The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) (12 page)

He couldn’t be serious. Yet his warm gaze told her he was. Apparently, he didn’t remember the time when they were small. Now the question was—could she trust him? Would he indeed carry her to safety or would he turn back into the person she’d known him to be? She hesitated, arguing with her mind once again.

Confusion crossed his features and he tilted his head. “Don’t you trust me?”

Once again, his words caused her to laugh, which made him grin.
“Oh, Trey.
I believe you know that answer all ready.”

He nodded. “I wish you would learn to trust me. We are becoming friends, are we not?”

She shrugged. “I would like to think so.”

“I promise not to let you fall. Please believe me.”

Why was her heart softening, and why was she giving him her hand? He pulled her closer then swept her up into his arms. Up this close, his nearness stirred quivers inside her belly. Hesitantly, she hooked her arms around his neck and looked at his lips.

Trey tightened his arms around her as he stepped into the hole. The rhythm of her heartbeat shook her chest, increased her breathing, causing her mouth to turn dry. Heat from his body blended into hers and threatened to melt her this very second. She must stay strong.

After he had stepped out of the hole, he stopped and let her legs drop. Slowly, she slid down the front of his body until her feet touched the gravelly bottom. His arms still held her against him while his fingers drew circles along her back. He studied her mouth just as she’d looked at his a few moments ago. Being up so close against his chest, she felt the beat of his heart hammered quickly with hers. She swallowed to moisten her throat, wishing he’d release her, and at the same time, hoping he didn’t.

Suddenly, he dropped his arms and stepped back. His eyes widened as his mouth pulled into a line. He turned and walked out of the water toward his shoes.

“Trey?”
Her voice whispered the plea. “Is something amiss?”

“I just remembered a meeting I had this afternoon. Please forgive me, but I must go.”

She hurried out of the water and collected her stockings and shoes.
“Of course.
I understand.”

After he was fully dressed, he looked at her. “Judith, I had a pleasant time with you just now. We shall have to wade through the water again.”

“I agree.”

Without another word, he walked away. Her tight chest finally relaxed, letting her breathe normally again. Why had she acted in such a way? And why did her body have to burn the way it did?

Yet, she realized he had established a bond between them. He actually gave her reason to trust him, which is something she never thought would ever happen.

~*~*~*~

Judith pushed her mare faster, clutching the reins and tightening her knee around the horn of the sidesaddle. The sun began its descent in the sky, but there was still enough light to ride. This afternoon had been a challenge, mentally and physically. She’d never felt so much frustration than she had in Trey’s presence, but being in his arms was purely sensual.
Every last second of it.

Obviously, there was an attraction between them.
Strange, since they didn’t like each other as children.
Now, however, they were both matured. Never did she think Trey would be as handsome, or charming. Every time she looked upon him, she couldn’t help but admire the man he’d turned into.

Earlier this evening, she had tried to visit with the dowager, but Trey was always lurking—watching her with heated eyes. She even tried hiding in the library, but she’d bumped into him there, as well. Now she needed to think without anyone around, so she saddled a mare and rode farther onto the estate. Perhaps she would be free of Trey for at least a few hours.

Another stream caught her eye, and she slowed her horse to a trot as she neared the water. Was this an extension from the same one she and Trey had waded through earlier today? If it was, the water appeared deeper here. Wading was definitely out of the question this evening.

She stopped her horse, dismounted then tied the animal to a tree. As she lifted off her bonnet, she breathed deeply. The heavenly aroma floating through the air from a nearby lilac bush made her smile. Her father had loved this smell, and even had perfumes and soaps made to match the scent for his wife and daughter.

Yearning for a time long gone crept upon her as tears gathered in her eyes. If her parents had lived, what would they be doing now? Certainly, she wouldn’t be standing here in the glade wondering about her future with Alex.

Or was he really meant to be in her life?

Situations happening lately spoke of a different turn of events. With her sudden attraction to Trey, she wondered if he was the man for her instead.

A laugh sprang from her throat. What a vivid imagination. Trey had tormented her endlessly as a child, and she feared for her life most of the time. Even now, he tormented her, but in a stimulating way. That emotion was so very different, yet she enjoyed the rush of tingles heating fluttering in her belly.

So was Trey supposed to be the man she fell in love with?

She rolled her eyes and kicked a pebble into the water. Men like Trey would never settle down. Their sole purpose in life was to woo every maiden that came in their path. Judith didn’t want a man like that. She wanted one who would love and shower her with affection. One who wanted to raise and support a
family.
Like her father had done. Men like Trey would not fit into this category.

The thundering of horse’s hooves pulled her attention away from the water and to the rider barreling down upon her. Gasping, she clutched the high-neck collar of her Spencer jacket and moved toward her mare. Good heavens, the rider would trample her any second now…

Closer the rider came through the shadows of the evening, but she couldn’t see his face. Just as he was upon her, the outline of his body seemed familiar, and she breathed a heavy sigh of relief. What was Trey doing here? Could she be alone with him without those betraying tremors making her body warm and soft at the same time? Today while they played in the water, she’d grown close to him.
Emotionally.
He’d proven to her that she could finally trust him. He’d also proven to her that he enjoyed her nearness. While he’d held her so close, she’d felt his ragged breaths upon her face and the uneven rhythm of his heart.

He stopped his horse short and jumped down. This evening he wore brown riding breeches and black boots. A cravat was absent, but his white lawn shirt and brown waist jacket emphasized his perfect skin color, and made his blue eyes nearly shine. Relief was the best way to explain his expression and his wide smile as he walked toward her.

“There you are.” He tied his horse near hers. “I wondered what became of you.”

“Why?”

He faced her and his attention slid over her body. As each second passed, his smile widened and eyes darkened. Her heartbeat knocked faster against her ribs.

“You seemed to have disappeared. Mother said she thought she saw you taking Bluebell out to ride.” He shrugged. “I could not help but worry about you riding through the estate with shadows all around.”

She arched a brow. “Why? Do you think the only time I can ride is during the day light hours? I assure you, I have had riding lessons since I was old enough to sit on a horse.”

Chuckling, he drew closer. “I have seen firsthand how you can ride when the sun is not fully in the sky, my dear.”

Thinking of their meeting at the woodsman’s cottage caused her to blush. “Then why were you worried tonight?”

He stopped only a few feet in front of her. “I worried because I know how easily it is for you to sneak off without being noticed.” He winked.

Judith laughed. “Then I forgive you this time.”

His gaze boldly caressed her again, only slower. On impulse, she folded her arms and found the courage to raise her stubborn chin, facing him instead of cowering.

“I needed to be by myself for a while. That’s why I went riding.” She turned toward the stream, walking toward the edge. “It’s such a lovely evening. I could not let it pass without a short outing.”

“Indeed, it’s a perfect evening for being outdoors, but—” He grasped her elbow. “I fear because of the shadows, if you get any closer to that water, you will slip on the moist ground. This water is much deeper than what we had waded in earlier. I would hate for you to soil your dress.”

Warmth spread from his touch like wild fingers of comfort racing through her. She sucked in a breath and looked at him over her shoulder. Had the bolt of energy passed through him, also?

“No, Trey. I definitely don’t want to soil my dress. I do know how to handle myself in these circumstances. After all, I was raised in the country, or have you forgotten?”

“My dear, how could I forget something you remind me about every time we talk?”

“Yet you still insist on treating me like a child you have to keep an eye on.” She arched her brow. “Like now.”

“A child?”

This time when Trey’s attention skimmed over her, he lingered longer in his observation. Every place his gaze touched, her skin ignited. She was certain he meant to do this, to upset her. The rogue!

He must have known what he’d done to her this afternoon. Every time he came near her, she couldn’t breathe. He’d watched her closely, too. In fact, she was willing to bet he hadn’t had a meeting earlier, and his quick departure had something to do with the strange attraction happening between them.

“No, my sweet.
You are not a child.” He rested his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him fully. “If you were a child, I would not fret about you so.”

Her throat tightened. “What do you mean?” she croaked without meaning to.

“Now that you are a woman you have become a temptation to men, my sweet Judith. I must keep watch over you for as long as you are in my mother’s care.”

Once again, she couldn’t breathe. He was too close but she couldn’t push him away. She didn’t want to. “When we were writing that letter earlier, you mentioned that I tempt you. If that’s indeed true, then why are you with me now? And why did you join me at the stream?”

As his grin widened, his blue eyes twinkled. “You do tempt me.” He gently twined the wisp of hair by her ear around his finger. “But I fear I cannot stay away. I enjoy your company. When I thought you had escaped this evening, I dreaded what I might discover. Now I know you have not left and I find myself relieved…and very much pleased you are still here.”

Gingerly, he cupped her face, his thumbs caressing her skin.

“And who will protect me from you, my lord?”

His fingers slid down her throat and all proper thoughts and words ceased to exist. She fought for control, even while she wanted to
sigh
his name and close her eyes.

Clinging to his arms, she held herself from melting to the ground. “Trey, why are you doing this?”

His smile wasn’t as wide, and his eyes darkened while his lips parted. Heaven help her, she wanted to kiss him, even as her mind argued that fact.

“Pray, my dear. What am I doing?” With a slight tug of his hands, he’d pulled her against him. He dipped his head to her neck and brushed his lips across her ear.

She bit her bottom lip, trying hard not to sigh aloud. Her breathing became ragged, and she tilted her head back to give him better access to her neck.

“You are making me…” She stopped herself before confessing. No, she couldn’t tell him how much she wanted him right now. “I’m not supposed to…I cannot feel this way, Trey.”

“Why? Are you not enjoying it?”

She dissolved against him and closed her eyes. “Oh, yes. Heaven forgive me, because I am.”

Groaning, he tightened his hold as his mouth searched for hers. Judith couldn’t hold back. She needed to feel his lips, and turned her head to meet his in a searing kiss. The heat strumming through her was a long awaited pleasure. She wrapped her arms around his waist, returning his kiss with great urgency.

Large hands wandered over her back, holding her in place. She didn’t want to think of why she enjoyed his kiss so much, but the longer his lips melded to hers, the further away reality drifted, and all she cared about was being held by Trey.

As Trey continued to kiss her, she couldn’t stop thinking about being with him.
Forever.
Dreams she’d had with—oh, what’s his name—disappeared and all she wanted was to be with this exciting man holding her. The first man who made her
feel
like a real, desirable woman. She wanted more.
Wanted to be his wife, to have his children.
Wanted only the attention he could give her. She wanted him, and only him.

The realization brought her alert and out of her dream world. Trey was not the kind of man she could have. He wasn’t the loving family man like her father.

Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. What had she done?

Pushing her hands against Trey’s chest, she broke the contact and stepped back. Deep breaths rushed out of her and kept pace with his. She placed hands over her burning cheeks, still not believing what she let him do. He raked his fingers through his hair.