God, she is adorable when she is worked up like this.
Adrian kept the musing to himself as he settled his chin on his fist and gave her an expectant look.
“I am still waiting for a satisfying answer,” he mused.
Bridget narrowed her eyes at him as she shoved her fists to her hips, and God take him if he did not find her stance even more amusing and adorable than before. His fingers itched to touch her, to take her hands into his.
“You have come to my aid on two occasions now, and for that I am grateful,” she began.
“And for that, you are welcome,” Adrian said as he bowed at his waist.
“However, I do notknowyou, just as you do not truly know me, and I am not sure I can trust you in such circumstances,” Bridget pushed on, beginning to fidget with her fingertips.
Adrian looked at her with raised brows, and though he could detect a hint of regret in her eyes, she did not offer an apology for what she was insinuating.
“Are you saying I am not a man of honor, Lady Winslow?” he asked, uncurling his large frame from his chair.
He stood up slowly, enjoying the way Bridget’s eyes widened and sparkled as she watched him reach his full height.
“I… well…” she stammered.
Adrian could not help but drop his gaze to her mouth as she tugged her lower lip between her teeth and began to nibble. Hewasa man of honor. But that did not stop him from imagining what it would be like to be the one nibbling on those plump, rosylips of hers. To hear her soft sigh as he bit down gently… to feel her breath begin to slow and deepen as he so very slowly drew that nibble into a kiss…
Adrian blinked, forcing himself away from the fantasy, and smirked as he took a step toward her.
“I will have you know that I would have acted on my impulses long ago if I were not a gentleman,” he told her, taking another step forward.
Bridget’s eyes were fixed on his as her throat bobbed.
“Impulses?” she rasped.
Adrian nodded, drawing his finger so very gently back and forth under her chin, his fingertips draggingjustenough to make her sway a little with his touch. His pulse quickened as he not only felt her move with him, but also felt her heartbeat fluttering in her jugular.
“Tell me,” he mused, continuing his caress until his fingers settled around the front of her throat. His blood sang with joy as he heard her soft sigh as he tightened his grip so very slightly. “Would it be so terrible to kiss me?”
Arousal poured through him as he watched Bridget react to his question. Her pupils dilated, and the brilliant green of her beautiful eyes faded until they were nearly black. The flush in her cheeks not only deepened, but spread to her throat and down her chest in a way that had him itching to remove her gown and see how far that flush had spread.
“Yes,” Bridget breathed, and that single word shattered him. She pushed at his chest, and he immediately let her go as he struggled with taking offense. “It would be entirely terrible.”
“Why?” he demanded, unable to keep the edge from his voice as she turned away and began to pace. “Because you are afraid of wanting it?”
She stopped short and spun back to face him, her expression fierce. “Because I am married.”
The answer only fueled his anger. “Married?” he echoed sharply. “To a man who has abandoned you? Who keeps mistresses openly and has Lord knows how many illegitimate children?” He stepped closer again, his jaw tight. “And you still care for him?”
Her lips parted, and for a moment, he thought she might waver. Instead, her spine straightened.
“I do not care for him,” she said clearly. “I do not love him. I never have.” Her voice did not shake, though her eyes shone. “But marriage is a sacred union. I took vows, and I have honored them. Even if he did not,” she went on, her tone breaking a little as her eyes took on a sheen.
She then sniffled, blinked rapidly, and raised her chin high.
“So that is why I will not kiss you,” she stated matter-of-factly, looking directly in his eyes.
Adrian swallowed hard, marveling at her character.
“Even if to kiss you is horribly enticing,” she added softly, crossing her arms. “I will not stoop to my husband’s behavior and immorality.”
Adrian chuffed and closed the distance between them. He moved to cup her cheek, but suddenly felt as if to do so would be far too intimate despite what had almost happened between them.
