His eyes flared with something wanton and hungry. “Are you afraid I don’t desire you, even after our kiss?”
She blushed, unsure. His eyes perused her, and she felt warmth flare between her thighs. Huskily, he said, “I hunger to lay you down only with garnets wrapped around your throat and explore every curve and slope of your body.”
He stood and placed his hands on the sides of her chair, blocking her in. Harriet tilted her head up, staring intently into his passion-filled eyes. “I want us to get lost in each other's bodies.”
Anthony ran his thumb across her lower lip. Heat sparked and sizzled between them. She breathlessly asked, “Anthony, will you kiss me?”
A growl escaped him. He pulled her from the chair and took her in his arms. Harriet’s already wanton thoughts for him flared more. She pulled him closer as their tongues sparred with one another. It didn’t feel like enough.
Anthony lifted her slightly so her most feminine area ground against his shaft. A needy moan escaped her mouth. He pressed her against a wall. Instinctively, her legs wrapped around his waist. There were layers of fabric between them, butthe sensation between her thighs as he slid along her body was an ecstasy Harriet had never experienced before.
He slid her down so her feet touched the ground again. She leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Her eyes darted down to his pants, where his manhood demanded release. She licked her lips. Anthony groaned. “You have no idea what you are doing to me.”
“Kiss me again,” she requested.
He shook his head. “I can’t or I will compromise you. I won’t allow that to happen unless I know you are mine.”
The words “mine” from his lips caused her body to hum with temptation. She wanted to be his. He shook his head and chuckled. “I can’t believe the woman who captured my heart has been where my life began all along.”
“You needed to leave. It was good for you.”
He smiled at her softly. “It was. I want to take you to Bohemia someday.”
“I would like that,” Harriet said, realizing she honestly did want that. “Anthony, I accept—”
He held up his hand. “Tell me tomorrow. Both our emotions are raging right now. I want you to be clear-minded when you agree to a courtship and to wed me.”
Harriet shook her head. Anthony pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. She moaned, hoping for more, but he released her. “I must go. Until tomorrow, my love.”
She watched him leave, smiling. She suspected her answer tomorrow would be the same as today. Harriet would say she chose him. It was outrageous how certain she felt after such a short time, but they’d known each other their whole lives.
Chapter Ten
Anthony smiled as he watched everyone standing on the terrace. It was Christmas afternoon, and the snow had finally started to fall. The weather had been relatively mild since his arrival, but this morning they woke up to cooler temperatures. Now, most were outside drinking hot cider and enjoying the cold for a moment.
Those not on the terrace were seated in the drawing room, where all the curtains were open so that they could enjoy the flurries while warm. Harriet was not inside but on the terrace. He didn’t expect anything else. He glanced out the door to see her with her arms held wide and her face tilted up to the sky.
She was a vision. Jon joined him. “So how is the courtship going?”
“Well.”
His friend lifted a brow. “Is that all you have to say? Nothing more.”
He shook his head. “Right now, it’s just our story.”
“You’re in love.”
“I plan to give her the Hearts of Passion necklace.”
His friend’s brows shot up in surprise. “You do care for her.”
It was a rope of garnets, each fashioned as a heart, that had been designed with only Bohemian stones. He’d picked the garnets himself and requested the design. At the time, hethought he could send it to England and make a decent amount of money. It wasn’t the first piece of jewelry he or Jon had designed.
But once completed, he couldn’t bring himself to sell it or send it to England. Now, he knew why. It was meant for Harriet—his heart.
Jon smiled, “She is headed this way.”
He looked back toward the terrace doors and found Harriet beaming at him. Their eyes connected, and Anthony knew that she was his future, and he was hers. Excitement and optimism surged in him. Jon quietly said, “I will give you some privacy.”
