Page 15 of Boxing With My Duke
“I would.” He wanted an excuse to kiss her again. As he leaned in, he jerked himself back. “Good grief!” Even though the only light in the room came from the fireplace, he realized he was down to his smalls. And she was awake. “Avert your eyes for a moment.” How was he screwing up everything?
She complied, and he rushed to the fireplace, snatched up his pants, and put them on.
“This is the best I can do,” he said sheepishly. “I jumped up so quickly to check on you, I forgot I didn’t have my breeches on.”
She chuckled. “I suppose I can forgive you since your intentions are so noble.”
He grinned. “Let’s have another go at making a memory,” he said, taking her into his arms. Leaning down, he teased her lips open. He took full advantage of this opportunity and kissed her lightly at first and then deepening the kiss until he felt her quivering in his arms. Pulling away, he nuzzled the side of her neck. “You smell wonderful,” he murmured, kissing her neck, her ears, and then her lips.
“Lemon and Lilac,” she murmured. “I think I’ll remember this kiss.”
He claimed her lips once more and could have kissed her forever, but his body was thrumming with desire, and he couldn’t compromise her innocence. Gently, he pulled away, breaking their kiss. Carlton held her face in his hands and stared into her luminous blue eyes. “We should stop now while I’m still able.”
“Thank you for my second kiss and my first memory.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed the top of her nose. And leaned back to look into her eyes. He felt torn inside. He should tell her the truth about their situation, but he couldn’t. The smile on her face was so tender, so sweet. It had been her first and second kiss, for goodness’ sake. He wouldn’t ruin it. “We should get some sleep. I’m fine by the fireplace.”
He awoke with the first rays of the sun and lay there for a few minutes, thinking about Catherine. And kiss numbers one and two. And how he should tell her the truth? And how would she react once he told her? Riggs stirred next to him, and he pushed his swirling thoughts away. “I should take you out, buddy.” Swiftly, he donned his clothes and carried the pup downstairs.
When they returned to the room, Catherine was up and dressed and tying up her hair.
Her eyes met his, and she gave him a shy smile. “Good morning, Carlton.”
“Good morning, Catherine.”
“Thank you for taking Riggs out. How is he doing this morning?”
“Much better,” he replied, offering the dozing pup up for her morning kiss and then placing him on his little bed. “He’s healing quickly, and I predict he’ll be a holy terror in no time at all.”
Catherine giggled as she finished pinning up her hair.
“Before we go down to break our fast, I must tell you something,” Carlton began.
“Of course. But first…um, I know this is awkward, but could you please help me lace up my dress?”
“I’m happy to assist, my lady,” he said with his best wolfish grin.
Her cheeks turned a rosy pink again, and she hastily turned around. How he loved seeing her blush.
Is this what it would feel like to be married to Catherine? Small intimate moments like this? Happily, lacing up her dress before escorting her down to breakfast and then happily unlacing it before bed? He’d put off marriage for so long that his mother had practically given up on him. And yet, after spending more than four days in close confines with Catherine and getting to know her, he realized it was something he could easily do. With her. Unable to resist, he lowered his head and kissed her nape.
She uttered a small gasp and spun around to face him. Her eyes were wide, but a smile played about her lips. “You kissed the back of my neck.”
“I did, didn’t I? Did you mind it?”
She shook her head. “I-I liked it. I liked last night’s kisses too.”
He breathed out a deep sigh. How he yearned to take her in his arms and kiss her again. But he needed to tell her the truth. And then she would probably hate him. And that would be awful. Carlton knew he was being selfish, but he’d been wanting to kiss her again since he woke up. Leaning down, he lifted her chin and kissed her lips, tender at first and then hungrily.
Catherine uttered a soft moan, slipping her arms around his neck and pressing herself against him. Now it was his turn to moan as he reluctantly broke their kiss.
He stepped back and raked his hands through his hair. “Catherine, there is something you should know.”
“What is it?” She reached out and laid her hand on his cheek. “You look so pained. What’s wrong? Is it Edward or Serafina? Did you find out something? Are they hurt?”
A panicked look came into her eyes, and he sought to reassure her. “No, this is not about Edward or Serafina. This is about us.”
“Us?” Confusion replaced the panic expression.
