Tom shifted, and she could sense his discomfort. “Excuse me, Mom, Dad,” he finally said. “Dinner is getting cold.”
James broke away, grinning from ear to ear, and Zelma was breathless and flushed. “Now, that’s what I call a kiss,” James said.
“I should say so,” Zelma responded with a shaky voice.
James looked at Tom and narrowed his eyes. “Your turn.”
Tom’s brows rose as fast as sparrow wings. “My turn?”
“Yeah, let’s see if you can top that.”
“No.”
“That’s because you can’t.” James glared at Tom, daring and rebuking him at the same time.
“I know how to kiss.” Tom’s voice was low.
“I doubt it.” James took Zelma’s hand. She started to say something, but at a squeeze of his fingers she closed her mouth. “I haven’t seen you kiss your wife all week. No wonder she’s mad at you.”
“Maybe we’re more private than you.”
“Or maybe you need to take a few lessons from me.”
“I told you, I can.”
“Then prove it.” The two were deadlocked in a stare.
The entire exchange took Victoria by surprise. But she was even more surprised when Tom reached for her, turned her just slightly, and then slipped his hand up behind her neck. He leaned in and hesitated only a moment before dropping his sights to her lips.
Her heart did a wild flip at the realization that he was going to kiss her. She couldn’t deny that she’d wondered what it might be like, especially after that time he’d held her during the steamboat ride. But he’d kept himself at a proper distance from her, even though they were legally married and sharing a room. She may have been concerned about the propriety of the situation the first night after she’d learned that he had to sleep in the same bedroom, but he’d behaved like a perfect gentleman all week. He’d kept to his spot on the sofa and his bed on the floor, had allowed her all the privacy she needed when dressing, and hadn’t initiated any physical contact. In fact, she’d been the one to hug him the night of the bath.
Now, with his warm fingers against the back of her neck, capturing and positioning her, she held her breath in anticipation. His gaze briefly met hers, seeking her approval. She didn’t want to say no, even though a part of her told her she should. The truth was she’d been waiting for him to kiss her.
He must have read her acquiescence because he licked his bottom lip and focused on her mouth again. His fingers on her neck guided her at the same moment that he bent and angled his mouth to fit against hers.
When his lips touched hers, he was tentative. But the warmth and damp pressure sent a heady rush through her. Behind the tender, sweet kiss she sensed a restrained passion and strength that made her tremble.
Before she could move to open her lips and kiss him back, he broke away and released his hold on her neck. His dark eyes glowed with something she didn’t understand, but that made her heart beat faster. Without giving her time to explore the swell of new feelings, he swiveled to face his dad. “Did I pass your test?”
His dad snorted. “Absolutely not. No wonder she’s kicked you out of the bed and you’re having to sleep on the floor.”
They knew? Victoria’s heart lurched, and she was sure her face revealed her mortification. She was thankful for once that Tom was schooled in hiding his emotions, that his expression remained unchanged at his father’s revelation.
“What happens in our marriage isn’t your concern,” Tom said in a steely voice.
“Kiss her like you mean it.” His dad’s voice was equally steely, and Victoria realized where Tom got his stubbornness.
“I already did.”
Once again they locked glares, neither willing to back down. And once more Zelma started to speak, but James patted her arm, and she remained quiet.
Victoria tensed. Should she intervene and put an end to the stand-off? She had the feeling Tom wouldn’t kiss her again, that he was too noble to push himself on her, even to prove himself to his dad. Maybe if she let Tom know he could kiss her again…that she wouldn’t mind. Because she wouldn’t, would she? She could allow another kiss for his sake.
Underneath the table, she slid her hand over to his, which was fisted tightly. The muscles in his arm were taut. She ran her fingers over his wrist and tugged him in her direction. His gaze snapped to hers, and