Page 44 of The Trouble With Her Duke
“But I don’t think it’s proper.” She blinked. Lord, he’s handsome. “I’ve never seen a green-eyed horse,” she squeaked. What’s wrong with my voice?
“I’ve never known a woman with such incredible violet eyes.” His voice sounded like black velvet if that were possible.
He leaned down and his lips were so close that a sigh escaped her. “Are you going to kiss me, Your Grace?” Oh, Lord! What did I just say? Why am I being a ninny? Because she did want him to kiss her. I want it with every fiber of my being.
“Damon. Call me Damon. And yes . . . if you’ll let me. I’d like to kiss you. Very much. I’m half out of my mind wanting to kiss you, Lydia,” he rasped, his eyes still locked with hers. “What power do you hold that has depleted my good sense?”
“I could ask you the same . . . Damon,” she murmured. Why did I have to meet this man under such impossible circumstances? He was her employer. He’s also the most attractive man I’ve ever known. A man who protected those he cared for, but at the same time, allowed them to thrive as individuals. The only other man she knew who treated her thus was her father.
“I like the sound of my name on your lips. I’ve been attracted to you since the first moment we met. I don’t care what’s proper or not,” he murmured. “But I do care about you, Lydia. I care about how you think and feel. And if you want me not to kiss you, I won’t. But if you want me to kiss you, I will. Because I want so very much to kiss you.”
“Yes, Damon. I want that too,” she heard herself say and felt his breath tickle her mouth. “Yes,” she exhaled, parting her lips. What in the world am I doing? He’s going to kiss me, and I want him to. I’m practically asking him to kiss me. Yes, he was the most attractive man she had ever met, but her feelings went beyond physical attraction. She was falling for the man behind the arresting green eyes, the gorgeous grin, and the broad shoulders. She was falling for his heart.
Damon captured her lips with his as his hands slid to her waist. The heat of his lips sent a current of electricity through her and she lost herself in the citrusy taste of his soft mouth. Pulses of pleasure tingled along her arms and legs. Never had she experienced such a heady feeling, and she realized what it was. Desire. Heat and longing and yearning. Lydia could have stayed all day in the warmth of his arms, but she couldn’t. She was governess to his children.
A cold splash of awareness washed over her, and she pulled back. This is madness. “We shouldn’t. We can’t.”
“True, but we have.” He lifted her chin. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Lydia.”
“What are you saying?”
The back of his hand caressed her cheek. “I don’t know.”
Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment at the feel of his big warm hand that was now stroking her hair. “It’s all right. Let’s figure this out.”
“What do you suggest? The kiss was not a mistake if we both wanted it. But we should be more careful moving forward. We cannot let ourselves get so carried away.”
“So, you’re suggesting no more kissing?” he asked.
“Well, maybe one more kiss.” She closed her eyes and puckered her lips. “Just to help me while I’m thinking.”
“I can do that.” He chuckled, playfully, tapping her nose before pulling her close and kissing her soundly.
After a long minute, he pulled back. “Did it work?” he asked.
“Did what work?”
“Did you get any thinking done during our kiss?” His lips twitched and his eyes gleamed with laughter.
“Well, I will have to ponder that later.” She could feel her face heat with a blush as she reached for her timepiece. “My goodness! Look at the time. We will be missed.”
“You weren’t kidding.”
“About?”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked grin. “The timepiece. I’ve never known a lady to be so prompt.”
“Promptness is a fine quality, she declared slipping her watch back in her pocket. I should go. The children will be waiting for their morning lessons.”
“Wait. You never answered my question.”
“What question?”
He shook his head and grinned. “When I walked into the stable, I heard you talking to yourself.”
“I wasn’t talking to myself. I was talking to the horses.”
“Very well. You were talking to the horses about needing to tell me something. What did you need to tell me?”
