Page 57 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“I… I don’t know,” she whispered, more to herself than to him.
Whatwerethey doing? It was a precarious situation they found themselves in and an increasingly difficult one to navigate. On the one hand, Holly had very much wished for an annulment and believed it was the correct thing to do, considering that neither of them had asked for this marriage. But on the other hand, she found it difficult to stop herself from caring about him. Gavin had been more accepting and accommodating than she ever expected. Not only had he proven himself to be good-natured, but her attraction to him only seemed to grow each day.
But it hadn’t been her choice. Nor had it been his, and that made her tentative. Could two people, pushed together bycircumstance, really be happy with one another? Wouldn’t one eventually come to resent the other?
She shook her head, unable to answer her question, but then Gavin spoke.
“I want you, Holly. I do,” he said softly. His words sent a shiver down her spine. “But if we continue with this, any talk of an annulment will be off the table.” Holly nodded. “Do you understand what that means?”
She did. They would be properly married and bound to one another for the rest of their lives. Although a warm, comforting feeling settled over her at the thought, the practical part of her resisted.
“It’s ridiculous,” she whispered, her eyes drifting down his face. “We were essentially tricked into this. But I just don’t want…”
He nodded, understanding that she was apprehensive. She wanted him, very much so, but the idea of giving up her entire life seemed too great a sacrifice. And she didn’t like the idea of Gavin giving up his choice in life just to provide for her, particularly if there was a chance he could find true happiness and love with someone else. It was the same reason she had rejected Mr. Payne’s marriage proposal. It didn’t sit well with her that someone should have to sacrifice so much for her.
Letting her head drop, she tried hard to ignore the wave of humility she felt. It wasn’t his fault, nor even hers, but it washed over her like a wave on the shore, and she pulled away from him.
“I suppose I should go.”
But Gavin’s hand caught her wrist, and she froze. For a long moment, she heard his breathing as she stared at the ground. He moved closer and, leaning forward, spoke in her ear.
“Not yet.”
Confused, Holly noted the sudden display of mischief in his hazel eyes, highlighted by the light from the fire. Leading heraway from the fireplace, he walked her to the foot of the bed. Unsure, Holly followed. Leading her to turn, Gavin crowded against her, causing the back of her legs to press against the edge of the bed. He leaned forward, his mouth beneath the hollow of her ear. Shivering, Holly spoke.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing that will have a lasting effect, I promise,” he said, leaning forward. “Now, stay still.”
Holly did as she was told, just as Gavin continued kissing and nipping at the column of her neck. Heat bubbled within her core as his hands moved freely over her body, caressing the underneath of her breast as she felt her equilibrium slip.
He leaned her backward and, sensing her uneasiness, he reached for her hand and pressed it against his chest as he stilled. Then he spoke.
“Do you wish me to stop?”
The words seemed to catch in her throat. Holly shook her head.
“Do you want me to continue?” She gave him a hesitant nod. “Relax, love.”
Was he asking or commanding her? She couldn’t differentiate. She didn’t understand what was happening. Never in her life had a man commanded her things while simultaneously ensuring she was in control. It was a heady experience, and she had no doubt that whatever they did would have a lasting effect on her.
Gavin’s hands moved down her torso, and he untied her robe. She heard the slight intake of breath as he caught sight of the thin night rail she wore beneath it. A wild part of her was satisfied by his reaction even as his hands moved, touching every aspect of her. Breathing deeply, she tried to ignore her nerves as she shook beneath his fingers, but she froze utterly when he began to pull the hem of her nightgown up.
Detecting her apprehension, Gavin lowered himself and kissed the inside of her knee.
“Don’t tense,” he said softly, kissing her legs. “Not yet.”
“I… I don’t know…”
“Shh, I know,” he said, continuing his exploration of her.
“But—”
“Trust me, Holly.”
“I don’t know if I can,” she said softly, her eyes shut tightly for fear that he might stop.
But thankfully, he didn’t, and she heard the softest of smiles in his voice.
