Page 56 of House of Thorns
Chapter Fifteen
Intentions
Nicholas whirled Olivia behind the apple tree’s overhanging branches and walked her back against the alley’s brick wall. She felt so right in his arms. She looked so right, as well, with her large green eyes wide with surprise and the leaves from the branches crowning her hair. Her lips parted, drawing his attention to their plump softness and then, he couldn’t stop himself.
He dropped his head, his lips catching hers.
He hadn’t planned on kissing her. After all, she’d yet to believe him anything other than a rake. A kiss—especially the kind he was giving her—would only underscore that belief, but how could a man eschew such temptation? It was nigh impossible. He slid his palm down her spine and splayed his fingers low, drawing her close against him. By George, she belonged with him. He was a man ensnared.
He teased her lips apart and then, for a sweet moment, his tongue found heaven, dancing with hers.
Then, her palms came up against his chest.
“No,” she gasped, pushing him back. Her eyes locked on his. “No. I must stop this. I am ashamed. There, stay at arm’s length.”
Arm’s length? Nicholas suppressed a sigh. Of course. Deborah still stood between them. Soon, she wouldn’t be…and then? Then, he’d kiss those lips to his heart’s content—and more.
“Where have you been?” Olivia’s tart demand sifted through his thoughts.
Nicholas arched an amused brow. The wee firebrand was taking him to task, as if he were a child. His gaze swept her curves as she stood before him, fists planted firmly on his hips and her chin held high.
“I’ve been to Edinburgh.” He couldn’t say more. Not yet. Not until he’d assured himself that Deborah cared for Lord Deveraux as much as the man still truly lovedher.
“Edinburgh?” Olivia frowned.
Nicholas slowly leaned forward until they stood eye to eye. “Soon, I shall absolve myself in your eyes, Olivia. Then, there will be no reason for you to resist.”
“Resist?” she repeated, then blushed.
Aye, she knew that resistance was only a word between them. If he kissed her again, she’d respond, and right willingly. He could see it in her eyes.
He drew a long breath. How he longed to sweep her into his arms and carry her to his bed. His cock stirred. With a wry twist of his lip, he stepped back. Aye, there would be time enough to taste the delights of her flesh. Soon. Oddly, with Olivia, he wanted the experience to be perfect.
“Well, then.” Olivia tossed her head, her ringlets bouncing.
Nicholas chuckled. Soon. Soon, he’d taste that fire in bed. “And where are you off to, Miss Mackenzie?”
“I’m off to the circulating library,” she replied with a prim purse of her lips.
“I shall be delighted to accompany you,” he responded, offering his arm. “But the circulating library? I hadn’t thought you one to idle the day with such frivolities.”
Her mouth tightened, and he felt her grow tense under his arm. “I’m meeting Deborah there, in the lounge.”
Ah, Deborah. “Then it is fortunate we meet. I must speak with Deborah on a matter most urgent.” The woman’s happiness depended upon it.
“I see,” Olivia murmured, turning all at once distant.
Nicholas curled his lip. “It isn’t at all what you think. I’ve told you from the start, I never touched the lass, but I do believe I hold the recipe for her happiness in my keeping. I hope, for Deborah, to offer her a happy end to this tragedy.”
“Truly?” Olivia lifted her brows.
“Aye, and then, you and I shall talk.” Not that after the first few words there would be much talking involved—especially if he got his hands on a ribbon.
“My lord?”
She was looking at him rather suspiciously. Nicholas grinned. If she only knew half of what he’d been thinking of late, she’d blush to her very toes. As his cock began to harden, he forced his thoughts to safer territory.
“How has the music business been, of late?”
