A Kiss To Remember | Herophine

Chapter Fourteen - The Moonlight Kiss

Josephine

I fear her impetuous nature might lead her into harm’s way...

This wasn’t a dream. It was a nightmare.

“Everything? You know everything?” Josephine winced when the word ended on a high-pitched squeak.

“Everything," he repeated, taking a carefully measured step toward her. “Surely you didn’t think you could fool me forever, did you?”

She took a step backward. “Well, I was rather hoping ..."

“I have to admit you were very convincing. You’re quite the little actress. Have you ever considered taking to the stage?"

“Oh, no." She shook her head passionately. “Katherine was blessed with all the dramatic talent in the family. Although Lady Martha would never say an unkind word about my abilities or the lack of them, she always cast me as the back end of a donkey or some other non-speaking role during our Christmas theatricals." Josephine sighed. “Now that I think about it, I feel rather like the back end of a donkey."

“You’re probably wondering how I guessed, aren't you? I suppose it will surprise you to learn that I’ve had my suspicions all along.”

Josephine was stunned. “Yet you never breathed a word?”

He drew near enough to touch her, but didn’t. “I was hoping I was wrong." A bitter laugh escaped him. “There's really no need for you to torture yourself, darling. In the end, I have only myself to blame.”

“How how can you say that?"

“Because I was a damn fool to ever leave you in the first place. It wasn’t fair of me to expect a woman with your fire and passion to wait so long for me. I should have married you the first time I laid eyes on you.” His words were no less puzzling than the tenderness of his fingers against her cheek or the husky note of regret in his voice. “Will you answer one question for me? I believe you owe me that much."

"Anything,” she whispered, mesmerized by the shadow of pain that had darkened his eyes to black.

“Did you come here tonight to bid your lover farewell or did you plan to continue your assignations after we were wed?"

Josephine stared at him, struggling to make sense of his words. “Why, I, I ..."

Hardin stilled her stammering with his thumb, running it lightly over her trembling lips. “It's a pity the truth doesn’t come as easily as a lie to those lovely lips of yours. Perhaps I should have asked you if you were thinking of him every time I took you into my arms." He slipped one arm around her waist, drawing her against him. “Was it his face you saw when you closed your eyes?” Josephine’s eyes fluttered shut as Hardin brushed his lips against the feathery softness of her lashes. Those lips followed the curve of her cheek to the corner of her mouth. “Does he make you shiver and sigh with longing every time his lips touch yours?”

It wasn’t a sigh but a moan that escaped Josephine as Hardin’s mouth took full possession of hers. She didn’t shiver, she quaked. If he hadn’t wrapped his other arm around her waist, tucking her into the surging power of his body, she might even have swooned. This was not the kiss of a suitor seeking to woo his bride. This was a pirate’s kiss—a kiss that gave no quarter and took no prisoners. A kiss more than willing to steal what might not be freely given. His tongue ravished her mouth, thrusting deep with a silky heat that made Josephine melt against him. Beyond thought, beyond everything but the exquisite hunger his kiss ignited, she cupped his nape in her palm, urging him even deeper.