“It’s a shame,” she managed on an exhale.
He groaned. It was almost as though he was the one confused now.
They’d come this far. Aubrey reminded herself that she was a widow. She was not a married woman, nor was she a virginal debutante. This might possibly be her only opportunity.
He said he couldn’t stop at one kiss, and yet, she knewhim. Without knowing his family, without ever visiting his home or meeting any of his friends, she was certain in every way that he would never hurt her.
Pushing herself up to her knees, she reached across the folded quilt and hovered over him.
His breath smelled of wine, and spice, and something new and yet familiar too. Her braid fell forward and rested against his lips until she gave her head a slight shake, causing it to slide down his chin and rest upon his chest.
“Aubrey,” the relief in his voice was all she needed. Instead of waiting for him, she lowered her face so that less than an inch separated their mouths.
“You will make this good for me? Make this a most excellent first kiss.” Because her heart cracked a little at the thought. It could very well be the only one she’d ever experience.
“The kiss of a lifetime.”
Those words, more than anything, bound her to this man. Even if they said their goodbyes in London and never saw one another again, she would forever treasure this moment.
His hands reached up behind her neck and at the same time he stretched up to meet her.
Hot tears formed behind her eyes. In anticipation? In relief? He closed the gap between them and claimed her mouth, his lips moving softly against her own, asking, seeking. It was the most natural thing in the world for her to welcome him inside. His tongue teased along the tender skin behind her lips and then around her teeth. Aubrey tasted him back, afraid to move, afraid to break this tenuous connection.
“Ma Princesse,” he whispered into her mouth. “Parfait.You taste perfect.” One of his hands touched the side of her face and the other dropped to her neck. Her pulse throbbed beneath his thumb as he stroked back and forth across her skin.
Now she understood what he’d meant about not stopping. The longer the kiss went on—the more she wanted. Allowing her weight to rest on his bare chest, she lifted one of her hands to feel if his hair was as silky as she’d imagined.
Oh, but it was. She threaded thick strands through her fingers before exploring his whiskered jaw: rough, solid, and firm.
She wanted to consume him and yet be consumed at the same time.
Mr. Bateman did not break the kiss. He did not turn his head, or tighten his lips, but he withdrew in other ways. His tongue ceased dancing with hers and his hands stilled. Gradually conscious of his passivity, her confidence bolted. He’d said he wanted her but with one kiss, his desire had waned. The realization left her feeling lost and empty. Pushing herself up, she drew back, accepting his decision with a heavy heart.
His breaths rasped in the night air. As soon as she moved back to her side of the tent, he bolted into a sitting position.
The wonderful feeling from a moment before had evaporated into guilt and regret and confusion. She’d played with fire and it had indeed, burned. He’d warned her.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He’d told her ‘no’ and she’d been the one to break the rules. It had been stupid of her. She couldn’t blame it on the wine, or the darkness. She’d wanted to kiss him. She’d wanted…
“You have no reason to be.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I just… I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
More confusion. He’d told her he wasn’t married, that there wasn’t anyone else. So why…?
“Are you in some sort of trouble?” He’d told her that he wasn’t running from the law but perhaps there was something else.
He squeezed her hand. “Not yet,Princesse.”
Why couldn’t he confide in her?
She turned away from him and lay back down on her own side, wrapping the blanket around her.
“Are you going to be all right?” Concern laced his voice, but he did not attempt to touch her again.
She nodded, and then realizing he might not be able to see her in the darkness, “I’m fine. I’m going to sleep now.”
Mr. Dog chose that moment to burrow beside her.
