closer to hers as fingers speared her hair. Her knees softened. Everything softened. She was certain she would be a pool of flesh on the ground by the time they were done.
Eda traced her fingers along his clean-shaven jaw, exploring the angles of his face. She wanted to taste those parts of him too. But when her mouth moved in that direction, his palm returned to the wall, and he drew back to look at her.
‘We’re done,’ he said, stepping back and raking a hand through his hair. He took a moment to compose himself. He never looked away from her though. ‘Tell me you don’t hate me now.’
