Page 34 of Ladybird

“Not to get the job done. Just to get what I want.”

“I don’t understand.” Hunter was confusing her again. Now, she started wondering if his words of attraction were only to get what he wanted with her as well.

“Never mind,” he told her. “I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying spending time with you. So much so that I almost hope it takes me a long time to catch the thief.”

“What? Why?”

“Because, that will give me more time to spend with you.” He picked up her hand and kissed it, just like he kissed the hands of the other ladies in the castle.

“You kiss all the ladies, don’t you?” She was starting to wonder about his charming ways.

“Only on the hand. Then again, you are different.” He reached up and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. It was an innocent act but affected her more than she wanted him to know. “You, my lady, I have kissed on the lips. I would like to do so again.”

“You would?” She didn’t know what to do or how to answer. Was he asking her permission or just announcing his upcoming move?

“Unless you would rather I didn’t?”

Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it too. “I don’t mind.” With her head downward she looked up at him shyly.

Then his hand moved to her chin and he raised it until they gazed into each other’s eyes. He leaned over and ever so gently placed his lips upon hers. Regina’s eyes closed and she surrendered to the moment, melting from his touch, craving his kisses, feeling so safe and happy in his embrace.

The kiss lingered for a moment. Part of her wished that he’d touch her more. Instead, he slowly dropped his hand to the side and their mouths parted. Her eyes opened to find him still staring at her, but he had that serious look on his face again.

“I suppose I was addled to do that.”

“Why would you say that?” She longed for another kiss but could tell it wasn’t going to happen. Something took his concern.

“I am naught but a commoner, Lady Regina.” He was back to using her title again which made Regina feel distance between them.

“I know that.”

“You are a noblewoman.”

“Yes, I am. So what is your point?”

“I have no right to kiss you. Nothing can ever come of this. I am sorry that I put you in such a horrible position when I swam in the lake naked, and I am sorry I was so bold as to kiss you again just now.”

“I don’t mind,” she told him, wanting to say how much she enjoyed it but never having a chance to do so.

He hopped off the end of the cart. “I’ll retrieve your shoes before the others return and think we’ve misbehaved ourselves in the hay.”

When he said the words, it only made her want to misbehave in the hay with him even more than ever. He returned with the shoes and held one out, tapping the top of his leg.

“Put your foot here,” he told her. “I will help you don your shoes.”

She did as instructed, liking the feel of his strong thigh beneath her foot. She also liked the feel of his big hands holding her. What was the matter with her? She had never felt this way about a man before. Then again, no other man had kissed her the way Hunter did, or helped her put on her shoes. She was slowly losing her heart to him and could do nothing to stop it.

“Here come the others,” he told her, releasing her and standing up tall. “I think I’ll go meet them. I need to get Luke to like me again and not think I want to drown his damned cat.”

Her heart went out to him as she watched him approach the others. Sage and Robin each held one of Martin’s hands, swinging the little boy between them as they walked. Anyone could see how in love her brother and his wife were. They had a family already and it would be growing by leaps and bounds in a few months’ time. Regina had never longed for a husband before or a family either. She’d always been too busy with training her birds to even think or care about falling in love. Since she’d met Hunter, her thoughts were changing now. This change was confusing, exciting, and at the same time draining.

She watched Hunter approach Luke, trying to talk to the boy. He held out his hands for the cat, but Luke clutched her to his chest and ran to the wagon leaving him behind. Luke jumped in next to her, still petting Inky.

“Hello, Luke,” said Regina, trying to make conversation. “Did your cat enjoy the walk?”

“Yes,” he answered, not bothering to look up. “Did you enjoy your time all alone with my uncle?”

She jerked backward. That took her by surprise. “Yes, we talked and I enjoyed the conversation. Why do you ask?”