Giles moved to sit next to her. “Come. Lay your head on me. Share my warmth.” He reached out one arm, waiting for her to snuggle against him.
Juliet worried her lip, her brows drawn in contemplation.
He did not like how unsure she seemed, but neither did he blame her. He smiled, then said, “Do not be silly. We are wed. It will do no harm for me to keep you warm.” He lifted his arm so she could snuggle against his side. “And you have my word; I will not seduce you in the coach. My only motivation is to keep you warm.”
She slid closer to him and said, “I’m sorry. I fear it will take some time to get used to being a wife.” She snuggled against his side. Her head on his chest, body pressed against him, and legs curled up on the seat.
Giles wrapped his arm around her. A shiver shot through him as her soft curves molded to him, and their body heat melded together. Ignoring the unsettling longing, he rubbed his hand up and down her arm in an effort to warm her further.
Their marital state would take him some time to grow accustomed to as well, though he looked forward to the adjustment. Perhaps his lousy behavior had, at last, yielded a positive outcome.
Juliet rested pressed against Giles’s body and listened to the steady beat of his heart. The feel of his heat and embrace did more than warm her. It comforted her, too. But despite the way he made her feel, she still could not relax. Her mind bounced from one idea to the next as if she had no control over it.
Question after question swirled through her mind, often followed by one worry or another. What did he think as he held her? Did he find her figure pleasing? Was he terribly disappointed to be wed? Or was he excited for their future? Would he come to her tonight? If so, would she disappoint him? If so, would he take a mistress? Maybe he already had one.
The thought troubled her, for she did not wish to share him. Or maybe she did. What if she found no pleasure in the marriage bed? In that case, she may welcome him having another to satisfy his lust.
She heaved a sigh and snuggled closer. Of course, she would enjoy coupling. Why would she not? He drove her to distraction and turned her knees to pudding with his kisses. Surely having all of him would be even better. But then… Her mind continued to spin.
Bedding him could bring pain of another sort. What if she could not protect her heart in the face of such intimacy? Did it matter at this point?
Juliet was not even sure she still wished to shield her heart from him. For better or worse, she’d married Giles, and now she wanted a genuine marriage—complete with intimacy. In fact, she found herself very much looking forward to that part of it. But could they have a real union built on respect and honesty? Perhaps even love?
Juliet peeked up at Giles. Would he come to adore her? To want her heart and soul, as well as, body? And would she reciprocate?
His gaze met hers, and her cheeks warmed as she looked away. Juliet worried her lower lip as she hoped he would make nothing of her gazing at him, although she had been mooning over him.
“What is it, Juliet?” he asked.
She inwardly cringed, then said, “Nothing.” She pressed her lips together and closed her eyes. Maybe he would refrain from asking more questions if he believed her to be tired.
“Are you still terribly cold?”
The question could have been more intrusive. It thrilled Juliet that it was not. She forced herself to meet his eyes and said, “No, I am far more comfortable now.” In fact, his embrace had chased the chill from her bones, and she suddenly craved his company. “Might we talk?” she asked.
He grinned down at her. “What do you wish to discuss?”
“Any impolite topic will do.” Her cheeks burned hotter, but she did not regret what she had said. Speaking of the weather would bore her to tears, and she would not come to know him better by engaging in such a mundane conversation.
Much to her amusement, he chuckled, and she smiled at her own witty reply. “I dare say I cannot tolerate one more conversation on the weather or upcoming season.”
The mischief in his blue-green eyes sent heat spiraling through her. “I too am weary of pleasantries, though I fear I may shock your delicate sensibilities if I speak of impolite topics.”
She gave him her best saucy grin as she wrapped her arm around his torso. “I would very much like to learn about you, your past, and how you currently spend your time.”
A pained expression crossed his face before he masked it with a devilish grin, then said, “All of London knows my reputation. Let us not delve into it other than for me to confirm that only half of what you heard is likely true.” He gave her a little squeeze, hugging her closer. “I believe you would be a far more interesting topic of discussion.”
Disappointment pricked her heart. She should not have expected any other response. All the same, she’d hoped he would open up to her. She had so many questions that begged answers. “Very well. What do you wish to know about me?” she said.
He leaned closer. “What you were woolgathering about a moment ago, for a start.”
She gave a small smirk, one corner of her mouth tilting upward. “I was not woolgathering.”
“You were.”
“Very well, I was thinking about kissing you.” Her pulse sped at the admission, but if she wanted him to open up to her, she would have to do the same for him. Olivia’s words came back to her about her being sure he had a reason for his roguish behaviors, and Juliet wondered what secrets his past held.
She was about to ask him, but before she could say more, he pressed his lips to hers. She stiffened against the unexpected kiss, but only for a moment before she welcomed it.
Giles wrapped one hand around her neck, pulling her closer, angling her head.
She enjoyed the gentle pressure of his lips against hers. The slide of his tongue and the way he explored her mouth.
She’d reveled in his kisses when he had found her in the library and desired more of the same. The way he had used his tongue to probe her mouth and caressed her with his strong, yet strangely gentle hands had set her blood on fire. But this was different…
This kiss consumed her. Claimed her.
Yes, she wanted this—wanted him. Emboldened, she drew on the memories of their first encounter—her first kiss—and slid her hand around his neck as she deepened the kiss.
He met her desire with his own, pulling her onto his lap until she straddled him while he cupped her bottom. With his other hand, he rubbed the nape of her neck, adding another delectable sensation to the ones already coursing through her.
She moaned against his mouth as desire built within her. Then, as suddenly as he’d brought his lips to hers, he pulled away.
She looked at him, wide-eyed and breathless. “Why did you stop?” she asked.
He lifted her from his lap and moved to the opposite side of the carriage. “If we continue, I will want all of you. I promised not to seduce you in the coach.”
A pang of regret went through her. She swallowed hard, regretting her earlier actions. “What if I want you to seduce me?” Juliet asked, her voice a husky whisper.
He groaned, his eyes closing for a heartbeat. “You deserve better on your wedding night. Have patients, and I promise you won’t regret waiting.”
“Then you will come to my bed tonight?” she asked, her confidence waning.