The reminder worked, and she dragged air into her lungs. Without letting up on the pressure on his hand, she forced deep breaths. Soon her heart rate began to slow and the pain ebbed slightly. Time stretched and she began to relax, bit by bit, and she became aware that she was still holding on to him as if he were saving her from falling off a cliff.

But she wasn’t ready to let go, not when his free hand was lightly brushing the crown of her head. The long sweeps of his palm soaked into her skin and filled her with tenderness. She’d never had anyone show her this much kindness before. Her mother wasn’t fond of hugs and Daddy wasn’t one for sickbeds.

Just a few more minutes so I can store this feeling up. A pleasant memory for when the house party ended and they left this little bubble of happiness.

“Better?” he finally whispered, his hand stilling on her hair.

She couldn’t lie, so she nodded. “Thank you.”

Neither of them let go.

She kept her eyes closed, unwilling to break whatever spell was happening in the room. “That was surprisingly effective. Where did you learn that trick?”

“My mother. I used to sit at her bedside when she was ill. She was in a fair amount of pain near the end and hated laudanum.”

Alice’s heart twisted for the little boy who had tried to take his mother’s pain away. God, this man was so easy to love. It almost wasn’t fair. “I’m sure she appreciated it.”

“I hope so. It was awful for me at the time, but looking back I am glad I did it.” Clothing rustled and she felt his lips press to the top of her head. “I should let you get some sleep. It’s late.”

Please, stay. Don’t ever leave.

Stupid, stupid Alice. Hadn’t she just convinced herself of the need for space, that she couldn’t allow herself to feel anything more than she already did?

He started to release her. “Wait,” she heard herself say as she clutched his hand harder. “It still hurts.”

His gaze turned speculative as he scrutinized her face. “Does it?”

“Yes,” she lied.

The clock softly chimed the late hour, but she wasn’t tired. It was as if electricity had been injected into her veins, rushing through her blood and giving her power. Her pulse pounded, a steady drumbeat deep inside, and she was slipping, falling, the world disappearing as she stared into his dark brown depths.

Slowly, he bent toward her. “Perhaps a kiss will distract you.”