Page 35 of Married to the Rake

“Scared? You do not scare me, Brook Waverley. But I have no wish to anger our families further.”

“If you are not scared, you do an awfully good attempt at looking so.” He took one of her hands. “Your hands are shaking.”

“Because I am angry.”

“What have I done to make you angry?”

She tried to tear her hand away from him but he kept hold of it. “Because I believe you find it amusing to toy with me.”

“So it is not just our families’ discord that is informing your decisions?”

Chloe tilted her head. “You know well of your reputation and I believe you take pride in it. Why should I believe you truly feel something for me? For all I know this could be part of some plan with your father to dishonor me and discredit my family.”

“You truly believe I would do something as shameful as that?” He shook his head and released her hand. He did not blame her for her doubt but he could not help but feel stung by that remark.

Folding her arms across her chest, she blew a strand of hair from her face. “I…I do not know.”

He sensed her softening toward him and took the opportunity to close the gap between them. “I do know. I do know that you want to kiss me again. I do know that you enjoy my company. I do know that you have feelings for me and you are scared of them.”

“I do not—”

He cut her off with a firm kiss upon her lips. She sank into him quickly, swiftly, even uttering a sound of gratification. Good God, he had been right. Chloe was a damned quick learner. He wrapped his arms about her and held her firm, feeling the soft flesh of her thighs pressed against his.

Kissing her deeply, he reveled in the taste of her until she was breathless. Then he broke away and she staggered a little. She stared at him for a few moments then made a show of straightening her skirts.

“This changes nothing, Brook,” she said finally, her words so satisfyingly breathy.

It took all his willpower not to drag her into his arms again. He wasn’t wrong—she was scared. But she would have to come to the realization on her own, he suspected. A woman like Chloe could not be forced into anything.

“I think we should arrange for our fathers to meet in town,” he suggested.

Creases appeared between her brows and she blinked at him several times before nodding. “Yes, that could work.”

“Excellent. I shall send word again soon once we have established how and where. I will talk with my father about taking a trip and you do the same with yours.”

“O-of course.”

“And, Chloe, there is no need to be scared.”

“I am not—” She blew out a heavy breath. “I am going home, Brook. I suggest you do the same.”

He watched her leave and waited until she vanished over the horizon, her speedy pace taking her out of his sight too quickly for his liking. He could not help but smile to himself, though. Her reaction told him all he needed to know—and it confirmed it all in his mind. He was falling for Miss Chloe Larkin and she was doing the same for him.

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