His mouth felt cool and firm at first, from the wind. And he tasted like the outdoors, but also like the familiar spices she’d dreamt about more than once. He swept his tongue between her lips, softening his own at the same time.
“Oh.” She’d not imagined how wonderful it had been. Was this kiss even better?
She squeezed his hand between hers. Her limbs were not melting simply because he was a duke. Her heart wasn’t expanding simply because he was so very handsome and impressive.
All of these feelings were for him—the man—the person.
Himself.
He palmed the back of her bonnet, tilting her head and deepening the kiss. If she wasn’t already gripping his hand, she would have wound her arms around his neck.
What was closer than a kiss? Because that’s what she wanted.
His mouth abandoned hers but just barely. He trailed it to the corner of her lips, and then along her jaw.
If not for the oncoming sound of another carriage, Collette likely would have turned and straddled him.
Instead, she jerked away, her heart racing in excitement and fear and something wholly unfamiliar.
He had just kissed her.
Again!
“My apologies.” He looked as startled as she felt. “Does that answer your question?”
Today, his eyes were almost the exact color of the sky, the color of the approaching storm. His lips were shining and wet from… hers.
Otherwise, he looked as perfectly put together as when he’d arrived to collect her from her brother’s townhouse.
Had his kiss answered her question, or had it only given rise to a slew of other ones?
When she didn’t say anything, he calmly turned back to the horses and, using only one hand, he pulled them back onto the street.
His other hand remained clasped between hers.
He’d said he had liked their first kiss.
She’d liked it too. In fact, she’d secretly treasured it. But this kiss. It had been more deliberate, and he had not initiated it out of any sort of panic or fear.
She liked this one just as much… perhaps more.
“Did you enjoy the second kiss as much?” she asked. “Do you still wish for more?” Because it might have been something of a disappointment for him, since he had not been experiencing any sort of emotional distress at the time.
She felt him chuckle beside her. “Yes, to both of your questions.”
Oh.
Something blossomed inside of her. He was able to touch her with his words the same as with a kiss.
If he hadn’t already expressed his desire to marry her, then she would suspect he wanted to set her up as a mistress. Was this how her father had made her mother feel? Because Collette wasn’t sure she could turn the duke down if that was what he wanted.
And after only two kisses, she’d nearly forgotten her own name.
She released his hand when he turned onto Bond Street where the traffic was heavier. After driving a short distance, he pulled to a halt outside of a bookstore. He climbed down first, leaving her perched atop the tall contraption while he tossed a coin to a lad, presumably to keep watch of the horses and vehicle, and then circled around to assist her down.
“You can place one foot there.” He indicated one of the spokes on the large wheel. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”
When his hands settled on her waist, she smiled. This could very well be why a gentleman might take a lady driving in such a tall vehicle.
