touching. “You owe my friends an apology.”
He stared at her mouth. Those full, wet lips were begging to be kissed, to cushion his mouth as he told her without words all that she meant to him. “I’ll send them each dozens of flowers if it means you’ll forgive me.”
“That will be a start. And you owe Lockwood an apology, as well. He did not deserve to be humiliated like this. I will find my own way to make amends to him, and you must do the same.”
“I will, I promise.” He arched a brow at her. “Does that mean we may proceed with more interesting pursuits?”
“Like kissing?”
“That will be a start,” he echoed. Bending closer, he lowered his voice. “Kiss me, please, Maddie. Make that young boy’s dreams come true.”
“I’d rather make the man’s fantasies come true.”
Lust streaked along his spine and settled in his groin. “Are you certain? Because the man has quite a number of fantasies and some are shockingly creative.”
“You should know by now that I am always up for a challenge.”
Goddamn, he loved this woman.
He pulled her close, leaving just a sliver of space between their bodies. “Then we best get started.”
Maddie held on, her mind reeling from Harrison’s proximity and words. She knew she should be furious that the house party had been a ruse—and she was definitely angry on behalf of her friends, who’d attended in good faith—but part of her was flattered.
I decided I would beg, borrow and steal to win you.
She wasn’t used to this ruthless, ambitious version of Harrison Archer. But at least that explained why he’d pushed her, why he hadn’t liked Lockwood.
Unfortunately, the lust crawling over her skin was scrambling her reason, dulling the questions she knew she should be asking. Numbing the anger and masking the bewilderment. Everything faded as Harrison continued to stare down at her.
It was a face she knew well, from the tiny lines around his eyes to the way his hair curled near his collar. But this was new between them, new and thrilling. She never dreamed he’d stare at her with such fierce longing and intense devotion, as if she was absolutely everything.
Just know that this right here was all that mattered—you and me, together.
Answers and apologies could wait.
“I don’t want to rush you.” He searched her eyes, his fingers tightening on her hips ever so slightly, as if he struggled to hold on to his self-control. “Would you like champagne first?”
She thought back to the changing room, to the gazebo, where the connection between them had proven untamed and irrefutable. Every part of her craved that wildness, the passionate frenzy she’d experienced only with him. “Champagne can wait.”
She rose up on her toes and closed the distance between them, her mouth meeting his in a less-than-perfect effort. He didn’t seem to notice, though, and instantly moved to meld his lips with hers. His mouth was coaxing and gentle but he gave no respite, stealing her breath and her wits. Soon she was dizzy and desperate, her fingertips digging into his scalp to hold on.
Closer. More. Please.
As if she’d spoken the words aloud, Harrison parted his mouth and flicked his tongue against her lips. She opened for him with an urgency that would have shocked her a week ago. His mouth was warm and slick, and the kiss deepened, their breathing harsh as they each struggled for air. It was as if they were still in the gazebo, picking up exactly where they left off last night.
His hands slid to cup her backside and he pulled her flush to his front, her hips crashing into his, and she could feel his erection, hard and impatient, against her. It was impossible to remain still. She was feverish, burning alive, with every part of her growing more frustrated and needy as the kiss wore on.
He broke off to press openmouthed kisses along her jaw, her throat. He sucked hard on the sensitive skin at her pulse point, and pleasure arrowed straight between her legs. Releasing her, he murmured, “I want to mark you, even though I shouldn’t. Make it so that everyone knows you are mine.”
The idea appealed far more than it should have, considering she had been engaged to another man this morning. “Only if I may mark you in return.”
“God, I would love nothing more.” He nipped at her bottom lip, and the delicious sting of his teeth caused her to shiver. “But it’s hardly necessary. I have always been yours.”
Speech proved impossible