Chapter 17：One kiss

―Will you give me one kiss? She appeared startled. ―I kissed you at the wedding. And it was good enough that it left him wanting more.

―I know but now there's no one to watch us. It won't seem so awkward. Perhaps that wasn't true. He couldn't stop his slight trembling but was determined not to let her discover it.

―There's no point in it. Though she protested, she took his hand and stood up. ―I need to find out something before I tell you what's on my mind. ―And you can find it out by a kiss?

He nodded. At least, he hoped he could. ―Are you going to grant the annulment? she asked.

―I'll tell you after the kiss. Her hand was soft and warm in his. What would her hands feel like on his body? He forced the thought aside and slipped his arms around her. Since his wedding kiss had been his first kiss, it wasn't easy to figure out how to passionately kiss her as his uncle had suggested. He felt incredibly untrained for this type of thing, but he had to start somewhere.

He didn't start with good presentations at work. He had to practice until he was good at it. He would love to practice perfecting his kissing skills on her but wondered if this was going to be his only chance.

He pushed the depressing thought aside and softly kissed her. He didn't notice any response from her. She stood still and allowed him to deepen the kiss. As he continued kissing her, he began to overcome his shyness.

She brought out yearnings that he hadn't been aware of. He longed to explore them but he had asked for one kiss and it was all she was prepared to give him. She leaned into him and finally returned his passion with her own. He was relieved. He was beginning to think that she didn't have any interest in him.

The realization that his uncle was right about her gave him new confidence he hadn't had with her before. If she wasn't so insistent on the annulment, he would have picked her up and taken her to their bedroom.

But he knew that option wasn't available so he settled for the agreement he hoped he could talk her into. He reluctantly ended the kiss, which he had been enjoying far too much, and motioned for her to sit next to him. She took a moment before she sat next to him. He noticed that she looked flushed by their kiss.

―What are you talking about? She didn't hide her confusion. ―I would like to give our marriage a try. When he saw that she was ready to protest, he quickly explained, ―Give me one month. We will not consummate the marriage.

You will have your bedroom and I will make it clear to the staff and everyone else what the arrangement is between us so no one will think you are compromising your virtue. I would like a chance to court you since I didn't get that opportunity. If one month from now, you still want the annulment, I will consent to it without any questions. She frowned.

―It isn't what I expected, but I suppose it's the best thing to do given the circumstances. He sighed with relief. ―I suppose I should unpack my things. Can I have the Egyptian bedroom? she asked. He grinned. ―Did you notice the themes? ―I got a good look at every room but yours on Thursday. What is your theme?