Penelope & Prince Charming by Jennifer Ashley

again. “You will marry me. We may kiss as much as we please.”
    She drew back. “I have not said I would marry you.”
    “You will.”
    “You are arrogant.”
    “It is not arrogance. I know it will happen.”
    When he said it like that, she started to believe. She must be out of her mind. “What did Michael want to talk about?”
    “Michael?”
    “Mr. Tavistock. He sent Meagan and me out of the room so he could talk to you. It seems to have been a brief conversation.”
    He kissed the side of her mouth, his breath scalding hercheek. “Mr. Tavistock and Sasha are having a merry argument. They will be finished by the time we return.”
    “Should you not have stayed and finished it yourself?”
    He shrugged. “I have already told Sasha what to prepare. I was not fool enough to think you’d believe who I was when I sprang myself upon you. I have made many plans.”
    She swallowed. “Do you always do exactly what you want?”
    “No.” He brushed back the hair at her forehead. “I do what is best. Not what I want.”
    “And you think it best I marry you?”
    “Penelope.” He spoke like he savored her name. “The moment I realized you were the one I was to marry, I rejoiced. Not because I did not think your mother was worthy, but because I knew in my heart it was right.” He cupped her cheek. “Rejoice with me, Penelope.”
    He kissed her. His broad fingers caressed her cheek, the silver ring cold against it, and his tongue flicked into her mouth, bringing sudden, hot spice.
    She never thought she’d want a man to kiss her again. Not after Magnus. But he was Damien, and definitely not Magnus.
    She dipped her own tongue inside his mouth. A strange sensation.
    He smiled in response. She explored the taste of his lips, lightly licking them. She had no idea what she was doing, but she had the sudden urge to do so.
    They played then, lips and tongues tangling. She held her hands balled in her lap, and he did not remove his from her cheek. Only their mouths met, seeking and exploring.
    It grew hot. Or at least Penelope did. Fire pooled in her belly, her secret places damp and welcoming.
    Damien made a noise in his throat. His fingers tightened.
    If he laid her down, she’d let him. A light breeze touched her ankles, and she suddenly wanted to feel it the length of her legs. She wanted his warm hand behind her knee, spreading her thighs.
    “I’ve never,” she gasped, “wanted such things before.”
    He stroked his thumb over her cheekbone. “I am pleased that you want them.”
    “I do not know why I said that. You cannot know what I am thinking.”
    “I can know. I am thinking the same thing.”
    She rested her hand against his cheek, mirroring how he touched her. “I must stop before I do something foolish.”
    “Fall in love with me?” He kissed her swollen lips. “That is not foolish.”
    “Please.”
    She did not know whether she meant please, stop or please, never stop.
    He brought her fingers to his lips. “I’ll not push you, Penelope. I never will.” He licked the tip of her middle finger. “But I’ll kiss you while I’m waiting for you to make up your mind.”
    Why did she want to smile when he smiled? Touch him when he touched her?
    She remembered when she’d been eighteen, three years ago, and had fallen in love with Reuben. She’d not been able to eat for three days or sleep for seven. She’d lain awake with her heart beating fast and her stomach aflutter and a smile on her face.
    Infatuation, she’d realized later. Not love.
    Now when Damien kissed her, she felt that longforgotten flutter leap up and remind her what a fool she could be.
    She should dismiss him and his silly offers of marriage and go about her business. Lock herself in her room and finish the new collection of tales she had begun translating this spring. Never see him again.
    Instead, she sat here letting him kiss her. She wanted to kiss him.
    It was happening all over again. Only this time, it would be much