She gripped his chest tight and ducked her head to his shoulder. “What? Where?”
That lovely neck was exposed from her purple collar.
He threaded his fingers into her coat, deep along her back. “Don’t move.”
Heaven. She did as he asked. “What is it?”
“Something. Animal?”
“I did this. I entrapped us again. We didn’t need a door.”
Angling his face closer to hers. “Doors for us are good. Just be still.”
When her brows knitted in the way she did with her eyes sparkling, he could no longer resist.
Felton lowered his head and brushed his lip against hers. “Don’t move at all.”
The first kiss was light. Tickling soft. With his nose smooth against her creamy cheek, he waited for her to yield. His fingers kneaded her back and worked their way down her sensitive hips.
When she gasped, he kissed her more deeply. She returned his kiss and molded against his chest.
They were back. It had to be. He laid her on the ground and unbuttoned more of her coat. “I want all of you, Cilia. Always.”
Her brown eyes widened like she’d awakened from a dream. “No.” She sat up. Then scrambled to her feet. “No.”
“Cecilia. I’m yours. And you’re still mine. Being with you is natural and right. Goodness, I miss us. I need you.”
She touched her reddened lips. “No.”
“Are you telling me you don’t still love me? You taste like you do.”
“Don’t do that again. We have—”
“Don’t what, Cilia? Pretend I don’t love you?” He leapt up and neared. “I can’t get you out of my head.” He tapped his temple. “When I was away on missions, you were right here. I had to come home to you. You’re in every dream, sharing my bed each night. All this time apart, nothing has changed.”
“We can’t go back. Too much has happened. This is not why I agreed to come.”
“Maybe I’ve finally become your jaguar. I saw the opportunity to pounce, to claim your heart.”
“Then I need to be away from you again. I should walk back to London.”
“Cecilia, we’re hours from Town.” He lifted his hand. “I’ll behave, but as I told you, I will be honest. You need to know that I’m ready to begin again.”
“I can’t begin again when there’s no end to my nightmare. Gladstone . . . I can’t do this.”
The stubborn woman turned from him, as if she could traipse back to London and started walking away.
Where’s a jaguar when you need one?
Felton chased. “Let’s go. We should head back and continue on our route to Warwick.”
“No. You’re determined to confuse me or use my fears to draw me back. This marriage is over.”
“Is it? Or is that what you wish to tell yourself.” He sped ahead and planted in her path. “You do still feel everything as I do.”
“I don’t. And I think we should stop this. You can’t be impartial and let me seek revenge. Send me back to London.”
“Cecilia, I’m a professional. If you don’t have patience to deal with me, how will you be able to manage the anger you feel when Gladstone’s in view? You’re caught. The situation is too sticky with all the emotions you’ll have to master.”
