He took her hand and lifted it to his mouth. As he brushed his lips across her knuckles, his gaze darkened with desire. “I like it this way, too. I can now feel your soft skin caressing mine.”
Heat climbed up her face, and she feared she’d combust soon. Trying to dismiss this awkward embarrassment, she pulled her hand away and allowed him to enter. “I’m very happy you came to see me. We have much to talk about.”
“I agree.” He glanced up and down the hallway. “Do you think your aunt will allow me to have some private moments with you?”
She shrugged. “She doesn’t know about your switch with Frederick, so maybe she won’t.”
“Shall we see?” He slid his arm around her back, pulling her closer to his side as he led them down the hallway toward the sitting room.
“Whatever happened with Frederick,” she asked. “I recall losing consciousness for a little while, and when I came to, you and your cousin were arguing about something.”
He rolled his eyes. “He’d been missing all night and most of yesterday. I was ready to wring that man’s neck…until he told me where he’d been. Apparently,” Nic leaned closer as he lowered his voice, “Frederick has found a love interest after all of these years. The reason he was gone so much was because he was getting to know the woman a little better.”
“Truly? Does she live in this township?”
“No. Frederick mentioned it was a good thirty minutes traveling to her house.”
“Well, I’m very happy for him.”
“As am I. And of course, because he found love again, it kept me from strangling him.”
She chuckled. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Thank you. I take that as a compliment.”
Once they entered, he released her and closed the door. Tabitha waited for Mrs. Stiles to come run screaming down the hallway, trying to keep this strange man from being alone with her, but so far the house was quiet.
“Would you like to sit?” she asked.
“Not really. What I would like to do is this—”
In two large steps he was right in front of her, taking her in his strong embrace as his mouth lowered toward hers. The beating of her heart quickened with anticipation. Just before his lips touched hers, she closed her eyes and leaned in.
As his mouth moved seductively with hers, she couldn’t stop the heavy sigh from escaping her throat. Clinging to his broad shoulders, she pressed herself against him closer—scandalously close. His hands moving over her back only served to keep her in place. But then why would she want to leave? Kissing Nic was the most perfect thing she’d ever done.
He groaned and turned his head, breaking the kiss, but keeping her in his arms. “As much as I don’t want to stop, I fear that if I continue kissing you, your aunt might walk in on us wrapped up in averyintimate situation.”
Tabitha chuckled and stroked her fingers down the side of his face, loving the feel of his soft cheek—free of whiskers. “There’s nothing more I want to do but kiss you endlessly, but we do need to talk.”
Nodding, he grasped her hand and walked with her to the couch where they sat by each other. Her hand was still cradled in his large fingers, and she loved the protection she felt whenever she was by his side.
“Nic, there’s something I’ve needed to tell you for a while now, but it might come as a shock.” She took a deep breath.
“Actually, my lovely, I think I know—”
She put her fingers to his lips. “Shh… Don’t stop me. Let me say this.”
He nodded, but kept quiet.
“Since the first time we met, you have told me how I look familiar, and you always wondered why. Well…” she licked her suddenly dry lips, “there’s a reason I look familiar.”
His smile broadened. “Go on.”
“You see, I’ve known for several years that I’m the illegitimate child of the Duke of Kenbridge—the father of your friends.” She held her breath, waiting for him to say something. But he didn’t. He continued staring at her with his beautiful, enchanting eyes. Perhaps he didn’t hear her correctly. “Nic, do you know what this means? I’m Trevor, Tristan, and Trey’s sister. We share the same father.”
“Yes, I see the connection.” He shrugged. “Do you think it matters to me who your parents were?”
Happy tears spiked her eyes and her heart jumped to her throat. “It doesn’t matter that I’m a bastard child?”
