Page 41 of Singing For His Kiss

He clearly had no idea of the time. Had he really worked through the night – and most of the day? He was going to make himself sick if he continued to do that. “Have you even eaten breakfast or lunch?”

He gestured to the uneaten plates on the desk. “Maria brought food up, but I haven’t had a chance to eat it yet.” He looked exhausted. Old and world-weary. She wanted to see him as he was yesterday. Fresh and light. He sighed, and the sound punched her in the middle of her chest. “Time gets away from me.”

“Come down and have something to eat. Just for a little while. Eat a meal with your daughter.” He looked stressed. Unhappy.

“That would be nice, but…” He stopped mid-sentence, studying her. “I’ve been neglecting her.”

Her heart lurched. He wasn’t neglecting Madeline intentionally. “It’s just that Madeline likes to eat her meals with you. She looks forward to it. It’s her way of spending time with you.”

James grimaced. “I know she does. It’s just that…never mind.”

“What is it, James?” She shouldn’t ask. To ask invites an answer, and hearing an answer, learning more about him, would make it harder to harden her heart when the time came to leave.

But at the same time, a part of her that couldn’t be rationalised needed to know. It was the part that had her looking up at him as though time stood still, noticing every little thing about him.

“Tell me.”

He was looking at her in that way again that made her forget about everything - including her self-control. Even more, she liked him looking at her that way.

As though she was a gift.

She stayed where she was. Unable to move. A mistake. He stepped towards her. She was assaulted by his body heat. His height, the width of his strong shoulders, the lean power of his body. She breathed him in deeply. An automatic reaction. A sharpening of his gaze. Returned response.

He reached out to her, so slowly. She was held immobile, caught in a bubble where thoughts didn’t function. Only existing in a spellbinding moment. His fingertip traced her cheek, trapping a strand of hair and tucking it behind her ear. Heat shimmered where he’d touched her, scattering electric tingles throughout her body.

She belatedly realised he was going slowly. Measuring her response. Right now, she didn’t want to be anywhere else. Couldn’t think of why she shouldn’t be here right now, under a hypnotising spell, desperately seeking his touch.

“The day you rescued Madeline. When I asked you to be Madeline’s nanny. I wanted you to stay. Not just because you were wet and cold or that you’d rescued her. I’m eternally grateful for that, but…hell, I want you to know. I didn’t ask you to stay just because it was convenient.”

Her eyes refused to leave his face, and every cell in her body attuned to him. The insane level, the part of her that needed anything he would give her, touch, words, attention – desire - held her in place.

“Why?” Her question was asked on a breath. A sigh.

“Because I…”

His fingers slipped to her nape, entwined through her hair, and cupped her head. His gaze roamed her face, then to her mouth. Her lips fell open, anticipating. Imagining him kissing her wasn’t enough anymore.

“Because I…”

She stepped towards him. His shirt brushed her T-shirt, slid over her breasts. His fingers firmed at the back of her head. His other hand caught her waist. He held her firmly, but so gently. He dipped his head, stopped, his eyes dragged from her mouth to her eyes.

“I want to kiss you, Elizabeth.”

He’d made it clear. This was her decision. Physically, she didn’t have to consider. Her whole body was attuned to him. She couldn’t deny that any longer. She couldn’t think of a damn reason why she shouldn’t kiss him at the moment. In answer, she laid her hands over his forearms and tilted her face.

He dipped his head, moulding his mouth to hers for the longest moment. A sigh swept through her. She pressed more against him, closed her fingers around his biceps. He held her close, solid, firm, warm, tender. She was so safe in his arms. He’d catch her if she fell. A part of her surrendered a little more.

Her body melted against his, a perfect fit, his body heat searing through her clothes. Her breasts crushed against his hard chest. His fingers splayed over the back of her head, toying with the long strands of her hair.

He changed the tilt of his head, licking between her lips. She opened her mouth, inviting him in, giving way to the helpless desire that compelled her to kiss him. His tongue swept inside her mouth in one long, commanding glide. The taste of him made her giddy, the feel of his soft lips pressing against hers overwhelming.

A gentle sigh escaped her mouth. This felt so good. It was a kiss that went right through her. She breathed him in. Spice and male. Her heart rate escalated, making her blood fly through her veins.

The kiss deepened. He manipulated his mouth, sucking, pressing, urging. She returned his movements, letting his tongue and lips slip on her mouth, inside her mouth, silken and hot, enjoying the sensual way he explored with slow sweeps of his tongue.

Her nipples puckered. Her abdomen tightened as delicious languid swirls caressed her insides. She wanted to press herself that much more against him. She moved her hands to his shoulders, her fingertips brushing the skin where the collar of his shirt finished. So hot. His lips were magic, tongue exquisite, wrapped all together, the kiss undefinable.

He kissed the corner of her mouth, his lips sweeping heated wetness to her jaw. His hand held her as she tipped her head back. His tongue swirled over the sensitive skin beneath her jaw before he nuzzled her earlobe. He took it between his lips, playing with his tongue. A deep shudder rode her body.

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