She looked down at the food, her cheeks turning a charming shade of pink. “You were expecting them. I thought you wanted those guests here.”
He took a bite of his bread, watching her as she kept her eyes on the tray, pretending to select a bit of cheese. “I thought I did. I had no intention of marrying after Amelia. Losing her was…difficult. I thought I’d buried my heart with her. But after a while, I missed the company of a woman and…” Damn. Was he actually attempting to explain this?
She twisted her hands in front of her. “You don’t owe me an explanation.”
He reached for her chin, tipping it up so that he could look in her eyes. “I think I do.” There was so much he wanted to say right now, but not one coherent thought could be sorted from the rest as her pale pink lips parted and those crystal blue eyes met his.
He bent down and lightly pressed his lips to hers. “You’ve reminded me why a man seeks out the company of a good woman.”
“Oh,” she breathed. “Why is that?” But a smile played at her lips and she leaned in closer.
He kissed her again and then again, her scent filling his nostrils, her soft hands resting against his chest. Finally, he lifted his head. He still wanted her but the feelings he had had shifted, grown deeper. As much as he desired her, his need to protect her was even stronger. He cupped her cheek, running his thumb over her lips. “Because…” He kissed the tip of her nose. He didn’t want to explain the attraction he felt but he could articulate the feeling. “With you I am…understood.”
She pulled her brows together. “I’m glad.”
“And you.” He wrapped an arm about her waist. “What is it you like about me? Hopefully there is something.”
She smiled. Not a large one, but somehow the curve of her lip was filled with intimacy. “I’ve never felt safer than I do here with you.”
His chest swelled. He’d keep her that way for as long as he could. He made this vow to himself, and would do all he could to keep it.
Chapter Nine
Dahlia didn’t want to leave his embrace. She hadn’t even touched on the depth of feeling he effortlessly brought out of her. The heat, the need, jealousy, commitment.
If she were honest with herself, she would admit she wanted him to ask her to marry him. Not just because he was willing to help, but because he wanted her.
She fisted his shirt in her hands. “We should eat.”
“We should…” But he didn’t let her go.
Instead, he claimed her lips again. This time, his mouth was more insistent, his breath mingling with hers even as he pulled her tighter to his chest. Dahlia knew she should put some distance between them, but she didn’t want him to stop. Desire curled between her legs as she traced the muscles of his chest, the width of his shoulders. So strong. So capable. Her abdomen pressed to his hips and the evidence of his desire pushed hard against her.
Perhaps that should have frightened her. It didn’t. As he slid his hands down to her buttocks and pressed them closer, the ache between her legs throbbed, begging
to be relieved. And when he slanted her mouth open and his tongue touched hers, she gasped, wanting more.
“Dahlia.” The word came in a ragged whisper.
She slid her hands about his neck, digging her fingers into his skin. “We need to stop.” But even as she said it, her arms tightened around him.
Suddenly, he lifted her from the ground, even as his mouth claimed hers again. She lost track of where they were but as her feet touched the floor again, she pulled back and blinked her eyes open. They were back in her room.
“I know we do,” he responded. “But I’ve waited so long, and I thought I’d never feel this way.”
Feel which way? Did she dare ask? She didn’t have a chance as his mouth covered hers again. His hands slid from her waist to her hips, then up to her breasts. Every touch set her to blaze but they somehow still weren’t enough. She wanted more. More of him. More of his hands on her skin.
“Dahlia,” a voice croaked.
Sam. She drew in a sharp breath, taking a step back. What had she been thinking? The answer was simple. She hadn’t. Earlier she’d sent him from her room because he had not given her a firm commitment and he still hadn’t. Silly girl.
Gavin kept his hand at her waist. “I see by your face that you’re worried about what we just did. Don’t be.” He gave her a squeeze. “Go tend your brother and we’ll discuss this after.”
Nodding, Dahlia slipped from his grasp. Her fingers brushed her lips as she passed through the connecting door. That had been the first time she’d ever allowed a man to touch her like that. She didn’t know what it meant for her future, but Dahlia was fairly certain she’d never be the same again.
As she passed through the door, she saw that her brother still lay sound asleep on his bed.
She moved toward him, her heart beginning to beat in her chest once more. What was happening? A movement caught her eye and she stopped. Standing at the end of the bed was a man she recognized from the foyer. One of Gavin’s guests.