Page 43 of The Moonstone Major
She must have had the oddest expression, for he regarded her a moment and then frowned as he caressed her cheek. “Chloe, are you all right?”
She nodded.
“No, something’s not right. What is it?”
She took a deep breath. “I had a nice time with you. A wonderful time.”
“So did I.” He cast her the softest smile. “Those girls are little treasures. The marquess will have a fit when he learns what they were saying about him.”
“He’ll take it in stride because he knows what he once was. Anyway, who is going to tell him? Certainly not I.” She placed a hand lightly on his arm. “You cannot tell him either.”
“No, I never would. I’m no tattler. That would break my sacred pirate oath.”
She could not help but return his smile. “That’s right,Captain Handsome.”
“Oh, bollocks,” he said with a groaning laugh. “That name.”
“It suits you. The girls thought it was very clever.” She covered her mouth as she began to giggle, unable to remember when she had ever enjoyed an afternoon more. It was because of Fionn, of course. She hoped he was having as spectacular a time with her.
She thought he might be, for she had never seen him so lighthearted or relaxed.
He took her hand, the gesture so natural she did not think he realized what he was doing, only that he instinctively wanted to hold her.
She felt the air crackle between them.
“Come on, Moonstone Marauder,” he said, his voice suddenly gruff and gritty. “I’ll help you to the top.”
So there was to be no kiss. Only this brief touch of their hands.
She tried to hide her disappointment. “Fionn…”
He paused to stare at her. “Something is wrong. Tell me what it is.”
How could she let on? She would truly die of embarrassment if he refused. But nor would she ever have her answer if she remained silent.
She cleared her throat. “It isn’t that something is wrong, but that it is very right…ah, um, very right…between us. Is it my imagining? Am I mistaken in thinking that… Dear heaven. Why is this so hard? Do you have any idea what I am talking about?”
“Yes,” he said, frowning lightly as he studied her more closely. “Unfortunately, I do. All the more reason why we ought to get back to the others now.”
He started to turn away, his obvious purpose to walk off and put the matter to an end.
Well, there it was.
“Unfortunate? Is this all I am to you? I did not think you disliked me that much. Perhaps not dislike, for that involves actual feeling. Indifference, for that requires nothing on your part. I’m so sorry. I never meant to make you feel awkward. It’s just that…” She was going to keep rambling because she was so humiliated. “I have no experience in such matters…and obviously, I misread our friendship. I only hoped for a kiss…that’s all. I’m so very sorry. You go ahead. The girls must be wondering what happened to us. I’ll be along in a moment. I cannot just yet.”
He had taken no more than two steps before turning back to face her and making a sound that resembled a groan. “Blast it, Chloe. Are you going to cry?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “Again, I am so sorry. It’s just that the moment felt so perfect for my first kiss, and I wanted it to be you. How could it ever be anyone but you?”
He groaned again. “I cannot let this happen.”
Was that a hint of yearning in his voice?
No, probably irritation, because she wanted to be kissed and he did not want to kiss her.
“What can you not let happen? My tears or our kiss?” She shook her head and wiped her eyes, feeling like a foolish infant. “Please, just go away. I’m truly sorry I ruined our lovely afternoon.”
“Stop apologizing to me.”
