She tasted of the ale they’d shared earlier, but also sweet and fresh. For an instant, he went back in time—to a time when his most pressing concern had been how to garner the attention of a pretty girl.
Kissing Goldie made him feel young again. It sent surges of inspiration coursing through his veins.
Surges of pleasure, of newness, of hope, and of…
Lust.
“Reed…” She breathed his name and his groin tightened.
The sweet girl in his arms was too pure to be mixed up in any of this, but he was without choices. All he could do was determine to do right by her.
Her very feminine form yielded, and so he held her tighter. He wanted her so much that he nearly forgot where they were.
And what he was doing.
He was courting her—to save his skin and to protect his sisters and mother.
The reminder hit him like a bucket of cold water, and he tore his mouth from hers.
Goldie’s lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes to stare up at him trustingly. The smile that stretched her lips was shy.
“That was fun,” she said. God, her mouth glistened and her cheeks were flushed a delicate shade of pink.
Reed swallowed hard. Today had been fun. She was delightful. Under any other circumstances, he might—but no.
A vision of Newgate stole his breath—much like a hangman’s noose would. The possibility of all he stood to lose nearly paralyzed him.
“What’s wrong?” Goldie’s expression fell. He couldn’t allow his desperation to ruin this. And yet, he needed to regroup. Far too much depended on this woman’s decision.
“I need to get you home.” Already, he’d kept her away too long. And then, experiencing a razor-like panic, he had to ask. “Have you decided?”
“Decided?” She shook her head. “I didn’t—Oh, Reed. It’s… too soon. Please. I…”
Reed nodded. Of course she couldn’t accept his hasty proposal. It wasn’t as though she’d fallen madly in love with him.
Or that he’d fallen madly in love with her.
He swallowed hard. She wanted him.
He could take her somewhere private, lie with her, and take the choice out of her hands.
But that wasn’t who he was. So instead, he implored her with his gaze. “I need to know by morning.”
He threaded his fingers with hers and drew them both back into the crowd. He’d pushed too hard. But just when he believed she’d drop the subject, she spoke up from beside him.
“What kind of marriage would it be?” The question encouraged him.
“Whatever kind you want.” And he meant it. “I’ll not press you…”
She dipped her chin but didn’t look back at him. Did this mean she was considering it?
“And this is all to repair your reputation?” This time she did look over.
He could tell her it was because he was desperate to have her for his bride—that he’d fallen madly in love. But she deserved the truth.
“The rumors are bad, Goldie.” Reed pressed his lips together. “People think I had something to do with the fire. There are people who think I killed them.”
“You didn’t, of course,” she stated confidently. “What utter nonsense.”
