Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,302

over her skin, tickling her lips, parting them as a small gasp escaped her. Her lids began to flutter, urging her to peek, to see that he was truly there, that she had not strayed into a dream.

“Don’t you dare,” he growled against her lips, a hint of humor in his voice.

“I cannot bear the suspense any l−”

His mouth claimed hers swiftly, and despite everything that had led up to this moment, it was thoroughly unexpected.

Her heart and mind were reeling from the sensations that rushed through her body. Everything felt foreign, new, utterly unfamiliar, but so very right. The gentle pressure of his lips, the soft grasp of his fingers upon her chin, the way his other hand brushed down her arm and then settled upon her waist.

Pushing closer, Anne responded to his kiss on instinct alone, wondering how she suddenly knew what to do. Nothing felt awkward as it had before, and her hands snaked up his chest, her fingertips coming to rest against the side of his neck. His pulse beat as fast as her own, and she wondered if he too felt unhinged and at peace at the same time.

Unlike their mistletoe kiss from the day before, this kiss was everything Anne had dreamed of and more and she sank into Tobias’s arms on a contented sigh.

Chapter Nine ~ The Competitor Intervenes

Resisting the urge to deepen their kiss, Tobias held her close, overcome by the strength of this sudden need for her. He’d loved Anne all his life, and yet, this felt different.

Her lips were soft and curious under his own, and her skin felt velvety and warm to his touch. Her heart beat fast as she leaned into him, welcoming his kiss, his touch…

…welcoming him.

Our little Annie cares for you, his brother’s voice echoed in his mind and, in that moment, Tobias wanted nothing more than to believe it. To know that it was true. Was there more between them than friendship? Could Anne truly love him? Not like a brother, but−

Footsteps echoed up the hallway outside the library, drawing closer to the door Tobias had foolishly left ajar.

Anne had to have heard it as well for she stilled, then broke their kiss, her blue eyes wide. “Did you hear that?” she whispered before her gaze darted past his shoulder.

Grabbing her hand, Tobias pulled her behind the tall bookshelf, separating the sitting area from the main part of the library. “Quiet,” he whispered as they hid behind tall volumes filled with archeological expertise.

Staring into each other’s eyes, they heard the door swing open quietly before soft footsteps proceeded into the room. “Miss Thatcher, are you in here?” came Lord Gillingham’s voice, and Tobias felt a worrisome urge to pound the man into the ground well up in his chest.

Anne’s hands tensed on his, and a warning look came to her wide eyes before she shook her head at him.

Tobias gritted his teeth, wondering if she simply knew him too well or if his murderous thoughts were written all over his face.

Peeking above the rim of two particularly thick volumes, Anne frowned, then drew in a deep breath and met his eyes. She pointed at his chest and then at the ground, urging him to stay where he was.

Tobias raised his brows, asking what she planned to do.

With two fingers, she imitated someone walking in the direction of the door, namely herself.

Tobias gritted his teeth against the objections that rose in his heart. Still, she was right. They couldn’t be found together. It would compromise her, and even though their second kiss had been life-altering for him, Tobias could not be certain how Anne felt about it. And he would never force her hand.

Nodding, he took a step back and allowed her to pass, returning the smile she cast at him over her shoulder as best as he could. Then he watched her take a deep breath and step around the tall shelf. “Lord Gillingham, is that you?”

A large smile came to the man’s face, and Tobias’s hands balled into fists. “Good morning, Miss Thatcher,” Lord Gillingham greeted her with a bow. “I’d hoped to find you here after your cousin told me that you’d risen early. I remembered you mentioning your fondness for the written word and decided to try my luck.” He offered her his arm. “It would seem Fortune smiles on me. May I escort you down to breakfast?”

Smiling at the man, Anne slipped her hand through the crook of Lord Gillingham’s arm.