Page 50 of Beguiling the Baron

Ah, if only this kiss could last forever. Nothing in the world was more important than two people united in desire, drinking their pleasure from each other’s lips, igniting the flames in each other’s bodies. The moment was timeless, boundless, completely exhilarating.

But he had to end this before it went too far. He’d fallen once. For the sake of her reputation, for the sake of their future happiness, he must not fall again. With a last, lingering caress of her lips, he pulled away.

He’d lifted her clear off the ground in his enthusiasm. As he released the pressure, she slid slowly down his body, creating a friction in his loins that sent prickles of excitement sparking through him. Their kiss had brought him to a potent hardness, proclaiming shamelessly how much his body wanted hers.

“I must return to the folly.” Must he? His words sounded hollow, and he wondered who he was trying to convince. “Thank you, Tia.”

“It was only a kiss, Hal.” Her voice was husky. “No need to thank me. I wanted to do it, to be reminded of what you tasted like.”

“I can’t believe you’ve forgotten.” She hadn’t, surely?

“Well, your kisses are so rarely given, it’s easy to forget what they’re like. Almost as rare as your smile, but I hope that can be improved upon.”

“Don’t be angry with me, Tia. I’m trying to preserve your innocence, and my peace of mind.”

“No, you’re not.” The change in her tone warned him she was in earnest now. What had he done to annoy her?

“You’re fully unwilling to face up to the realities of a proper interaction with another person,” she continued. “You do something that pricks your conscience and choose to hide in your folly rather than face the consequences.”

She tried to wriggle away from him, but he tightened his grip. “I don’t hide myself in there. I’m working. And thinking.”

“Working at what? You have an abbey to work in.”

He stroked her back soothingly. “This is something so personal, I’m not ready to share it.”

“Not even with me?”

“I will share it with you, my wonderful Galatea, one day.” He wouldn’t find it easy, but he saw now it had to be done if he was to have any chance of happiness.

“Why not now? Don’t you trust me?”

“I trust you more, I think, than I’ve ever trusted a woman before. I consider you my friend. But you need to trust my judgment for a change. The time isn’t right for me, even if it is for you. Now, I’ve accepted that Polly can have her small gathering, and I’ve kissed you thoroughly, even though I had every intention of allowing you to escape to bed untouched. Please don’t test my resolve any farther tonight, Tia. One day you will know everything. Be patient.”

With that, he drew her gently to him, brushed his lips across her forehead, and strode away.