Something sparked in her eyes in that moment that stole Nathanial’s breath. It was something teasing, something daring. It reminded him of the many wonderful hours they had spent together over the course of the summer, a time he would cherish until the day he died. It also reminded him of the many madcap ideas that had sprouted from her head; ideas she had pursued with a single-minded intent that knew no equal. It reminded him of the many moments she had been in his arms, dancing through the meadow barefoot, holding her to him as they had ridden home in the storm, kissing her that day by the lake.
His gaze inevitably dropped to her lips as the desire he had felt that day came back full force. It burned through his veins and made his hands drop to her middle, pulling her closer with a swift tug. Dear heavens, he wanted to kiss her again!
A soft gasp escaped her lips at his sudden reaction before they curled up into a smile, her hands snaking up his shoulders. “Kiss me,” she whispered as though she had read his thoughts, “and if you feel nothing but friendship, if it feels awkward and unpleasant, then you’ll have your answer,” she swallowed hard, “and I’ll have mine.”
Nathanial gritted his teeth, tempted beyond comprehension. “What if—?”
“Kiss me,” she interrupted him, pushing closer still. “I dare you.”
Looking down at her, Nathanial knew that he had lost, that he was lost. No matter how much he feared that it would not work between them, that they would lose each other by daring to reach for more, he knew that she would not allow him to retreat.
Indeed, she was fighting for him, and the knowledge of how deeply she cared for him warmed Nathanial’s chilled heart. He knew that losing her would destroy him. He knew that having her friendship was better than having nothing. But he also knew that it would not be enough.
It would never be enough.
Nathanial knew the truth even before his lips finally claimed hers.
*
Awkward and unpleasant? Charlaine thought as she clung to Nathanial, returning his all but fevered kiss with equal measure. Never! For this was heaven!
Her hands snaked into his hair, the tips of her fingers tracing the line of his neck, as he held her locked in his embrace. His heart thudded wildly against her ribcage, a reminder of the emotions he always sought to keep in check.
But now the truth was out.
Although Nathanial had not reciprocated in kind when she had confessed her love for him, his current reaction to her dare was quite telling. Quite telling, indeed!
Charlaine knew that he loved her. Why else would he have been so terrified of losing her? All he needed had been someone to push him to the edge and demand an answer. Someone to fight for him. Someone to prove to him that he was worthy of so much more than he believed.
That he was her dream.
Her hope.
Her love.
As hesitant and evasive as Nathanial had been before, as demanding and eager was he now. His touch was no longer tentative, his hands holding her with determination, with the intent to keep her, here, with him. He urged her closer until she could barely breathe, then slipped a hand up the line of her neck and into her hair.
Charlaine gasped as she felt a short tug, her skin prickling with the sensation. Her head tilted back, and Nathanial deepened their kiss with a voraciousness she had not known he possessed. It was as though all his emotions had suddenly been unleashed and he could not get enough of her.
Indeed, it was not enough.
Not nearly enough.
Wrapped in each other’s arms, they moved backward until the cool windowpane cut off their retreat. Charlaine felt its slight chill through the fabric of her gown, a stark contrast to the heat lingering under her skin.
Nathanial’s lips brushed hers again and again, nipped hers, before he was kissing her all over again, his mouth on hers, a gentle but demanding pressure Charlaine got lost in all too willingly. Time seemed to stop as though the world had paused in its tracks, overcome by the sight of their union.
All tension fell from Charlaine, her limbs suddenly feeling weak after all the fears they had endured lately. Relief swept through her, and her heart sighed in contentedness, feeling safe and at peace…and utterly overcome by the man holding her in his arms.
He was still sweet and caring Nathanial. A man who respected her. A man who always listened to what she had to say even if he did not like what she was saying. A man who was her friend, her confidante, her home. She felt safe with him, at peace and knew that there was no place she would rather be than by his side.
Still, under that outward layer of restraint and formality hid a deeply passionate heart, one he rarely showed to anyone, one he pretended did not exist, one he feared would only bring him pain. Now, however, he had shared all he felt with her, revealing the depth of his emotions, trusting her not to hurt him.
Pulling back, Charlaine smiled at him, her hands rising to cup his face. “What do you want?” she asked on a whisper, her breath mingling with his as she looked up into his deep blue eyes. “Tell me.”
Again, the muscle in Nathanial’s jaw twitched. It was only a mild echo of what it had been before. His arms still held her close to him, telling her something he had yet to put into words. And then he spoke and she could tell from the strain still lingering in his jaw that he was taking a leap of faith. “I want you.”
Charlaine’s heart rejoiced. “As a friend?” she dared him, a teasing smile upon her lips.
A deep breath rushed from his lungs, and the hint of a smirk tugged on his lips. Then one arm came around her middle, pulling her deeper into his embrace, as his other hand grasped her chin, tilting her head upward, their eyes locked. “As my wife.”
Doubt still rested in his gaze, and Charlaine knew that a part of him still expected her to deny him. To refuse him. To laugh in his face, saying that all that had happened had been a misunderstanding.
Nothing more.
“Then ask me,” Charlaine dared him as her hand slipped between them, once more coming to rest upon his wildly hammering heart. “Ask me, and I’ll say yes.” Her smile deepened, telling him that he did not need to be afraid, that she would never break his heart, that she would fight to keep it safe.
Always.
Nathanial inhaled a deep breath, and his features relaxed, a small smile tugging on his lips. “You always know what to say, why is that?”
Shrugging, Charlaine grinned at him. “It’s a gift.” Her brows rose, daring him not to stall, not to hedge. This was the moment. This was their moment, and he needed to seize it. Or perhaps she ought to? After all, had he not already told her he wanted her as his wife? He had taken a step toward her, and now it was her turn.
One last step, and they would stand together.
Forever.
One hand rose to cup his cheek. “Will you marry me?” Charlaine asked him then, cherishing the feeling of taking control of her life instead of waiting for it to turn out the way she hoped.
Nathanial’s eyes widened. “That was my line.”
“Was it?” Charlaine teased. “Says who? Simply because you’re the man you have some kind of claim on it?” She shook her head, smiling up at him. “I know what I want. I want you, and I will not let you slip away. So you better say yes.”
Laughter rumbled in his throat. Then his head swooped down and his mouth claimed hers in a searing kiss that left her breathless.