Page 43 of Brazen
“If, on the other hand,” he went on as if speaking to himself, “the compromising situation we were caught in had truly been an affaire de coeur, then honor would demand we marry.”
She still didn’t reply and he lifted a brow in question.
Her cheeks heated. “I suppose once two people have, well, as you say, engaged in a true love affair, they must marry.”
“I take it you have never before…”
She frowned in confusion, then understood and stiffened.” I beg your pardon, sir. Of course not. As you say, honor would demand I marry. You can plainly see, I am not married.”
“Must we be caught in the act for marriage to follow, or is the act enough?” he asked
A strange tremor rippled through her. “Lord Magnus you cannot—"
“Magnus,” he said.
“What?”
“He strode to the open door and closed it. When the latch engaged with a soft click, her heart began to beat fast.
He faced her. “I think it appropriate for you to call me by my Christian name, don’t you?”
Mia glance at the closed door. “What are you doing?” She inwardly grimaced. What an idiotic thing to say.
He advanced toward her.
“Do not do anything foolish, sir.”
“Magnus,” he corrected.
“Oh, as you wish, Magnus. You should take care. You don’t want to make matters worse.”
He stopped inches from her and she was forced to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact.
“Surely, you agree?” she whispered.
His gaze dropped to her mouth and her throat went dry.
He stepped closer—so close she felt the heat from his body.
“This isn’t how I would have planned this,” he said, “but a man makes do.”
“Makes do?” she stupidly repeated.
He stared at her with an intensity that stole her breath.
“My lady, I am about to compromise you fully and completely.”
“You mean you are going to seduce me?”
A corner of his mouth twitched and she realized he was fighting laughter.
His eyes darkened. “Just to be clear, it isn’t an aversion to marrying me that has you concerned, but the injustice that I should pay for a mistake by being forced to marry you?”
“Of course. You shouldn’t have to pay—”
He cupped the back of her neck.
Mia froze as he lowered his mouth to hers. Their lips touched. The moist warmth of his mouth wasn’t at all what she’d expected. Her experiences of other kisses, while nice, had been…different
