Page 24 of Signed, Sealed, Married

Curiosity?

Thwarted desire?

All those. Yet, to his surprise, he felt no frustration at denying himself a proper kiss. Even with the promise of her body against his, every bit as seductive as he’d imagined.

He let the moment expand, feeling her soften against him, her breathing slow, and it feltright.

The churning rush of arousal in his lower body eased, the urgent thrum in his blood turning to a heavy but steady beat.

Comfort, he realised. That’s what this was. More powerful than the intense excitement of a moment ago. Though desire was still there, a permanent undercurrent whenever he was around Gisèle.

Comfort for her, because he’d hated that moment of dark emotion he’d seen in her gaze. He’d wanted to obliterate it.

But, he realised, stunned, comfort for himself too.

How and why, he couldn’t say. And that was unacceptable.

He didn’t need or want comfort from a woman. He was perfectly content with his life. Perfectly in control.

Abruptly he pulled back, wondering how a chaste kiss on the forehead could upend everything.

Slumbrous eyes, more lavender than blue, blinked and met his. He wanted, he discovered, to wake up to that warm, hazy gaze on a regular basis. He had the weird notion that even the most taxing day would be easier if it started with Gisèle looking at him that way.

But then she gathered herself, her hand sliding from his, those stunning eyes turning gunmetal grey. As if the savvy businesswoman had returned, determined to fight for the company that, he was beginning to realise, meant so much to her.

Adam was grateful when she stepped away. Though his hand at her nape lingered as if he didn’t want to end the contact. Once she’d moved from his reach, his palm tingled at the sense memory of her delicate skin against his and he shoved his hand into his pocket.

She turned so any watcher on the motorboat couldn’t see her face. Her words were clipped. ‘That really wasn’t necessary.’

‘We’ll have to agree to disagree on that, Gisèle.’ Adam let his voice drop and linger on her name, watching with satisfaction as her breath hitched. Not so calm, then. ‘It was necessary if we’re going to make them believe this is the beginning of a grand romance. I was doing you a favour.’

A frown puckered her brow. ‘You think a kiss on the forehead romantic?’

He shrugged. ‘I didn’t want to overplay my hand. That will show there’s...tenderness between us.’

A wry laugh greeted his words. ‘It’s okay. You don’t need to explain that you don’t actually want to kiss me. I feel the same.’

He was about to correct her then stopped himself. Of course he wanted to kiss her. She knew that. No woman of her age and looks could be so innocent. She was throwing up words as a barrier.

For he knew, with the instinct that came from years of experience, that she wanted his kisses too. Yet for some reason she denied it. Pride? Or because of whatever had made her look lost minutes before?

‘Gisèle. Before this goes further—’

‘Yes.’ She cut across him as no one else dared, except his family. ‘Before this goes further I want to make something clear.’

She folded her arms, the image of determination. Adam forced his gaze up from where her crossed arms emphasised the curve of her breasts.

‘Go on. Clarity, by all means.’

Because the last few minutes had confused the hell out of him. He couldn’t believe he’d pulled back without enjoying the promise of her tempting lips. Because of some fleeting expression he’d probably imagined.

‘No kissing,’ she said firmly. ‘No touching. Even for the cameras.’

Adam shoved his other hand in his trouser pocket and rocked back on his heels. ‘How do you expect to make anyone believe we’ve fallen in love?’

Gisèle opened her mouth then closed it. ‘By being seen together. Sharing meals. That sort of thing.’

‘I share meals with my PA. No one’s ever assumed there’s a budding romance.’

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