Page 15 of A Rogue for Christmas
He winced at the accusation. She was right to doubt him, especially since he hadn’t come here to offer her that which she clearly wanted. “I’m going to be honest with you, Iris. If we’re to have anything, you need to know what I’m feeling.”
She licked her lips. “And what is that?”
He barked out a laugh. “I’m damned confused. I’ve never felt this way before.”
“Never?”
“No.”
A smile broke out over her face, and his suddenly foolish heart lightened at the sight.
“Then perhaps we should explore this new emotion.”
He had both hands on her waist now and was drawing her closer. “That might not be wise.”
“Perhaps not, but it will be so much fun.” And then she leaned into him again and raised her face for another kiss.
CHAPTER8
To Iris’s dismay, Wentworth pulled out of their embrace far too soon. He released her and took a step back.
He ran a hand through his hair. “I am trying to remember that I need to be on my best behavior, but you are making it deuced difficult.”
It wasn’t wise, but she liked the fact that he seemed so confused. “And if I don’t want you to be a gentleman?”
Now he had both hands in his hair as he spun away from her. Somehow she resisted the urge to throw herself into his arms as she waited for his response.
Finally, he dropped his arms, straightened, and turned to face her. “I’m going to leave now.”
Horror washed over her, and he rushed to add, “Not the house party. I don’t think anything could incite me to leave right now.”
She frowned as another thought occurred to her. “Was it that bad? The kiss?” She had to look away. “I know you’ve been with many women. I’m sure I could improve with practice.”
She hated how her voice sounded so small and uncertain, but her suspicion that he hadn’t enjoyed her kisses was beyond embarrassing.
He reached for her, grasping her upper arms and bringing her close. But it wasn’t close enough for her liking.
“Your kisses…” His voice was filled with emotion. “It was unexpected. Beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.”
She had to ask. “In a good way or a bad way?”
“In the most terrifying of ways.” One corner of his mouth quirked up when he saw her confusion. “In the best of ways. Which is why I need to leave this library now while I still can.”
He didn’t release her right away. They stood that way for some time, staring into each other’s eyes while he held onto her arms.
“Make no mistake, Iris Rowland. I want you more than I have ever wanted anyone. But I won’t take advantage of you.”
She released an impatient breath, annoyed with his insistence on keeping her at a distance. He’d sent her away once before, and she hated the thought of him doing so again. She was of age to be wed. He needn’t be careful with her. “If memory serves, I’m the one who led you here and asked you to kiss me.”
“Yes, and I want nothing more than to bring you to my chamber and have my way with you right now. But this isn’t a decision to be made lightly, in the heat of the moment. If anything more is to happen between us, I need you to be certain.”
She couldn’t help but take heart at his words. A very large part of her wanted to beg him to do just that, but he was right. She wasn’t thinking clearly right now. But would she ever be levelheaded when it came to this man?
She followed him out from behind the bookshelf and watched him cross the room and stride to the door. The door that was still open and through which anyone could have come in while they were kissing. Or talking about making love, for that matter.
She was grateful then that at least one of them still had the presence of mind to put a halt to their very inappropriate behavior before they were caught alone together.
He turned when he reached the entrance. “I will wait for a sign from you that you wish to proceed. But be very sure about your decision, Iris. Because once I start with you, I won’t be able to stop.”
