"As much as it pains me to have Anna feeling unwell, it actually is a blessing. This would be decidedly far more awkward if she were present." Essie gave an uncomfortable half laugh as she glanced up to him, lowering her gaze once more.
Cross took another few steps toward her till he was close enough to see the light blue flecks in her eyes as she raised her gaze to meet his.
"Cross, I… that is…" She took a deep breath.
The anticipation and worry was slowly killing him.
"Will you kiss me?"
Cross simply stared. Replaying her request in his mind, making sure that what he heard was indeed what she said. Searching her earnest gaze, he tried to make sense of such a request, not that he minded! He had the impulse to pinch himself to see if he were a part of some erotic dream.
"Essie…" He whispered her name, tasting the sweetness of it on his tongue as he watched her gaze darken and travel his features till it landed on his lips.
When her gaze met his once more, there was a question in her eyes. Cross took a final step forward, making them close enough so that could feel the soft release of her breath.
He leaned forward slightly, watching as Essie swayed towards him, the fragrance from her skin teasing him, tempting him. He pressed his lips to hers, caressing them, tasting them and savoring their sweetness. He drew back slightly, pleased when she followed him. He took her lips once more, this time less chaste, more of a seduction of the mouth as he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue before retreating and pulling her lower lip. She gasped, and he took shameless advantage of her open mouth by pulling her lower lip between his teeth and nipping gently.
She was a quick study and began to mimic his attentions, first by pressing into his frame and reaching up to brace his shoulders. Cross guided her to tilt her head further so that he could deepen the kiss and she willingly followed his lead. Reaching around, he placed his hands on her waist, savoring the tempting curve beneath his fingers. Pulling her in tighter, her arms left his shoulders as she wound them around his neck. Cross darted his tongue along her teeth, gently, coaxingly. Tentatively, she tasted him with her own.
Two thoughts darted through his mind as he savored the bliss of her kiss, the utter ecstasy of her touch. First, that she was most certainly an innocent, which pleased him far more than he dared to admit.
Second, she had never told him why she wanted him to kiss her.
Now, that was a minor detail, but for some reason it continued to tickle his mind. Because as he was pouring himself into the kiss, savoring every hint of flavor from her lips and mouth, memorizing the shape of her body pressed against his, he grew acutely aware that perhaps… it wasn't real… for her.
With reluctance, he gradually ended the kiss, leaned back and relishing the passion in her gaze as he whispered her name. "Essie."
Her blue eyes were stormy and dark with desire, freshly awakened.
"I had no idea…" Essie whispered. Slowly she released her hold on his neck and glanced away, a deep blush coloring her cheeks.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Cross grinned, overly satisfied with himself.
"You would." Essie glanced back at him, narrowing her eyes in a teasing manner.
"But if I may ask, for the reason for your request?" Cross resisted the urge to loosen his cravat.
"I—that is…" Essie seemed to struggle. "I thought that perhaps… you could teach me."
Cross felt his heart still, before thumping painfully. Teach her? As if… as if his touch, his kiss were nothing more than a textbook on Latin or French.
"Pardon?" He asked, knowing his hurt was clear in his expression.
CHAPTER SIX
Essie had no idea what to do, what to say, or how to wipe the horrified expression from Cross' face. For pity's sake! Who kissed a woman like that and then expected her to come up with a rational answer? She had planned to use the whole 'teaching' idea as an excuse to ask for a kiss, but he, well, didn't need an excuse, apparently.
When he'd kissed her, it was beyond anything she could have ever imagined. It was the fireworks at Vuxhall gardens, power, exploding and full of passion and life. She didn't want it to end! Rather she wanted to kiss the hurt from his face, make him forget her ill-timed words and the pathetic excuse that they gave.
But she had no idea how… especially when he turned his back on her and faced the fire.
Essie felt frozen, not knowing what to do.
"I think…" Cross began.
Essie glanced up, hopefully.
"I think perhaps, you should leave, Miss Esther." Cross' tone was dark. "In my current state, I find I'm far more inclined to… teach you… as you put it, far more than kissing."
Essie gasped silently.
He turned slightly, the fire illuminating his gaze, making it cobalt fire.