“Yes.”
He lowered his head. “I want to kiss you.”
“Why?” Her eyes were beautiful. He could lose himself in them.
“Ivy, say yes or no.” His hands pulled her closer. She did not stiffen or try to get away.
“Yes.”
He closed the distance and pressed his lips to hers. It was like coming home. Something inside him sighed at the contact. His body felt every inch of her as he pulled her closer. Too close, but Bram couldn’t stop himself. He wanted the contact.
“So sweet,” he whispered as he drew back an inch. Her eyes were closed, so he kissed her again, teasing her lips until they opened. He then wrapped an arm around her and held her closer. His hand cupped hers where it was trapped on his chest.
He wanted this woman. Wanted her more than he’d wanted anyone before. He saw the real Ivy beneath the ugly clothes and hair. Knew she had a fierce intellect and wicked wit. He wanted to know more about her. Wanted to know everything about her.
How was this fierce need inside him possible in such a short space of time?
He eased back as his body stirred. He wanted her, and she’d know that if he didn’t release her. He wouldn’t scare her. He had no idea where this was going or what it meant, but for now it was enough that he was here in one of his favorite places with her.
“Come, let’s walk, and I shall show you a place where as a boy I spent many happy hours.” He held out his hand, and she took it.
“I shouldn’t.”
“Possibly not, but come anyway.” His relief when she did made him question his sanity.
They walked in silence through the dappled light, and he felt peace steal over him. Something he rarely felt. Bram’s life was always busy. Mungo told him he was running from something, and he’d dismissed the words. But maybe they were right.
“This is where I broke my arm.” He pointed to a tree he shouldn’t have been climbing at the time of the accident.
He talked, and she listened, her fingers tucked inside his arm trustingly. It was a moment in time that he would always remember. Everything inside him felt tender.
Bram led her down another narrow trail, and they came out at a pond.
“That was the swing I had two of the footmen build me. I must get someone to take it down now, as the rope will be rotten.” He pointed to the tall tree that hung over the water.
“I’m sure you and your brother had fun here.” Her voice was soft.
“My brother did not come here. Only me.”
“I’m sorry.”
He released her as she moved away from him and walked to the water’s edge. He instantly missed the connection.
“There is nothing to be sorry about.” He followed, stopping behind her.
“Fun is better as a shared experience,” she said, dropping to her knees.
“It is, but you make do when you don’t have others around. I’m sorry your parents died when you were young, Ivy.”
“Thank you. I had my cousins and aunt and uncle.”
“But you never forget that pain.”
“No.”
She cupped some water and splashed it on her face. He held out his handkerchief, and she took it. He then helped her to her feet, holding her before him.
“I didn’t kiss you for a bet, Ivy.”
