"Mark isn't at the ball, but I'm sure you'll like him.” With a mischievous glint in his eye, he playfully nudged her shoulder. “He's a troublemaker like you, after all."
Jane laughed as she gasped in disbelief. Feigning offense, she retorted, "Whatever do you mean by that?"
"Surely you can't deny how much of a troublemaker you are."
"You dare call me that, when just moments ago, you nearly made me lose my composure in the ballroom."
Her laughter filled the air but Colin's expression shifted slightly.
As their eyes met once more, he inquired, "Did my simple words really affect you that much?"
"Isn't that what you wanted all along?"
A soft smile graced his lips as he nodded in acknowledgment.
Don’t get your hopes up!
A moment of silence enveloped them but Colin eyes were on her. Not moving away for even a second. She almost forgot how to breathe.
Until Colin's hand reached out, gently caressing her cheek.
“Did you know?” He began, “You shine brighter than the stars tonight.” He continued with a murmur, his eyes taking in her elegant form.
Do not get your hopes up!
“Your Grace, I must confess that your teasing seems to be working.” A coy smile played on her lips.
“Is it now?” He reciprocated the gesture, unable to take his eyes off her.
“Indeed,” she replied. “One might almost think you were trying to be a loving husband.”
He froze for a moment and his hand fell from her face.
“Ah, yes. But who would I fool, right?” The smile he gave wasn’t convincing. And Jane didn’t want to see this. She wanted the coy smile he had before. How desperately she wanted it back!
Don’t…
“Me.”
Jane realized she could hear her heart beating. But only her heartbeat and nothing else. The deafening beat she was making. She could bet Colin could hear it too.
But she was saved from another sound. Colin’s boot as he took the final step towards her.
He closed the distance, capturing her lips in a fervent kiss.
Her world dissolved completely into a whirlwind of sensations as he touched her lips. Nothing had ever burned her so passionately. Her eyes had never felt so heavy. She never knew how much she wanted this until he kissed her.
Colin's hand gently grazed the small of her neck, sending shivers down her spine leaving a flutter in its wake. Jane's pulse quickened as Colin's fingers trailed along her waist.
But Colin suddenly withdrew, leaving her cold and empty without him. His expression betraying a sense of pressing urgency.
"I never should have done that." Breathing heavily, he avoided meeting her gaze as he continued, "We should return to the ballroom."
What?
Her mind clouded with confusion and hurt as she tried to make sense of his sudden change. Her cheeks still flushed from the intensity of his touch, she started to shiver.
‘I never should have done that…’
