Page 27 of The Notorious Lord Sin
"But your sisters will be a success, I'm sure, and I look forward to meeting them. What time would you like for me to meet you at Almacks?" she asked, thinking it best to change the subject.
"Would nine be suitable? I know they are eager to attend at least once this Season, and they will be thrilled to have a countess who is friends with one patroness as their chaperone."
"It would be my pleasure," she said, meaning every word. No matter what had occurred between herself and Lord Astoridge, his sisters had nothing to do with it, and she would help anyone if she could, no matter their station or wealth. Not that the two young ladies needed to worry about the latter. Dominic was one of the wealthiest viscounts in England. There was little to concern them at all.
He came toward her, his breeches rolled up to above his knees. He looked so carefree and disheveled, and Paris had to admit that she liked him this way above any other. There was a calm to him here in these environments. Neither of them had to worry about what they said or how they looked. Similar to how she grew up at Grafton, a young country miss without a care in the world.
"You are the best of people, Paris. That you are even here, spending time with me, allowing me the opportunity to try to right the wrong I did, tells me of your forgiving heart."
Paris tried to laugh off his words but failed. She met his eyes, and not for her life could she look away. He watched her, sincerity in every feature of his handsome face.
Do not fall, Paris. Do not fail yourself again.
But she could already feel herself tumbling. How could she not? Dominic was the first man she had ever loved. The one man who made her forget all reasonable thought and just simply … need.
There was no logic to it. She ought to hate him forever. And by all that is sacred on the earth, she had tried, but she could not hold on to that hate perpetually.
She doubted anyone could without making them bitter and cold, heartless even.
She did not want to be like that, and while she wanted to punish him and make him regret his choice, she also knew, at some point, she had to let go of what had occurred between them.
Maybe they were too young. He was too immature and under the guidance of his horrible mama. She, too, was to blame. She should never have been intimate with him, not without some security, which at the time she’d had none.
A foolish young woman's mistake that she had almost ruined herself with. Thank heavens for Hervey.
"Maybe we have both been fools and made equal mistakes, but I do not want to punish you forever. It is exhausting trying to remain mad at you when you're so very charming," she teased. "Not," she poked his chest with her finger, "that I want to remarry. I do not. It would be best if you still found a wife who is not me, but I think we can be friends. Friends with advantages."
He wiggled his brows, and she giggled. "I have been enjoying our advantages," he purred, clasping her hips.
"So have I," she said. "I would like to continue them if you're in agreement."
"Oh, I'm in agreement." And before Paris could stop Dominic, he dipped his head and stole a kiss. It was a brushing of lips, so soft, so quick that had she blinked, she would have missed it.
And yet, that was not true. Her body thrummed to life at his touch. Her heart kicked up a beat and her skin prickled with awareness. She wanted him to kiss her again, and maybe something in her features gave away her reflections because he lowered his head a second time and kissed her once more.
Dominic felt the kiss with Paris right down to his toes. When he lowered his head, he hadn't expected her to remain where she was. He thought she would push him away, make a lighthearted quip, reminding him of why she would not kiss him, but she had not.
And it left him reeling.
He deepened the kiss, tasting her for the first time in years. She was sweet, tasted of sunshine and summer, lemonade, and everything that was perfect in the world.
He wanted to wrap himself up in the feelings she evoked in him. A sense of rightness, regret, and hope all mixed into one.
Her hands slipped up his chest before running over his shoulders. He felt her lift herself in the water on tiptoes to deepen the embrace, and he was there for all of it.
He wanted her. All of her, forever and a day.
He kissed her, threw all that he felt for the woman in his arms into their first kiss. He needed her to know, to sense that he was in earnest.
That he cared for her still so very much.
Loved her ...
The thought rocked through him but did not frighten him. Somehow, deep down, he always knew he loved only her. No matter that he had abandoned and left her to defend herself after being intimate, still right now, this very moment, she offered a second chance.
Gave him what he was unsure he could provide another should the roles be reversed.
She was far superior than he ever could be, and how could one not love such a person?
