Page 23 of Wicked with Him

“Or Wales, which is where I’m from, by the way. London does have its charms, though.”

She stared at him in surprise. “You live in Wales?”

“No, I came from there. My older brother has the family estate now, and I live wherever I please these days.”

“Do you miss them? Wales and your family.”

“No. Can’t say that I do. The only thing I truly have missed was seeing you in London.”

She grinned at his ridiculous statement. “I am surprised you even noticed I was gone. You never paid me any notice before that night.”

“I was wrong to have let my anger with your brother narrow my view so much,” he said as he came close. “I’m done seeking revenge against your brother, by the by.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I’m sure you enjoyed his frustration but there are other things in life worth your time, I’m sure.”

Roman smiled down upon her. “So there are…and I’m looking at one right now.”

Amity gulped as his smile made her wish for things currently beyond her reach. “My brother’s rage was spectacular. I’m sure he lost a great deal of support in the family, given the way he carried on.”

“And so did you with many, too,” Crawford murmured, a look of guilt in his eye.

She was touched by that but shrugged it away. “I knew it would happen.”

“But never will you lose my admiration. You have become luminous.” He cupped her face tenderly, his eyes soft and compelling. “My secret lover.”

“You’re mine, too.”

He nodded and bent his head. “Let’s not be strangers another moment longer,” he whispered, and lowered his head until his lips stopped just beyond reach. “May I kiss you again?”

Amity inhaled his scent, reveled in the tender touch of his hands upon her face. And then she raised her chin until their lips brushed, pulling him closer.

The kiss seemed endless, and Amity was clinging to Crawford when he finally pulled back.

He grinned. “As lovely as the first time.”

Amity pulled away from him. “I’m sure I hardly compare.”

“To whom? Widows and bored wives?”

She turned her face down to study her fingertips. “To her. To your Melody.”

Crawford slipped his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his, and held her there gently, commanding her complete attention. “I want you to listen to me very closely. Never have I ever thought of her while I was kissing you…or thinking of kissing you.”

Amity met his gaze warily. Such a declaration made her heart very glad. But just because he could set aside his feeling for Melody to be wicked didn’t mean he had come to care for her anywhere near as much. They had been lovers, and might be again one day, but that was far different from actually having any real claim on his affections.

She shrugged. “I…”

“Do you really believe another woman played a part in those few glorious minutes we spent together in that cramped closet?”

“I want to believe she did not,” she admitted. “But you were seeking revenge against my brother.”

His fingers closed about her skull, holding her fast so she could look at nothing but him. “If I went with you seeking revenge, I’d have married you to claim your dowry for myself, whether you liked it or not. I have never needed a wealthy bride. And I have not turned the countryside upside down for the last weeks looking for you, only to upset him, either.”

He settled his lips on hers again, and she fell into his arms completely, sure of his intent at last. He wanted more, just as she did.

He took his time kissing her, seemingly in no hurry to be done. But eventually, he turned her in his arms toward the setting sun, so they could watch it sink below the horizon together.

Amity sighed when it was over and turned to look up at Crawford. “So why did you really come back to see me? I thought you would already be on your way back to London.”