Page 80 of In With a Chance

Fine, not necessarily in another person’s home.

But in his arms, knowing he was the man she wanted to be with.

“I’m sorry, I’m lost here,” murmured Ernest, his gaze raking over her face. “You are no longer engaged. But Lord Ravenshurst—”

“I wrote him a letter.” Gwen swallowed, her throat unexpectedly tight. “I-I told him that I couldn’t marry him, that I was breaking the engagement and that I was sorry, but…”

“But what?”

Sunlight and joy sparkled through Gwen even in the darkness of the room, and she did not bother attempting to hide her smile as she said, “But I considered my feelings for him that of a friend…not a future spouse.”

For a heartbeat, they stood there, his hands on her waist and her words echoing between them.

A friend, not a future spouse.

Gwen was hardly sure how she was breathing, did not know how she could still be standing, was uncertain what she was supposed to do next.

But that did not matter. Ernest knew.

The kiss was sudden, and passionate, and it burned across her lips and Gwen welcomed it, welcomed him, welcomed the knowledge that this was the only man she wanted to be kissing for the rest of her life.

Why would she want to kiss any other man? Ernest’s kisses were scalding, her lips burning as they parted to welcome him in and Gwen whimpered with the overwhelming need that pulsed through her as his tongue trailed a promise of further pleasure along her lips before darting into her mouth and delivering on that promise immediately.

Gwen sank into his arms and knew utter bliss as the kiss somehow deepened, becoming sweeter yet sharper as Ernest ministered to her willing mouth. Tendrils of pleasure were uncurling throughout her body, every inch of her feeling more alive than they ever had done—

A bang in the distance.

The two of them broke apart, but even in the gloom, Gwen could not help but notice that Ernest stepped between her and the door, yet not away from her.

“Did you hear that?” he whispered.

Gwen tried not to giggle. “Yes.”

“What do you think it was?”

“Well, there are about a hundred people downstairs attending a ball,” she said, curling a hand over his shoulder and pulling her back to him. “I suppose it could have been one of them…”

Ernest did not reply. That was, he did not reply with words. Gwen had succeeded in tempting him to return back to kissing her, and in a moment, her back was pressed against a wall and his hands were running up her torso—

“Wait a moment.”

Gwen whimpered with repressed disappointment. “Why has the kissing stopped?”

“You broke your engagement with Lord Ravenshurst.”

“Yes.” She tugged his lapels in a valiant effort to bring him closer. “Now kiss me.”

“But the marquess, he will give you all that you ever desired,” Ernest said, his face bewildered. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I love you—we have been over this!” The ache between her thighs was starting to fade, and Gwen pulled impatiently at the man to kiss her again. “Ernest, kiss me!”

“But that is such a huge sacrifice,” said Ernest, his brow furrowed as his eyes searched hers. “I mean, I do not have the title of the Marquess of Ravenshurst, nor the wealth of Lord Ravenshurst, nor the—”

“If you don’t start kissing me again very soon,” Gwen said darkly, “I am going to be peeved.”

Ernest grinned and lowered his head, possessing her mouth in a way that made her mewl. Oh, this man, he kissed like the devil and tasted like an angel, and all she wanted to do was be in his thrall.

“But why?” asked Ernest as he pulled away again, a look of real concern in his eyes. “I don’t understand, Gwen. Why?”