Page 7 of One Wicked Kiss
They headed to the salon in the midst of a tale of Christmas. All of the guests smiled as they listened, but Lucas only had eyes for his Lia. The rest of it didn’t matter. He was happy and hoped to always feel as blessed as he did in that moment.
Chapter 5
The celebrations around the tree had been nice to witness and enjoy. The revelry between all the guests stranded because of the snow storm had been contagious. Lucas had been happy even before him and Lia joined them. While he liked the soiree that had been planned, he’d have been just as happy if it he’d been alone with Lia.
“If you had one wish,” he turned to Lia and asked. “What would it be?”
She smiled up at him. “There’s nothing I’d like more than to capture this moment and never let it go. I wish there was a way to preserve it.”
Lucas had a similar wish, but this was only the beginning. He just needed to find a way for her to open up to him. She’s said very little to him about her past, her family, and why she’d left home. He doubted she’d agree to an impromptu marriage so soon after meeting him. It was rather preposterous he was considering it himself. They’d been acquainted less than a day. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were fated to be together. “That would be a novel idea,” he said to her. “To rewind time and relive it whenever the notion appealed to us. It would be wonderful to revisit some of our favorite memories at the snap of our fingers.”
“We do have those memories inside here.” She tapped her head. “So we can go back from time to time, but I don’t think it’s the same. As time goes by those memories are altered or we don’t recall them in the same way as we believe.”
“You sound as if you’re speaking from experience.” What memory was she talking about? What changed for her? Lucas wanted to know everything about her, but he also realized that they would need to take their time learning those details about each other. “What has you suddenly so melancholy?” Sadness nearly poured from her gaze. He wanted to erase it if he could.
“It’s nothing,” she said. “As I said… Some things are worth remembering and I fear that this day will be lost to me one day. Let’s enjoy it while we can.”
He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. “Let’s go somewhere we can be alone.” If her desire was to hold on to this day and all it had in store for them—then he’d give her every moment of it he could. They would be able to make the best of the precious time they had together away from the crowd in the salon in front of them. He’d like to kiss her once more too if she’d allow it.
“I’d like that,” Lia replied. “Where would we go? It’s too bad the storm is still raging. It would be lovely if we could walk outside.”
Lucas would rather not brave the snowstorm—or the freezing air. Truthfully, he hated the idea of taking a stroll in the bitter cold. He favored the warm air of spring or the sultry heat of summer. Even the cooler temperatures of fall would be preferable to winter weather. “Do you like snow or the cold?”
“No,” she said. “But the nice thing about frigid temperatures is no one particularly enjoys them. We’re less likely to be interrupted.”
“That’s true,” he agreed. “I’ve never considered that aspect of the colder weather.” Society as a rule tended to stay inside more during the winter than they did in the spring or summer. He suddenly saw the appeal of the chilly months. “Maybe once the storm recedes we can take advantage of it.”
“That would be lovely,” she said and then lifted her lips up into a soft smile. “Now where are we going?”
“We could return to the library,” he offered. “It was quiet earlier.”
“It was,” she replied. “But it’s less likely to remain so as the soiree dies down. Some will go to their rooms. Others will look for their own private place to continue their revelry. I doubt we’ll be able to have it to ourselves for long. Though if you wish we can certainly take advantage of it until we’re overrun by Mrs. Klaus’s guests.”
If the library, and the outdoors weren’t available there was only one place they could go to be alone—the room Lucas was supposed to be sharing with Edward. The duke was enclosed with Callista in the room she’d been assigned with Lia. So that left his room empty. Though the temptation of having her near a bed…might be too much for him. “We could go upstairs.”
She nibbled on her lip and glanced away. “All right.” Her voice was timid and he was unsure if he should press her to go to his room. He didn’t want her to be uncomfortable.
Lucas wound his arm with hers. “Are you sure?” Did she understand what he was asking? He would not take advantage of her, but being alone in that room—it could possibly destroy her reputation. All Lucas wanted to do was protect her. He’d been doing that since he pulled her from of the broken carriage.
She nodded. “Yes.” This time she boldly met his gaze leaving no doubt to what she wanted.
When the reached the room he pushed the door open and Lia stepped inside—he followed behind her and shut it with a soft click. A fire had been lit in the hearth to keep the room warm. It also gave it a soft glow. Lia wandered over to the window and stared out at the storm. Lucas lit the candles in the candelabra near the bedside table. He didn’t want to sit in a nearly dark room with her. After the candles were lit he joined Lia at the window.
“The snow has stopped finally,” she said.
“That’s a relief. It’ll make traveling easier in the morning.”
She didn’t say a word, just continued to look out the window. “I’m sure it will.”
At that moment he realized why she was so concerned. The carriage she’d been traveling in was destroyed, and the driver dead. She had no way of continuing on her journey. He brushed her hair with his hand. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll help you with whatever you need.”
“That’s a nice sentiment,” she said softly. Lia turned around and lifted her arms to wrap them around his neck. “Kiss me again.”
Lucas didn’t think twice. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her. The passion flared immediately and he forgot all about his intentions of keeping her innocence intact. She tasted wonderful and he became intoxicated on her. He entwined his tongue with hers in a dance of pleasure. After that kiss—one wicked kiss beyond everything he could have imagined—Lucas was lost, and he didn’t care. It was inevitable that they’d come to this point and he wouldn’t regret it. He only hoped that she wouldn’t in the morning light…
* * *
Natalia stareddown at Lucas’s sleeping form and wished she didn’t have to leave him. She had no choice though. Her father wouldn’t stop looking for her and she’d have to put as much distance between her home and France as possible. It was for Lucas’s protection that Natalia was leaving him behind. He deserved someone better than her. He had a good heart and needed a lady equal to it. Natalia couldn’t be his everything. Her father would make his life hell. Her father might only be a viscount, but he had far more power than a young earl could ever posses. So for Lucas, she’d continue to run.
