Page 34 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“I’ll survive,” he said with a smirk.
Holly stared at him, curious about why he should be so worried, but nodded. He held his large hand up close to her foot and waited. Feeling foolish, Holly lifted her foot slightly and pressed the sole of her foot into his palm. Though she wore leather boots, she was uncomfortably aware of the feel of resistance against his hand. What would it be like if he did wrap his thick fingers around her ankle? If he pulled her towards him?
Holly tried hard not to think of such things as Gavin pressed his fingers against her toes, testing her reflexes. When satisfied, he sat back and stood, dropping his clean hand towards her, and helping her stand swiftly.
She fell slightly forward toward him, somewhat dizzied by the movement, but pulled away almost instantly, ashamed of her thoughts. Something on her face must have made it evident because his easy smile faltered as he stared at her. His dazzling warm stare turned heated and she found herself holding her breath when he finally spoke.
“You know,” he said softly, “you could let yourself enjoy it. At least, for a little while.”
“Enjoy what?”
“Our marriage. Well, for as long as we have one.”
Holly stared at him.
“What would I possibly find enjoyable about our situation?”
His shoulder hitched up.
“Well, if not the money or the company,” he said with a wink which somehow both annoyed her and aroused her, “you might learn to enjoy being taken care of for a bit.”
“I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”
“No. No, I don’t suppose you do,” he said, and her shoulders dropped, whether from relief or discontentment, she did not know. “But I think you would like it.”
“And you believe you’re the person to do so?” she spoke, hating the breathlessness in her tone. He nodded. “Why on earth would you want such a burden?”
“I don’t think of it as a burden,” he said, crowding her. “Only my pleasure. As your husband.”
Holly’s heart seemed to skip a beat at the word “pleasure.” Some carnal part of her wanted to lean into him and learn just what sort of pleasure they might find together, but she shook her head slowly. She needed to remind him that theirs was not a real marriage.
“Must I remind you, that we aren’t really—”
But Gavin’s hand brushed her cheek before she could finish, stifling her words.
“You keep saying that, but it isn’t true, is it? We are married.” She inhaled as his fingers trailed to the side of her neck. “Let me take care of you, Holly. If only a little bit.”
A battle began to volley within her. Playing this game was ridiculous and preposterous, but she wanted to do so. The smile that always seemed to sit on his lips, the scent of lemon andmint, the weight of his hand. A nameless need coursed through her at his words, and she found herself fighting off the urge to lean toward him and press her body against his.
What was wrong with her? She had never wanted so badly to be held by someone before. It all set her world on edge; even now, she was trying desperately to hold on to reality.
“It’s such a little request,” he said softly, his head dipping close to hers. “Grant it to me.”
Holly exhaled slowly. She let herself close her eyes and then softly nodded her head.
What a poor example she was for her sex. To melt at a few choice words. But then, those words had come from a man who had done little else but try and help her since his arrival—and he seemed just as genuine in his wish to please her.
“Very well,” she said so meekly that her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Gavin’s fingers came up beneath her chin.
“Good girl,” he whispered against her mouth.
Holly inhaled sharply at his words and before she knew it, she leaned forward and kissed him.
She fell against him as his arms came around her back, pulling her closer to his body, her eyes closing as his tongue swept into her mouth. He kissed her as if he were trying to consume every bit of her soul.
Holly’s arms unwittily wrapped around his strong shoulders, her fingers digging into his back as though she were afraid he might disappear. What was the matter with her? Sparks seemed to alight every inch of her skin, and she felt desperate and devoted all at once, writhing uncontrollably as his hands moved down her back, gripping her buttocks in a firm grasp.
