Her eyes widened. “Good?”
“I should hate to become predictable.”
“You are insufferable.”
“And you are beautiful when vexed.”
The words sent heat spiralling through her body.
Victor stepped closer until scarcely an inch separated them now. Charlotte could smell the faint spice of his cologne mixed with wine and candle smoke. Every instinct told her she ought to step away.
Instead, she tilted her face upward slightly.
His voice lowered further. “Do you know what I have thought about all evening?”
Charlotte swallowed hard. “No.”
“You.”
Her heart nearly stopped.
Victor’s eyes burned into hers with startling intensity now. “During the vows. During dinner. During every blessed conversation with our guests.” His hand slid slowly to her waist. “All I could think about was finally getting you alone.”
Charlotte’s breath came shallowly.
“You are very dangerous, husband,” she whispered.
A slow smile touched his mouth. “And you, Duchess, are playing with fire.”
Then he kissed her.
The kiss was slow at first, almost teasing, but Charlotte melted instantly beneath the warmth of his mouth. Her fingers curled instinctively into the front of his coat as desire rushed through her in dizzying waves. Victor kissed her like a man with endless patience and very wicked intentions.
Charlotte suddenly understood she was in terrible trouble.
And the most frightening part was that she did not think she wished to escape it at all.
His mouth lingered against hers for one lingering moment before he slowly pulled away. Charlotte’s breathing had already become uneven, and she could feel the warmth of his hand resting possessively against her waist. She had never imagined that one man could unravel her composure so completely with only a kiss.
Victor brushed his thumb lightly against her flushed cheek. “There is another matter regarding our marriage, Duchess.”
Charlotte’s pulse stumbled. “Another matter?”
His eyes darkened with unmistakable heat. “The consummation.”
The word sent a wave of nervousness through her entire body.
Consummation?
Charlotte lowered her gaze instinctively, suddenly very aware of how close they stood and how alone they truly were. Though Victor had kissed her many times and touched her with scandalous tenderness before, this felt entirely different now. Tonight there were no pretenses, no misunderstandings, and no excuses to hide behind. He was her husband.
And she belonged in his arms now.
“Very well,” she said softly, though her voice betrayed her nerves.
Victor’s arrogant smirk appeared instantly. “You sound as though you are marching toward duty.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes despite the heat rising into her cheeks. “You are exceedingly smug for a man whose wife may yet throw something at him.”
