Page 31 of Married to the Rake

“I do not know how,” she blurted out.

She half expected him to laugh at her but instead he released her arm and cupped the other side of her face. Gently, slowly, he helped her move, helped her participate in the kiss until her knees felt weak and she was not even sure whether up was up and down was down. Slowly, she unfurled her fists and put her hands to his waist. She felt warmth and strength underneath his jacket and it made her heart all fluttery.

Brook eased away, pressing one firm kiss to her lips, then to the tip of her nose. He kept ahold of her face and she felt his warm breath on her skin.

“You have never been kissed before?”

She shook her head, even though she knew he could not see but he must have felt it.

“Well, I am honored to be your first.”

Somehow, she did not melt into a puddle at his feet. Though it was close. He had said those words with utter sincerity and she genuinely believed them to be true. Good Lord, what a muddle she was in.