The Husband Dilemma by Jessica Nelson

Author:Jessica Nelson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-10-25T12:53:36+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Ingrid pressed her mouth against Gideon’s, sure she was to do something more with them, but what? Sadly, she had not paid attention to all the silly poetry about kissing; nor had she listened to the gossip. Was she to continue leaning forward and keep her lips where they were? But for how long?

He did have a nice mouth. Warm and gentle. Feeling very pleased with herself, she made a small sound in the back of her throat. Gideon jerked away, breaking what she felt had been an acceptable kiss that should be allowed to continue a tad longer.

He grasped her shoulders and gently pushed her farther from him. “That is the kiss you would regret not experiencing?”

“My curiosity is satisfied,” she said, even though she had anticipated something a little more deserving of poetry. After all the goings-on about kisses, and it was really just two mouths touching. “Now I need to orchestrate a way to return home undetected. I’m thinking of sleeping in the carriage and returning to my room in the early morning. If anyone sees me, they’ll assume I went out for a morning stroll. In any case, you shall not be tied to me.”

Gideon stared at her, his eyes darkened hollows in the lamplight. Silence followed her words as he stared at her.

She swallowed at the intensity of his gaze. “You are not upset, are you? That I kissed you? It has been a thought I felt prudent to research.”

“You are an innocent,” he said, his voice quiet gravel. Raspy, even.

He leaned forward, his eyes dark tidewater pools, searching her face. “It is audacious to confess to daydreaming about kisses.”

“I did not say a daydream. I said a thought.” She looked down and saw that she still held his hand in hers. Audacious, indeed. She looked up into Gideon’s face.

“You have put yourself in a precarious position, my lady.”

“I know.” The sudden import of what she’d done crashed into her. What if Gideon was not the man she thought him to be? At this moment he seemed dangerous. Thrilling.

“What if I told you—” he paused, his breath a soft, peppermint-laced puff against her face “—that I have been thinking of kissing you as well?”

“You have?”

“To my consternation.” He sighed deeply. “And I would kiss you far better than what just occurred. But I value you, Ingrid. Too much to endanger your reputation. You must find a way to get home without being seen.”

“I shall,” she assured him, though her mind kept returning to his claim that he would kiss her better. Her curiosity, it seemed, had not been satisfied but rather heightened. “This is your opportunity to kiss me.”

The corner of his mouth cut down. “I cannot, Lady Ingrid. I will not.”

“But why?” Her stomach plummeted as his rejection sliced her feelings.

“There are boundaries meant to be observed. And here, in this darkened carriage, alone, it is most unwise. Surely, you can see that.”

She nodded, blinking hard.

“Ingrid... I find you greatly attractive.” Gideon glanced down at their clasped hands.

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