Would she respond as eagerly to Alexander?
In truth, she liked the naughty way Gabriel made her feel. There was a quiet promise in his soft glances, as though they were a prelude to something wonderful.
But what?
She’d have to ask Rose and Laurel.
“Are you cold, Daisy?” His voice was a husky rumble of concern.
“A little,” she said, though she wasn’t in the least. But how else could she explain away her shiver of excitement?
“Here, take my coat.” He removed it and then drew her forward to wrap it about her shoulders. His taut muscles shifted beneath the white expanse of his shirt. His vest, shot through with silken threads of silver, gleamed as brightly as the moon on a crisp winter’s night.
He drew the coat tightly about her, his hands gentle against her skin. There was something wonderful about being enveloped in his scent. “Better?”
She tilted her head toward his. “Much.”
His hand lingered at her neck.
She held her breath. Please. Please!
No! She was mad to want him to kiss her! And hadn’t she already gotten into trouble once, even though she hadn’t really done anything wrong?
And what of Alexander? Would he ever forgive her for kissing his wastrel brother? Goodness, she’d never even met Alexander. What if she never met him?
It seemed a terrible shame to waste this opportunity.
Gabriel was a man of experience. Surely, he’d know just what she needed. And what harm could he do with Eloise snoring right beside them?
Ever so gently, he began to trace the outline of her jaw with his finger.
“I’ve never stayed up all night before,” she whispered tremulously.
“Perhaps it shall be a night of firsts for you,” he murmured, his thumb now caressing her cheek. “Your first ball.”
She nodded.
“Your first waltz at a ball.” He drew her closer.
She blinked her eyes. “My first ball gown.”
“And a lovely one it is.” He drew her closer still. “You were the prettiest girl at Lord Hornby’s tonight.”
“Very kind of you to say.” She suppressed a sigh as their breaths mingled. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Daisy—”
She let out a small gasp. “The answer is yes.”
He eased back, seeming confused. “To what?”
“The question you were about to ask. Yes, you may kiss me.”
His lips twitched upward at the corners. “I wasn’t about to ask the question.”
She groaned, certain she was the silliest debutante ever to exist. It was bad enough she’d given him permission to kiss her, but to assume he’d wanted to... and now it was humiliatingly obvious that he didn’t. She ought to have kept her mouth shut until she’d read Lady Forsythia’s book. She’d probably botched a dozen rules on the short ride home. “I’m so sorry. I thought... ridiculously foolish of me...”
He held her as she tried to pull away. “Shut your eyes.”
“Why?” she sputtered.
“Because I am going to kiss you. I just hadn’t planned on asking permission. Rakehells never do.” His mouth slanted across hers before she had the chance to protest, gently at first, his lips pressing against her own in a whisper-soft caress that sent a wave of heat through Daisy’s body. The kiss was lovely, politely restrained, and more pleasant than she’d expected, but instead of bringing the kiss to a natural end, Gabriel suddenly let out a quiet growl and began to increase the pressure of his lips against her mouth.
In the next moment, she was on Gabriel’s lap, deliciously wrapped in his strong arms, her body tingling madly as he circled one hand about her waist and allowed the other to linger at her neck, his thumb caressing a wildly sensitive spot behind her ear.
She let out a gasp. “Gabriel.”
“Hush, Daisy. Don’t speak, just feel,” he said with aching gentleness and slid his tongue along the soft, throbbing flesh of her lips to tease them open. He eased his tongue into her mouth and she welcomed the invasion.
Great balls of cheese and hot, buttered crumpets! She closed her eyes tightly and did as told, taking in every exquisite sensation. No doubt she’d just broken every rule in Lady Forsythia’s book, but she didn’t care. Her surrender yielded a rich bounty in return, for with each barrier Gabriel conquered, with every probing surge and teasing feint against her lips, he gave a part of himself to her.
Oh, she knew that she was an incompetent innocent and held little seductive power over him. Nonetheless, she enjoyed the moment, allowing herself to grow reckless and wanton, for she was eager to match him touch for touch, and savor him taste for taste.