An Unexpected Gentleman Read Online Free PDF Page B

softly and rose from the bench.
    “Of course I do.”
    “No. You want the security his income will provide.” His eyes caught and held her gaze as he walked toward her. “You don’t even like him.”
    It was mesmerizing, the way he moved. He closed the distance between them in the long, unhurried strides of a man confident in what he sought and convinced of his success in obtaining what he desired. She had ample opportunity to back away. But she couldn’t move. She couldn’t drag her eyes away.
    “He’s been very kind to me,” she heard herself whisper.
    “And that’s enough for you, is it?” The light of the moon disappeared behind his tall form. “Kindness and an income?”
    He was so close, she had to tilt her head back to see his shadowed face. “Yes.”
    “Don’t you long for something more?”
    Yes . “No.”
    A small smile tugged at his lips as he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “You do.”
    Her hands flew to his chest in a futile effort to create the illusion of space between them. She shook her head, or thought she shook her head. It was difficult to say. And it made very little difference either way. He simply pulled her closer, bent his head, and whispered against her lips.
    “Sweetheart, everyone wants more.”
    And then he was kissing her, his mouth moving over hers in a series of soft brushes and tender caresses. He was so careful, so gentle, she could almost believe that he was unsure of her, that she had the option of pulling away. But the iron band of his arm around her waist told a different story. He wasn’t unsure, merely patient. He kissed her with gentle demand, as if he meant to coax her into an inevitable submission. Even if it took all night.
    The wait wasn’t quite that long. The supple dance of his lips warmed her blood and drew a sigh from her mouth. Her limbs grew heavy and her head light. She leaned against him, feeling the hard beat of his heart against her palms and the strength of his large body through the barrier of their clothing.
    His hand cupped her face, and his thumb brushed along her jaw to press lightly on her chin. She opened her mouth without thought, and his tongue darted inside for a taste.
    She heard her own gasp, and the amused whisper against her mouth.
    “Do you want more?”
    In that moment, she wanted everything. She nodded and was rewarded with the feathery brush of his lips against her temple.
    “Then don’t see him tonight.” He covered her mouth before she could answer, lingering just long enough to tease at that promise of more. “Don’t see him.”
    “Yes,” she whispered, stretching up for him when he pulled away.
    He kept just out of reach. “Swear it.”
    “I swear.” She was only vaguely aware of saying the words.
    “Remember,” he whispered. He pressed his lips to hers briefly, skimmed a hand along her cheek, and let her go.
    Disoriented, she stood where she was as he backed two steps away. If she’d felt steadier on her feet, she might have followed him. Instead, she said the first thought that popped into her head.
    “You said there was more. You promised—” She broke off and winced. Even tipsy and dazed, she knew when she was making a fool of herself.
    Connor merely smiled. “You made a promise as well. Keep yours first.”
    “Oh.” Something about that struck her as terribly unfair, but she wasn’t willing to embarrass herself further by arguing. It seemed wise not to say anything at all, in fact. She’d never kissed a man before and hadn’t the foggiest notion of what was expected of her now. Should she make polite conversation? Stare longingly into his eyes? Offer a quick farewell? The last seemed rather appealing, all of a sudden.
    Connor leaned a bit to look around the hedge. “Our obstacle is gone.”
    “Oh. Well.” What marvelous timing. Feeling equal parts dazed, awkward, and relieved, she forced her legs into cooperation and turned for the house. When she realized Connor wasn’t