He gripped her harder, lifting her slightly as he pressed his lips to hers.

His scent of pine and mint washed over her, and she slid her hand down to his neck, her fingers tangling in his cravat. She wanted to tear it from him.

Wait.

Did she really want that? He expected nothing. He wanted what she wanted. She’d never allowed complete indulgence. The primary goal was always to give pleasure. If she was lucky, and she’d been fortunate to mostly have been, her lover was courteous enough to provide her pleasure in return.

Pulling back the barest inch, she searched his face. “You truly want to know what I desire?”

“More than anything.”

She couldn’t put it into words, but what he’d just said was exactly what she’d wanted to hear. Again, her mind registered the danger ahead. She ignored the warning. “Just kiss me.”

Clutching at his head, she pulled him to her, and their mouths collided. She pushed her tongue into his mouth, where he met her eagerly. The kiss was deep and furious. But then he gentled, his hands moving over her back. His tongue glided along hers before he retreated. Angling his head, he kissed her again, his lips and tongue playing merrily with hers.

It was a joyful interaction. Joyful. She removed her hands from his neck and took a small step back. Hand shaking, she put her palm to her mouth and stared at him. This danger was very real. Having an affair with him would be completely uncharted territory.

“Did I do something wrong?”

She lowered her hand to her side. “Not in the slightest. I must ponder your proposal.” She needed to find a way to refuse him. To do anything else would be to risk too much. Her life was finally her own. She didn’t want to share it with him. She didn’t even want to share it with an adorable puppy!

He nodded slowly. “I understand. Can I see you tomorrow?”

She wanted to say no, but the sooner she summoned the courage to deny him, the sooner she could reclaim her independence. “Let’s take a drive to the village.”

He smiled. “I’ll bring Ash.”

Good. She could bid him farewell too. Her heart twisted.

“Forgive me, I am rather cold. I think I’ll go upstairs.” She walked past him to the house.

“Thank you,” he said, prompting her to turn to face him once more. “For trusting me to kiss you.”

Trusting him.

How in the hell did he know exactly what to say to make her melt into a puddle? “Good night, Gregory.”

“Good night, Evie.”