He waited for a moment that seemed to stretch so much longer than the actual time, but then she stood on her toes, melted against him, and tilted her head until they were a breath apart. He couldn’t help himself. He took what she so willingly offered.
As he kissed her, something deep inside of him locked into place, telling him this was right. This was meant to be.
He pressed his mouth softly against hers at first, taking her breath, before sliding his fingers over her jaw and then into her hair, knocking her hat off her head.
He knew he should stop, that this was enough for a first kiss.
But it seemed he could go nowhere but forward — especially when she reached up and gripped a lapel of his jacket with one hand, the other covering his chest.
He stroked his tongue against her lips, an ache growing within him when she opened them, inviting him in.
She smelled so good. Like lilacs after a fresh rain, one that brightened flowers and was followed by sunshine.
He tugged slightly on the back of her hair, enjoying the moan that emerged from her lips, one he caught with his mouth.
He licked into her, etching into his mind the way she tasted, smelled, felt in his arms.
He could have stayed here forever, could have continued this until they both found their satisfaction, but the cold stone against his back and the sound of people walking around them reminded him of where they were, of who they were, of what was happening to them, and why they were even here in the first place.
He reluctantly pulled away from her, needing to end this kiss before it became reckless. Only, he realized, it was too late for that. Despite his intentions, all that had been building between them had allowed this to become meaningful, and that was another problem entirely — one he would have to consider later, without her presence clouding his judgment.
The rumble of carriage wheels nearby startled them both, but instead of jumping away from him, Evelyn merely leaned back and smiled up at him — a smile of satisfaction that warmed his already heated body.
“I think it’s the carriage,” she said, looking out of the small, recessed alcove they found themselves in. “The driver must have fixed it. What’s his name?”
“Jacobs,” Asher said, blinking as he tried to recover himself, finding it difficult after that life-altering kiss.
For he wasn’t sure if he would ever be the same again, not after knowing how she tasted, how she felt in his arms.
She was a responsibility, yes.
He could fall for her, and risk losing her one way or another.
But maybe… just maybe… it could all be worth it, if it meant having her.
13
Evelyn was still reeling the next morning.
She hoped Asher didn’t notice just how much their kiss had affected her. She knew he desired a connection without sentiment. A partnership more strategic than emotional.
It was a wonder that she had been able to walk straight as they returned to the carriage.
But that kiss…. She couldn’t stop thinking about the reason for it.
He had likely assumed they had needed to hide their identities, but it had meant so much more to her.
Unfortunately.
For she had no desire to fall in love with a man who didn’t love her back. To have to spend her life with him, knowing that he didn’t feel the same as she did, would be excruciating.
She had to remember that, like it or not, she was one half of a marriage that was a matter of duty and appearances — not love, not desire, despite how that kiss had felt to her. To him, it was just another kiss. He was a duke and used to elegant, compliantladies, not a bluestocking currently sitting in a bed surrounded by coded notes and mechanical sketches.
She would clean it up before she was discovered, but she couldn’t help that this was how her mind worked — scattered and unorganized on the outside, while within, all the pieces clicked into place like a perfectly oiled machine.
A knock on her door had her quickly scrambling to tidy it all into organized piles, but it was futile for it would take far too long. Giving up, she hurried to the door, opening it just wide enough to peek out and find Thalia standing there with a hesitant smile.
“Is all well?” Thalia asked.
