Page 35 of Real Earls Break the Rules

She whirled at the sound of Brandon’s voice. He stood too close, and a warning voice whispered in her head. How could he have followed her so quickly without her hearing his footsteps in the grass? For a large man, he could move silently. He stepped around her and plucked the embedded arrows from the target with ease.

She didn’t want his help and desired to be far away from him at the moment. Logic escaped her when he was near, and her thoughts were a tumble of confused emotions.

She stepped back. “One’s lost in the trees. I’ll get it.”

She strode away, but to her dismay, he followed. “Wait.”

The stray arrow was behind a group of tall trees and a thick bush. The trees shaded them from the bright morning sun and the temperature was cooler than on the archery field. They were also out of sight of the women. The scent of evergreens and flowering shrubs surrounded them.

They spotted the lost arrow at the same time and bent down to retrieve it. Amelia was careful to avoid the sort of calamity they’d experienced the evening before.

Vale reached the arrow first and handed it to her. She wanted to take it, but he held onto the end.

Her eyes rose to his.

“I keep thinking about our kiss.” His voice was deep and husky, sending a wave of awareness through her.

Her pulse beat in her throat. “It was a mistake.”

His gaze was intense. “It didn’t feel like a mistake to me. The taste of your lips kept me up late last night.”

She glanced nervously about. They were well hidden from view, but for how long? Surely the women would come investigate. She could just picture Lady Minerva’s expression. What had she said about competition?

“You were right to stop,” she said. “We must maintain a professional relationship. You’ve retained my artistic services for two paintings. Nothing more.”

“You think I wanted to stop?”

“Why did you then?” She bit her lip the moment she’d blurted out the question.

“I promised not to take advantage of you, dammit. But the truth is I can’t stop thinking of you. I want to kiss you again.”

She shook her head. “We shouldn’t.”

“Look me in the eye and tell me you haven’t thought of it.”

She couldn’t. Deep down, she’d thought of little else but the feel of his lips on hers, the scrape of his stubble across her cheek, the first tangling of their tongues. Her heart hammered against her ribs.

He was looking at her like he wanted to kiss her again. Here. Now.

He cupped her chin and passed his thumb across her bottom lip. She nervously licked her lips, and he growled. She felt the sound deep in the marrow of her bones. His eyes darkened with unmistakable desire.

Her knees felt weak. “Brandon,” she whispered. “We could get caught.”

“To hell with it,” he hissed as he wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her close. He lowered his head, his mouth covering hers. She quivered at the tender, velvet warmth of his kiss. She kissed him back, lingering, savoring every moment. It was sweet and gentle, and in the solace beneath the shelter of the trees and the cover of the bushes, worth every risk.

“Amelia!”

She started and pulled back in alarm. “That was Caroline. We have to go back.”

He sighed deeply, helped her to her feet, and handed her the arrow.

She was aware of his footsteps behind her as she marched out from behind the trees and onto the lawn. She held up the arrow. “Lord Vale was kind enough to help me find it.”

Minerva waved her bow. “Good. I’d like to try again, my lord. Will you watch my technique?”

Brandon hesitated, casting Amelia a sidelong glance before looking at Minerva. “I’m afraid I must depart. The men are waiting for me to go hunting.”

Minerva pouted. “You promised me a tour of the gardens later.”