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“I’m not certain how else to say thank you so I hope this will suffice.”
And then she pressed her mouth to his, her lips soft and warm as her fingers curled into his shirt front. He kissed her mouth closed and then kissed her again and again until by the third pass he was hungry for more. Slanting her lips open, he ran his tongue along her bottom lip, then delved deeper to find hers. He felt her gasping shudder followed by a low moan and victory sang in his veins. Whatever she felt about William, she was here in his arms, responding to his kiss.
Reaching the base of her neck, he trailed his fingers around to her front, tracing her collarbone and then dipping his hand lower. As he cupped her breast, he was aware of how nicely the flesh filled his hand, and he gave it a squeeze, his desire swelling as their tongues continued to tangle.
“Chris,” she whispered against his lips. “We shouldn’t…”
He kissed her quiet, not wanting to talk now. Granted, he’d spoken with her more in the last few hours than he had with anyone in years, but now was the time for something other than words.
Bianca melted into him again and even through her chemise and dress, he felt her nipple pucker under his palm. Satisfaction and desire rippled through him. He wanted more of her. If he were honest, he wanted all of her.
But he couldn’t have that without the promise of marriage. Was it just this morning he’d told his friends he wouldn’t marry? He had excellent reasons for that. A cruel father, a stutter that always made people withdraw from him, a history of being rejected by the very people who should love him. But those details seemed distant and meaningless in the warmth of her embrace.
“Bianca,” he murmured, his other hand at the top button of her dress. “I want…”
The carriage came to a stop. She bolted up, still in his lap but tipping back wildly from her sudden movement. Which caused her arms to flail. She caught his chin with the back of her hand, making Chris’s jaw snap closed. He steadied her in his lap.
“I’m so sorry,” she gushed, clasping his cheeks in both her hands. “Did I hurt you? I’m so clumsy.”
He held her tighter to his chest. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
She worried her lip looking down at him. “I just ruined the loveliest moment. Whenever I get nervous I can’t seem to control my own limbs. I’m such a—” But she didn’t finish as she heard a voice call from outside the carriage.
“Hello there,” a man called.
“Father,” Bianca hissed, clutching his neck tighter.
Rather than fear, something deeply satisfying settled in his limbs. Strange considering he held the man’s daughter in his lap. Why didn’t he care if they might be caught? Chris placed a soft kiss at the base of her neck. “Doesn’t he usually work long hours?”
Outside the carriage the driver called back. “Well hello, Mr. Moorish.”
“Yes,” she answered, frowning. “He must be concerned with all these new men about. Are we at Moorish Manor or on the road?”
“He should be,” he answered trailing his lips down her neck. Then he flicked open one curtain. “On the road.”
Bianca looked down at him, her eyes wide and her lips parted. “What are we going to do?”
“Continue kissing?” he asked hopefully.
“What if we’re caught? What if he asks who’s in the carriage?” She shrank into him, her forehead pressing to his. “What if we get back and he recognizes the carriage and realizes we’re alone. What if he asks me why we’re not chaperoned and—”
“Bianca.” He stopped her, now recognizing the pattern of her nervousness. “Just like today, if that happens, you won’t face it alone. I’ll be there with you.”
She looked into his eyes. “I believe you, but I also heard you this morning. You made it clear that you’d be leaving.”
Was that really the reason? She might be the first female in the history of the world not to attempt to trap a man in marriage. And to listen to him when he said he wasn’t marriage-minded. Was that why he suddenly wanted to get caught?
* * *
“You are darling. You know that, don’t you?”
His words made her breath catch as warmth filled her belly. “Really?” Her eyes fluttered closed. If he wasn’t careful, she might forget all her good intentions. Right now she intended to allow him to leave Seabridge Gate and consider him a wonderful learning experience. A time to gain confidence so that she might be able to face the rest of the world with a sense of self-worth. She’d use her newfound confidence to find a proper husband. “Don’t tease me.”
“Do I strike you as a man who teases?” He brought his hand up to cup her cheek. “Bianca, how do you not know how lovely you are?”
Her mouth opened and then closed again. “If you knew my sisters better, you’d see that I’m so much less—” She stopped, color filling her cheeks. “None of them would become the town jester.”
He drew in a deep breath. “That’s only because you’re so open, it makes it easy for other people to find your soft spots.” He kissed her again. It was slow and tender, the sort of touch that stole her breath.
