The Marquess's Darling Match: Sweet Regency Romance by Maggie Dallen & Katherine Ann Madison

Author:Maggie Dallen & Katherine Ann Madison [Dallen, Maggie & Madison, Katherine Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-23T23:00:00+00:00

7

Mariah reminded herself to breathe as those piercing blue eyes penetrated through her. Up until today, she’d had a difficult time meeting his eyes. They were just so disconcerting. But in this moment, she couldn’t look away.

Their hands were still joined, and he gently pulled, drawing her closer still. His free hand lifted, and he traced her hairline down her cheek, and along her jaw, placing a single finger under her chin to tip it higher, angling it toward his.

A shiver of nervous excitement slid down her spine even as anticipation welled in her chest. Their gazes were still locked, but when he moved closer, her lashes fluttered closed as she breathed in the scent of him.

She’d never been this close to a man, this intimate. She wasn’t observing any longer, she was participating. And it was glorious.

Slowly, his mouth pressed to hers, his lips warm and achingly tender. Their breath mingled, the light scruff of his skin brushing hers. It was masculine and...intoxicating. Her pulse raced as he let go of her hand to cup both her cheeks. For a moment he moved away, a fraction of an inch before he kissed her again, longer and firmer, the press making heat course through her.

Her mind was decidedly blank, free of thought. She could only feel, and it was beyond her wildest imagination. If she were to paint this moment, it would be a rainbow of reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows. Heat and light would surround them. She never wanted this moment to end.

And then he moved away. Both regret and satisfaction made her sigh. She’d loved every part of that kiss. She’d cherish it forever. His hands still held her face, but as her eyes slowly opened to find him leaning close, a small grin pulled at the corners of his mouth. “Mariah,” he murmured, one of his thumbs dancing light circles over her face.

She tried to speak, but words failed her. The last few hours had overwhelmed her. First, his conversation with her brother, which she’d unwittingly overheard. His words had made her want to weep with joy.

Because he’d understood her. In ways she’d never imagined another person might. In ways not even her family had managed to see.

She loved her brother and her sisters dearly, but they’d fixated on her shyness and forgotten to ask why she chose not to be more social. Forgot to see the person underneath the quiet woman.

That wasn’t fair. She knew they each loved her with all their heart, but perhaps their worry for her wellbeing overrode their judgment. Darius, in particular, wished to protect her more than he’d wanted to listen to her or understand.

Why didn’t anyone see being quiet as an asset and not a flaw?

Perhaps it wasn’t.

But sometimes, when she watched, she saw things that others didn’t. Surely, that helped at least sometimes?

Crest saw that in her.

And that made all the difference.

But she was also overwhelmed by the kiss itself. No wonder her sisters had married with such joy. To be held with such passionate tenderness was beyond her wildest dreams.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.