“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere private.”
More laughter and teasing followed them as they slipped from the room, but he didn’t care.
“I want to kiss you madly,” he said.
Maddie blinked. “You do?”
“Why do you look surprised?”
“Because no one’s ever dragged me away in front of an audience to be kissed.”
“Get used to it.”
Then he kissed her. Cupped her face in both hands. Claimed her lips like a man starved of sunlight. Not gently. Not sweetly.
Madly.
“I’ve wanted to do this since you smiled at me across that drawing room,” he said between breaths.
She rose to meet him, hands fisting his coat, kissing him back with such fire she stole his breath. Sheset fire to his mouth—and if that was love, he wanted to burn.
His hands slid into her hair and a groan tore from his chest as she melted against him. When they broke apart, she was breathless, her fingers still clutching his lapels.
“I think you’ve ruined me again,” she whispered.
He smiled against her lips. “Then we’re even.”
“You really do like kissing me,” she said.
“You make it impossible not to.”
“You’re terrible at restraint.”
“Correction. I’m excellent at restraint. I’m just not using it right now.”
She arched a brow. “Have you always been this cocky after a kiss?”
“Yes.”
“You wouldn’t be if you saw your hair right now.”
He grinned. “Disheveled in the name of love.”
“A noble sacrifice.”
“So are my good intentions.”
“Were they ever good?”
He leaned in, brushing his nose against hers. “They never stood a chance around you.”
She laughed, breath warm on his lips. “I like you like this.”
“Disheveled?”
“Carefree. And not sneezing.”
