Page 91 of Christmas at the Castle
“Nothing except a hideaway.” Gill walked over to a lone chair she hadn’t noticed. His fingers curled around the top cross bar on the back. “This is the one place where Sophie and I can get away. No cell phone service. No intercom.”
“No queen.”
Smiling, he nodded. “It’s also a quiet place to read.”
“Read,” Kat repeated.
“I like books.”
“Books are good. I don’t do that as much as I used to.”
“You’re too tired.”
She nodded. “Are there ghost stories associated with the dungeon?”
“Lots, but nothing that’s been proven.” He scanned the dungeon. “If any exist down here, they haven’t bothered us.”
“Says the royal,” she joked. “That’s probably because they torment commoners.”
Gill walked toward her with long, purposeful strides. “I’ll protect you.”
Anticipation buzzed. She stepped closer to him. “You’re not wearing armor.”
“How strong can a ghost be?” He stood in front of her. “But I promise to keep you safe.”
If only…
A million thoughts ran through her mind, but only one mattered. Kat wanted to kiss him. She wanted that more than anything. And that made her wonder…
She swallowed. “What are we doing?”
“I’m hoping to kiss you.”
Good. He wanted one, too. “Like yesterday?”
Mischief glinted in his eyes. “I hope this one will be longer.”
Her, too. “And then?”
“One kiss at a time.”
One more kiss. She could handle that. “Okay.”
He slipped his hand beneath her hair and cradled her head. A shiver of need raced over her. As he lowered his lips to hers, she rose slightly on her toes to meet his mouth.
Oh! Oh, my. Maybe she couldn’t handle this.
Heat was the first thing she felt.
Peppermint was the first thing she tasted.
Hunger was the first thing she experienced.
And she wanted more. Lots more.
Her body quivered with longing. It had been so long since she’d been kissed like this—like the kiss meant something.
And she did, too.
