“I never thought that.” He peeled the orange and divided a section. Juice dripped from his fingers as he slipped it into her mouth. He’d wanted to console her, but when his fingers touched her lips, something changed. It was a ripple of intensity, an awareness that he tried to push below the surface.

The rose gown outlined firm breasts, while her slender waist swelled into rounded hips. The need to hold her, to caress the softness of her skin, evoked strange feelings inside. He shifted his coat, trying to hide his unbidden response to her. To distract himself, he tasted a piece of the orange. There was a hint of tartness beneath the juice, but it was sweet just the same. He gave Emily another piece, and after she ate it, he saw a droplet of juice upon her lips.

“Why are you looking at me that way?”

Stephen found himself leaning in, letting instinct guide him. He wanted to soothe her wounded feelings, though he was afraid she might push him away. “It’s going to be all right, Emily.”

As though coaxing a wild animal to draw closer, he cupped the softness of her cheek. He traced the fragile jaw, the delicate eyelids. She closed her eyes, as though drinking in his touch.

“Whitmore, I’m not sure you should—”

He cut off her words, kissing her. Her lips were warm, supple and smooth. He tasted the orange mingled with her tears, the worries she held deep inside. He’d meant only to offer comfort, but a moment later, her arms wound around his neck. She poured her heart into the kiss, and her innocent response shredded his control.

Stephen ran his hands down her spine, bringing her hips close. Her lean body fitted to his, and in that moment, he ignored everything he’d been taught about the ways between a man and a woman. There was nothing dignified or respectful about what he was feeling right now.

He wanted to lower her bodice, to bare the skin of her breasts. Through the thin fabric, he could see the cockled nipples, and without asking permission, he moved his hands to touch them. She let out a gasp of shock but didn’t pull away.

It should have been awkward, but instead, it was wondrous to discover that there was something more beneath their friendship. Something forbidden.

He’d wanted to explore it further, but Emily drew back. “Don’t. I can’t breathe right now.”

Her face was bright red, and she trembled. His own breathing was shaky, and the pain of unresolved desire was making itself known. “I’m sorry. I shouldn't have touched you like that.”

“Why did you?” She was holding herself far away from him, as though she didn’t trust him to keep his distance.