Page 85 of The Unwilling Bride
His gaze locks on my mouth. He licks his lips.
The animalistic gesture resembles what a lion might indulge in when it spots a lamb with no idea it’s about to become prey. Is that what I am to him? Something to play with? And now, someone to use to get his inheritance, and save his restaurant and his Michelin stars?
"Sorry, I didn’t mean to touch you." I lock my fingers in my lap.
"We're going to be married, it’s okay for you to touch me.”
"But it’s not a real marriage. And your agreement specifies different bedrooms."
Instantly, the frost in his eyes deepens until they resemble the cold depths of the ocean. His features settle into an impenetrable expression. I almost regret reminding him of the agreement.
But it's self-preservation.
But being this close to him. And touching him by accident. And that dark, dangerous scent of his is doing funny things to my pulse rate. And he looks so damn edible. How do I taste him...without coming across as desperate?
“How about practicing kissing for appearances?” The words are out before I can stop them.
His features turn to granite. “Kissing?"
He doesn’t look very pleased with my suggestion. In fact, he looks downright grumpy. “It’s not like we haven’t kissed before.”
Oh, now he refers to that kiss. Jerkface.
And now, I don’t want to kiss him, except… I really, really do.
I’m not lying when I say, “I want to see if the magic is still there. And we’ll need to touch each other in public. Consider it practice.”
21
James
Surely, I can get through some harmless kissing?
“You’re right. We need to get comfortable with each other, so that when we kiss before our families, it comes across as genuine.”
Her eyes fill with surprise, then she swallows. “Okay.”
I lower my gaze to her mouth.
Instantly, her pulse flutters at the base of her throat. I lean in until the scent of coconut and vanilla fills my senses. The blood rushes to my groin. Fuck, I’m so hard, and I haven’t even kissed her yet.
“Ready?” My voice comes out gravelly.
“Ready.” She swallows.
I lean in. So does she. I raise my eyes and hold her gaze. Then I close the remaining distance between us.
I touch my lips to hers. Our breaths mingle. I look into her green eyes and notice the gold in them. Little striations like dew drops shining on fresh leaves. Soft. Sweet. She’s the very epitome of lushness. Of nature. Of everything nurturing. She fills something deep inside me. Something I didn’t even know I was lacking.
That’s what I sensed when I kissed her five years ago. I tilt my head, deepening the kiss.
Her lips part. I sweep my tongue inside her mouth, and the taste of her, something utterly feminine, like the nectar of flowers, seduces my palate.
My heart stutters. My chest feels like it’s opening up in a way I’ve never experienced before.
My fingers tingle to hold her close.
Don’t touch her.
