Page 6 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

M in was thrilled to inform Evan that the wheelchair had arrived at last. A footman called Vargas wheeled the chair as he accompanied Min and Ellis to the ladies’ library. Evan sat in a chair near the windows, his boxed ankle propped on a footstool. Min was pleased to see that he was fully dressed. Yesterday, he’d worn a dark green banyan.

“Surprise!” Min called as they moved toward him. “Today, you will make your escape from your floral dungeon.”

Evan smiled brilliantly. “The wheelchair has finally arrived! I feared the bonesetter had forgotten.”

Min took in his fully clothed state. “How convenient that you are dressed and ready to depart your convalescence chamber.”

“Prison cell, more like,” he said sardonically. “Where are we going?”

“Since it’s raining, everyone has gathered in the drawing room for card games,” Ellis replied. “I heard mention of a potential whist tournament.”

“Splendid.” Evan grinned, looking happier than he had since his injury.

Min gestured to the footman holding the wheelchair. “This is Vargas. He’s been charged with pushing you about.”

“I’m most grateful,” Evan said with great enthusiasm. “I shall need your help to move into the chair.”

“Of course, Mr. Price,” the footman said as Ellis moved to hand Evan the walking stick that the marquess had provided the day before.

Lord Bath had sent someone to Frome to purchase it. The stick was quite elegant, with a carved wooden top in the shape of a horse’s head, which was both thoughtful and ironic. Evan had found it most amusing.

Evan took the walking stick from Ellis as Vargas positioned the wheelchair next to where Evan sat. The footman then moved to clasp Evan’s free arm and helped him rise. Evan also used the walking stick to push himself up. After taking one tiny step, Evan pivoted so his back was to the wheelchair. Vargas helped him sit down and guided his boxed ankle on the footrest that was affixed to the chair.

Ellis took Evan’s walking stick and set it against the chair he’d just vacated.

“Ready, Mr. Price?” Vargas asked.

“More than,” Evan said eagerly. The footman pushed him toward the door.

Min and Ellis followed Vargas as he pushed the chair. When they entered the drawing room a few minutes later, Evan was met with applause and cheers.

“Thank you, everyone,” Evan said loudly. “I am happier than I can say to be in a different room.”

Min leaned down to ask him, “Where would you like to be parked?”

He turned his head, and the movement brought his mouth quite close to hers. She hadn’t intended for that to happen. Surprise flickered in his gaze, indicating he hadn’t expected that either. Min pulled back slightly and glanced away.

“Wherever is convenient,” he replied. His gaze moved to the refreshment table and narrowed with purpose. “I see those delicious almond cakes I’ve become quite fond of.”

The marchioness approached them with a smile. Min straightened.

“Mr. Price, it’s wonderful to see you outside the ladies’ library,” Lady Bath said. “Do come sit with us.”

Evan inclined his head. “I would be delighted. Vargas, if you don’t mind?”

“Not at all, Mr. Price.”

Before Vargas could wheel Evan away after the marchioness, Min bent down once more, careful to keep a more respectable distance. “I’ll fetch you those almond cakes.”

Evan turned his head and gave her a dazzling smile that made her toes curl. Why are my toes curling? “What would I do without you, Min?”

“Aren’t you glad you don’t have to find out?” She smirked at him.

He met her gaze. “Quite.”

Min’s breath snagged before she whirled about and moved toward the refreshment table.

Ellis went along with her. “He seems cheered.” She looked down at the walking stick she carried. “What am I to do with this?”

“Use it to bat away the rogues?” Min quipped.

As they arrived at the table, Ellis whispered, “Speaking of rogues, Mr. Jarvis is coming this way.”

“Is he a rogue?” Min asked.

“He’s certainly associating with them. He follows Claxton and Lambton around as though he were their foundling puppy.” Ellis gave her an apologetic look. “He actually seems nice enough.”

“He does indeed, but your point is well taken. Perhaps he just wants an almond cake.”

“Perhaps.” Ellis sent her a skeptical look. “Though I think it’s more likely he’s coming to speak with you, particularly since he made a point of sitting near you in the drawing room last night after dinner.”

“You’re probably right,” Min said with a sigh.

For all that he accompanied the rogues, Mr. Jarvis was indeed the least roguish of the bachelors at the party. However, that didn’t mean Min was interested in spending more time with him. She had not come to this party to make a match, and since Evan’s injury, she’d become entirely focused on keeping him entertained. She realized it was as much for her as it was for him, since it allowed her to avoid the rogues as well as Lady Bath’s matchmaking endeavors. That made her feel somewhat selfish.

She also had to admit she was enjoying the time she spent with Evan. More than she’d expected to. Because she hadn’t expected anything.

“Good afternoon, Lady Minerva,” Jarvis said.

Min wasn’t sure of his exact age but wondered if he might even be a year or so younger than she was. He was certainly not much older. He had a youthful face and a mop of dark hair. His brown eyes gleamed with eager intention.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Jarvis. Have you come for one of the delectable almond cakes? I was just fetching some for Mr. Price.” Min put three of them on a plate. Ellis moved to the other side of the table.

“I don’t care for almond,” Jarvis said.

“Perhaps the lemon cakes, then?”

Jarvis wrinkled his nose. “I’m afraid I don’t like lemon either. Do you see any of the ones with currants? I found those quite tolerable.”

Min looked about the table. “I don’t see any, but I’m sure you could ask a maid to fetch some for you.”

“Ah, well, it doesn’t matter,” Mr. Jarvis replied. “I wasn’t looking for a cake. I wanted to ask if you’d care to promenade with me.”

Min looked toward the windows where rain was falling in a steady rhythm against the glass. “I daresay a promenade would earn us a soaking,” she said with a laugh.

Mr. Jarvis’s cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. “I didn’t mean outside. I thought we could circuit the drawing room or perhaps take a jaunt to the orangery.”

Min was fairly certain they would have to walk outside to reach the orangery, but decided not to point that out, lest the poor man blush again. She did not wish to make him uncomfortable.

“I do appreciate the invitation,” she said kindly. “However, after I deliver these cakes to Mr. Price, I’d thought to participate in the whist tournament. Will you play?”

“I will. Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to sit together.” Mr. Jarvis glanced toward Evan, who was now holding court with most of the ladies at the party. “You have been most dedicated to Mr. Price. If I should divert my attention elsewhere, I would hope that you would tell me plainly.” The young man fidgeted briefly with his hands.

“My focus on Mr. Price is that of a friend helping another friend after a grievous injury,” she explained. Perhaps grievous was a tiny exaggeration, but he had suffered a concussion in addition to the sprained ankle.

There was a tinge of relief in Mr. Jarvis’s answering smile. “That is encouraging to hear. I am sorry we have not had a chance to become better acquainted during the party, but I will be in Bath next month. Perhaps we could take our promenade then.”

“That would be lovely,” Min said, somewhat doubting that would come to pass. But if it did, she would accept. She would not assume he was a rogue simply because he was communing with other rogues at the party. It wasn’t as if he had much choice. Furthermore, since she was attending to Evan, wasn’t she just as guilty? For Evan was absolutely a rogue.

“I shall look forward to it.” He smiled broadly. “Now, I think I will go see about finding those currant cakes. You’ve quite put me in the mood for them.”

“Good luck to you.” Min took the plate to Evan. She saw that Ellis had made her way to a seating area with Mrs. Ogilvie.

Evan was still surrounded by several guests, most of them young and female. Some were seated and others stood. Min held the plate rather than interrupt. Lady Bath announced that the whist tournament would start soon. This scattered the group, and Min finally handed Evan the plate of cakes.

“Thank God,” he said rather dramatically. “I feared you meant to keep them for yourself.” He devoured one cake in two quick bites.

“I didn’t wish to interrupt your assembly,” she said wryly as she perched on the chair nearest him.

He chuckled as he swallowed, then picked up the second cake. “You may always interrupt with an almond cake in hand.”

“Everyone missed you,” Min noted. “And you seemed to enjoy holding court.”

He swallowed the last of the second cake. “I saw you had a court of one for a few minutes with Mr. Jarvis. What was that about?”

“He asked me to promenade in the house because of the rain. I declined.”

“That was why he appeared disappointed,” Evan said with a nod before taking a bite of his last cake. He took his smallest bite yet, as if he meant to savor it.

“I didn’t mean to disappoint him, but I had already put together your plate,” she explained. “I did agree to promenade with him in Bath next month.”

“And that is when he looked delighted.” Evan eyed her thoughtfully. “I’d say Jarvis has taken an interest in you.”

“We hardly know one another,” Min said.

“You would know him better if you weren’t spending so much time with me,” Evan remarked.

She blinked at him. “Are you saying you don’t want my company anymore?”

“Not at all,” he answered quickly. “You are the reason I have retained my sanity.”

Min gave him a sheepish look. “I’m glad to hear it, because I’m not too ashamed to admit that caring for you has kept me from having to fend off Lady Bath’s attempts at matchmaking. They have been most egregious. I didn’t tell you, but yesterday, she tried to send me on an errand with Barswell to fetch apples from the orchard. Thankfully, I’d already promised to play chess with you.”

“Why didn’t you mention that when you came for chess?”

Min shrugged. “I don’t know. It didn’t seem important. Anyway, I’d much rather lose to you at chess for the third time than fend off Barswell’s flirting.”

“He can’t be as bad as Claxton,” Evan observed. “Unless… Has something happened?” He leaned toward her, his gaze hardening. “Has Barswell done something untoward?”

“Not to me,” Min said, wondering at Evan’s sharp reaction. “But he’s still a rogue, and I’ve no desire to spend time with him. I heard he’s lost twenty pounds to Sir Rodney and another ten pounds to Mr. Harris during the party.”

“Is it gambling that makes him roguish, or being bad at it?” Evan asked with a hint of a smile.

“Gambling. Although, if you must indulge, you may as well be good at it.” She gave him a pointed look. “I know you gamble. Or so I’ve heard.”

“I do indeed, and though it makes me sound arrogant, I am good at it,” Evan said. “Did you know, there are wagers at this party about the matches being made?”

Min stared at him. “I did not know that. How did you learn that?”

“Lady Bath just told me, in confidence.”

“And what do these wagers conclude?” Min asked.

“First and foremost, that you will leave the party without a betrothal or even a suitor. But the odds on that are quite high. The most interesting wager is whether Claxton will snare Miss Ecclestone in the parson’s trap. The rumor is that he needs an heiress.”

Min shook her head. “Miss Ecclestone’s dowry is respectable enough, but she isn’t an heiress.”

“That was my understanding. However, she does come from a noble family, and that may be enough. Especially since you are not available,” he added.

“What do you mean by that?”

“No one thinks you are seriously going to make a match here. You have said for some time—years, I suppose—that you are interested in marriage, but most have deduced you really aren’t.”

Min made a face. His statement wasn’t wrong, but she felt the need to defend herself. “I would be for the right man, though I’m beginning to think he doesn’t exist.” Beginning to think? She was all but convinced.

“You could give Jarvis a chance,” Evan suggested. “But perhaps you can’t, since he isn’t nobility. Like me. I imagine your parents expect you to marry a title, especially since Sheff has so recently wed the daughter of a gaming hell owner.”

Min grimaced. Her brother’s marriage had been a great disappointment to their mother. Bizarrely, it seemed their father was now in favor after his initial opposition. “I suppose I do feel a bit of pressure to marry well, whatever that means. But I won’t settle.”

“What will you do if the right man, as you called him, isn’t nobility? What if he’s the son of a gaming hell owner or a tradesman…or a groom ?”

This conversation was treading precariously close to things Min did not wish to discuss. Namely, what mattered most to her, and it was nothing to do with a title. She wanted love and trust, and, perhaps above all, peace. Thankfully, Lady Bath returned and asked if they were going to join the whist tournament that was about to begin.

“I cannot refuse, especially after my confinement,” Evan said. He looked at Minerva and arched a brow. “What do you say?”

Min saw Iona enter with her mother and smiled in her direction. “Let us play.”

Vargas came forward to wheel Evan to one of the tables. Minerva went to greet Iona, and together they sought chairs at the same table.

Her mind turned to her conversation with Evan. She was still open to marriage, regardless of what people said. Was it wrong for her to have specific requirements? Was it wrong to want love and to feel secure in that love? And was it wrong for her to steer away from anything that wasn’t that?

As it happened, she sat across from Mr. Jarvis. Perhaps she ought to give him a real chance. She’d always tried to become acquainted with suitors, unless their reputation was beyond the pale. Mr. Jarvis was good-natured and seemed genuine. She did not think he was a rogue disguised as a kind, unassuming gentleman.

However, he didn’t stir anything within her. She froze because that had never stopped her from spending time with suitors before. How else would something spark if she didn’t give it time?

For some reason, her assessment had changed. There was no spark with Mr. Jarvis, and she knew there wouldn’t be. What had changed to give her such certainty?

She realized it was because she had felt stirrings of late and, for the first time, little inexplicable flutters and flashes of heat. Her gaze darted to the next table, where Evan laughed at something Miss Ecclestone said to his right.

He was the source of those stirrings. Evan bloody Price.

L ate the following evening, Evan contemplated reading another chapter of Waverley before retiring. He wore a banyan over his nightshirt and was ready for bed, thanks to the valet. Now that Evan had reentered polite company at the party, he required Thompson’s assistance, rather than Marguerite’s, once more.

Evan credited the wheelchair with being able to rejoin the party. He no longer had to stay holed up in the pink flower dungeon. Vargas had wheeled him to dinner last night and this evening, and even out onto the patio that afternoon to watch the other guests play badminton. It wasn’t as fun as if Evan had been able to play, but it was better than sitting in the florid library wondering if he ought to try reading The Mysteries of Udolpho again to stave off the boredom.

At dinner, Evan had used the walking stick to transfer himself from the wheelchair to a chair at the table. His ankle had been rather tender last night, but was improved today. He hoped he might try walking with the stick tomorrow instead of using the wheelchair at all.

A light rap on the door from the library drew his attention. He had no idea who it might be. It was rather late for Min to be visiting.

“Come in,” he called.

The door was pushed open, and Min stepped inside. Though it was late, she was still dressed as she had been for dinner in a stunning dark coral gown. A pearl necklace shimmered at her throat, and matching earrings dangled from her ears. Her sable hair was styled elegantly and affixed with a pearl and diamond comb. She far outshone everyone at the party, including their hostess.

He made the assessment objectively—anyone could see and appreciate Min’s beauty. However, there was perhaps more to it than that, not that he was going to spend time thinking about it.

“I’m not intruding, am I?” She came toward his chair. She hadn’t closed the door behind her, but it had a habit of swinging almost closed.

“Not at all, though I’m surprised to see you this late,” Evan replied. “Is aught amiss?”

She shook her head. “The younger set was up late playing charades, and I was finally able to make my escape.”

“How so?” he asked.

“I pleaded a headache.” She put her finger to her lips as she sat in her usual chair, which was angled toward his. “Don’t tell anyone.”

Evan chuckled. “You do not have a headache.”

She arched a brow in a sardonic fashion. “My head aches from the endless flirting from the rogues.”

“I do understand,” Evan said. “But why have you come here? I’m surprised you didn’t just retire.” He cocked his head. “What about Ellis? Did you leave her there?”

“Goodness, no. Ellis had the intelligence to retire nearly two hours ago. And Iona followed shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, I think she actually had a headache.”

Evan thought of Min playing charades with the other bachelors and young ladies. “I didn’t realize you were playing charades. I might have stayed in the drawing room.”

“Why didn’t you?” Min asked.

“I needed to take my shoe off.” He glanced toward his ankle. “It’s too tight with the bandage.”

“I still can’t believe no one had a shoe larger than yours that you could borrow. I see you’re already prepared for bed.” She eyed his banyan. While it covered him completely, he felt a twinge of awareness at being garbed this way, which was silly, because he’d been sitting with Min while half nude underneath the bedclothes. And he was not nude beneath the banyan, so this was surely better.

“Shall we play chess since you are here?” Evan asked. “You were close to beating me this morning.”

She laughed. “I wasn’t really, but that’s kind of you to say.” Standing, she went to fetch the chessboard from the larger table and brought it to the small table between the arms of their chairs.

The pieces had jostled a bit as she’d moved the board, so they set about righting them. “Perhaps I should play black this time,” she said.

“You can if you like.” Evan moved the pawn in front of his king.

“That was fast,” Min remarked. “I wasn’t ready to start.”

“You can take all the time you need to move. You know that.” Indeed, she’d taken nearly a quarter hour today on her final play before he’d moved his queen into checkmate.

It was only a moment before she moved her queen pawn. Evan barely hesitated before moving one of his knights. Min studied the board a moment and moved her knight.

“You’re getting faster,” he said. “And better.”

“I have played chess before this week. It’s just been a while. I used to play with my father when I was younger.”

Evan saw his next move—his bishop would pin the knight Min had just moved. However, before he could lift the piece, she turned her head toward the door to the main library.

“Did you hear that?” she asked.

“No, what did you hear?”

“I thought I heard someone in the library.” She whispered as if they hadn’t just been speaking in regular tones.

“You might have,” Evan said with a shrug. “People go in there all the time. In fact, very late the other night, somebody made a noise in there that woke me up.”

A creaking sound came from the other side of the door. “That exact noise,” Evan said.

She glanced back toward the library. “What do you suppose it is?”

“It sounded like furniture creaking.” Evan had made that deduction the other night, just as he’d assumed the purpose for it—someone having a romantic tryst.

“Could someone be moving the ladder to fetch a book that’s too high to reach?” she mused.

He hadn’t considered that. What did it say about him that he assumed the noise had something to do with a sexual encounter? “That could be it.”

There was another sound, as if someone were moaning. Evan was now certain that whoever was in the library was not looking for a book.

Min stood and walked toward the library door.

“What are you going to do?” he asked, hating that he couldn’t just jump up and intercept her before she barged in on a potentially intimate situation.

She looked back at him over her shoulder. “Do you think someone might be in distress?”

Did she not realize what was happening? “No, I don’t think so.” He grasped his walking stick as she reached the door.

“Careful, Min, don’t just walk in unannounced.” Evan pushed himself up and gingerly tested his left foot before taking a halting step. There was only the faintest bit of pain—not enough to stop him—but Min had already opened the door. Thankfully, she hadn’t thrown it wide. Instead, she cracked it and peered through the small opening. He watched her features twitch and her gaze fix on something. She suddenly closed the door and turned, her eyes widening as she saw that he was approaching.

“What are you doing?” she asked, keeping her voice low.

“Coming to see what you were doing. What did you see in the library?”

Her cheeks blazed with color. “Just—oh, never mind. Let’s finish our match. You shouldn’t be walking.”

“I was going to try tomorrow anyway. Tonight is close enough,” he said. “It barely hurts.”

“Still, you don’t want to reinjure yourself.” She moved to his side and took his arm. “Lean on me if you need to.”

“I don’t, but thank you. I can guess what you saw in the library, Min.”

She darted a look at him as they made their way back to their chairs. “You can?”

He smiled. “The creaking of the furniture together with the moaning leads to a reasonable conclusion, and your reaction confirmed my suspicion.”

“Oh.” She blushed again. “Well, now I feel foolish for not knowing.”

“Don’t. Your concern for someone who perhaps needed help is wonderful. Who did you see? I won’t tell.”

“It was Claxton.”

“And who was he with?” Evan wondered if there would be a betrothal announcement tomorrow before the party concluded.

Her brow arched. “You assume he was with someone?”

Evan grinned to keep from laughing. “I suppose he could have been pleasuring himself. Though, I would hope he would keep such activities to his bedchamber.”

“I didn’t mean that.” Her face flamed once more.

“Who was he with?” he prodded.

“One of the housemaids.”

“What were they doing?” he asked.

“Kissing…and…never mind.” She did not meet his gaze. “This is a highly inappropriate conversation.”

She let go of his arm as they reached their seating area. But Evan did not sit. He was enjoying being vertical for the first time in several days. He pivoted to face her.

“Did what you saw unsettle you?” He could see she was uncomfortable, which he found surprising. He hadn’t ever thought of her as easily flustered. She was Sheff’s sister, and he was somewhat debauched. She’d always seemed to have an air of sophistication, but perhaps it did not extend to matters of sex. And why should it? She was the unmarried daughter of a duke. She ought to be innocent. That he hadn’t presumed her to be said more about Evan and his state of debauchery.

“Well, I had never seen anything like it,” she said. “Dallying with a maid proves Claxton is a rogue.”

Evan frowned toward the library as he had an unpleasant thought. “Was she there of her own accord?”

“Ah, she seemed to be…enjoying the encounter. She wasn’t pushing him away or anything like that.”

“I’m glad to hear it, else I would intervene. Sometimes the line between rogue and blackguard is rather thin.”

“Would you really?” She sounded surprised and perhaps even impressed.

“I would.” Evan didn’t think he would mind having to trounce Claxton if the need arose.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Is there a chance you aren’t a rogue?”

Evan laughed. “Perhaps roguishness is in the eye of the beholder.” He sobered, thinking he should not be making light when she may have been uncomfortable with what she’d witnessed. “I’m sorry if what you saw upset you. I was going to try to stop you from opening the door, to keep you from intruding on someone’s interlude. I did not think of how it might affect you.”

“And why should you?” She took a deep breath. “It’s fine. I’m fine. We should continue our match.”

“Have you never been kissed, Min?” The question leapt from his mouth before he could censor himself. She’d been right—this was an inappropriate conversation, and yet he could not seem to keep himself from pursuing it.

She hesitated, but only briefly. “Once, several years ago, in Weston. I was young. He was young. He was Welsh, actually.”

“Was he?” Evan asked with a laugh. “We Welshmen do know how to kiss. Should you ever decide you would like to try it a second time, I would happily offer my services.”

Bloody hell. Had he really just offered to kiss her? Why would he do that?

Because they were talking about kissing, and for some reason, it had seemed a natural thing to suggest. Also, wholly improper.

Nevertheless, he did not rescind the offer, nor did he regret making it.

She stared at him, her lips parting. “Don’t be silly. I’m your sister-friend.” She laughed nervously.

Evan sensed an energy swirling within and around her. It wasn’t just nervousness. Her gaze held an edge of anticipation. He suddenly knew that he wanted to kiss her. All during their time together, he’d felt moments of attraction and even desire. He’d tried to ignore them or attribute them to some other reason—gratitude for her assistance, perhaps, or appreciation for her care. But right now, standing before her, staring at her mouth, he realized there was more to it than that. He was curious to see if she felt the same.

“I dislike that description,” he said softly.

“What description?” she sounded nearly breathless.

“Sister-friend. I have a sister, and she’s not you.”

Color rose in her cheeks once more. “But we are friends, at least.”

“We are more than that, I think.” He edged toward her.

“It is kind of you to offer to kiss me, Evan, but I don’t need your pity.” Her eyes flashed with pride. “I am not a lady rogue who goes about wondering when she may be kissed again.”

“No, you are not a lady rogue,” he said, though his body heated at the idea.

“It’s not that I don’t want to kiss someone,” Min went on. “I just know that I need to marry first.”

“And what if the man you wed is a terrible kisser? That would be a tragedy.”

She sucked in a breath. “Yes, it would. Though surely, he could learn.”

“Who would teach him?” Evan ached to touch her, though he should not. “You, with your vast experience?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “There’s no need to be unkind.”

He held up his free hand. “It is not my intent to be cruel. I am merely stating the truth. If you decide you should like to increase your experience, my offer stands, whether it’s tonight or at some point in the future.” He could not seem to stop himself from persisting with this madness, or hoping that she would accept his offer. Preferably now.

She put her hand on her hip. “Are you making the argument that I should kiss every man I might consider marrying?”

“It’s not the worst idea.” Wasn’t it, though? She was the daughter of a bloody duke and the sister of one of his good friends.

She scoffed. “You’re trying to turn me into a rogue. I will not be infected by your debauchery.”

He laughed. “Roguishness is not a disease. Do you not even flirt, Min? I would argue you have flirted with me plenty this week.”

“That has not been my intent,” she said, looking horrified.

“Nor has it been mine,” he said quietly. “I apologize for being carried away by this inappropriate conversation. We have perhaps become too familiar this week.”

Except he wouldn’t change a thing. Injuring himself and Min’s subsequent care had completely changed the casual friendship they’d once shared. “I can’t be sorry. Perhaps I am a rogue after all.” He searched her face. “I know your primary reason for spending so much time with me this week was to avoid the other bachelors, but I am grateful for every word you read, all the almond cakes you brought me, and especially the blue and brown gifts.”

Her eyes were bright as she regarded him intensely. “That may have been one reason I chose to care for you,” she said softly. “But it was more than that. Nobody ever needs me. It felt…good to be useful.”

“You were far more than useful, Min. I don’t think I could have endured this without you. I have a terrible time being still—just ask my mother. Or Gwen. You made it bearable.”

She moved closer until they nearly touched. Evan’s breath caught. She put her hand on his chest. His heart beat hard and fast beneath her palm.

“I think… I would like you to kiss me, Evan. Provide me with the experience I apparently lack.”

“You’re certain?” he murmured as desire swirled in his belly—and lower.

“I insist.”

Triumph sang through his veins as he lowered his mouth to claim hers.