Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
She frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
* * *
His mouth twisted and he shrugged, feeling oddly exposed. “Yes well, that was life with the late duke.”
* * *
“Is that why you want no reminders of him?”
* * *
He said nothing, just kept walking with his head down.
* * *
“Well then, I’m glad you’re well shot of him,” she replied as if he’d said anything.
* * *
He flicked a glance in her direction, feeling bemused. “So am I.”
* * *
She reached out and touched his shoulder, squeezing gently. “But it’s in the past now and you must find a way to lift that weight off your shoulders before it crushes you.”
* * *
He stared at her, stupefied by her insightfulness. “I am trying.”
* * *
“Forgive me for saying this Your Grace, but you are not. You are wallowing.”
* * *
“Oh? And you know this after making my acquaintance for two whole days?”
* * *
“I don’t claim to know you inside out, but I have been listening to you as you speak, and I know that you harbor great resentment.”
* * *
He opened his mouth to retort but she held a hand up to stop him. “As you should,” she finished. “I am sure what you’ve told me is not even the tip of the iceberg that was your life. I can see that in your eyes, Your Grace.”
* * *
He stopped walking and turned to face her, feeling raw and exposed. “Is that so? Do tell me what else you see in my eyes.” He caught her gaze and held it, challenging her.
* * *
She boldly looked at him, unflinching. “Pain,” she whispered, “So much pain in your eyes.”
* * *
He blinked in surprise, looking away.
* * *
“No. Please, don’t hide,” she said softly, “Let me see.”
* * *
Slowly, reluctantly, but unable to help himself, he met her eyes once again, letting her see whatever she would. Her hand reached out and cupped his cheek. “You’re hurt. And angry. Filled with rage,” she whispered, her hand caressing his cheek. “It consumes you.”
* * *
He stared, mesmerized and awed by her perception. “I am and it does.”
* * *
She sighed, “Oh, Your Grace-”
* * *
“Call me Arthur,” he interrupted.
* * *
Her face changed, her gaze sharpening. “Arthur. Valiant knight of the round table.”
* * *
He snorted. “Hardly. I am the opposite of honorable,” he said, enjoying the feel of her hand tracing patterns on his face.
* * *
She quirked an eyebrow. “Are you now? Or are you striving to be out of spite?”
* * *
“What difference does it make?”
* * *
She smiled. “None, I suppose. It is the end that counts, is that not true?”
* * *
He nodded slowly, still drowning in her eyes.
* * *
“But who are you, I wonder, underneath it all?” she whispered, coming closer to stare into his eyes.
* * *
Suddenly her scent was surrounding him, a soft lavender intermingled with a hint of mint and sage from the grass they’d walked through. His gaze dropped to her lips, so lush and red, seeming to beg for his touch. It was too tempting and there was nothing to stop him from leaning in and closing the distance between them.
* * *
He touched her lips tentatively with his, expecting her to push him away. Instead, her fingers remained light on his cheek, just resting there, waiting.
* * *
Just one taste. Then I’ll stop.
* * *
His lips pressed harder, moving against her, tongue coming out to taste her skin. She made a sound like a whimper and parted her lips, giving him access to her mouth. His hands rose of their own accord, cupping her jaw almost desperately, as he lifted her head and plundered her mouth. If he was only going to kiss her once, he wanted to taste it all.
* * *
She moaned into his mouth as their tongues tangled together and her hands moved from his cheek to clutch at the soft wool of his coat. She hung onto him for dear life as he licked and suckled, nipping at her bottom lip and tasting her mouth, relishing the intimacy of their touch.
* * *
This is wrong.
* * *
Even as he thought it, he could not make himself stop. He grabbed her by the waist, pulling her flush against him as his mouth devoured hers. Suddenly, the horse neighed loudly, making Janice jerk in surprise. She pulled away from him, her lips kiss swollen, her skin flushed. She looked as debauched as he felt and the urge to kiss her again was almost insurmountable.
* * *
She grabbed onto the horse’s reins, turning away from him, her chest heaving. He watched her warily, as he tried to get himself back under control.
* * *
“Say something please,” he said when the silence had become too oppressive.
* * *