Page 30 of Charlotte's Kisses

She brought her drink to her mouth and sipped. The liquid scalded her throat. She put down her glass and waved her hand in front of her face as if the fanning gesture might cool her insides.

“You do not enjoy brandy?” Hugh asked.

She preferred tea, chocolate, and lemonade. “I rarely drink it,” she said.

He smiled, setting her heart a flutter.

“There is an art to it. First, you appreciate the aroma.” He held his glass beneath his nose, closed his eyes, and inhaled. “Ahh, vanilla. Then, wrap your hands around the glass to warm it.”

He cradled his drink in his palms, his long fingers easily encircling it. Oh, she wished to be that glass, cocooned in his protective grip.

“Take a small sip, allowing it to roll over your tongue.” As he held the liquid in his mouth, his eyes filled with ecstasy. He swallowed, and his Adam’s apple moved ever so slightly, mesmerizing Charlotte. “Let it gently slide down your throat. Savor the piquancy. This one tastes of dried clove and cherries.”

Since she adored cherries, she tried another sip. Unfortunately, it burned as much as the first and reminded her of tree bark. She’d never actually eaten a tree, but she suspected it tasted a lot like her father’s expensive, “aged forever-in-a-barrel” brandy.

“Delicious,” she said.

His brow furrowed for a moment. Then, he chuckled, his smile pummeling her heart. “Are you fibbing to me, Charlotte?”

Agreeing with others was so ingrained in her that learning to speak her mind would take forever. “I do not favor it at all. It tastes like an old wooden clog.”

He laughed so hard he snorted.

“Did my father show you kindness today?” she asked.

He nodded as he opened his mouth to say something, but instead, he sipped and held the liquid in his mouth for a long while before swallowing.

How did he drink that fire water without coughing?

Following his lead, Charlotte sniffed, then attempted another tiny sip. This time, it went down without a dramatic choking fit. Still, she did not favor it. She was also too nervous to do much more than poke her pie-filling with her fork.

“I decided to accept your father’s offer,” he said.

Butterflies tickled her insides because that meant he was staying for the time being. But his exciting proclamation had a downside. She looked up from her apple smashing to meethis gaze. “I do hope ’tis not dangerous work.” Poor Hugh had already taken such a beating.

He placed his palm over her hand, and a bolt of heat shot up her arm. “I cannot talk about the details,” he said.

As she suspected, her father’s explanation of his business with Hugh was a bald-faced lie, for why else would he not be able to discuss it with her? As much as she wished to spend time with Hugh, she needed to seek out her father and get to the bottom of this situation. Besides, if she stayed, she would throw herself at Hugh and beg him to kiss and touch her. The ache in her core had grown to an alarming intensity. Although inexperienced in the ways of men and women, she knew that Hugh was the only one who could fill the emptiness. But this was not the time for lust. She must ensure his safety.

It took all of her discipline to push herself from the table and stand.

“Where are you going?” Hugh asked.

She had already lied to him about liking brandy. Although he had handled it good-naturedly, she would not be untruthful again.

“I plan to confront my father, for I fear he has engaged you in dangerous business.”

“No.” He stood and placed his palms on her shoulders. “I am safe. I need you to stay out of it.”

Everyone was always telling her what to do. She adored Hugh. She craved his body and his company, but she would not be ordered around by anyone ever again. Besides, he did not understand what he had gotten himself into by striking a bargain with her father, wealthy powerful man that he was. Therefore, she would both stand up to and protect Hugh.

She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “My father’s business is also my business.”

“Hmm,” he murmured.

Before she could inquire what his cryptic mumbling meant, he pulled her to him. Slanting his lips over hers, he captured her gasp.

She was lost. Done for.His.