Page 31 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
“No forgetting,” he commanded before claiming her lips in a hot kiss, as if to remove the notion completely from her mind. “Only me,” he breathed.
Pippa flashed her teeth. “Where is the legendary control you wrestled back from me?”
A soft huff. “You’ve whole-heartedly ensnared me, love. My heart. My soul. My sanity. Where you are concerned, the word holds no meaning.”
Inside, Pippa brimmed with delight.
She handed him the sketch, finally understanding that, in the end, the only thing worth seizing was happiness. Nicholas had always been that. She wanted him to know she saw all of him.
“What’s this?” he asked, then froze. His gaze lifted to hers. “You sketched this?”
Pippa nodded. “It’s the day we met. I’ve wanted to tease you about it so many times, but I never had the heart. So, I poked fun at other things, hoping to catch a glimpse of this Nicholas—the earl who sniffs flowers in the garden.”
“Pippa …” He brought his ungloved hand up and slowly stroked the back of his fingers along her cheek.
Her pulse quickened, and Pippa finally said, “I love you too. Yes, I will seize you. Marry you. Kiss only you.”
* * *
The sixth ruleof being an exemplary brother: Lead by example.
Nicholas’s lipsfollowed Pippa’s confession, and he only pulled away when both of them ran out of breath. This was not the place to ignite their desires. What he needed was a bed. And time.
Lots and lots of time.
“Your injuries …” she whispered.
“Don’t hurt,” Nicholas denied. “Not when you’re here.”
She laughed. “Do you think I believe that? If it hurts, it hurts, whether I’m present or not.”
“Have a heart, love.” He trailed a thumb over her lower lip. “You’re finally in my arms. A small injury is nothing. Tell me you love me again. No, wait. Don’t. I won’t be able to hold myself back. Let’s get married. I can get a special license within the hour. Three at most.”
“We haven’t yet told—”
He caught her answer on his lips. He couldn’t help himself. She was just too damn irresistible, and he refused to listen to anything butyes. Unfortunately, or perhaps very fortunately, Nancy’s bright voice sliced through the spell that had almost woven them together.
“Am I interruptingsomething?”
Pippa gasped, and Nicholas encircled her waist when she attempted to scramble from his embrace.
“Yes,” he outright declared.
Nancy put her hands on her hips, eyes narrowed on them. “My brother and best friend have thrown dust into my eyes. I shall not let this pass!”
Jeremy appeared behind her, a grin displayed on his face. “Don’t mind me, I’m just here for the theatrics.”
Nicholas remained nonchalant. Now that his sister discovered the truth all by herself, they could get married sooner rather than later.
“When did this start?” Nancy demanded. “Howdid this start? Neither of you told me anything!” She held up her hand when Nicholas opened his mouth. “Wait … It should be the Pearler ball, right?”
“I kissed Nicholas instead of Dare,” Pippa admitted. “You were there for the rest.”
“What?” Nancy exclaimed, eyes turning to Nicholas. “The same night you pawned me off to the most notorious rake in England?”
“The very same.”
Nancy’s mouth opened and shut. “You won’t even deny it! Am I not your loving sister? Aren’t you supposed to protect me from libertines on the prowl?”
