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“I know,” she whispered. Georgina knew this should be the end of their meeting, but she couldn’t step away from him. “But I don’t want to.”

Adrian groaned and pulled Georgina back into his arms. This time their kiss was far more passionate and held a recklessness to it that stole her heart completely. So this was what it was like to be kissed by scandal…

Georgina felt the world tilt beneath her feet as Adrian’s lips claimed hers with unchecked fervor.

Heat curled through her, a slow, seductive fire that had her gripping the lapels of his coat, desperate to keep him close.

His arms banded around her waist, drawing her flush against him, as though he, too, feared she might vanish into the night.

The maze around them, with its tangled vines and whispering leaves, faded into nothingness.

There was only him—his strong embrace, the scent of sandalwood and spice clinging to his coat, the intoxicating pressure of his mouth as he deepened the kiss.

He was all-consuming, a force of nature, and she was utterly lost to him.

When at last he broke the kiss, his breath came harsh and uneven against her temple. His hands remained at her waist, holding her as though he still warred with himself, as though he wished to pull her back to him but knew he should not.

“Georgina…” His voice was low, hoarse, filled with something that made her shiver. Longing. Frustration. A deep, unchecked desire that mirrored her own. “You’ve ruined me.”

She forced herself to meet his gaze. In the moonlight, his dark eyes burned with something perilously close to possession.

She knew, with a certainty that stole her breath, that if she did not stop this now, she would belong to him irrevocably.

Who was she fooling—she already did belong to him in every way. There was no turning back now.

*

Adrian stared down at the lovely woman before him. There was something binding between them. He was speechless as he kept his gaze upon her beautiful face. She was his weakness and his strength all wrapped in one.

“Only as much as you have ruined me,” she said in a hoarse whisper. “I find that I cannot think of anything but you.”

“I am much the same.” He sighed. “What are we to do about this?”

She shook her head and frowned. “I am not the one to answer that.” She sighed and stepped out of his embrace. He mourned the loss immediately. He had the urge to yank her back into his arms and hold her there forever.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“I should go, don’t you think?” She had not actually left the maze, but she had put some distance between them. “This is leading us down a path that we may not be able to retreat from if we continue.”

It was dangerous, this feeling between them.

A perilous edge that threatened to send them both tumbling into ruin.

Yet, at this moment he cared not for anything—the possible scandal and everything that entailed.

He cared only for the lady before him, the woman who made Adrian forget everything but her and made him feel for the first time in his life.

“And if I do not wish to let you go?” he asked, his tone hoarse with restrained emotion.

“What do you want from me, Adrian?” she asked. He closed his eyes and nearly groaned. He loved the sound of his name on her lips. It was something he could quickly become accustomed to.

“What if I told you I want everything?” He almost asked her right then to marry him. What would she say if he did? What would he do if she said yes?

She stepped closer to him, within his reach. He did not let that opportunity pass by. He pulled her back into his arms. He slid his hands up her back, fingers pressing gently into the fabric of her gown. “Adrian.” She gasped his name, but he was not repentant. This was where she belonged.

“Don’t go,” he said softly.

The words settled between them, a vow whispered into the midnight air.

A breeze swept through the garden, rustling the roses at their backs, sending the scent of late-blooming jasmine into the night. Somewhere in the distance, a clock chimed, reminding them both of the passing time, of the world beyond this hidden place.

“I cannot stay,” Georgina admitted, her fingers clutching at his coat as though her body refused the words her mind insisted upon.

Adrian exhaled, pressing his forehead against hers. “Then promise me something.”

She swallowed hard, nodding. “Anything.”

He thought about what he wanted from her, and he prayed that she would be amenable to his suggestion.

He needed her. More than he had ever needed anything in his life.

She was his everything and it shocked him how fast that had become his reality.

They had not known each other all that long.

His desire for her was something tangible and it ruled his world now.

Georgina was his everything, and he would do anything to ensure she would always be in his life.

But he had to do this all right. She was far too important to him to take any chances with.

He wanted a forever with her, and he could not ensure that if he failed to treat her properly.

“Meet me again.” He waited for her to answer.

He should not pressure her into this next meeting; there were plenty of opportunities for them to spend time together.

But none of them would ensure they had some time alone together.

They had other activities at the house party, and he would find her at every single one of those, but this was different.

She hesitated. “You mean like this. Not at the events of the house party.”

Adrian knew why she hesitated. She would not want to take too many risks and potentially ruin her reputation. It was a miracle that he had managed to convince her to meet him once. It might be too much to gain her acquiescence once more, but he had to try.

“Yes,” she finally whispered.

His lips brushed over hers once more, a fleeting, stolen kiss filled with the promise of more.

“Tomorrow,” he said. “We can find someplace to meet at the masquerade ball. Everyone will be distracted.”

The promise of another meeting, another chance to steal away with Georgina, sent both anticipation and trepidation curling through him.

He prayed she did not refuse him. He wanted her with a desperation that he could not fathom.

He would not blame her if she chose to step away from this madness before it consumed them both.

She did not do any of that. When she answered he almost breathed a sigh of relief at her response. “Yes.” Her tone was confident as she spoke. There was not one bit of reluctance there and he found relief in that.

He was utterly unmoored by her agreement.

His fingers curled possessively at her waist, his grip firm but not unkind.

“I will let you know tomorrow night where we are to meet.” He grinned.

Adrian had prayed for this outcome but had not truly expected it.

“I’ll have a servant pass you a note. It’s best that we are not seen together too much. ”

She nodded, though a thousand uncertainties warred within her. “All right. That is true.”

The weight of their decision settled between them, heavy with unspoken emotions, with longing neither of them had dared to name.

The masquerade would provide them a veil of secrecy, a fragile excuse to indulge in something that might not last. He prayed that this was only the beginning of their forever, but what did he know?

Adrian had made a lot of mistakes in his life, and he had never played at securing a forever with a woman.

His heart clenched at the thought of losing her.

A gust of wind stirred the ivy along the maze’s wall, sending a flurry of dust into the night.

Somewhere in the distance the faint sound of laughter floated on the breeze.

Who could that be? Panic seized his heart.

He had thought everyone was abed, but perhaps the newlyweds were still awake.

He cursed under his breath. Damn Easton for marrying so abruptly.

“I must go,” she whispered. Her gaze held the same panic he felt inside.

Adrian exhaled sharply, his hands flexing at her waist wishing he could hold her there forever, to keep her captive in the moonlight for just a little longer. “Promise me one more thing,” he murmured.

She met his gaze. “What is it?” Georgina asked.

“Wear something red to the masquerade,” he said, his lips curving into a slow, knowing smile. “So that I may find you.”

Her breath hitched at his request. He knew he was being too bold with her. It was an intimate request, but he wanted to see her in the shade. It would warm her skin and complement her rich brown hair.

“I will,” she murmured. “If it will make you happy.”

“Oh, it will,” he reassured her. Everything about her made him happy.

He flashed her one of his devastating smiles, hoping to steal any remaining resolve she might have.

He kissed her again, this time softer, trying to imprint the memory of her against his very soul.

No matter how this ended he would never forget her, but if the fates were in his favor they would have many more days—and nights—together to explore this passion brewing between them.

Georgina stepped back though he could feel her reluctance. “Good night, my lord.”

“I thought we agreed to drop formalities,” he chastised her.

“Oh, we did,” she told him, “But I think we may need them at this moment.”

Adrian’s gaze burned into her as she turned and disappeared through the hedge-lined path. The wind rustled the well-trimmed branches that quickly swallowed her retreating form. He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. He had never wanted anything the way he wanted her.

Tomorrow could not come soon enough.

For better or for worse, he was hers now… He only prayed that she did not break his heart. He had never given it away before, and he found it was far more fragile than he could have ever believed.