He pushed the heavy glass door open and ran forward. “My lady, wait!”
Lady Sophie turned around, her face flushing a lovely raspberry color. She arched her eyebrows.
“If I may have a moment?” he said.
“I’m sorry. I am getting ready to leave for the Brighton estate, as you can see.”
“Yes, yes.” He turned to the cabbie. “You may go on. I’ll arrange for Lady Sophie’s transport in a few moments.”
“Yes, sir.” The cabbie tipped his hat.
“Mr. Newland”—Sophie cleared her throat gently—“what is this about? This is highly irregular, not to mention improper.”
“Yes, my lady, and I offer you my apologies. However, I could not let you leave without telling you how thoroughly I enjoyed your audition. I would like to offer you a leading role in the new musicale.”
“How are you able to offer me anything? You haven’t heard the other auditions yet.”
“I am familiar with all of the other actors and actresses who will be auditioning today. I know their voices. None of them can come close to you, my lady.”
Sophie fidgeted with her reticule. “I’m afraid, Mr. Newland, that I will be unable to accept a role in the production.”
What? Not able to accept? Did this woman have any idea of the talent she possessed?
Her pink lips trembled ever so slightly, and her cheeks deepened from raspberry to aubergine. Zach gulped, his pulse quickening. Had anyone kissed those lips? How they beckoned him. Sophie was of average height, coming up to his chest. He again eyed her dazzling blond hair swept up tight with only a few wispy curls free. How might it look flowing freely over her milky-white shoulders? Over her pert breasts?
“If you would be so kind, Mr. Newland…”
Zach stood, mouth agape. She had said something after his name, but he had heard no words. Only that voice, that voice from an angel, swirled around his head. He could not get enough of it. Still those rosy lips trembled, calling to him.
He couldn’t help himself. He gripped her shoulders, lowered his head, and pressed his lips to hers.
CHAPTER THREE
What is happening?
Mr. Newland was…kissing her.
Sophie gasped, the air suctioning Mr. Newland’s lips even more onto hers. She hardly knew this man, and indeed, it was her first kiss. But…
Heaven.
He nibbled at her lips, his tongue pressing along the seam. He wanted her to open her mouth. She knew a bit about kissing, mostly from Ally telling her things she hadn’t really wanted to hear. And now… She was in the middle of a kiss with a most handsome man, and suddenly, she wanted this kiss more than she wanted to breathe. No worries there, because she couldn’t breathe. Her skin tingled all over, and her heart thumped.
She parted her lips.
And all thought fled. Only feeling remained—pure raw feeling. He swept his tongue inside of her mouth, seeking hers, and she responded, letting her own tongue drift outward and touch his.
Oh, the sparks! Such sparks tickled her skin. Her skin heated, her belly fluttered, and a strange pulsing began between her legs.
Dear Lord… The tickle, the fresh desire. Her nipples tightened against her corset, two hard little berries aching to be let free of their confinement. Between her legs… She wanted something between her legs… Something hard…
Something hard? What was she doing?
With all of her strength, she pushed against Mr. Newland’s chest, breaking the kiss with a loud smack.
“Mr. Newland, please!” She placed both her hands on her cheeks. How red must they be! “In the middle of the street. And I…I hardly know you!”
“We can certainly remedy the latter, my lady.” Mr. Newland arched his eyebrow and smiled. An adorable dimple appeared on his left cheek.