Page 64 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Of course.”
“What are you talking about? Wait, Gavin.”
But before she could continue, he turned, stalking towards her, coming within inches of her.
“Just because our marriage was set up doesn’t give him the right to bother you with his lecherous behavior.”
“Lecherous?” Holly repeated, stunned. “He wasn’t being lecherous.”
“Wasn’t he?”
He glared at her, and for the first time since meeting him, Holly realized he was genuinely upset. And if she wasn’t mistaken, it was because he was jealous. Jealous that she had been talking to his friend.
A strange, guilty pleasure unfolded within her. How silly it was to be both annoyed and pleased with his reaction. But she didn’t want him to be jealous, especially towards a friend, so she smirked, lighting a fire in Gavin’s eyes.
“What?” he asked heatedly.
“It’s a secret.”
That was the wrong thing to say, for in the next instant, Gavin’s hands were on her arms, holding her firmly in place.
“I’ll not have secrets between my wife and some bas—”
She couldn’t help but let a small laugh escape, both amused and wildly worried. He was indeed infuriated now as he glared at her. “Bloody hell, Holly, what is so amusing?”
She brought her hands up to his face, and though he flinched away at first, she held him steady.
“I was asking Trembley for the name of the confectioner who makes your lemon and mint candies,” she said softly. “That is all.”
He stared at her for a long moment, evidently confused.
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to get you some more, though you’ve taken the surprise out of it.” She shook her head. “You’re not a very good sport about secrets, are you?”
Her playful words didn’t seem to sink in. He was watching her with a perplexity that unnerved her, and suddenly she was very sorry for having teased him.
She was about to apologize when he suddenly pulled her against him and kissed her hard. Holly felt as if the air evaporated in her lungs. This wasn’t like the other kisses they shared. This was something else. Something deeper, stronger. When an undetermined sound escaped her lips, she felt him pull away, kissing and nipping at her ear. His hand came up to her neck, holding her in a positively possessive way. Her eyes closed as he spoke.
“I don’t know what you’re doing to me, Holly. I don’t like it.” She nodded, knowing exactly how he felt. “I’m rarely the type of person to be out of sorts. I’ve worked very hard to maintain an even temper and good nature for most of my life. I am not prone to jealousy or fits of whatever this is,” he said, looking down at her. “But my god, if I am not tormented by this…”
Gavin’s mouth found hers again, and she eagerly moved her body against his, her hands exploring the large expanse of his muscular back. It was a bizarre experience. Holly had never felt so sure, so comfortable, while also terrified. She didn’t know what she was doing and only had the instinct to follow, but the thoughts and desires running through her mind were far too outrageous. And yet, being with Gavin made even her most scandalous ideas seem perfectly reasonable.
She should say something, should explain that she didn’t know what she was doing, but Gavin seemed to read her mind. He pulled back ever so slightly, his forehead resting against hers as he spoke.
“I need you to tell me to stop, Holly,” he said, his eyes closed as a pained expression passed over his face. “If this isn’t what you want, you need to tell me, because I’m not going to be able to—”
“Don’t stop,” she whispered breathlessly against his mouth before kissing him.
That was all Gavin needed to hear, apparently. He seemed emboldened at her words and picked her up in a sweeping move, which caused her to gasp. She clutched her arms tightly around his neck as he continued peppering kisses across her face.
Holly was aware of what he was feeling. It was as if a dam had broken. For weeks there had been a thread running through them, an intangible thing that seemed to hold them together, and it had finally been brought to light.
As he laid her on the bed, his mouth moved down her neck and, to her mortified satisfaction, her breasts. Never in her life had she experienced such a sensation, and she bucked her hips upward at the feeling. He suckled and teased her until she was panting by the time he pulled away.
The petulant part of her moaned with discontent as he removed himself from her, but in the next moment, he was undressing, and she closed her mouth to watch him. His eyes were locked on hers, but her gaze dropped to his chest. Some of the tenant farmers in the summer months had removed their shirts in the blazing heat, but they had been so far away, and as talented as the master painters were, none had ever captured the vigor that seemed to be radiating from Gavin.
Rolling his shoulders as he removed the clothing, he bent down over her, his eyes boring into her. His mouth dropped to hers, and with deliberate slowness, he kissed her, but only until she kissed back. Then he pulled away, causing her to groan once more. Then, that irritating smirk appeared, and she was exasperated and charmed.
