Despite his cravat hiding his throat, Catherine knew he swallowed. Wondered if he thought to have said something different. Something else.
She blinked and made a slight sound in her throat before she was able to respond. “I… I’d like that,” she whispered.
Given their heights were nearly the same, she only had to angle her head to one side before his lips were suddenly touching hers. For a moment, that’s all they did, and then when she parted her lips, he followed suit.
Having read about the act of kissing, Catherine knew in theory what she was supposed to do. In practice, she discovered she really didn’t need a guide. Kissing was easy. A slight suckling, a reminder to breathe.
If only her knees could hold her up, for when they didn’t, she was suddenly pressed to the front of his body. She felt his arms pull her even harder against him, hard enough that she was sure she felt his heartbeat through her mantle.
Or perhaps that was hers. The pulse pounding in her ears.
She lifted a hand to the side of his face and speared her fingers through his dark hair, glad to know it was as silky as itappeared. When she lowered her hand, she caught his earlobe between her thumb and forefinger and gently tugged on it.
A chuckle bubbled up in Matthew, and he was forced to finish the kiss and pull his mouth from hers. He left his forehead pressed to hers, though. “That tickles,” he accused.
Catherine grinned in delight. “Ask me to marry you.”
Matthew blinked. “Will you marry me?”
Nodding, she said, “Yes.”
He was quick to resume the kiss, although his manner was more playful. He slid one hand over her back and up to her throat.
Tittering when he undid the bow beneath her chin, Catherine removed her hat and allowed it to dangle from its ribbons.
His eyes heavy lidded, Matthew inhaled softly. “You have the most gorgeous hair.” He caught one of the curls around his fingertip. “Like spun silk,” he whispered.
She sighed and angled her head so she could reach his earlobe with the tip of her tongue. Pulling it between her lips, she felt as much as heard his inhalation of breath as she suckled it.
“You are in great danger, my lady,” he warned, a growl sounding from his throat.
Catherine knew he was aroused. Even through her mantle, she could feel his hardened manhood pressed into her lower belly. Her own arousal had already started there moments ago, heat pooling at the apex of her thighs while her breasts seemed to swell and her nipples hardened into tight buds.
She had never experienced this sort of visceral reaction to a man in her entire life. Couldn’t recall when she felt such a need to be held, to be kissed, to be touched.
“Ask me to spend the night with you.”
Matthew blinked but didn’t hesitate. “Spend the night with me,” he said, not making it a question.
“Dismiss your driver for the night.”
He jerked his lips from where they had been leaving a trail of kisses along her jawline. “Are you… are you sure?” he whispered hoarsely.
“I am.” She slid her hand down the front of his body and molded her palm around the hard ridge behind the placket of his breeches. “As I think you are, too.”
He inhaled sharply. “I’ll be but a moment.”
Catherine had to suppress a yelp when he suddenly let go of her and rushed out of the salon. She collected her hat and reticule into one hand and the lantern into the other.
Meanwhile, she heard Matthew’s exit from the house and felt the swirl of cool air surround her feet a moment later. Outside the window, she heard the coach lurch into motion and the neighing complaint of a horse.
The front door closed, bringing with it another gust of cold air and a chilled Matthew. He took the lantern from her and offered an arm. “You haven’t changed your mind?”
“Have you?”
“No!” he responded, with perhaps a bit too much force.
Catherine grinned as she placed a hand on his arm and walked alongside him and up the stairs. She was glad for the carpet runner that muffled their ascent. “I do hope you don’t think me fast,” she murmured.
