They could be.
“You thought I’d be angry?” Reed held her gaze. “Why wouldn’t I respect your decision?”
She licked her lips. “Because… I—I’m not giving you what you wanted.”
His protective instincts surged to life. “It’s about what you want, Goldie. Always remember that.” And then, because he couldn’t help himself, he reached a hand around her neck. “What do you want, Sunshine?”
He studied her eyes—today there seemed to be more golds than greens and browns. At that moment, he would have given her the world if she asked.
“Tell me,” he said.
“I want…” She swallowed hard. “I want…”
“What?”
She dropped her lashes and then barely whispered. “One last kiss.”
Reed would have chuckled if he didn’t imagine that it might hurt her feelings.
“That,” he growled, “I can do.” Reed pulled her forward, pressing his mouth against hers.
She shifted on the bench to face him, and in an instant, this kiss deepened into something more than the ones they’d shared before. Because it would be their last? Or because no one was around to interrupt them?
Fitting her against him, he rested one hand just below her breast.
And his blood spiked by at least ten degrees. How had she wedged her way into his affections so easily?
He slid his hand higher and cradled the plump mound. She wore no stays this morning so nothing prevented him from feeling the warmth of her skin. He stroked his thumb around the tip, and her nipple hardened into a tight little bud.
* * *
She was so soft. Full of goodness! So inviting.
Innocently enchanting! Something promising existed between the two of them and he was going to have to walk away.
Reed hesitated, torn within.
She fit his hand perfectly, little more than a handful. She arched her back, molding herself against him. “Reed.” His name on her lips, followed by a moan, lit a fire in him.
“Goldie,” he breathed, trailing his mouth over her chin, down her neck, and to her chest. Like a drowning man, he inhaled her essence. Clean, warm, vanilla-scented woman.
Saying goodbye was all wrong. If he’d met her under different circumstances—if he wasn’t on the precipice of utter ruin… She could have been his.
He would have courted her properly. He would have given her everything she deserved.
Instead, he would give her this. Or was he fooling himself? Was he taking it for himself?
This kiss.
“You’re beautiful, Goldie. Never doubt that.” He leaned forward, and laved his tongue over the sensitive flesh before capturing it—sucking her in and smiling when she exhaled a fluttery sigh.
Pleasuring this innocent young lady was wrong, but it was also right. It was as though the two of them had been discussing this dance since the beginning. Neither could walk away until they’d finished it.
Her fingers threaded through his hair as she melted beneath his touch.
“Reed.”
He pulled her legs across his lap and slid his hand under her gown. Yesterday she’d worn practical half-boots. When she’d climbed into the hackney, he’d gotten a glimpse of woolen stockings.
