Katherine sighed then, for she did not know that type of love existed.
Benedict coughed and cleared his throat. "So, when that moment happens, when you see the stars shine in his eyes, when you see his eyes reflect the same feelings you have inside here," he tapped his own chest, "then you shall ask him for your Christmas carriage. Because you waited, it will be even more special. You will also be sharing it with the person who cares the most for you in the world."
Katherine sighed again. "I like that story. Is it true, Ben? Oh, tell me it is true!"
"I promise." He ruffled her hair and kissed her on the cheek and she hopped up to bed, with dreams of Christmas carriages dancing in her head.
Benedict's weight made the carriage tip, just slightly. "Do you like it?"
Katherine wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. Instead she just stared at him, marveling at the expression on his face, a mixture of apprehension and… love.
"Your eyes," she whispered, suddenly breathless.
"My eyes?"
"They reflect the stars." Katherine moved to sit near him, placing the blanket over both of their bodies. Benedict tapped the roof and they were off in their Christmas carriage for a ride through the snow.
He kissed her, a feather-light kiss across the forehead. "Yes, love, yes they do."
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Temptation, Thy Name is Katherine
Benedict wasn't sure if he was more amused, irritated, or pleased that Katherine had fallen asleep during their carriage ride.
He hadn't the heart to wake her up, not when her tiny hands reached inside his jacket and hugged his middle.
It was a shared moment, perhaps the most intimate moment of his life. To have a woman in her sleep completely trust him, forsaking her own safety and sanity and clinging to him. Well, it made him feel like the past few years of his life had been for nothing but selfishness. What had he been thinking?
He looked down at her sleeping form. This feeling, this raw desire, this primal need to protect her from everything, even if it killed him, was what he had been missing. And he hated himself for being so blind and stupid.
In fact, he was quite ready to shout it to the world, but again, he didn't want to ruin the moment.
He could have spent hours watching her sleep. The way her lips fell slightly open, her eyelashes resting against her pale skin. Her furrowed brows when she must have been dreaming, and the way her breathing seemed to lull him into a relaxed state; he could listen to her breathe all day.
And again he was hit with that thought, he had completely and totally fallen for this bewitching beauty, his childhood nemesis, the one girl he'd always thought he couldn't possibly come to care for in such a way, let alone bring himself to marry.
The carriage pulled to a halt. When he slid his hands beneath her a sense of rightness washed over him. It was like lifting a wisp of a cloud—a cherished, beautiful cloud. Walking with care, he gently carried his precious package up the stares. His heart pounding with each step.
The desire to stay with her was such a strong pull. He was half-tempted to run naked in the snow in order to shake off his improper feelings.
His valet would love that.
At least he'd been wearing clothes as of late, and at least trying to be amiable to the man. It wasn't Percy's fault he didn't like being fussed over or touched by a man in places no man should be touched by another man.
Regardless, he managed to set her on her bed, and kiss her just lightly across the lips before walking to the door.
"Benedict?" Her voice was groggy from sleep.
"Yes?" Run, run! His head screamed at him, old habits died hard, and he wanted desperately to show her how much he cared for her, to make her his before the vows were said.
"Thank you for my Christmas carriage."
His heart melted, then began hammering in his chest, it was nearly painful, the way her words affected him, making him want to hit himself in order to return to reality.
"You're welcome." His hand touched the door.
"Benedict?"
"Yes," he near growled. She had no idea the danger she was in of losing that precious virginity a week before she planned.
"Stay."
Fighting the urge to roar like a Neanderthal, Benedict chuckled. "Love, that wouldn't be a good idea."
"Please?" She rose from the bed just slightly, her hair falling across her shoulders in waves. His imagination would never be able to dream up a woman of her beauty, of the absolute devastating pull she had on him.
"If I stay…" Benedict groaned and leaned his head against the door. "I'll only stay until you're once again asleep, love, then I need to leave."
She sighed and lay back down on the bed.
He walked cautiously to the other side, not bothering to take off his boots, for that would be the beginning of the end. As far as his body was concerned, taking his boots off while lying next to a beautiful woman meant he was about to take off the rest of his clothes.