My thoughts slowed while I sat there, anchored by Kit’s grip and failing to comprehend the meaning behind his words. But I didn’t have to wonder long.
He leaned forward, half-rising from his chair and sliding his free hand around the nape of my neck. It was the gentlest touch, cradling the back of my head while he pressed his lips against mine.
A sound of surprise escaped me, but Kit didn’t retreat. The kiss deepened, and I surged up into him, pushing us both to standing. I pulled on his hand, guiding it to my side. I needed to be closer than the kitchen table allowed. I wanted to touch him, feel him, hold him…
I rubbed my palms down his arms, then around his ribs. My fingers dug into his back and made his breath catch. He clung onto me, his hands hot on my bare skin, his lips pillowy soft.
We made awkward progress toward the couch in the living room while stealing kisses all the way. He tasted divine.
When we reached the sofa, we tumbled onto it. Kit laid back against the armrest and I climbed onto his lap. He raked his hands through my hair as I dipped low, arching carefully to avoid brushing my branded chest against his.
I kissed him the way I’d longed to for weeks, savoring the soft crush of his mouth and flicking my tongue inside. He gasped at that, and the sound caused familiar warmth to travel to my groin. My member stiffened inside my trousers, needful, and every touch further fueled my desire. Kit’s hands slid down to my waist, and I spread my legs on either side of his, rolling my hips against him as I pressed in.
His breaths came faster, and he let out a groan that took on the shape of my name.
“Pen…”
My next kiss quieted him, and I rocked forward again. His grip on my sides tightened.
I pinched his lip between my teeth and sucked, relishing one last moment before he gave a push that set me back. Retreating, I rested on his thighs and stared down to find him flushed and his eyes fully black from the swell of his pupils.
His chest fluttered as he smoothed his palm across his crotch to hide the sudden bulge there. It was as clear a declaration as any, something he couldn't deny.
I stared, slack-jawed, until I mustered the presence of mind to speak.
“Kit, youdofancy me.”
Blush burned his cheeks, deep red through the stubble there. He shifted backward to sit more upright, working his way into the corner of the sofa. When he was finally settled, he gave the slightest nod, looking more sheepish than I’d ever seen him.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
His gaze skated over my shirtless torso with an interest I now recognized. How many times had he looked at me that way, and I'd missed it? Or passed it off as his attentive nature and nothing more?
Elation swelled my heart so fully I thought I might float away. I marveled at him, thinking back over the weeks since I'd met him in Forstford.
Had I always thought him as dashing as he was in this moment?
I would have kissed him again, to reassure myself this wasn't a wishful dream, but my thoughts traveled back overthose same weeks, recalling the time I'd spent pining and the hopes that had nearly been dashed.
Scowling, I swatted his arm. “Godsdamned man! You had me thinking I’d gone mad!”
Kit laid his hand over where I’d smacked him. “I’ve been thinking the same thing,” he said.
“That I’m mad?”
“ThatIam.”
The mood had changed to something more serious. I scooted backward off Kit’s legs and settled beside him. Before, I’d been careful not to crowd, always leaving a bit of space between us. This time, he closed that gap, draping his arm over my shoulders and pulling me against his side. His thumb brushed the top of my arm, then trailed up my neck and past my ear to twirl through the shaggy locks of my hair.
The delicate touches made me shiver, and my erection throbbed. But I did my best to ignore it, letting my thoughts race ahead to other things. No sooner had they moved on than did something crop up so abruptly I felt like I mentally tripped over it.
“Is that why you didn’t tell Merrick?” I wondered aloud. “It’s too difficult to believe you’re taken with me?”
Kit shook his head. “It’s not difficult at all. That’s the problem…”
I frowned, and he shook his head again.
“No, it’s not a problem. I’m… not explaining myself well.” He rubbed his free hand over his face, and his next words came out muffled through his palm. “I didn’t tell your brother?—”
