Page 57 of An Icy Christmas Engagement
Caroline’s heart began to race. She struggled to keep herself composed. “I thought you did not take part in dancing at balls, Cedric,” she said. “And here I thought I was the exception.”
“You are,” he said in a low voice as he continued to come closer. He didn’t stop until he was only a foot away from her. “You are the only lady I have willingly danced with in years.”
“So that lady was…”
“Someone forced upon me by my aunt. As you can imagine, she usually gets her way. Though I suppose I should thank you for it in this instance.”
“Why is that?”
He dared to take another step forward. And Caroline dared to stay right where she was. “Because it has made you jealous.”
How she managed to maintain eye contact was beyond her. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she said, “I was not jealous.”
“A pity. I certainly was.”
She forgot how to speak. Even the ability to breathe properly grew difficult when his eyes dipped to her lips. She knew what was going to come next and she wasn’t prepared for it.
His hand reached up to cup her cheek, the pad of his thumb brushing that sensitive spot at the corner of her mouth. All of a sudden, she couldn’t wait long enough. As he leaned in, his eyes drifting close, Caroline wanted to seize him by the lapels of his waistcoat and drag him to her lips.
But she waited, letting her eyes drift close.
The moment their lips touched, it felt as if everything in her life finally clicked into place. Their lips molded together perfectly. Her knees grew weak but then his arm slid around her back and pressed her to his chest as if he sensed she could not stand on her own any longer. Not when it felt as if her deepest wish had come true. Not when, with this single kiss, she knew she’d fallen irrevocably in love.
Cedric was gentle, his lips moving softly against hers. The way his fingers splayed against her back, his other hand still cupping her cheek, made her feel treasured. Wanted. She’d never felt anything like this before. Even their hearts pounded in sync.
A soft moan of objection flew from her lips when he pulled away. She felt his breath on the tip of her nose as he chuckled but she didn’t open her eyes.
“We may be found if we stay here any longer,” he said softly.
“I do not care,” she stated. Feeling bold all of a sudden, she leaned into him, pressing her forehead against his chest.
His chest vibrated with his laughter. “While I would like nothing more than to stay here with you for as long as possible, either my aunt or my cousin will come looking for me if I am gone for long. And you mother…”
“Dear God, we’d better get back, should we?”
This time, she joined in with his laughter. “Meet me by the mantle,” he said. “I’ve spent far too long without your company already. I won’t let the rest of the night go by in that manner.”
“Are you saying I will remain glued to your side all evening, Cedric?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
“I am. Any protests?”
“You will hear none from me.”
“Marvellous.” That dizzying thumb of his continued moving against her cheek. “We part ways on three then.”
Caroline nodded, even though every bone in her body stiffened at the thought of parting ways, even if it was for a short while.
“One.” His hand drifted to her chin to cup it. “Two.” Then it traveled down the length of her arm to grasp her hand. “Three.” Then he kissed her, a quick yet earth-shattering meeting of the lips that left her breathless.
He grinned devilishly at her as he retreated backwards, as if he knew exactly what he’d just done. Caroline didn’t even have the strength to scowl at him. She still stood there and stared as he went out of sight.
Slowly, on leaden feet with a heart threatening to burst right out of her chest, Caroline turned and headed back into the house. She would have much to write about tonight.
Chapter Seventeen
Caroline sat poised with her hand over the paper, quill in hand. Nothing came. Last night, she’d churned out pages of writing, rushing home to write after her perfect night with Cedric. Inspiration had poured out of her and she hadn’t slept until it was almost dawn.
Now, she could think of nothing. She could focus on nothing else but Cedric and their kiss.
