Her words dried up as he lifted a hand to her face and ran his knuckles over her cheek. “I’m what, Ivy?” He let his fingers slid behind her neck and pull her closer to him. “What am I? What do you think I am?”
“I think you’re…you’re…” She stuttered, her eyes drifting to his mouth, seeing the full lips curve as he smiled at her. “God, I don’t know what you are…”
She hungered, but scarcely realised it. His nearness overwhelmed her and their surroundings seemed to be a dream. As a consequence, her need overrode her common sense for one of the first times in her entire life. “Damn you, Colly—please kiss me…”
“That I can do…”
His breath was warm on her face as he closed the distance between them, and she let her eyelids fall as his hand slid up into her hair, cradling her head and moving it where he wanted it.
A touch, a mere brush of skin to skin…and then a sound of something, perhaps a soft groan…and the heat flared between them.
She found herself in his arms, almost on his lap, and with his tongue in her mouth. Her lips opened wide, encouraging him, and she tasted the flavours of him, tangy and with a hint of mint. Her body trembled as he pulled her to him, crushing her breasts against his waistcoat, sliding his arms around her and holding her as tight as could be.
She fell. Tumbled into the sensations that shuddered through her, a tidal wave of desire sweeping away her inhibitions. She moved, experimenting, finding a way to devour his mouth, to feel him against her in every single spot she could manage.
He assisted her in that goal, pulling her completely across his lap and holding her tight, one hand sliding down to grab her buttock, the other pressing her roughly against him.
“Ivy,” he muttered as he tore his mouth from hers and sucked in air. “More. I want more.”
She gave him more. His desire exactly matched hers, fuel to the flame he had just ignited deep in her body. This was nothing like the occasional brief kiss she’d allowed in the past. Those had been tentative, affectionate and not unpleasant.
This? This was a whirlwind, a clawing hunger burgeoning inside her, and she twined her arms around every bit of Colly she could reach.
Long moments passed as they embraced, lost to the world.
Then he finally pulled away, his cheeks flushed, his eyelids heavy as he stared at her. “Dear Lord, Ivy…”
*~~*~~*
He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Flags of rich colour brought a glow to her face, her lips were reddened and swollen, and she licked them, sending a shiver of arousal through his body. Which he really didn’t need since he was pretty much fully aroused as it was.
She tasted of…sunshine. Of something light and sweet and womanly that lingered on the back of his tongue and imprinted itself on his brain. She was unique, both in her kisses and her simple desire for his touches. There was no pretence, no false protestations. That sizzling kiss had been honest from the start.
What a Duchess she would make. To have those kisses reserved solely for him, to know he was the only man who would take her to his bed and…yes, to his heart…well, it was a revelation that knocked the breath out of his lungs.
“I…I…” she stuttered, lowering her gaze. “I don’t quite know what came over me, Colly. I do beg your pardon.” She slithered back off his lap and onto the bench, shifting her skirts awkwardly. “I have no idea what you must think of me.”
“Don’t be silly. We’re engaged.” He lifted her chin with one finger so that she looked at him. “I liked it. I like kissing you.” He watched the relief flood her eyes.
“You did?” she breathed. “So did I.”
“We shall deal well together, I think,” he replied, unable to repress a satisfied smile.
She blinked. “Er…”
Aware of the quick ripple of unease that sent a ruffle of lace fluttering around her neck, he eased away and took her hand, holding it firmly. “Our engagement will not be a burden to us, I’m pleased to say. There will be no gossip this time.”
“Oh. Oh yes, you’re quite right.”
He had her there, he knew. Grinning inwardly, he applauded himself for squashing the comments he could almost see trembling on her lips. About her intentions to do something absurd like cry off after a respectable time had passed.
That would not happen. He refused to allow it to happen. His interests had already been captured by this oddly practical but whimsical young woman. He was not going to let her slip from his grasp.
“Perhaps we should start back,” he said, rising and tugging her to her feet. “I’m rather afraid I’ve lost track of time in these idyllic surroundings.”
She stood, and he was pleased to note that her legs seemed a bit unsteady. However, he refrained from commenting, merely tucking her hand through his arm and turning them both toward the path to the castle.
“It will be a quiet time here, Colly,” she began. “I’m afraid there’s little in the way of company here at Siddington.”
“I should be quite content were it just the two of us,” he soothed. “The company of Lady Siddington and Mrs Ashrayn will be most pleasant.”
She glanced up at him, the flower on her bonnet slightly crooked. “You are not easy to understand, you know.”
He grinned as he put the rose back in place. “How so?”
“You are a gentleman of the highest social standing in our world. Certainly
