kiss you than when you made your come-out.” He paused. “Did you manage to kiss any other gentleman besides Ruthersby during your Season?”
Her blush intensified. “No. Mama warned me not to kiss any man else they’d think I was fast. In fact, I didn’t kiss Norwood until our wedding day.”
Weston groaned inwardly, thinking what an innocent she truly was. Then again, it would be to his advantage—and pleasure—to teach her all she needed to know.
“That’s all well and good for a young debutante, Elise, but I’m telling you—men will try to kiss you. You’ll want to do so. With several.”
“Why?” she asked guilelessly.
“You need to see which ones you enjoy kissing. If they kiss well, they’ll most likely do other things well.”
Her face flamed at his words and she started fidgeting again. She bit her bottom lip in thought and he was proud he restrained himself from leaning over and doing the same.
“Weston, I . . . well, what I mean is . . . I really don’t know if I’ll enjoy kissing anyone or not. Norwood gave me very . . . perfunctory kisses. When we were . . . about to come together. I think there is more to it but I’m not sure what. How will I even know if a man is a good kisser?”
This was exactly the realization he wanted her to come to.
“Kissing is a fine art. It takes lots of practice to become good at it.”
“Then I am certain you are an expert,” she murmured, rolling her eyes.
“I heard that,” he said, grinning. “True. I have experience in it. You don’t. I think in order for you to be able to choose a man who will suit you in that area, you’ll need to know more about it. I’m perfectly willing to teach you.”
“What?” she gasped.
“You heard me, Elise. You don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll be kissing a few men come the Season. You’re trying to find the one who best suits you.”
“I won’t marry a man strictly because he can kiss well,” she insisted.
“No, but it is a huge part of enjoying what goes on in the bedroom. If you are better prepared, I believe you’ll make a wiser choice.” He smiled at her. “What do you think?”
“About kissing you?”
“About kissing me.”
She thought a long moment and he was almost afraid he’d pushed her too far. But by God, she needed a little pushing. He was dying to kiss her. He needed to make an impression on her now, before the Season began, before all those lusting gents started sniffing about her skirts.
“Very well,” she said formally. “I will allow you to teach me.” Then she rose and went to stand before the window, her back to him, her arms wrapped about her protectively. “But you must promise not to make fun of me since I won’t know what I am doing.”
Weston rose and went to her, gently turning her gently by her shoulders until she faced him. “There is nothing to be embarrassed about, Elise. No one is born knowing how to kiss.”
He allowed his hands to remain lightly on her shoulders, wanting to reassure her and have her get used to him touching her.
“May we begin our first lesson?”
Those large, violet eyes flickered with interest, mixed with doubt. “Yes,” she whispered.
She had said the Ruthersbys wouldn’t be back until this evening. No one should interrupt them. He had time. He didn’t want to rush anything. He would pace himself. Lifting his hands to her face, he cradled it, looking at her for a long moment. He thought she might be holding her breath. Slowly, he bent until his mouth touched hers. Gently, he brushed his lips against hers. He could feel her trembling. He kept up the slow motion, allowing his fingers to glide to her throat, then using his thumbs to caress her face.
Weston kept this up for a few minutes, feeling her start to relax. He lifted his lips and kissed the tip of her nose, moving to the bridge. He kissed her brow. Her temples. The sides of her face. Along her jaw. Back to her mouth. This time, he pressed his lips against hers, moving one hand to her nape to hold her steady while the other went around to the small of her back. He pulled her closer, continuing to kiss her. Her ample breasts brushed against his chest, the nipples teasing him. Maintaining his composure, he lightly nipped at her full, bottom lip.