Page 25 of Kiss Me, Macrae

Baird ached to claim the woman as his once and for all, in front of everyone present so they’d know she was his as fully as he was hers. His stomach tightened with the craving inside him that grew with every encounter. Flashing visions of that morning at the inn continued to haunt his sleepless nights.

But his desire for Miss Allegra Smithson went so far beyond the sensual.

He’d come to value the forthright way she expressed her thoughts. She was dynamic, bold, and supremely confident. In the last few days they’d spent together in the library, going over blueprints for the restoration of his home, he’d come to understand how it was her passion and discipline together that had facilitated her mastery of architecture.

He’d never been so awed by someone’s skill and talent as he was when watching her work out the problems of his unfinished plans. It was amazing to see her so utterly in her element as she sat at the desk, intent upon putting whatever ideas were flying through her head onto the paper. After only a few days and countless hours, she’d already created several viable solutions to see the project to final completion.

Their time together in the library had allowed him a glimpse into just how amazing she truly was. But it had not lent itself toward any further discussions of a personal or romantic nature.

Tonight, however, was made for such things and he intended to take advantage of that.

As the country dance finally came to an end, her partner led her off toward the refreshment table. Before they stepped from the dance floor, her dark gaze swept in Baird’s direction, as though she knew exactly where he’d been standing. What he saw in the depths of her brown eyes tightened his chest.

Uncertainty followed by a flash of longing.

His stomach twisted. Did she sense his purpose?

She’d admitted her physical desire for him, but she’d also declared nothing could come of it. Was she resisting him…or her feelings for him?

Not willing to wait any longer, he strode swiftly across the ballroom. He had to know—tonight—if there was any hope of something more between them.

Though he approached her from behind, he saw the moment she became aware of his presence by the slight tensing of her spine and the rush of goose bumps that spread across her nape.

Her prior dance partner, Mr. Robertson, was still at her side. He smiled at Baird in welcome. “Macrae, it’s good to see you. It’s been a few years, aye?”

“Aye,” Baird replied, “a few years at least.”

She turned toward him slowly and his body tightened with the kind of anticipation he always experienced around her, never knowing if he’d catch a smile or scowl animating her lovely features. Tonight, her expression was neutral—likely due to the crush of strangers about—but he didn’t think he imagined the flicker of light deep in her gaze.

He gave a bow. “Miss Smithson, if it isnae promised tae another, I’d like tae request yer next dance.”

“I’m afraid it is promised.”

“I believe you’re mistaken, Miss Smithson,” Robertson injected helpfully. “Didn’t you mention you had some time before your next partner?”

Baird grinned while Miss Smithson’s dark eyes lowered to conceal her thoughts. “That’s right. Thank you for reminding me, Mr. Robertson.” She gave Baird a brief little nod. “I’d be honored, Mr. Macrae.”

Chapter 13

Tingling warmth spread through Allegra as Macrae took her hand in his and placed his other hand against her upper back in proper position for the waltz. The dance floor was a crush of people, but Macrae’s overwhelming presence and her own response to him blocked out everything beyond the circle of his arms.

Trying not to appear the trembling mess she felt inside, she lifted her chin and met his focused regard with a challenging gaze.

He smiled.

And her heart melted.

Why was this so difficult? Why was he so hard to resist?

Why did she keep trying?

A sense of rightness and anticipation infused every step of the waltz—as though it were just the beginning. A mere stepping stone to everything else that had been building between them over the last weeks and everything he’d been promising for their future.

Allegra searched Macrae’s green eyes, seeking something to justify her continued doubt and resistance.

Desire—though quiet and controlled—nearly filled his gaze. Intense and poignant, the sensual promise there angled straight through her center, spearing the most vulnerable part of her before pooling low with liquid heat. She parted her lips to catch a swift breath and his attention fell to her mouth. A flash of hunger and another pulse of heat had her fingers pressing into the material of his coat where her hand rested on his shoulder.

Her response brought his gaze back to hers and she forced herself to look deeper. To see beyond the desire she didn’t—couldn’t—deny. Would she see a lie?

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