“She consented—” Dankworth began to make excuses but Maxwell wasn’t having any of that.
“She consented to walk with you. Nothing more.” Maxwell’s voice came out low and deadly sounding, and a second later, Caroline heard the baron’s footsteps receding as he fled.
If she were the baron, she would have fled too, as her employer was half a foot taller and at least three stones heavier than the other man. Her sudden awareness of his very… maleness sent a shiver through her.
Even so, she wasn’t ready to forgive him.
Yet.
“I’m mad at you,” she said.
“I know.” He tucked her head under his chin, tightening his hold on her.
“All night—” Caroline inhaled. She couldn’t exactly complain that he hadn’t danced with her. But… “You were rude. I don’t deserve that.” Especially from him.
“I know.” His hands smoothed down her back and Caroline felt herself melting into him.
“I thought you were my friend.”
“I am.”
“I didn’t want him to kiss me,” Caroline admitted.
“Do you want me to go after him? I’m not opposed to planting him a facer.”
Caroline considered it but then shook her head, reluctant to leave his embrace.
“I didn’t want him to touch me.” The moment she’d realized she was in trouble returned, and panic flashed in her mind. “I didn’t know… I never expected—”
“You don’t need to explain yourself to me. He’s in the wrong. And if I hadn’t been such an ass tonight, this never would have happened.”
His not-quite apology reminded her of his cool demeanor, and she tilted her head back to search his eyes.
“Why?” Caroline asked. “Why would you act like an… ass when we’re supposed to be friends?”
He fell silent for so long Caroline thought he wouldn’t answer. But then he exhaled.
“Because.” His jaw ticked. “I’m no better than Dankworth.”
She frowned. “Of course you are.”
He grimaced, shaking his head, and then suddenly gripped her chin. “If I was,” he said. “I’d have escorted you back to your mother by now. But instead, I want…”
“What?” Licking her lips, Caroline didn’t even think of resisting him. “Tell me what you want.”
“This.”
And when Maxwell Black claimed her mouth with his, Caroline parted her lips. Because she wanted this kiss.
More than she’d wanted anything in a very long time.
WOULDN’T… SHOULDN’T…
The moon cast a silvery glow upon the secluded garden, its radiance illuminating Caroline's delicate features as she stood before him, bathed in ethereal light. Her eyes, once filled with bold confidence, now held a flicker of vulnerability, and Maxwell's heart tightened in response.
They had circled each other all night long, but despite the distance he’d tried to insert, this unspoken longing had only grown stronger.
"Caroline," he whispered. A gentle breeze drifted over them, causing a few strands of her hair to catch in his whiskers. He welcomed the sense of seclusion. Soft. Silky. Sensual.
