“Well, the short version is that I want to kiss you. The long version is that I really, really, really want to kiss you.”
She laughed and tilted her head. “What are you waiting for then?”
He didn’t rush to kiss her, not because he wasn’t eager to, but because he wanted to savour every second. He inched towards her. The smile vanished from her lips as she moved towards him.
His heart lodged somewhere in his throat, and his breathing quickened. He hadn’t kissed a woman in years. But when he pressed his lips against hers, he felt he could roar like a lion.
She kissed him back, putting her soft hand on his cheek. Her sweet scent seemed to reach his heart because it was the only thing he sensed. She parted her lips and darted out her smooth tongue. The first lash over his lips was like a bolt of energy going through him. A deep groan escaped him. And just like that, something changed between them.
The kiss took a wild turn. They moved at the same time and with the same passion. He thrust his tongue into her welcoming mouth as she tangled her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer with eagerness.
Hell, he needed that. He needed her softness, her fingers in his hair, and her body pressing against his. But it wasn’t just passion. A sweetness he hadn’t foreseen beat in his chest.
Their tongues danced together, exploring and teasing. He coiled an arm around her waist and held her, feeling the warmth of her body through the layers of satin.
Finally. A kiss years in the making.
The time he’d spent waiting for it was worth every second. He ran a hand down the curve of her waist and up again to touch the underside of her breast. They both gasped when he caressed her gently. Then her mouth was over his again, demanding and eager, but she drew in a breath when he rubbed her nipple with his thumb. Feeling her shiver under his touch was the most intoxicating sensation he’d ever experienced.
They broke the kiss, and he rested his forehead against hers. Their uneven breaths mingled in that moment of silence and moonlight. He wanted to say how much the kiss meant to him, how much he cared about her, but any word he thought of sounded inadequate. He’d ruin the moment if he said something meaningless, or worse, if he stammered, so he held her instead, letting his heartbeat speak for him. He held her for a time that seemed both long and too short.
She laid her head on his chest, her shoulders stooping. “I liked it so very much.”
“So did I. For a parasitic plant, the mistletoe is quite generous when it comes to creating the right atmosphere. Sorry, snowberry.”
She laughed. “Being surrounded by flowers and sweet scents is the most romantic setting ever.”
“I’m sure we aren’t the first guests to find their way here. Who knows how many romantic encounters happened in this conservatory? If that palm tree could talk, who knows what it’d say.”
She laughed harder. “It’d say it’s a fern.”
“Really?” He glanced at the tall green plant. “I suggest we spend more time kissing in a conservatory to improve my knowledge of plants.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Excellent suggestion, Lord Ravenscroft.”
He wanted to kiss her again but paused, simply staring at her large eyes filled with moonlight. “I’m glad you told me the truth.”
“So am I. You made me face my bad choices. I needed that.”
He stood up, holding her hand. “We’d better return to the ballroom separately. You go first.”
She laced her fingers through his before releasing his hand. “I’d rather stay here, but the last thing I need is the rumour of another scandal.”
She rested her head on his shoulder as they walked to the glass door opening to the hallway. Such a simple but intimate gesture.
“I’ll see you in a moment.” She slid her hand out of his slowly, leaving a path of fire on his palm.
He stood behind a… whatever plant it was while she walked out of the conservatory, fixing a wayward curl. With the moonlight pouring through the windows, she really looked like agoddess bathed in silver light. A goddess he’d been lucky enough to kiss.
She paused in the middle of the hallway to wave at him. He waved back, not sure she could see him.
For the first time in years, he experienced other emotions than worry and anxiety, and it was wonderful.
Perry was still thinkingabout Edith and their secret moonlight kiss hours later when he returned home with Oliver. Her body had left a trail of perfume, warmth, and passion over his, and he loved it.
“Pleasant evening, wasn’t it?” Oliver waited for Perry’s answer, holding his pencil over the notepad. How he could write while in the moving carriage was a mystery.
He reclined his head. “Very.”
