Glorious - 2008 Golden Heart^® Finalist

“You are very kind to Miss Ferguson.” He spoke softly, his gaze caressing her face. Tess’s nerves quivered in awareness.

“You were also. She seemed to like you.” She said this with a grin as she recalled Lillibeth’s stammering.

“Mmmm. What is more important to me, is if you like me.” His pale blue gaze was locked with hers. They could have been standing anywhere. In that moment, Tess was cognizant only of him.

“Yes.” It was the only word she could manage.

“Then I can die happy.” He smiled lazily and the effect was devastating. Tess’s breath caught in her throat. His eyelids drooped a fraction as he leaned into her.

He was going to kiss her.

His lips pressed to hers with gentle precision. It was soft and simple, but not chaste. It was over far too soon.

“My apologies.” His face was an intense mask. She detected regret in his features, but wasn’t sure where it came from. He seemed to be waiting for her response, to see if he had offended her.

“There is no need to apologize. That was nice.” What a woefully inadequate word to describe what had just transpired. It was a lot more than nice.

Still, it left her wanting. There had to be more to it. Her body screamed there was more to it.

Wordlessly, she handed him the cravat. Taking it, he turned from her and stuffed it into his basket with his jacket and waistcoat. Grabbing her baskets, she followed him toward the path. They walked in silence for a few moments. The entire time her mind warred with her body. She wanted him to kiss her again. But she shouldn’t.

She couldn’t.

Every step they took brought them closer to Leighton Glen. Closer to the life she’d always known. The life without him.

Stopping abruptly, she dropped her baskets to the ground. She stood silently, waiting for him to halt.

He paused a few feet in front of her, turning.

“Would you kiss me again?” She forced the words from her tightening throat. It was a brazen thing to say. His face didn’t register shock, but some other emotion. His nostrils flared slightly.

“If I kiss you the way you want, you’ll get wet.” His eyes scorched her. It was obvious to him then that she wanted something more. The realization should have sent her running, but it only fanned her desire.

“I don’t care.” She said the words without thinking of the implications. That her own clothing would become damp and Ivy would know what had happened. Wasn’t she responsible for this anyway? She took two steps toward him. “I don’t care.” This time she spoke with conviction. Her body trembled in anticipation.

He stood staring at her until the time stretched between them. Her heart plummeted to her toes as she realized he wasn’t going to do it. But then he took three great strides and pulled her against his body. His wet shirt connected with the bodice of her gown eliciting a gasp from her throat.

His blue eyes bore into hers in a silent question. She touched her tongue to her lower lip and heard him groan just before his mouth found hers.