“I’m proposing a marriage based on mutual respect and shared goals. I am seeking a spouse who is loyal, virtuous, and worthy of trust.”
I can give you what you want,her heart cried.Be what you want.
Swallowing, she forced herself to address her doubts. “And do you also wish for a wife who will bring a substantial dowry?”Do you want me simply because I’m an heiress?“If that is the case, you ought to know that—”
“Your fortune is in a trust. A separate estate that is governed by a trustee and that your future husband may not touch,” he said matter-of-factly. “If your father should pass, your inheritance will also go into said trust, to be dispersed by the trustee for your benefit and that of your children. Am I missing anything?”
Her jaw slackened. “How…how did you know…?”
“As we become more intimately acquainted, you will find that I am not a man who leaves matters up to chance. When something is important to me, I make certain to have all the facts. And to make any necessary provisions to get what I want.”
Some might think that his declaration sounded cold-blooded.
To Gabby, it was the essence of romance.
“And you want…me?” she whispered in disbelief. “Even without my money?”
“I have no need of your money.” His eyes were mesmerizing whirlpools, drawing her in. “What I am in want of is a wife who will be a true and steadfast partner in our life together.”
Longing halted her breath. And that was before he went down on one bended knee, engulfing her trembling hand in his large, warm one.
“I will speak to your father, of course,” he said in husky tones, “but first I must know your wishes. Is my suit favorable to you, Miss Billings?”
Yes, her heart sang.Yes, yes, yes.
He doesn’t believe in love, her head reminded her.
She summoned her courage. “You said you valued honesty, so I feel I must be candid with you.”
His eyes gleamed. “It is my wish that you always will be.”
“I don’t know if I can have a marriage without affection. I understand your views on romantic love, sir, and I respect them, but I’m not certain I can be as…as indifferent.” Heat scorched her cheeks; she lowered her gaze to the gold buttons of his waistcoat as she carried on. “I may develop feelings, ones that you will find inconvenient. I shan’t be able to stop myself.”I’m already falling in love with you.“I don’t know that I’ll be able to be the sensible, cold, detached sort of spouse that you want.”
Miserably, she looked at him. And was surprised to see the crinkles around his eyes.
“I could never find you inconvenient, my dear,” he murmured.
“But you don’t want love.” She shook her head. “And if I were to…to…”
“I would cherish whatever feelings you chose to bestow upon me. Take care of them as I will take care of you.” He rose, pulling her with him. Her head spun at how closely they now stood together, only a sliver of space between them. “While I may not believe in romantic love, I do think that affection is a desirable quality in marriage. I will be faithful to you, protect you, see that you want for nothing. You will not find me a cold husband.”
He lifted his hands to her jaw, tipping her head back. Anticipation shivered through her as she read the intent in his eyes: he was going to kiss her. Her first kiss. Worries wormed into her head.Am I going to do this right? How is one supposed to kiss? Goodness, my breath—what did I eat last?Then his lips descended, landing on hers, gently, ever so gently.
His kiss was warm and firm, dissolving her doubts in a wave of honeyed heat.
The taste of him was foreign, deliciously male. He kissed the way he did everything else: with absolute authority…and it made her relax into the new, exciting sensations. The prickling of her skin, throbbing of her pulse points. The flutters and trembles deep inside her. Most of all, the dizzying, ground-shifting pleasure. When her knees wobbled, he caught her easily against him.
Because he was Adam Garrity. He wouldn’t let her fall. In his arms, she felt a security she’d never felt before.
Held against his virile strength, she shivered with delight. Everything about him felt soright. When his tongue swept across her lips, it was only natural to part them. To let him in where no man had been before. He coaxed her to mate her tongue with his, and the sinuous, slick dance caused the tips of her breasts to tingle, a strange, molten feeling awakening at her core. A sudden gush of wetness between her thighs made her squirm—and she felt something very hard and very large poking into her midsection.
What does Mr. Garrity have in his pocket?came the nonsensical thought.
Abruptly, he ended the kiss. He exhaled sharply, and Gabby was fascinated by the tinge of color on his slashing cheekbones. A strand of ebony hair had strayed from the rest and now dangled over his noble forehead. The tiny imperfection made him look even more handsome.
He shoved the hair into place. “Bloody hell.”
His muttered words and the way he looked at her—as if she were some sort of odd creature he’d never encountered before—pierced her pleasant state. Icy reality crashed over her. Had she kissed him incorrectly? Had she disappointed him?
