“Eliza.” He released her to take her hand in his and held it loosely. At least he hadn’t stepped away. “There is no need for you to repay me.”
She drew as close as her skirts would allow. “You are too nice.” She gathered her courage. “In that case, may I ask for one more favor?”
“What?” Had his eyes darkened or was that her imagination?
She told herself not to think. Just do. “I want my first kiss to be with you.”
The shock on his face gave her pause, but she didn’t know if it was because she’d requested a kiss or that she’d never kissed anyone before.
“Just one kiss,” she said, wondering what more she could say to convince him. “I would like to know what to expect, you see. With someone I trust.”
His brow furrowed as if he didn’t like what she’d said.
She pulled her hand from his and placed both of hers on his shoulders, wishing he would act a bit more enthusiastic about her request and looked into his eyes. “I want it to be you.”
With a smothered groan, he reached for her waist again and took her mouth with his.
Yes, she thought with relief. But that quickly fell away as passion took hold.
Nothing could have prepared her for this moment. How the touch of their lips sent a spear of heat straight through her. How she wanted to be closer. Needed more.
He tightened his hold, pulling her against him until her breasts were crushed against his chest. His tongue caressed her lips and when she nearly gasped in surprise, it danced with hers, sending a delicious shiver along her skin. He tasted faintly of coffee, a drink she had never cared for until this moment.
As his tongue moved alongside hers, she mimicked it, hoping to give him the same pleasure he was giving her.
He drew back abruptly to look into her eyes. “You need to find a man your age. Not me.”
Her heart pinched at his words even if they confirmed what she’d feared he was thinking.
Before she could respond, he kissed her again just as deeply as the first time. Her knees weakened, and she held tight to him, uncertain if she could stand on her own. She loved his strength and power and longed for more.
Before she was prepared, he released her, and she staggered a step before catching her balance.
“Eliza, this cannot be.” He shook his head, even if regret flashed across his features. “Winston—” he began, only to shake his head again. “I must go.”
With that he took his horse’s reins and vaulted into the saddle and wheeled the horse away, leaving her standing alone, watching as he disappeared from sight.
“That won’t be the last kiss we share,” she whispered, then pressed the tip of a gloved finger to her burning lips. Surely saying that out loud made it true. She dearly hoped so.
Chapter Nine
“Trentworth.JustthepersonI wanted to see.”
Philip looked up to see Winston approaching at the club that evening and braced himself. Based on his stern expression, Eliza had told her brother what had occurred between them.
He deserved everything his friend might say and more. Winston couldn’t tell him anything that Philip hadn’t already told himself.
Kissing Eliza—even if she’d asked him to—was beyond the pale. He was ancient compared to her in experience if not age. Besides, he shouldn’t have kissed his best friend’s sister. That was unacceptable. He shouldn’t be kissing a woman he didn’t intend to marry when it could possibly ruin her reputation. Then there was the fact that she already had feelings for another.
He definitely shouldn’t have kissed her.
Yet the voice in his head insisted none of that mattered when the interlude with her had been so shockingly passionate. It only made him long for more.
Winston had every right to question his loyalty as a friend. He’d broken their trust, an unspoken understanding that helped to define their relationship.
Not that Winston had ever told Philip to keep his distance from Eliza. But he didn’t have to. It was implied between friends.
Philip resisted the urge to rap himself on the head to stop his circling thoughts. He’d had the same ones since he’d left Eliza, and they were starting to drive him crazed.
