Then, he leant down, and his lips brushed her ear. “Fascinated.”
Breath shuddered through her as she met his gaze. A half-smile flirted with his lips even as fire banked deep in his eyes. From beyond the theatre’s doors, muffled laughter and murmurs sounded, but she paid it no mind. The only attention she could garner was focused on him, and the effort it took not to touch him.
“Alice,” he murmured.
Her gaze dropped to his mouth, and her name on his tongue set her to shiver. Tentatively, she lifted her hand to his cheek and traced his bottom lip with her thumb. Closing his eyes, he exhaled as he turned into her touch. Repeating the path, she marvelled at the softness of his flesh, and her fingers twitched against the slight roughness of day-old stubble on his cheek.
Lifting onto her toes, she reached up. Their lips met. Brushed.
Rocking back on her heels, Alice swept her tongue over her lips to taste him. A low groan drew her attention, and she found Llewellyn watching her, eyes hot as he stared at her mouth. Blood thrumming, she licked her lips again. His expression turned pained, his hands clenching at his sides.
In an explosion of motion, she pulled him to her even as he tugged her to him. Their mouths collided, and the taste of him exploded in her mouth, better than any whiskey she’d ever savoured. His hands slid to her back, and she wanted them on every part of her. God, she wanted to devour him, wanted him as close as he could get. She wanted no barrier between his skin and hers as he touched her. She wanted to learn his body, the feel of his skin, the taste of his flesh.
She wanted somuch.
He trailed kisses over her cheek, her jaw. Arching her neck, she moaned as he traced the cord with his lips. His mouth was so wet and hot, and everything inside her was softening, swelling, preparing her for him. Lips brushed the hollow of her throat, and her eyes closed as the sensations rioting inside her became too much.
His hand played over her shoulder, cupped her neck as he moved to kiss her once more. Breasts aching, she captured his hand and brought it to cover her. Gently, his thumb traced the swell of flesh above her corset, and she inhaled sharply.
Then, he stopped.
Dazedly, she opened her eyes. Why had he pulled from her? Why was he no longer near? Struggling to make her brain work, she stared at him dumbly.
“What are we doing?” Running his hand through his hair, he started to pace. “Alice, what are wedoing?”
Slowly, her breath returned to her, and with it some measure of sanity. “I…we…I thought we were kissing.”
“Yes. And then what?”
“Well…” Her cheeks heated. “I thought...”
“I thought so, too.” Crossing his arms, he gripped his biceps.
She frowned. This made no sense. He appeared troubled by something, but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what. “Then why did we stop?”
His cheeks turned ruddy. Was heblushing? “I would not have you maligned.”
“Maligned?” What could possibly malign her? She owned a saloon and hosted a burlesque. “By who?”
His hands tightened. “Your neighbours. The people of Ironwood. Surely, were they to know, they would comment.”
What did he think she was about? “Well, I wasn’t planning on telling them, Llewellyn. Were you?”
“No.” Rifling his hair again, he appeared even more distressed. “Damnation, I’m making a mess of this. ’Tis only…I don’t do this often.”
Now, his revelation did surprise her. “Don’t you?”
It appeared her words had caused him great offense, if the sharp look he shot her was anything to go by. “No, of course not.”
“Oh.” She had no notion there was any ‘of course’ about it, but clearly he was affronted she’d assumed anything other.
“I’ll have you know I like to pursue a lady for a time, get to know her before forming a relationship. I don’t just…you know.”
“Uh-huh.” She tried to contain her smile, she really did, but he was just too sweet for words.
He scowled. “Don’t laugh at me, this is serious.”
She nodded solemnly. “Yes, deadly. Is that your only worry?”
