Spinning about he was about to sprint back up the path. But as he turned, she stood ten feet away at the very edge of the beach, her arms crossed in front of her.
“Juliet.”
“You didn’t come for our dance.”
He heard the emotion in her voice as it wobbled and dipped. He hated that he hurt her. Even as worried as he was for his own heart, he never wanted to cause her any pain.
Crossing the space between them, he gathered her in his arms. “I’m so sorry.” He held her close though she was stiff in his embrace. “I was jealous to see you with Dashlane and…” He drew in a deep breath. “I heard your sister say something about you scheming to catch his attention and I—”
She gasped, her hands coming to his chest. “And you got scared because of how your fiancée treated you.”
He nodded. Part of him still didn’t trust her. But another desperately wanted to. “I know you’re not like Tiffany,” his own voice was more gravelly than normal. “And I’m not asking you to prove anything. I think that what I need is time. I don’t always feel good when I make decisions too quickly and I—”
She covered his mouth with a single finger. “There is no need to rush.” Then, the pad of her forefinger traced the line of his bottom lip. “I’m going to tell you what I want and I want you to really listen.”
He nodded, his heart speeding in his chest. “I’m ready.”
“I want…” Her tongue darted out, sweeping over her lip. “A bit of romance.”
One of his eyebrows rose. “Romance?”
She nodded, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “I do want to marry. Of course I do. But right now, I love our stolen kisses and our promise of dances and the excitement that comes from being here in this moment, right now. My sisters have had these amazing courtships.”
He winced, feeling like he’d never measure up to Chase in this regard. He was the dependable one, the sensible man. “I’m sorry that I’m not giving that to you.”
She shook her head. “But you are.”
Those words made him blink.
She lifted onto her toes, stealing a small kiss. “I wanted to be cherished. I’m not the most demure, or the kindest, or the most sensible Moorish. I had begun to worry that no man would ever want me.”
He looked down at her, his heart sinking to the ground. It was so easy and simple what she asked. And yet he failed her tonight. “You deserve all the romance a woman could ever be given.” He closed his eyes. “I’m sorry that I missed our dance.”
“You’ll have to make it up to me,” she said, snaking her arms around his neck.
That made him smile. “Anything.”
She laughed softly as she brought her mouth to his. “I want you to kiss me again. Like you did in the garden.”
He took her lips with his own, lifting her up against his body so that her slippers dangled off the ground. He didn’t need to answer all the questions tonight. Tonight all he needed to do is make her feel wanted. Tomorrow, he could try and decide if he could risk his heart by confessing his love and proposing.
She was so warm and soft against him, her delicate curves fitting against his in a way that made him tighten and ache. Her lips yielded under his, opening as she allowed him to explore her taste, the feel of her tongue against his own. She moaned into his mouth and he started to move, seeking a sheltered spot to continue his exploration.
Vaguely, he noted a clump of rocks and headed for them, tucking them behind a large boulder. He settled her across his lap, tilting her back into the support of one of his arms as he continued to kiss her. His hand traced her neck, her collarbone, and then slid lower to cup her breast.
She moaned again, arching into the touch and he glided his mouth along the same path as he lightly massaged her nipple through the silk of her gown. Juliet clutched his shoulders. He wanted her so much. How could she ever have doubted him?
He caressed his hand lower, over her belly, and down her hip, and then her leg. When he reached her skirt’s hem, he flicked it up, and moved under the fabric, feeling her gauzy pantaloons and her shapely legs underneath.
Her breath came in short gasps as he found the slit in the garment and parted the fabric, his fingertips gently brushing her slick folds. If he’d needed proof of her desire, here it was, wet and hot, her entire body trembled at his touch. He dropped his head to her chest, his own breath ragged as he touched her again and her body shuddered.
“Dane,” she gasped out his name.
If this was fiction, he wasn’t certain he ever wanted to be part of the real world again. The way she breathed his name was its own magic, twisting into his heart and soul. “I’m right here. I’ve got you.”
Had he just thought he needn’t make any choices? Fool. He’d made one already. The moment he’d touched her like this, he’d never allow another man to be with her except for him. Whether she felt as he did or not, he couldn’t let her go now.
He increased the rhythm, her fingers digging into his shoulders. She tightened, twisting and whimpering as she climbed higher. “Juliet.” He kissed her collarbone. “You’re mine now. I’ll never let you go.”
She cried out, her finish making her tremble and shake in his arms. “Dane?”
“Yes, love.” He kissed her lips, wanting to be even closer to her than he already was.
“I…” She shivered in his arms. “What just happened?”
He held her tight to his chest. “I believe that I just asked you to be my wife.”
Chapter Twelve
Juliet tried to process what he’d just said. “What? Why?” she asked. Of course, she understood the words but they’d just discussed waiting. She wanted romance. He wanted time. Why did he change his mind?
“Juliet,” he started, looking down into her eyes. “Only your husband should ever touch you the way I just did.”
Ahh. That did make sense. And she appreciated the gesture, but somehow, she wanted more from a proposal then we should marry. “I appreciate your chivalry.”
He shook his head. “If I’d been chivalrous, I would have waited.” Then he leaned down and kissed her. “But I want you so much that I lost myself.”
She knew enough about lovemaking to know that a child wouldn’t result from what they’d just done. “I’m not truly compromised, am I?”
He grimaced. “Not in the most technical of terms.”
She nodded. “You wanted time. I understand that and I—”
“What I want…” He leaned down and took her mouth. While a great deal of her passion had been spent, in that kiss, she could feel his hadn’t. The touch was desperate and needy. “Is you by my side and no one else’s.”
“But you said…” She glanced into the dark storm gathering in his eyes.
“I know.” His breath came in sharper gasps. “And I will tell you honestly that the speed of courtship still frightens me. But,” he reached up and touched her cheek, “I won’t let the fear rule my life and I certainly won’t let it hurt you. I already did when I missed our dance tonight and it’s not a mistake I intend to repeat.”
These words should have made her elated. He wanted to marry her. He didn’t wish her to touch anyone else, ever again. But nowhere in his words had there been any mention of love. Fear, desire, jealousy had been stated or hinted, but true affection hadn’t been discussed at all. “That is very kind of you to consider my feelings but I already told you that I don’t mind waiting.”
He slid an arm under her knees and stood, cradling her against his body. “Juliet, consider this. We’ve already been more intimate than any proper courtship would allow and it’s only been a few days. What will happen in a few days from now?” He’d started walking up the beach and she frowned, seeing the value of his words.
“Dane,” she said, tapping his shoulder. “I did hide my cat and make Adrianna and Crestwood go look for her. I could see they were meant to be together.”
He gave a stiff nod. “I’ve heard bits of the story.”
&
nbsp; She looked out over the black ocean, only catching the tips of waves as they crested near the shore. “I need you to understand that I have no intention to do any of that with you. In fact. I’ll not be alone with you again. When we decide to marry, it will be because…” She paused searching for the words that suited her feelings without revealing that she was already in love. “You think I will make a good wife and not because you feel obligated to ask.”
He stopped and stared. “The very fact that you said that tells me you will make an excellent wife.”
She relaxed a bit in his arms. That was something. A declaration of admiration if nothing else. “Thank you.”
They reached the path and he continued up, still holding her in his arms. “When we get back inside, I believe that I owe you a dance.”
She nodded, chewing on her lip. They hadn’t agreed to anything. Not really. Still, the dance would be lovely, if she could stop the worries now spinning through her mind. She didn’t want to be his wife if he’d resent her for it. Nor did she want to be left standing on the side watching all her sisters find their happily-ever-afters. It seemed even Cordelia was dabbling in romance.
She held on tighter. More importantly, she didn’t want to fall in love alone. She looked at his profile, studying the handsome lines of his face. He’d traipsed into Seabridge Gate and absolutely stolen her heart straight from her chest.
How did she get it back? Did she even want him to return it?
Dane watched the last guests leave, tired but knowing that he was unlikely to sleep. Juliet’s sisters had all disappeared at some point in the night. That made him smile. Hell, he and Juliet had done the same. His body still thrummed with desire, its intent clear.
His mind, however, remained muddled.
Marriage was a forgone conclusion after what he’d done tonight. And he appreciated Juliet’s attempts to delay the inevitable but it would happen. What he felt less certain of were his feelings on the matter.
Part of him was excited. His affection for her was growing as was his need. But part of him retracted from the danger he knew he was inflicting upon himself.
He drew in a breath, looking at her. And his doubts quieted. This woman would never hurt him. Without thinking, he reached for her hand, then slipped it into his own.
Charlie came to his other side, looking fresh as a daisy in morning dew. She’d always loved the nights. “What a beautiful evening,” she announced as she rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Did you dance?” he asked, looking over at her.
She shook her head. “Only a bit.”
“That doesn’t sound like you,” he said, frowning. He had to confess, he’d been so caught up in his red-haired minx that he’d not been attending his sister very much.
Charlie shrugged. “Once you dance with a man, he wants another and then another and then he asks for a walk in the garden and then—” His sister stopped.
Juliet gave a small giggle from her other side. “Do men attempt to romance you often?”
Charlie shrugged. “I suppose. It’s so difficult to find the right man, though, isn’t it? The one who makes your heart beat as fast as his is beating for you.”
Juliet cleared her throat. “I suppose it is.”
Dane grimaced. Did he make Juliet’s heart beat out of her chest like she made his? He’d felt the evidence of her desire tonight and somehow, that seemed the answer to his question. He’d told Chase that he’d allowed emotion to cloud his judgment, but all at once, he realized that he’d allowed judgment and reason to cloud his emotion. Whenever he just allowed himself to feel, like on the beach, he moved closer to this woman. “Charlie.” He glanced at his sister. “I do believe that’s the wisest thing you ever said and I appreciate the restraint you’re showing. Perhaps this season will be far better than the last.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Better for you. I thoroughly enjoyed last year. All those men fawning over me. It was wonderful.”
Dane winced. Was that what women wanted? No wonder Juliet wasn’t ready to commit to being his wife. While he appreciated that she wasn’t attempting to trap him in marriage a new worry emerged. What if he had to watch her be courted by others?
His hand clenched at his side. He’d challenge every last one of them to a duel.
Juliet looked around him, to his sister. “I’d take just one man, the right man, fawning over me.”
His jaw snapped shut at the implication in his words. Fawning? He could do that.
Charlie smiled. “Just the one?” She winked and then looked at him. “How delightful.”
“Well, regardless of last year, I’m glad our visit to Seabridge Gate has given you time to reflect.”
“Seabridge Gate is wonderful,” Charlie gushed, then she cleared her throat. “I was walking on the beach earlier and I noticed some opening that looked like caves. Ophelia said you know more about them than anyone.”
Juliet nodded. “They’re wonderful but best explored with someone who understands them.” Then she touched his arm again. “Your brother wanted to see them too. Perhaps the three of us could go on an outing together?”
Charlie gave a small clap. “How fun. May we go, Dane?”
“Of course,” he answered, relaxing a bit. Tomorrow, he’d spend time with Juliet and he’d find a way to tell her that she was the one who made his heart near thrum right out of his chest.
Chapter Thirteen
Juliet woke the next day, the sun shining high in the sky. She swiped at her face, trying to erase the fog that covered her brain as she thought of everything that had happened the night before. Had she actually turned down a marquess’s offer of marriage?
But then she grinned. She was trying for a much better prize. His heart.
She pushed back the covers and rose for the day. After bathing and dressing, she made her way down to breakfast.
Despite the lateness of the hour, it was nearly noon, everyone was at breakfast still, including her sisters. Rathmore, as a houseguest, sat next to Ophelia and Dane had taken the chair opposite him. Dane’s eyes met hers and she grinned, despite herself, and looked to the floor.
“Good morning,” she said, nibbling at her lip.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Adrianna called. “What took you so long? You’re normally the first one up.”
A blush crept into her cheeks as she thought of the events of last night, the way that Dane had touched her. She’d fallen into an unusually deep sleep. “I was tired.”
Adrianna raised a brow as Dane stepped out to help her into a chair. She realized that she wasn’t the last to breakfast as she glanced around the table. “When do you expect Charlie?”
Dane shrugged. “She’s not an early riser. We might be waiting on her for a bit.”
“Wait?” Cordelia crinkled her brow. “Wait for what? She was up ages ago.”
Something cold slid down her spine as she looked at her sister. “Up hours ago? Where is she now?”
Cordelia stood. “She said you were all to meet at the beach. She went down early to get a head start.”
Juliet stood pushing back so hard her chair crashed to the floor. “She wouldn’t explore the caves alone, would she? It isn’t safe. The tide will be high soon and—” Emotion clogged her throat as she brought her hands to her mouth.
Dane stood too and he let out a loud curse. “Damn it, she might.” He looked to Rathmore. “She’s flagrantly disobedient and—”
“In danger,” Juliet said. “We have to go now. Every second counts.”
Then she turned and began to run.
She didn’t have to look back to know everyone followed. She could hear the thunder of their footsteps even though no one said a word.
As she hit the drive, she picked up speed, lifting her skirts as she started sprinting down the path. Dane took her hand and ran with her, his breath the only thing louder than her pounding heart. Rocks slid under her slippers as she nearly lost her balance twice, Dane catching her both times. She could hear t
he roar of the ocean and see that the water had eaten most of the beach.
“Are we too late?” Adrianna cried. “How will we get to her?”
Juliet spun back to look at them. “Break into teams. No one goes alone. We’ve got to find her first. Adrianna and Cordelia, check the upper caves on the ledge. Bianca, Ophelia, and Rathmore, check to the left. There’s more beach that way. Dane and I will go right. Everyone stay safe and move quickly. Watch the tide, don’t get closed in from the path by the rising water.”
Then she turned back, taking Dane’s hand again. “Let’s go,” she said as she started running again. “Is Charlie a good swimmer?”
“No,” he answered. “She doesn’t swim at all.”
Her breath caught. That made this worse but she wouldn’t be seized by worry now. She had to focus. “We have to find her before the water gets too high.”
“Juliet, I can’t lose Charlie. I’ve lost so much…I—”
She heard his voice catch and squeezed his hand. “No time for worry now.” She wanted to do the same, stop and cry into the sand but now was the moment for planning and action. “Most of the caves are lower and those are the ones I worry about. The faster we move, the more we can search.” The first one came into view and she yelled Charlie’s name but no one answered.
The beach was disappearing but she made it through three more caves, Dane just behind her as they both yelled.
Two hundred feet away, where the beach was gone, stood the entrance to the next cave and Juliet drew in a deep breath. “We’re going to have to get wet.”
“No way around it.”
She stepped into the water first and placed a hand on his arm. “Keep your hands on the cliff. It will keep the water from bashing you into the rocks.”
His eyes widened but he nodded his accent as he placed one hand on rough stone, his other holding onto her.
Romancing the Rake: Seven Regency Romances Page 35
