His thumb drifted over her bottom lip now, making her catch her breath. “You make me feel like that’s enough, Serenity. That with you in my life, I don’t have to be alone anymore.”
Before she could reply, he slowly leaned forward, giving her every opportunity to pull away. Foolishly, she did not. Instead, she met him halfway, and their lips brushed gently together in the sweetest kiss she could ever have imagined.
Cupping her face with both hands now, he kissed her again, still so gently, a soft moan escaping him. She twisted her hands in the fine fabric of his shirt, overwhelmed, not sure whether she should stop him or press even closer.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his lips punctuating each word with more tender kisses. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long.”
She gasped, her eyes squeezed tightly closed, letting herself become lost in the moment, in the feel and taste of this wonderful man she’d somehow been lucky enough to find.
He tasted of lemonade and smelled liked fresh wood and something spicy and exotic she couldn’t name. She’d never imagined that a man’s lips could be so soft, so warm and tender. When he deepened the kiss, letting his tongue tangle with hers, she was at first shocked, but it felt so good, so sweet and dear, that she didn’t protest. Instead, she just pressed closer, letting her hands roam through his hair and then drift over the muscular contours of his chest and back.
For endless moments, they drifted together in a beautiful haze of discovery. The entire world fell away, and nothing existed but the two of them in their warm little bubble of intimacy.
At last, he drew away, his big body trembling as he raked his hand through his hair, looking adorably confused, passion shimmering off him in tangible waves. “That was... God, I don’t even know how to describe it.”
She laughed nervously, biting her lip, knowing her face must be flaming. She had no words to articulate what his kiss had made her feel either, so she said nothing.
“There’s nothing I’d like better than to continue kissing you like that, but I’m afraid if we go much farther...” He broke off and averted his gaze from her, struggling to gain his composure. “I have so much respect for you, Serenity. I don’t want to take more from you than you’re willing to give.”
She wanted to tell him that she’d give him anything,everything, if only he’d keep touching her with such tenderness, but she knew they were playing with fire. She scooted a bit farther away, putting some space between them. Hugging her knees to her chest, she gazed at him, knowing her heart was in her eyes.
“That was my first kiss,” she admitted. “It was everything I ever imagined it could be. Thank you for that, Luke. Thank you for being such a... gentleman.”
A bashful smile tilted his beautiful full lips, the lips that had just been onhers. “I am glad you gave me that honor, Serenity. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that you don’t regret it.”
She couldn’t imagine any situation where she’d ever be anything but completely grateful for this day.
* * *
NEARLY TWO WEEKS LATER, Serenity was back on the wall, watching Luke work. She pressed her fingertips to her lips, her face heating with embarrassment and pleasure. They’d kissed several more times since the afternoon in the treehouse, and last night, they’d sat upon the sofa for nearly an hour, gazing into each other’s eyes and sharing mind-numbing passion. It had been very hard to part and go to their respective rooms alone. The fact that he had not pressed her for more had left her both relieved and disappointed. She did not think she could tell him no, but she was afraid of what going farther might mean.
Luke turned and caught her staring, and his blue eyes sparkled with a teasing light. He pressed his fingers to his lips and blew her a saucy kiss, and she realized too late that she still had hers to her mouth.
Blushing, she dropped her hand and looked away but couldn’t control the small smile that tilted her lips.
Incorrigible man.
Her pleasant thoughts were derailed by the sight of the town constable dismounting his horse where the front drive had once been. He stood for a moment, gazing at what Luke had already had his men accomplish, then noticed Luke in the scaffolding and started toward him.
Serenity shrunk back against the stone, a bad feeling taking root in the pit of her stomach. Something had happened.
As though to confirm it, both men turned toward her. They were still more than fifty meters away, but she could see the grim set of their faces.
She shook her head, trembling, as Luke climbed down from the scaffolding and both men headed in her direction.
“Miss Pratt,” the constable said when he stopped before her. “We’ve had news of your father.”
She bit her lip and then took a deep breath, readying herself for what was to come.
“I’m afraid he’s passed away, Miss,” the constable continued, a pitying expression on his somber face.
Luke reached up and took her hand, staring deep into her eyes. “He’s not coming back, angel. I’m so sorry.”
A wave of denial crashed over her, and she jerked her hand back, shaking her head again. “No,” she whispered. “I don’t believe it.”
“He was found in the next county,” the constable informed her morosely. “He’d been at a pub and when he was leaving, he somehow fell down a steep hillside. We’re not sure exactly what did him in, but he laid there for quite some time before a farmer found him.”
A hysterical laugh bubbled up inside her, and she forced it down.Drink. Drink had killed him, and they all knew that.
