It warmed her, filled her with something she’d forgotten and never named. It reached in, wrapping itself tightly around her. Heartbeat stuttering, she was reminded of the way she felt when she had first been kissed by Avery, just after their engagement. The breathlessness, the anticipation, the desire: she had forgotten how it felt to have that connection, that vulnerability with someone.
“Catherine?” He said her name like a prayer, his soul drinking her in.
Without realizing it, she moved her hand to cup his jawline, the million sensations of his skin’s texture and his slight stubble swirling in her mind and captivating her with that simple touch. She lowered her attention to his lips, unable to look away. She’d never initiated a kiss, but his lips were too great a temptation, and she leaned forward, unable to stop the compromising movement.
As if impatient with her hesitant movement, Quin surged toward her and captured her lips. She had anticipated a soft, tender kiss, but she was wrong. His lips covered hers with a demand that left her senseless and hungry. This was no simple meeting of the lips. This was a devouring, and she leaned into it, craving the desire she tasted there. The kiss apparently wasn’t enough for him, and his hands arched over her shoulders and pulled her closer, wrapping around her back and holding her captive as he continued to ravage her lips.
Never had she experienced such a kiss. It was new, exhilarating, and awakened something within her she hadn’t known lay in wait. His tongue was wicked, branding her from the inside out as he danced around her lips, playing coy with her own tentative tongue and teaching her with every seductive stroke. His teeth gently nipped at her, playfully drawing her in, making it more than just passion, making it a seductive game that she wanted to play.
Then abruptly he pulled back, his expression wide and alert.
Catherine tried to gather her wits about her at the sudden end of the passionate exchange. He still held her, but his movements had frozen, much like the hold he had on her back.
His eyes narrowed and he inclined his head.
“Dear merciful heavens,” he said, then released her, slowly inching away.
She felt the distance like a wash of cold water, a chilling premonition warning her from the inside out. What had they done?
“Am I really awake, then?” he asked.
What an odd question.
Catherine tilted her chin and frowned. Did he think this all a dream? Who did he kiss like that while dreaming? Jealousy flowed through her veins at the thought of some mysterious rival for his affection.
Belatedly, she realized what that meant for her own emotions.
He was watching her as if expecting an answer.
She nodded. “Are your dreams so real?” she asked, a little irritated at his horrified expression.
“Bloody hell.” The words rushed out of him.
“Pardon?” Catherine replied, trying not to feel insulted, but honestly, who kissed a lady like that and then swore when he realized his actions?
“I… That is—Excuse me.” Quin stood and rubbed his hand down his face. “Catherine, I’m so sorry. That was…unpardonable.” His eyes fixed on the floor as the words tumbled out.
Catherine stood then, pushing back her irritation and hurt, and debated on the best course of action.
With a feeling rooted in mischief, she formulated a plan.
As Quin’s stare lingered on the carpet, clearly tormented, Catherine closed the distance between them. Propriety be damned, what was done was already done. Now she would savor the moment, the touch and feel of him. A shiver of deep anticipation rocked through her.
His regard met hers, and as her cheeks heated with her forward manner, she leaned up on her tiptoes, grasped his shoulders for balance, and kissed him, ever so softly. It was an invitation, an open door that he could walk through should he wish. His lips were soft, embracing hers for a moment, yet hesitant, as if unsure he was truly awake or still dreaming. She withdrew slightly, speaking softly against his warm lips.
“Every dream should have a happy ending. Don’t ruin this for me either.” She lingered there, hovering, waiting for him to answer her, to make a decision—though the decision was made for them. They had kissed; she was as compromised as if he’d bedded her. But honor and desire didn’t necessarily mean the same thing, so she waited to see what lay in his heart.
And answer her he did.
He closed the distance, but unlike the first kiss that melted her from the inside out, this was tentative, searching, and hopeful. It ended far sooner than she would have liked, but she met his contemplative regard with a shy smile of pleased wonder. As if unable to resist touching her, he leaned forward, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. His breath was warm on her skin; the scent of peppermint and clove laced the air, inviting her to move closer.
“I—” He lifted her chin up to meet his eyes, the green depths of his eyes beckoning her. His thumb rubbed over her lower lip, the heat of his touch creating a wave of tenderness and desire swirling through her belly. There was no hesitation when he covered her lips with his own, just a deliberate, mutual need to touch, to communicate what words could not.
He made love to her mouth, torturing her with a taste of the pleasure she’d never experienced but desperately wanted. But honor would bind him, she knew.
And as she considered it, lost herself in his kiss, she realized that she knew Quin well, inside and out. The kiss was natural, a fork in the road of their blossoming friendship that she should have seen coming.
His lips bent upward against hers as he drew away, resting his forehead against hers. The quickness of his breath was echoed in her own rapid heartbeat.