His lips came down on hers and she loved the way his arms pulled her tightly against his body. Her arms snaked up around his neck, and she knew she could lose herself in his kiss.
Suddenly she broke off the kiss. Thomas covered her mouth, cutting off her air. She broke off the kiss, the feelings of being smothered returning. She had to take deep breaths.
“Are you all right?” Ellis asked.
“Yes,” she said. “I just became so breathless.”
Oh dear, she had to somehow overcome this feeling. But it was odd that with Lee, she had not had these feelings, and yet with Ellis, she’d slipped into that darkness she wanted to avoid.
Glancing around, she realized there was only one other couple outside with them and her panic seemed to explode within her.
“I think we should go back inside,” she said softly, trying to will away her fear. She could do this. These men were not Thomas, but rather two very handsome men she could be marrying soon.
Ellis was watching her and frowning. “They’re about to bring the food out. Why don’t we wait?”
The panic was rising inside her and she knew if she didn’t get inside, she would soon be running as fast as she could.
“Why don’t I go inside and bring us back some plates of food,” she said. “I think it’s ready.”
The two men glanced at one another. She hoped they didn’t think she was walking away from them because she wasn’t. But she had to get inside.
“Are you feeling all right? You’re pale,” Ellis said.
“I’m all right. I just need a moment,” she said, her feet carrying her to the house and people. She had to get away for just a little bit. She had to calm her racing heart. She had to push away the memories of what Thomas had done to her.
Lifting her dress, she moved toward the door, feeling like it was a thousand yards away and she was trudging through mud to get there.
When she reached the door, Ellis opened it for her.
“It’s all right,” he said. “I’m sorry. Maybe we should not have kissed you so soon.”
The man was apologizing and her heart warmed. “No, it’s all right. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. Give me a moment and I’ll be back.”