Page 19 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

He lifts a hand and I instantly miss the weight of it against my waist, at least until he uses it to brush some of the loose hair away from my face. My breath catches in my throat and I wet my lips, thinking about what's coming. There's no way for me to be certain of what he's thinking, but I know it deep within me, this is the moment.

"Artie," I whisper. "Kiss me."

He doesn't need telling twice and leans in, his breath fanning against my lips. Anticipation builds within me. I want to hurry this moment at the same time as savouring it.

Everything feels like it slows down around me as he slips his hand around me and puts it on my lower back, pulling me closer to him. I reach out to touch his cheek.

Snow drifts between us, landing on his eyelashes and making the moment even more magical.

My eyes flutter closed just as his lips brush against mine. They're soft at first, almost hesitant, as the two of us give in to something we've been thinking about since before I arrived. It doesn't matter how cold the air around us is, the kiss itself fills me with a warmth I've never felt before. Every part of me feels like it's responding to the kiss, including some ways that are new to me, and intense for it. He tastes of lemon, the flavour familiar and yet not at the same time.

He pulls back, but only for long enough for us to both catch our breath. I don't waste another moment and lean in to kiss him again, deeper this time and with more confidence. I know that this is what I want. It feels like more than that at the moment, like something Ineed. I didn't even realise it was possible to have someone make me respond this way.

One of the horses neighs, cutting through the kiss, but I don't pull away from Arthur's arms. It's going to take more than that to get me to move.

I let out a sigh and rest my hand on his chest. "I hope that's not going to be the last time we do that."

He chuckles, the sound vibrating through my hand where it rests. "Definitely not."

"Are we supposed to have waited?"

"I don't think so," he responds. "At least, not if you don't want to."

I lean in and press a swift kiss against his lips. "I don't want to," I assure him. "And I don't want to wait to do it again."

"You'll hear no complaints here." He pulls me closer and kisses me again, sweeter this time, and more certain. I can feel that it's the start of something, and there will be a multitude of kisses to come.

Chapter 10

I sit by the window, half watching the snow fall outside, and half focusing on putting the final touches to my present for Arthur. I wish it had been done before I arrived in Falhaven, but I want it to be perfect, and that has delayed some of my stitching.

I pull back my embroidery hoop and look at what I've done so far. I should add some snowflakes, especially after today.

I reach up to touch my lips, feeling the tingle that comes with the memory of kissing Arthur for the first time. I know that it's impatient of me to think so, but I'm hoping I'll get an opportunity to do it again soon.

A knock sounds on my sitting room door, taking me by surprise. "Come in," I call.

Maria steps inside and curtsies. "Prince Arthur is here to see you, Your Highness."

"At this time?" Dinner has already been served, and I thought we'd said goodnight already.

"I can tell him you've retired for the evening if you'd like."

"No, please don't. Show him in," I say.

She nods and disappears to do as I suggest. I don't think my aunt will still be awake, so it will be easy for her not to intrude while I'm with Arthur. Which is good as far as I'm concerned, because I have every intention of kissing him again.

I set aside my embroidery just as the door opens and Arthur steps inside. I make my way over to him, realising that I'm not really sure how to initiate the kiss I want. I'm not used to this kind of thing.

He seems to realise what I'm doing, and leans in to press his lips against mine, kissing me a little deeper than I anticipated, and igniting something within me that I've only felt when alone in my bed.

We break apart, and I reach up to trace the planes of his face with my fingers, glad I'm not wearing gloves this time.

"I didn't expect to see you this late," I say.

"I can go if you'd like."

"No," I respond firmly.

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