Page 43 of The Duke of Ice
“Yes, well, we don’t always get what we deserve, do we? If I marry again, it won’t be for love. Fairy-tale dreams of a happy ever after aren’t for me, Violet. And I suspect they aren’t for you either.”
It was like a physical blow. She gasped. Because there was truth in his words. She’d wronged him so badly. “No, I suspect they aren’t.” She barely heard her muted response.
That should’ve been the end of it, but she was wearing his coat.
She found the courage to look up at him and was shocked to see stark desire in his eyes before the wall of ice fell back into place. “Is this all an act?” she asked, her distress bubbling to the surface.
“What?”
She resisted the urge to kick him. “Your frigidity. I see hints of the Nick I knew. Just when I think you’re not really the cold man everyone thinks, you’re coated in frost once more. What the devil is wrong with you?”
His jaw twitched, and everything about him heated. “Everything,” he growled. “I was fine until I came to this bloody party and sawyou.” He swayed toward her again. “I don’t like the way you make me feel.”
He was so close. She ached to touch him. “How is that?” The question came out in a low rasp.
“As if I’m not in control.” His mouth was just an inch from hers.
If she leaned forward, she could kiss him…
But he turned and started toward the house. She still had his coat.
Dashing in front of him, she blocked his path. She shrugged out of his garment and held it out to him. He didn’t immediately take it, but when he did, he was careful not to touch her hand.
Without another word, he disappeared inside.
Violet exhaled, her breath rattling from her chest. She began to shake, and she knew it wasn’t entirely from the cold. Closing her eyes briefly, she heard him say,as if I’m not in control.
That was precisely how she felt. For years. What’s more, she was certain she’d feel that way forever. For if she could control anything, she would choose not to love him anymore.
Chapter 9
“Here we are,” Simon called as they rode into Wells the following afternoon.
Nick dragged his mind from where it had been focused all morning and last night: on Violet. Kissing her had been a foolish mistake. If he’d been thinking clearly, he would’ve realized that.Ifhe’d been thinking at all. Instead, his body had taken over.
And it had tried to do the same last night when he’d accompanied her outside. He’d come so close to kissing her again and perhaps even ravishing her right there.
He’d behaved abominably, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. He wanted her. He didn’t want to want her. It was a bloody disaster.
Stalking back into the house, he’d gone straight for his room and a bottle of whiskey. Except she’d accompanied him. Or it had seemed like it. Donning his coat when he’d stepped inside, he’d been instantly enveloped in her warmth and her scent. The torture had been keen and long-lasting. Even now, he smelled wild roses and longed for a touch he couldn’t have.
Only hecould. He was fairly certain she would’ve been receptive to him last night. She’d said as much when saying she wished their kiss had lasted longer. That had nearly driven him over the edge of his control. And therein lay his blasted problem. He refused to lose control.
They slowed their horses as the cathedral came into sight. The other guests were traveling by coach and would arrive soon.
“What happened to you last night?” Simon asked.
Nick snorted. “Took you long enough to ask.”
“Does that mean you’re eager to tell me? Excellent.”
“No, it means I know you,” Nick said. “That you didn’t besiege me immediately is perplexing.”
Simon guided his horse to a walk. “It’s difficult to have a conversation while riding as fast as we did. And since you kept to yourself all morning, I had no choice but to bide my time. Stop avoiding the question. What happened last night? I can tell you’re in a foul mood. Or is this all due to yesterday afternoon’s mischief in the ballroom?”
“Can we just not discuss it?” Nick massaged the bridge of his nose.
“We could, but that would be dull as hell. I must admit I was shocked when you kissed her. Did you shock yourself?”
