She sighed heavily, treasuring the way his voice sounded when he said that to her. “Adrian, I... I must tell you something.”
“What is it?” His fingers brushed a lock of hair off her forehead.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the words weren’t forthcoming. Never had she told a man she loved him, and she wasn’t sure if she could do it now.
She laughed lightly. “I cannot believe how tongue-tied I am. I have wanted to tell you something since last night, but...”
“Your tongue is not working properly?” He grinned as one of his eyebrows arched. “Then pray, allow me to fix that for you.”
He bent his head and captured her mouth. Sighing in pleasure, she slid her arms around his neck. Immediately, the kiss grew urgent and very passionate. Her heart felt as if it had grown at least three times in size, and she knew she’d have no difficulty telling him how she felt now. When she was done kissing him, anyway.
As they kissed, his hands moved to her hair and his fingers threaded through her long curls. He gently held her head between his hands and deepened the kiss even more. She slid her hands down his wide chest and clutched his vest.
“Lyndsey, my love,” his mouth moved from her lips and down her throat. “I’ve been thinking about doing this to you all night long.”
She opened her eyes to look at him. “And I have had the same yearnings for you.”
“I don’t know how it happened, but...” He lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. “But I have fallen madly in love with you.”
She moaned in happiness. “I have tried to fight my feelings, but I cannot. You are in my heart, and I want you to stay there.”
He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her up against him. This time when his mouth covered hers, the kiss was so very tender – so very meaningful – she could have cried with joy.
They kissed for a few minutes longer before he pulled away again. This time, he dropped his head on her shoulder and breathed on her neck. Shivers cascaded over her, making her snuggle closer to him.
“Lyndsey, my love,” he said in a deep voice, “my brother knows how I feel about you.”
She gasped and held her breath.
“And he urged me to tell you how I feel.”
Relief poured through her and she smiled. “I’m so happy he understands.”
“As am I.” He pulled back and looked at her. “But that wouldn’t have stopped me. I was falling for you from the first time I saw you in my yard scolding your sisters for trespassing.”
She laughed. “And I was having feelings for you when you tried to convince me I was a farthing-filcher woman.”
“I know you’re not.”
She tilted her head. “You do?”
“I overheard you tell your sister the day Collin brought me to your house and introduced me as his brother, but—” he shook his head, “it wouldn’t have mattered to me if you were. I was attracted to you, and I enjoyed being in your company. I love how you make me laugh.”
“And I love how you laugh with me.”
He held her tight again, and she rested her face on his chest. Her cheek pressed intimately against the skin at his neck where his shirt was open.
“Lyndsey, my love. You do know what comes next, correct?”
She smiled and snuggled closer. “Are you referring to the talk you are going to have with my father?”
His chest shook with a silent laugh. “Indeed. That’s what I’m referring to.”
“As much as I want you to talk to him today, will you wait until Priscilla recovers?”
Adrian kissed the top of her head. “Of course, I will. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”
She turned her head slightly and kissed his throat. “Well, for now, I suppose—” she kissed his neck again, letting her lips linger a moment longer on him, “we should find somewhere private, and...”
