“Very amusing.” He rolled his eyes, rubbing the back of his neck.
“You fell for it.” Lips twitching, she said, “Don’t feel too badly. Garrett and Hugh jumped higher than you did when I told them that story.”
He shook his shaggy head. “You’re a mystery, ain’t you?”
“Hardly.” Wrinkling her nose, Pippa returned her gaze to the view below, checking for Maisie and the others. “I’m the least interesting person in my family.”
Cull leaned his forearms on the balustrade. “You’re not boring to me.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
“I ain’t being kind. I find you…interesting.”
She glanced at him beneath her lashes, only to find him staring back. His brown eyes had a molten intensity that set off those strange tingles again. No male had ever regarded her with such blatant admiration. Even though her parents allowed her more freedom than most, she knew she shouldn’t be alone with Cull—with any member of the opposite sex—yet she wasn’t quite ready to end their time together.
Cull was exciting and different. In some ways, he was so much wiser and experienced than she was. He’d survived a life in the slums that she couldn’t even fathom. She respected his strength and the way he cared for his sister. Papa, himself a product of the stews, had even remarked upon Cull’s fine qualities.
At the same time, Cull lacked social polish. When it came to manners, he was ragged around the edges and didn’t flirt the way some boys were beginning to do with her. He was forthright, sometimes unnervingly so. Although his earnestness could make for awkward moments, she found it an appealing change from flowery compliments and witty innuendoes.
She couldn’t resist teasing him. “What do you find interesting about me, sir?”
“I like the way you talk. It doesn’t even matter what you say…your voice, it’s soothing. I like the way you are wif the children—you don’t talk down to ’em like most misses o’ your station would. I like that you read and paint and act like a lady. But that you also ’ave a streak o’ mischief and boldness.” He came closer, and she turned, her back to the balustrade. He settled his palms on the railing on either side of her. “Last, but far from least, I like the way you look, sunshine.”
Her pulse fluttered wildly. No one had ever spoken to her in so blunt a manner. Or described her in such a fashion.
“Why do you call me ‘sunshine’?” she blurted. “Is it because of my hair?”
“Partly.” His lazy smile sent butterflies swarming through her belly. “But mostly on account o’ the fact that you light up any room you enter.”
Her lips formed a soundless “oh” of surprise. The heat in his eyes mesmerized her, making her feel light-headed. She swayed backward, feeling a moment’s panic when her shoulders met with air.
He caught her by the arms, pulling her away from the edge.
“Easy there. You all right, sunshine?”
“I…I felt dizzy,” she said breathlessly. “For an instant, I thought I might fall.”
“I would never let you fall.”
He tipped her head back, and she saw that his eyes had gone as dark as midnight. His mask of politeness had been ripped off, revealing something feral. Hungry. Something she didn’t quite understand. Yet she knew that he was going to kiss her…and she didn’t want to stop him. When he lowered his head, she squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation of her first kiss.
It was gentle and lovely. Cull courted her mouth, his firm yet velvety lips moving against hers with drugging sweetness. She didn’t know that a kiss would have a flavor, but it did. Cull tasted of peppermint and salt and himself. The combination made her heart thump, a wave of warmth rushing through her. When he licked the seam of her lips, she gave a start of surprise, clutching onto his lapels for balance.
He broke the kiss, tightening his arms around her.
Resting his forehead against hers, he said hoarsely, “I’m sorry, sunshine. Was that too much?”
It was as if some invisible hand had tight-laced her corset strings. She couldn’t breathe. Her skin felt hot and flushed, her insides itchy with a strange heat.
“Is anyone up here?”
Pippa jumped at the sound of Maisie’s voice floating up the steps. Panic besieged her. She couldn’t be caught up here alone with a boy—and one she’d just kissed, no less.
She pushed at Cull, but he pulled her closer, whispering in her ear, “Stay here and let me take care o’ Maisie. I’ll see you later?”
She managed a shaky nod. He let her go, pausing to tuck a fallen curl behind her ear. His callused fingertips brushed the curve of her cheek, and she quivered.
His mouth curved slowly. Then he strode away, disappearing down the tower steps, calling, “Maisie, you clever girl. Found me, didn’t you?”
