She didn't move. She felt as mesmerized as a small animal about to be caught in a very large net. Bradford placed both palms on the wall behind her and slowly leaned forward. 'You are so romantic,' Caroline whispered. 'Be done with it? Is it such a chore then?'
Why did she continue to bait him? she asked herself a little frantically. It could only make things worse than they already were.
'You insist that there is nothing happening between us, avoid looking into my eyes whenever possible, and yet tremble in my arms. Your body contradicts your words of protest.'
Caroline surprised Bradford by nodding. 'I know it,' she whispered.
Her admission pleased Mm, almost as much as her rosy lips beckoned him. He couldn't wait any longer but vowed to go slowly. His mouth gently brushed hers. Caroline tried to turn her head but Bradford caught her lower lip and held her captive. He kissed her again, applying more pressure, and although he had planned only to give her one chaste kiss, he found that he wanted more from her. His mouth opened over hers, and when she tried to resist the invasion of his tongue into the sweet warmth inside, Bradford used one hand to force her chin down. His tongue took what his body craved, stroking and exploring and penetrating the sweetness she offered.
Caroline was shocked by the initial touch of his tongue. She didn't know that men kissed women in such a way! She recoiled in embarrassment, yet heard herself gasp with pure pleasure. She couldn't stop the kiss or her tongue, when it touched his, timidly at first, and then with increasing ardor. She heard his deep growl of encouragement and put her arms around his neck to bring him closer.
She didn't know it was possible, but the kiss deepened, became hotter. She clung to Bradford's massive shoulders and drank her fill, giving and taking the pleasure that flowed like sweet wine between them.
The longer they kissed, the more Bradford demanded. He was rough in his passion, holding her face to gain deeper advantage. Never had a single kiss so affected him, so aroused him. He wanted her with a burning need that no other woman could satisfy. The more he drank, the more he wanted.
His tongue penetrated, receded, and then plunged in again and again. Caroline, lost in an ocean of sensation, began to tremble and felt liquid heat flow through her body. The intensity of what was happening between them frightened her. She finally pulled away and had to use the wall for support. Her breathing was as ragged as her thoughts.
It took a full minute for Bradford to gain control of himself.
Caroline kept her gaze downcast, lest he read the embarrassment in her eyes. She had behaved wantonly and thought that he must think she was a loose woman without morals.
'Now tell me there isn't anything between us,' Bradford demanded. His voice sounded gruff and, she noticed with irritation, terribly victorious.
'I won't deny that your kiss was pleasant,' Caroline said. She looked up at him, and Bradford was again spellbound by her eyes.
'I want you, Caroline.' So much for honeyed words, Bradford thought with an inward grimace. He began cursing himself for his rashness when he noticed the change in her expression.
Silence descended while Caroline considered how to answer. She was angry but had only herself to blame. She had responded to his kiss like a common woman of the streets, hadn't she? 'You want me?' she asked in a shocked voice. 'How dare you say such a thing to me. Is it because I returned your kiss?' Tears gathered in her eyes but she was too upset to control them. 'I don't care that you want me.'
She didn't give Bradford time to answer. 'Do you think, because of your title and position, that you can have all that you want? Well, you're mistaken if you think you can have me, my lord. I'm not a member of the ton and I'm not impressed by material offerings.'
'Every woman is impressed with material offerings,' Bradford muttered, using her own expression for wealth and power.
'Are you suggesting that if the price is right, you can have any woman you want?' Caroline drew herself up to her full height when Bradford shrugged his reply. She matched him glare for glare. 'You insult me.' 'Because I'm being honest with you?'
'No! Because you actually believe what you're saying,' Caroline returned. 'I would no more give myself to you than I would give myself to your King George,' she added.
'Because I've stated that I want you, you jump to the conclusion that I mean as my mistress. You are insulted when I believe you should be flattered,' he argued. He was furious and let her feel the full wrath of his anger. 'But if I court you and then ask for your hand in marriage, what then?' His hands were braced on either side of Caroline's head, his face just inches from hers. Oh, he knew what she was after, and as much as it infuriated him to admit it, he wanted her almost enough to give it to her. 'You'd change your tune then, wouldn't you?'
Caroline concentrated on his earlier remark. She couldn't believe his audacity. 'A compliment? Ha! You tell me there's something between us,' she returned, 'but it is only a physical attraction, nothing more. Do you actually believe I would give myself to you because of such a paltry reason? I would not marry you,' Caroline stated emphatically. 'You tell me that you want a loyal, trustworthy, loving woman,' she rushed on, 'but you don't display any of those qualities.'
'And how would you know that?' Bradford demanded.
Caroline was too upset to be intimidated by his stare. 'First, you suggest that I become your mistress. And all because we are attracted to each other.'
'Why else would I want you for my mistress?' Bradford asked, trying to make sense of her logic. 'And I did not ask you to become my mistress.' He was yelling now and didn't care who heard him.
'Oh, but you would have. Second, you are too egotistical for my liking. I look beyond appearances, my lord. I will marry someone who is considerate. And he won't be an Englishman.'
'What the hell's wrong with being English?' Bradford bellowed. His anger suddenly, magically vanished and he found himself laughing. She had the disdain reversed, for God's sake. It was the English who detested the colonists and not the other way around. 'Have you forgotten that you just happen to be English too?'
Caroline chose to ignore his question. 'Most of the English uppercrust are disloyal,' Caroline answered. She was trying to infuriate him and knew that she was failing miserably. His laughter bothered her and she had trouble continuing. The anger he had earlier displayed was far more welcome, and the sudden shift didn't make sense. Caroline felt off balance again. 'Most have turned against their own king in his time of need. His own son tried to betray him once and will, no doubt, try again. Why are you laughing? Don't you know when you are being insulted?' Caroline ended her tirade, feeling as wilted as a freshly cut flower left out in the sun too long.
'Now I believe that it is my turn to speak,' Bradford stated with firmness. 'First, I will tell you why I want you.'
'I don't care why you want me,' Caroline objected. She glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was listening to their conversation and then looked back at her adversary. 'I imagine,' she whispered, 'from the way that you kissed me, that you lust for… that you want my body.' She blushed but couldn't help herself.
'I admit that I do want you in my bed. You're a very beautiful woman.'
'That is not significant,' Caroline snapped out. Bradford realized, from the way she stated it, that she really didn't know how lovely she was. It was a refreshing observation. Most women used their looks as weapons to obtain whatever they wanted.
'Do you know that you make me laugh?' he asked.
Caroline waited for him to go on but when he didn't, she let her frustration show. 'Of course I know that I make you laugh ' she said with exasperation in her voice. 'You have just finished laughing at me. I'm not deaf. And I imagine that most of the people inside heard you laughing too,' she added with a scowl.
'I wasn't laughing at you,' Bradford insisted. He tried for a serious expression and failed miserably. 'But with you.'
'Then why wasn't I laughing?' Caroline challenged. 'Don't be diplomatic with me. It's wasted effort. Since you insist on honesty, then I will give you a full portion. I don't want to be attracted to you. I am a person who likes to be in control and I won't stand for being overpowered or frightened by anyone. Therefore, since you are overbearing and quite arrogant, intimidating and overpowering, we would not get on well at all. I am afraid you will just have to want someone else. Someone meek, I think, who wouldn't mind being run over all the time. Would you like me to help you find someone suitable? You have given me some of your requirements.' Her eyes got that peculiar look again and Bradford found himself eager to hear her next remark. 'You want someone loyal, trustworthy, loving, and-oh, yes! I almost forgot. Someone you can laugh at.'
