He pointed to her empty glass. “Care for another lemonade?”
“Yes, I would love one,” she said, smiling at him. “Shall we toast to our success?”
Gad, she was going to be the death of him.
He poured another for each of them, and then drained his lemonade in two gulps and set the glass down on the table. “Florence…”
“This will work,” she insisted. “Frampton will never suspect the letters have been taken.”
“Let’s hope, because he will come after you with a vengeance if this plan goes awry.”
“That’s a risk I am willing to take,” she said with resolve.
“But one I am not. I’ll see him burn in hell if he ever tries to harm you.” He drew her onto his lap and placed his arms around her because he needed to hold on to her and inhale the light lavender scent of her skin.
He ached to protect her.
“Why did you pull me onto your lap?” But she did not seem to mind, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Don’t mind me. I’m just behaving like a protective arse.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I like those protective instincts of yours. Even if I am not your beloved.”
Ah, his remark still hurt.
“You could be in time,” he said, sincerely wishing to repair the damage. “But you are a lot to handle at the moment.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault. It’s just these rotten circumstances.”
“Yes, they are quite awful. I do not mean to be so difficult, but my heart really is in pieces, and I need to heal it as best as I can.”
“By saving your brother?”
Her eyes began to tear.
“Don’t, love. Don’t cry.” Because his heart was defenseless against her vulnerability, and she was incredibly vulnerable right now.
“I can’t help it.” She pressed against him.
He felt a shiver run through her, so he wrapped her more securely in his arms. “Florence, love. Look at me.”
“Why?” But she did look up and gaze into his eyes.
“This might help,” he whispered, and crushed his mouth down on her pert lips, for who knew what tomorrow would bring?
Chapter Ten
Trajan knew Florencehad been aching for this kiss, too.
She melted into him, her arms flung around his neck and holding on to him as though she might drown if she ever let go.
He was her steadying anchor. “Trajan…”
“I know, love.” He pressed his lips to hers with greater urgency, parting them to delve deeper into the minty velvet of her mouth.
She moaned at the first touch of his tongue to hers, and invited more.
