Page 35 of The Moonstone Marquess
“Then I shall court you improperly. My point is, I intend to marry you and be a good husband to you.”
“Do not tell me this.”
“I need you, Phoebe. Probably more than you shall ever need me. Let me kiss you now, a proper kiss. If you hate it, I will never touch you again. You have my oath on it.”
He was surprised by the pain he saw in her expression.
Well, this was what he seemed to do best. Cause pain. Upset his loved ones.
“I do not want your kiss.”
He sighed again. “Are you that afraid of me? Because I have worked my way so deeply into your heart already?”
“No, not in the least.” Her eyes began to tear. “All right. Kiss me again. I would rather have the memory of a sober kiss. I doubt I shall be kissing anyone else anytime soon. Nor do I intend to kiss you ever again after this.”
“Duly noted. If you hate it, I shall never kiss you again. I gave you my oath and shall keep to it.” Of course, she was not going to hate it. He had not earned his wicked reputation by being inept at seducing women. He was ridiculously good at it. However, if she wished to wipe the slate clean and start over, he was all for it. He wanted her to remember the softness and sincerity of this kiss.
He wanted her to think of him as a better man.
As for never again…that was not going to happen. He was going to kiss her until her toes curled. He wanted to make a life with her. Why could she not see this?
“Close your eyes, love.”
Her eyelids fluttered closed. “I am not your love.”
“Yes, you are. Put your hands on my shoulders.”
Heat tore through him as she rested her delicate hands as he instructed.
He slipped his arm around her waist and bent his head to hers.
His lips met hers, and suddenly the world around him turned to magic. Of course, Phoebe was the precious source of this beautiful magic.
The world felt right whenever he was beside her.
Waves swept to the shore,whooshingacross the sand.
The wind surrounded them in warmth.
His heart soared as he deepened the kiss, pressing his mouth to her soft, pliable lips. She tasted sweet as honey, and her body felt so soft against his.
Oh, how he wished he had two arms to hold her. How he wished to swallow her in his embrace.
But he had only the one, and it was all he could ever give her. He could not caress her cheek or run his fingers through her silken hair when holding her. Those were only possible in his dreams.
She moaned and surrendered to the plunder of his lips.
He wanted to devour this sweet girl.
In time, he would win her over.
He had to.
How long would it take for her to trust him? This was the greatest problem, getting her to trust him. He knew he could make Phoebe fall in love with him, for she was already strongly attracted to him—and not liking it one bit.
Perhaps she loved him.
Such things happened. Love at first sight.
