Page 37

And it was, so why was he not more excited about the prospect of discovering who he was?

Because once he did, his time here would be over.

“Lilly?”

He edged nearer until his thigh brushed the skirt of her gown.

This was utter insanity.

“You really should not address me by my given name. It is not proper and could lead to unwanted speculation.” She angled her head to look at him, and her eyes widened at what she saw written on his face.

Undisguised desire.

For her.

“What…?”

She darted her tongue out to dampen her lower lip, and Zander nearly groaned out loud.

“Zander, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because, my darling, I desperately want to kiss you.”

“Oh.” She blinked, pink tinting her rounded cheeks. “You do?”

She sounded so incredulous, it cleaved his heart.

“Very,” he lowered his voice to a gravelly baritone, “very much.”

Motionless, except for the gentle rise and fall of her chest, she stared at his mouth.

Encouraged, Zander lowered his head, inch by inch, fearful she might bolt and rob him of the sweet taste of her mouth.

“Do you want me to kiss you, Lilly?”

She flicked her gaze upward to collide with his for an instant before she averted her regard.

“I…I do. More than is prudent.”

Thank God.

He edged lower still.

Just another couple of inches. Then, he would know bliss.

“But I cannot allow it, Zander,” she said firmly, if somewhat breathlessly.

Ah, hell.

If he were not so disappointed, he would have admired her willpower, for her self-control far exceeded his.

Lilly braced her palm on his chest. “Haven’t you considered that you might be married?”

Those softly murmured words cudgeled him.

Zander’s breathing stalled.

Married?