Her stomach twisted, but she didn’t move.
If they were watching, they could watch. Let them. I’ve been thinking of this for days.
But it felt like a lifetime culminating in a moment.
She let her gaze drop to Sebastian’s mouth. If someone wants a show, she thought wildly, then let them see what it looks like when a woman loses her breath entirely.
He took a step forward. Then another.
And then he was in front of her.
His hand reached out, not urgently, but with the reverence of a man about to touch something precious. His glove was warm from his pocket, and when his fingers curled around hers, something inside Maddie gave way.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice low and slightly hoarse. “For being so wonderful.”
She swallowed. “As I said, it was just tea,” she whispered. “And some medicine. Nothing.”
He shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. “I didn’t mean those things.” Her breath hitched, but he spoke again, “I meant you.”
Her fingers curled instinctively around his. The weight of those three words settled into her chest like a velvet cloak—heavy, warm, and far too beautiful to bear.
“You’re wonderful, Maddie.” His thumb brushed along the side of her hand. “And beautiful.”
The word landed like a sparkagainst dry parchment.
“And so very sweet.”
Her knees very nearly gave out. The wind wrapped around them, but she didn’t feel it anymore. Not really. Not when her whole body was leaning toward his.
He stepped closer. His body almost touched hers. Just a breath away. Her gaze lifted to his eyes. They were so dark and so warm, crinkling slightly at the corners as he smiled, and dear heaven, that smile. The boyish tilt to it, the way it melted the last of her defenses. Her lungs forgot how to fill properly.
And then he leaned in.
Slowly. Intentionally. As if he wanted her to feel every moment before their lips met.
His breath mingled with hers, and she swayed toward him.
She didn’t stop herself. Didn’t try.
She wanted him to teach her. And she most of all wanted to know what he felt like. His lips. His touch.
Her heart beat so fast she was sure he must hear it. Every part of her ached for him to kiss her. She could already feel it—what it would be like. His mouth firm but tender, his hand lifting to cup her jaw, the press of him, finally, gloriously—
She trembled.
His nose brushed hers.
Closer.
Closer.
Please, she thought. Please kiss me.
And then followed footsteps. Crunching over the snow just behind the hedges.
Maddie froze.
They weren’t passing by. They stopped. Then came the voice—sharp, loud, unmistakably scandalized.
