My Merry Marquess (Wallflower's Christmas Wish #3) - Annabelle Anders Page 0,6

stare at him. “And everything else?” Her voice wobbled a little.

He clenched his jaw, the anger he’d thought he’d buried rising up all over again upon hearing those three words.

He should have known better than to rush into this weather after her with nothing to protect him from the cold. And now his breeches were soaked through and the leather of his boots all but ruined.

“You left me, if I remember correctly.” He barely managed to speak the words through clenched teeth.

“But you never came,” she fired back, her eyes flashing, her voice accusing. “It’s obvious everything you told me was a lie.”

“You could have at least had the courtesy to tell me you were leaving. If you didn’t want to accept my offer, a simple ‘no’ would have done the trick.” It still galled him that she hadn’t had the courage to face him herself.

He’d told her that he loved her. He’d assumed she felt the same when she’d taken his face in her hands and then pressed her mouth against his.

Damnit, she’d stolen his dismal-dreaming heart and then kicked it to the dogs. Even now, he fought the urge to take her into his arms, to kiss her senseless.

Nick had hoped his months in Paris and Belgium had erased the feelings he had leftover for her.

Perhaps it was good he’d found her today. He’d have his say and be done with it.

“It wasn’t necessary for you to leave London to escape me.” The moment the words left his mouth, he wondered if they were even true. He’d been a lovesick fool back then, and it was doubtful he’d have left her alone. He’d have done his best to convince her to marry him. He had loved her. Had she known he wouldn’t make it easy for her to leave him? The thought was a lowering one.

He dropped his hand from her shoulder and pushed himself back to his feet, disgusted with himself.

“But I—”

“I don’t want to hear it.” And yet, he couldn’t leave her out here all alone. It wasn’t safe. Any bastard could come along and take advantage of her. It seemed like a lovely village but the thought of anyone hurting her…

“You know I wasn’t trying to escape you! How dare you—”

“I’ll escort you to your aunt’s home.” He held out his bare hand. Damn, but he was cold. He should have remained by the fire with Jack, the Earl of Tidemore. This very moment, he could be drinking ale and eating a large breakfast. Instead, he was freezing his sorry ass chasing a woman who’d damn near ruined the last few years of his life.

She stared at his hand for a moment, looking as though she wanted to argue with him. A part of him wanted to hear her explanation but he didn’t want to open all of this up again. It would be akin to tearing open a wound that was nearly healed.

Nick hardened himself when she flicked tearful eyes up at him.

“But I…” She faltered and then, summoning a dispassionate expression, placed her gloved hand in his.

That was Eve: cool, proper, dignified. It was her true self. He’d been fooled by the few moments of passion they’d shared.

Hadn’t he?

Nick clasped his hand around her fingers and then tugged harder than was necessary, bringing her to her feet but also causing her to stumble into him.

Damn, she smelled like apples and cinnamon. Nick wrapped his free arm around her, drawing her closer. Even in her coat, she felt fragile.

She buried her face against his chest but then just as quickly raised it and went to pull away. “Nicholas, please. I don’t think we understand—”

Unable to help himself, he dipped his head and claimed her mouth. Her soft lips parted on a gasp, and he delved inside with his tongue. He didn’t want to hear excuses. And yet, having her so near evoked a desire he couldn’t deny.

She tasted spicy, warm, and decadent. Her body trembled, and he lifted one hand to the back of her head so he could explore deeper. Her hands fluttered between them for a few seconds before she settled them against his chest and then up and around his neck.

His teeth practically ground against hers, his hunger was so great.

Lost to all reason, but feeling alive for the first time in months, he trailed his mouth along her jaw and then dipped his face into the side of her neck. This time when he inhaled, he caught a whiff of