A Gentleman's Vow (Saints and Sinners 2)

Jessica must have learned a lot from his kiss, because all of a sudden she seemed much more sensual as she moved closer. His pulse began to race in response. She rested her hands lightly on his chest and looked up into his eyes. His heart hammered against his ribs as she slid her fingers upward until she could loop her arms around his neck.

She smiled up at him with all the trust of an innocent. “You are so good to allow me this little experiment. I was sure you’d be best.”

“Make it quick, now.”

Carefully, and with less force than the last time, she set her lips against Gideon’s and kissed him the way he’d just shown her.

Their lips clung a moment as she drew back, and then she kissed him again—soft kisses that made him want more than anything to be younger, titled. A man who could trust himself to be what she needed.

Not the old family friend and neighbor everyone considered a bachelor for life.

He closed his eyes as she brushed against his body, drinking in the warmth that seeped through his clothing in a way that was far too arousing to be in anyone’s best interests. He set his hands on her waist and told them to stay there, to hold her back from his body, no matter how things might progress.

Jessica’s arms tightened around his neck, and she leaned fully against his hot bod

y, sending a delicious thrill through him as his cock twitched against her belly. Dear God; as she kissed him with growing confidence, Gideon lost track of time and his reason.

He was suddenly cupping the back of her head to hold her fast to him, thoroughly committed to her education in pleasure. She made little sounds, soft whimpers, and a moan when their lips parted. Damn, but he was growing feverish for more of her, too.

He could imagine peeling her out of that scrap of a dress, baring her skin to his lips and eagerly satisfying every single demand she made for his attention.

His mind reeled with possibilities of a future together. Coming home to find Jessica waiting impatiently for him, making love to her under the stars or in his bed. Hot summer nights barely dressed, endless winters snuggled together for warmth and pleasure. A lifetime of Jessica in his arms.

And children—she would want children to hold.

He couldn’t give her those.

He would not be a good father. He didn’t know how.

Reluctantly, he eased his tight grip on Jessica and settled his palms back at her waist.

He opened his eyes as he pushed Jessica away from him firmly.

He would only disappoint her. He would not marry. Not her, not anyone.

He staggered away, breath churning from his lungs. He’d been weak to allow that kiss to go on for so long. Jessica deserved better from him than to be mauled.

“Gideon?”

He did not turn around. “Was that what you hoped for?”

“It was and more,” Jessica said, and then she pressed her face against his shoulder. She leaned into him, silent for a change, but Gideon’s mind was full of anger at himself. When Jessica wormed her way into his embrace and snaked an arm around his waist, he knew he had to break away from her soon. She must turn her attention elsewhere for future kisses. It was for her own good.

Gideon glanced down at the top of her head as the scent of her familiar perfume tickled his nose. Sometimes, when he’d spend a whole day at Stapleton, Gideon imagined he could smell her distinctive scent when he was home and alone again.

His heart raced again as she tipped her face up to his and searched her eyes.

“What are you thinking now, Jessica?”

“I’ll tell you one day,” she murmured before turning into his chest and hugging him.

It was nice to be held, and he reluctantly put his arms on her smaller shoulders. The moment of passion had passed, and now they would be friends again. He let out a shuddering breath. Friendship was all a man with his history needed. “Brown will lock the doors of Stapleton Manor soon,” he warned her after a few quiet minutes had passed.

“I have a key to the long gallery door, so I can sneak in and out whenever I please now.”

Disturbed by that admission, he finally moved away from her. “Just how often have you snuck out on your own at night?”

“Just tonight. I swear, and only to see you. Never anyone else.”