I caressed his face. ‘You didn’t … well, for a moment only, perhaps. It didn’t matter. I desired you very much.’
He smiled. ‘I think I may have caught an inkling of it.’
‘What about earlier when we kissed?’
‘What do you think?’
I smiled. ‘Why, though, when you knew how much I wanted you?’
He shook his head. ‘I had to kiss you for love. I didn’t want you to misunderstand what I needed from you. To think I talked of love to have you.’
‘Is that what you do?’ All men did, surely? It was how conquest worked.
‘Christ, Susannah. No. I’ve never told a woman I loved her until you because I never have before.’
I rolled, moving close and pressing myself against him. I understood at last. They simply desired him. Look at him. Yet he had no idea. ‘Well, I’m most impressed and grateful, but plea
