Page 22 of Once Tempted

The seduction of his future wife.

His proposal to the woman he’d somehow fallen in love with.

When he turned around, Minerva was digging through a drawer with her back to him. Her delightfully round rear thrust in his direction and wiggling back and forth.

He groaned softly. Utterly besotted.

Yes, this was the woman he really wanted to make love to. Not to win a wager, or just for one night.

But forever.

He moved toward her, turned her around and cupped her face between his hands, as he had done the first night. Her skin was warm beneath his palms, and he smiled down at her pretty face. “Might I steal a kiss?”

“You never asked last time.”

“Well, I’m asking now,” he said, studying her lips. She was pouting again, and he leaned down a little more.

Her pink tongue darted out to wet them, and finally she nodded.

He swooped down to kiss her again, and then wrapped his fingers around her waist. But he couldn’t help it when they strayed. He did enjoy her soft curves; they fit so well against his harder body.

She was gentle in her responses at first, and untutored, but she seemed to grasp immediately that he was seeking the same passion as the last time.

She rose up on her toes and attempted to wrap her arms about his neck, but he was too tall for that to happen. So, Frederick lifted her up and held her tight against him. “Minnie, be mine,” he whispered against her throat when he drew back for air. “I know it is too soon, and you might still doubt my honor, but I want you far more than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“Yes,” she readily agreed. “Tonight might be my last chance to kiss you.”

“There’s always tomorrow,” he asked, drawing back. “And the next day, and then the next.”

She scowled. “You’re making fun of me.”

“No. I’ve never been more serious in my life. I want you more than I ever imagined.”

She appeared rather incredulous. “When did you ever imagine me?”

“The night we kissed Before we kissed, even. When I saw you the next day, and even when I didn’t see you.” He smiled. “I might have acted upon my instincts too soon that first night, but there was that sister thing getting in my way, preventing me from understanding what I really want.”

“There is still the sister thing,” she reminded him.

“Every rule needs to be tested and broken,” he assured her, setting her gently on her feet again.

“You don’t have to pretend, just to get beneath my skirts. I know what you want from women.”

“I’ve already been beneath your skirts, remember? I want the rest of you now,” he promised, meaning every word. “I did not pursue a friendship with you for the thrill of it. I mean, I did, but⁠—”

She put her finger over his lips when he fumbled to explain. “I understand what you’re trying to say, but surely you can’t mean it. My brother says⁠—”

“Your brother is an ass and utterly wrong about your appeal! Whatever he said to you to make you doubt yourself is so wrong, it’s not even funny. You are the woman I want to know best of all.”

“I feel the same about you, and I usually don’t want to know my brother’s friends as intimately as I do you,” she confessed.

“Intimately?” he asked, with one brow raised and a ridiculous grin spreading over his face.

“Where else could a friendship with such a man lead?” she asked. “I’m willing, and you’re all a lady could want in her first lover.”

“First and last, my dear. What do you know about pleasure, anyway?”

She winked at him. “Even spinsters hear things from time to time, and my imagination is excellent. Besides, you kiss too well for me not to have speculated on what comes after the kiss.”

“Minnie mine, you only have to put your hands on me to find out.” He kissed the tip of her nose, and then her cheek, and then nibbled on her neck as her fingers played lightly over his body. “Spend tonight in my arms, and we will confront your brother together tomorrow.”

“Confront him? Why?”

“I wish to make him understand that you are the most desirable woman I’ve ever met, and that I am utterly desperate to marry you.”

“Marry me?” She shoved him away, pushing herself out of arms. “Oh, now you go too far, sir. No one would ever believe that!”