Page 63 of Princess and the Ox (The Colby Brothers 1)

Erika threw back the empty contents and collapsed to the floor of the balcony. Between the balcony railings, she watched through partially closed lids Jay’s approach.

“O woe, my heart.” He rushed to her side and Erika squeezed her lids closed as she felt Jay clutch her up from beneath her armpits. “What evil has become thee? What treacherous soul? What’s this? A poisonous vial?”

She felt one of his arms abandon her side and knew he was lifting the glass cylinder to his lips. “Wretched thee, thou has left me no sparing drop!” A small pause, then, “From thy crimson lips thee will kiss death and,” again another pause. “Let me die.”

Somewhere in the back of Erika’s conscious two things ran through her head. First, Jay was terribly good. The words sounded like poetry oozing from his lips. Secondly, this was the moment the kissing scene was supposed to occur. A kiss she would not receive.

It took her a few seconds to realize nothing was happening. The silence drove her mad with curiosity. How she wanted desperately to open her eyes and see what was taking Jay so long. All he had to do was bend over and conceal her from the audience. A little concerned frown danced between her brows.

Then she felt him move. Felt his arms tighten around her. Felt him drawing her near. Felt the softest brush of his lips as they covered her own.

Chapter 17

They were heavenly. His lips. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she thought she ought to pull away. Be shocked. Be angry. But instead, she allowed the sheer bliss of his kiss to intoxicate her brain.

Of their own accord, Erika’s arms came up and circled his neck, mindless of the fact she was supposed to be dead. Jay responded by tightening his hold and deepening the kiss.

A tiny groan escaped from the back of her throat and before she could even allow herself the pleasure of drowning beneath his heated lips, the encompassing silence suddenly erupted in applause.

Jay instinctively jerked away, his eyes locking with hers. Erika offered him a shaky smile. He offered none in return. Instead, he released her quickly and jumped to his feet.

She blinked several times, glanced over at the audience and saw they had gotten to their feet in a standing ovation. Still slightly fuddled by the unexpected kiss, it took Erika a few seconds before she knew what just happened.

Standing up, she grasped Jay’s hand. He shot her a flustered look and tried to tug it free. Again, she offered him a smile. This time, however, brighter.

Jay’s face remained solemn and she briefly wondered why, but was enjoying the moment far too much, so ignored it.

Jay knew if he pulled hard enough, he could easily break Erika’s fierce grip on his hand. However, it would look too obvious and he didn’t want to humiliate her in front of half the town.

Why had he kissed her? Stupid question. He knew the answer already. Because he was weak. Because he had no damn self-control! And she was so unbelievably pretty! Hell, no, she was stunning.

Lying there in his arms, looking so vulnerable and yet so beautiful, he hadn’t been able to stop himself if he tried. Those sweet ruby lips of hers lay so soft and inviting before his gaze.

Erika turned at last from the audience to exit the stage and Jay sighed with relief, giving his hand an extra hard tug and finally setting it free. Touching her was torture.

Never before was there a time Erika had ever felt so exhilarated. The success of the play was obvious as the cheering and clapping of the audience followed them off the stage. She instantly headed in Carnie’s direction, her smile beaming from ear to ear.

After Jay slipped his hand free from her grip, she naturally reached up and slid her hand through the crook of his elbow. She thought she heard him utter a sigh. Or was it a groan? She wasn’t entirely sure.

Tugging at his arm, she propelled him toward Carnie.

“Congratulations you two,” the woman said, her own face smiling brightly. “What an ending!”

Erika did not even blush. “It was amazing!”

Jay jerked his head in her direction. She gave him another one of her brilliant smiles. He only turned away.

“I had no idea Jay was such a terrific actor. We must star him in all our other productions,” Erika said.

Carnie’s smile faltered, her brows dipping only slightly as she nodded slowly before shooting a glance at Jay. It was then that Erika noticed he was looking at her oddly. She gave his arm a squeeze, which only caused him to frown harder.

“I suppose, yes—” Carnie began.

“No thanks,” he snapped, but softly, taking the sting out of his voice. “Tonight was more than enough.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You were a natural.” Erika tugged on his arm and turned him back to the stage. “Come on, they’re expecting an encore.”

She ignored his groan and propelled him back to the stage, where she gave the audience a flamboyant curtsey. Several times. Erika could stay all night basking in their admiration.

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