He closed the distance methodically, and her gaze flickered back to his and held.
Checkmate.
He brushed the wayward curl behind her shoulder and leaned down to kiss where it had first touched. The fragrance of lemon and sunshine held him spellbound for a moment as he lingered with his lips brushing against her skin. He noted her soft gasp and nipped her playfully, allowing his hands the freedom to circle around her waist and pull her a few inches closer. As he leaned back from her neck, he fleetingly noted that she seemed at a loss as to what to do with her hands, clasping them in tight fists. He released one hand from her waist and guided her arm to rest on his shoulder.
“Like a dance,” he whispered, watching as her clear eyes met his. Her hands settled on his shoulders, and he could feel her fingers relax from their fisted position and tremble against the skin of his neck.
A wave of tenderness washed over him at the realization of her truly innocent nature. He leaned forward, tracing along her jawline with his nose, inhaling the sweet scent of her, feeling her arms tense around his neck as if holding on for strength. She was erotic in her inexperience, and he nibbled at her skin as he gently made his way toward her full lips. Anticipation flooded him the few lingering moments before he allowed himself the pleasure of tasting her.
Soft, yielding, untried, her lips seduced him with their intense pleasure. It was the most chaste kiss he’d ever given a woman, yet it was the most powerful in its effect on his body. Everywhere she touched him felt aflame, and his body responded with enthusiasm, sending his blood to boiling in all the lower regions, begging him to follow his instincts and lean into her feminine form and claim more than her first kiss.
He exercised a restraint he hadn’t used in nearly a decade and leaned back from the kiss, wearing the flavor like a victory banner. He awaited the verdict from her first experience as her eyes fluttered open. Wonder, confusion, and arousal all flooded her gaze, and rather than take a moment to appreciate them, he rather found it impossible to resist initiating her second experience.
This time, as he met her lips, he ran his tongue along her lower lip, then pulled it playfully between his teeth ever so slightly. She pulled back, as if a little shocked, but didn’t withdraw further, and instinctively, he met her lips once more. He repeated the action, pleased when she didn’t retreat again, rather leaned into the kiss further, her fingers teasing the hair at the nape of his neck in the most alluring way. Tentative at first, her confidence clearly grew as she began lacing her fingers through his hair as he continued to deepen the kiss.
He flicked his tongue against her lips, tracing along the slightly open space and caressed her lips from the inside out. After a moment, she mimicked his actions, and he knew it was his turn to retreat.
Retreat, or he’d surely meet the swift end of his restraint and seduce her fully.
He gentled the kiss, then slowly, regretfully, withdrew.
“Oh my,” she whispered as she met his gaze.
He chuckled softly. “I’m pleased your first lesson has met with approval.”
A rose-colored blush tinted her cheeks as her gaze flickered away. “Yes . . .”
“Speechless as well,” he interjected.
She shot him a wry grin. “You look far too pleased with yourself.”
“I am,” he answered honestly.
“Well . . .” She glanced down. “I find I’m at a loss as to what to say now . . .” She glanced to him expectantly.
He grinned at her stark honesty. “Allow me to help, because I’m the instructor in this area, as it were.”
She arched a brow.
“It’s only fair. You are a teacher, are you not? Is it not your duty to assist your pupil when the need arises?” he asked, knowing he was drawing attention to their employer/employee relationship but certain he could find a way to validate the scandal of it.
For him.
Maybe for her too.
For now.
Sure enough, her skin took on a pale hue at the reminder, but he continued, not waiting for her to panic.
“I will be your tutor, Miss Miranda. It’s only fair, is it not? You’re assisting Miss Iris, I shall assist you.”
She blinked, then narrowed her gaze slightly. “My education?” she asked wryly.
“Yes. For surely your education is severely lacking, and I find I cannot abide by it.”
“Is that so?” she asked dryly, a smile bending her well-kissed lips.
“It is. It is quite thrilling subject matter, is it not?” he asked, giving her his most seductive grin.
