He let his smile widen, become predatory, as he took her hand and drew her behind one of the square pillars framing the open doorway. Nowhere in the airy temple was private, but this provided some cover, and gave him a view of the clearing around the temple. Not that anyone was likely to intrude at this hour on a freezing morning.
“Shall we begin?” He let her go.
“I feel a little awkward.” She bit her lip in a way that made him want to kiss her until she forgot any nonsense about Letty Duggan. Hell, until she forgot the rest of the world. And she admitted the only man she wanted was Giles Farraday.
“No need.” Maintaining his louche manner, he leaned back against the pillar and folded his arms. Yesterday a careless air had coaxed her into surrender. Would it work again today? “You did very well. For a beginner.”
“Giles, must you tease?”
Oh, no, she started to take his measure.
“It establishes the right tone in the classroom.” When he set his hands on her waist, she didn’t jump. More progress. He fumbled in his pocket. “And I’ve brought the necessary equipment.”
“Giles!” she gasped, looking shocked and intrigued at the same time. “For shame.”
A low laugh escaped. “Serena, I’m shocked. A sweet young miss shouldn’t understand that joke.”
She rolled her eyes. “As if I wouldn’t understand, after all those holidays with you and Paul and Frederick. For pity’s sake, you three spent every minute between the ages of eleven and sixteen sniggering—and drooling over the milkmaids.”
“I’m sure we were charming.”
She laughed. “I’m sure you weren’t. But you’ve all improved since, thank goodness.”
“Well, that’s something.” He drew his hand from his pocket and opened it to reveal what lay on his palm. “And you mistake me. This is what I meant.”
“Where did you get that?”
“The kissing bough at the manor. I didn’t want to risk a refusal.”
“As if I’d refuse.” She shot him an unimpressed glance. “I invited you, remember?”
He lifted the mistletoe over her ruffled blond head and brushed a light kiss over her lips. The ride and the removal of her hat had made a delightful mess of this morning’s severe chignon. He loved to see her like this, sweet and ardent and disheveled.
“Time to see what you remember from yesterday’s lessons.” He dropped the sprig and lashed his arms around her, drawing her up for a kiss that wasn’t light at all.
Ch
apter 8
Serena sank into the sultry darkness of Giles’s kiss. With an incoherent murmur of welcome, she opened to his heated exploration. The sweep of his tongue inside her mouth engulfed her in pleasure.
And desire.
Because today, she felt more than surprise and curiosity. Today she craved.
Instinctively she sucked on his tongue, drawing him into her mouth. With a growl of approval, he bundled her closer to his powerful body.
How had she missed what an impressive figure of a man Giles was? At Torver, he tended to allow Paul and Frederick to hold the limelight. But as her feverish hands stroked his shoulders and back, she couldn’t mistake the hard, vital muscle under her palms.
How fascinating he turned out to be. The line of his jaw was hard and adamant, betraying a strength she’d never troubled to notice. His skin was smooth—she guessed he’d shaved before coming downstairs—but gave an intriguing hint of his beard.
Sinful curiosity ate at her. What other marvels lay beneath his elegant dark blue coat and soft white shirt?
When she twined her arms around his neck and her breasts met his chest, the sensation turned her knees to wet string. Yesterday’s kiss had been astonishing, a revelation. Today’s promised to change her forever. This heady delight was worth all the risk in the world.
She flicked her tongue over his in a silent plea for more passion. Although a whisper at the back of her mind warned that she verged perilously close to folly.
But folly was so warm and bright and beckoning. How could she say no?