“I did, didn’t I? It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.”
He said nothing, but his gaze swept over her before he led her up the porch steps, then stopped in front of the door. She feltthe heat of that gaze all the way to her toes and that little tickle started in her belly once more.
“May I kiss you?”
She looked at him, surprised, wondering how he’d read her mind. She glanced at his mouth before her gaze rose up to his eyes and thought that if anyone knew how to kiss, it would be this man.
“I’ve never been kissed before,” she admitted, a little sheepishly. What twenty-six-year- old woman had never been kissed? “I don’t know how.”
A soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Let me show you how it’s done.” He moved closer and tenderly reached out to caress the side of her face with his thumb, then lowered his head to brush his lips softly against her own. As far as kisses went—her very first one—it was pleasant. Sweet, even, but she didn’t see what all the fuss was about. Her toes didn’t curl at all.
“How was that?”
Startled that he would even ask, Sheridan felt a blush rise to her to face. How could she tell him she wasn’t impressed without hurting his feelings? “It was nice.”
“Just nice?” One dark eyebrow rose as a wicked gleam came into his eyes. “Let me try again.”
He drew a little closer, his body pressing up against hers, his hands cupping both sides of her face. He slowly lowered his head, but instead of just brushing her lips with his, he pressed a little harder, his mouth moving over hers, patiently, expertly.
And there it was. Her toes curled and her heart seemed to jolt out of rhythm before resuming with a painful thud.
He broke the kiss but didn’t move. She could feel the warmth of his body, smell the light aroma of soap and cloves. “Better?”
She nodded, suddenly embarrassed. Here she was judging him on his kissing technique even though she had no experience at all. Never in a million years did she think she’d ever do that.
“Let’s try one more time.” He laughed softly. “Just to make sure I’m doing this right.”
And he did. This time, he moved his hands away from her face and wrapped her tightly in his arms just seconds before his mouth descended on hers. This was no light brushing of his lips to hers. This was a slow, deliberate assault on her entire being, making her feel things she’d never experienced before. When the kiss deepened and suddenly his tongue was stroking hers, she froze for a second, then relaxed as more feelings cascaded through her. That tickle in her belly tripled and became something more and undeniable.
He broke the kiss and pulled away, his gaze searching hers, but for what, she didn’t know. “Well, what do you think?”
She was amazed. Dumbfounded. She couldn’t speak. Her heart was pounding too hard…and she had no words, but she did know she wanted to feel that again. She rose up on her toes, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him this time, her lips moving over his like he had shown her. And it was wonderful. Beyond wonderful. It was heavenly.
He didn’t let her go when she broke the kiss. Instead, he held her a little tighter. “I think you liked it.”
She finally found her voice. “I did. I do.” And just to prove it, she did it again, then pulled away, her face heating. “I’m sorry.”
“No apology necessary.” He laughed softly. They stood there for a heartbeat, staring at each other. Then he stepped back reluctantly and swung the door open. As they stepped inside he called out, “Mama! Royce! We’re here.”
He turned toward her.
“Let me take your cape.”
She unbuttoned it and handed it to him seconds before a black and white ball of fur came barreling out from the kitchen and ran straight for Wyatt, his joyous barks filling the parlor as the dog danced around his legs.
“This is Duke. Don’t be afraid. He’s very friendly.”
Sheridan reached out a hand and tried to pet the dog, but he was too excited, running circles around them both now, his short yips and squeals of welcome showing his happiness.
“Duke! Sit! Say hello to the lady like the gentleman I know you are.”
The dog obeyed immediately. He sat in front of Sheridan, though his tail continued to thump the floor, and lifted his paw to shake.
Sheridan grasped the dog’s paw. “How lovely to meet you.”
A moment later, Delilah and Royce came out of the kitchen, too, both wearing bib aprons dusted with flour, though Royce had more of the white stuff on him. There was even some flour in his hair, but there was a big smile on his face.
