Her eyes darkened at the gesture-which he might perhaps have been able to resist, but when her gaze dropped to his mouth and she whispered his name, the fire racing through him incinerated his every good intention, and the battle not to touch her was well and truly lost. “You missed a bit of jam.” With his gaze steady on hers, he sucked the morsel from his fingertip. Unable to resist, he reached out and brushed a fingertip over the spot. His gaze riveted on a speck of jam dotting her bottom lip. “’ Tis no trouble to give you the things you enjoy, Sophia.” Thank you for going to such trouble on my behalf.” While enjoying the almond-flavored treat as well as several cherries he watched her spread jam on a scone then take a delicate bite. Ian took the seat across from her and popped a piece of marzipan in his mouth. Finally she nodded, then gracefully sat and murmured her thanks. She hesitated, and he prayed the wariness in her eyes was a result of not trusting herself-bloody great news as far as he was concerned, as opposed to not trusting him-a bloody depressing thought.

She moistened her lips, a gesture that tightened Ian’s fingers around chair back. And let’s not forget the cherries, marzipan, scones and raspberry jam.” “I believe you are once again trying to tempt me with your roses.” Her gaze lingered over the arrangement of pink roses set in a crystal vase in the center of the table. And what better way to begin than with your favorite things?” He slid back one of the mahogany chairs from the table in invitation. “Ian, what I said in the carriage regarding my feelings.there are things we need to discuss-“ Everything about you is.unforgettable.”Ĭolor rushed into her cheeks and she quickly set the shell back in the bowl. “ I recall every detail of our time together. “You also remembered how I love the sound of the sea.” As he knew she would, she held the shell up to her ear, and his heart turned over at the delighted smile that lifted her lips. She returned her attention to the table and picked up one of the sea shells decorating the surface. “In truth I’m not overly fond of diamonds or emeralds.

She laughed, a magical sound that flowed over him like warm honey. So instead of sweeping her into his arms and carrying her to the nearest bed he offered her a smile and teased, “I’d wager you’re now sorry you never expressed to me a love for diamonds and emeralds.” Before this evening was over, Sophia would know, without a doubt, how much he cared for her-out of the bedchamber as well as in it.

At Last by Jacquie D'Alessandro