Chapter Thirteen #2
When she opened to him, his tongue slipped inside her mouth, stroking her own, causing the place between her legs to come to life.
It throbbed in a way she had never experienced, and she leaned more into him now, as if she couldn’t get close enough.
The kiss heated up, and she felt the urgency of it as it consumed them both.
He deepened the kiss, causing her knees to go weak and something wild to race through her.
Her arms wrapped around him, clinging tightly to him, wanting him to give her more.
Tia had no idea how long they kissed, only that it was the most heavenly thing she had known.
Gradually, his intensity faded, and he returned to kissing her lips, breaking the kiss only to kiss her again.
His lips left hers, trailing along her throat, causing her knees to buckle.
Thankfully, he had hold of her and kept her from collapsing.
Then she sensed him withdrawing, not just physically—but emotionally. He brushed a final kiss against her swollen lips and then rested his brow against hers, both of them breathing rapidly.
“Why did you kiss me?” she asked.
“You wanted to know about me,” he said softly, his breathing warm. “I thought a kiss might tell you all you needed to know.”
She lifted her brow from his, wishing she could see what his eyes held. “It merely told me that you are skilled in the art of kissing, my lord. Obviously, you have kissed women before. You are very good at it.”
“What? I have received a compliment from Lady Tia Worthington?” He chuckled softly.
“Please. Tell me,” she insisted. “Why did you kiss me?”
“Because I thought I might die if I did not do so,” he said, brushing his lips against her brow and then releasing her. He stepped away, that delicious warmth instantly fading.
“We must return to the ballroom, my lady,” he said, his tone gruff, and she knew the wall he had erected around himself was once more going up, closing him off from the world.
And her.
“Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Put distance between yourself and others. You must have a reason for doing so.”
After a long pause, he said, “Call it . . . an unhappy childhood.”
He took her arm, sliding a hand along it until he reached her hand. He took it and threaded it through his own arm, guiding her slowly along the darkened path.
“How can you even see?” she whispered, knowing they were close to the entrance because she could see the torch.
“My eyes grew . . . like a cat’s.” He paused in both speech and steps. “Because I had to . . . be ready . . . for when they came.”
His words made no sense to her, but she had no opportunity to ask him what he meant. They had reached the entrance, and he stepped from the garden, guiding her close to another couple who happened to be kissing in the shadows and did not pay them any heed as they skirted by them.
As Lord Merriman led her to the steps and up them, he bent, his lips brushing against her ear, causing a chill to flicker through her.
“My curiosity is satisfied, Lady Tia. I suggest you keep what happened between us to yourself. Dilly would not understand. And if you tell a member of your family, Millbrooke in particular, he would be at my doorstep, beating down my door, demanding that I wed you at once by special license.”
He paused. They were close enough to the doors leading into the ballroom now for the light to show his face. “And I doubt you wish to be chained in a marriage for the rest of your life with the likes of me.”
Tia had no response, knowing what he said was true. If she even hinted to Val that Lord Merriman had kissed her, her brother would demand a marriage take place immediately. She did not like Lord Merriman. He did not like her.
Although she certainly had liked his kiss.
“Very well,” she told him. “I will remain silent.” Her gaze met his. “I do think it wise not to spend any unnecessary time in one another’s company, my lord.”
“No more dances,” he assured her, leading her inside, returning her to where Val and Eden stood.
Giving Tia a charming smile, the earl said, “It was a pleasure supping with you, Lady Tia. I know my sister and Lord Forsythe also enjoyed your company.” He glanced to Val. “I will bring Forsythe with me to White’s tomorrow morning, Your Grace. We look forward to seeing you and Lord Dyer there.”
With that, Lord Merriman left, causing Tia to feel very alone.
“Lord Merriman seems like such a good man,” Eden remarked. “I am glad you have become friends with his sister and are friendly with him.”
Her chin rising a notch, Tia said, “He is not looking for a wife this Season. Because of that, he and I have decided we will not be dancing with one another in the future. That way, it frees me up to spend time with other gentlemen.”
She spied her next dance partner headed her way. Though her throat was thickening with unshed tears, Tia put on a bright smile and greeted the viscount. She recalled his title but not his name, and he did not provide it to her as he led her out onto the dance floor.
“Focus,” she hissed under her breath as the music began, not wanting Lord Merriman to see her make a mistake while dancing as she pondered their kiss.
Tia would think on his kiss.
Later.