Page 29 of The Rake I Wished For
It was an honor he could never refuse, even if it was wrong. Even if it would be torture when he had to pull away and go back to being her friend and protector.
He closed the distance between them slowly, giving her every chance to back away again. But she stayed put, the hitch in her breath the only sign that she might not be as confident as she acted.
It took every ounce of his control to keep the kiss a soft caress and not devour her hungrily the way everything in him urged to do, but he slid his lips over hers gently.
For a moment she tensed in his arms, her lips still and her breaths coming in short bursts as she let him taste her, slowly at first, and then deepening the kiss slightly so his lips clung to hers, and then…
Then she softened against him even further, her body melting into his in a way that made his heart swell and his chest tighten. The trust she put in him made him feel like a king, and he knew right then and there that he’d do anything to keep her safe.
He’d give her the kiss of a lifetime and walk away, even if it killed him.
And it just might.
He knew that now as well.
Her lips parted slightly and when she kissed him back so sweetly, he felt his whole world topple at her feet.
He was undone.
Him. The rake. Undone by an innocent’s kiss.
He bit back a groan when he finally pulled away, ending the kiss before it could grow any more heated.
As it was, he was sure there was a fire raging inside of him. But he set her away from him gently, drinking in the sight of that dazed look in her eyes.
He’d thought he’d known her every smile, every frown, every expression. But this…
His heart gave a resounding thud. This look was new. It was rare.
It was a look to be treasured.
And he suspected the only other person who’d ever see it would be her husband.
Harlow’s exhale came out on a growl, and he turned away abruptly, hoping to hide the possessive rage that crashed through him so sharp and fierce, he thought it might slice him in two.
“Are you…are you all right?” she asked, her voice so uncharacteristically hesitant, he had to shut his eyes and focus on his breathing to gain control of himself.
“Fine,” he finally muttered, still not looking at her.
He didn’t trust himself to look her way. If he did, he’d reach for her. And if he held her in his arms once more…
He wasn’t sure he’d ever let go.
He heard her backing away from him.
Good. That was good.
“You should go to bed,” he said gruffly. “I’ll send Missus Clemens up shortly.”
The old woman gave a loud snort of a snore as if she’d heard her name. Under any other circumstances, they would have shared a laugh.
But silence stretched between them.
“Thank you.” Her voice was soft and so sweet it nearly cut him down at the knees.
He couldn’t send her away with cruel words like he had the last time. This had been a mistake, yes, but he alone was to blame.
And he’d be the one to suffer.
