woman was going to get away with talking to him like that. Time for her first lesson. Swinging her around, instead of quarreling with words, his lips found hers. He wanted to shock her, he supposed, but instead shocked himself.
Taken back, Melissa resisted at first with tightened lips, but then gradually gave in as his mouth moved sensually over hers. Softer and warmer than she imagined, her eyes were closing and her lips were softening to his rhythm of movement. His tongue skillfully probed between her easing lips, expanding them so his tongue could fully engage hers with a light sucking motion. Becoming absorbed in his exploration, there was minimal awareness of his hand gripping the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her silky hair, pressuring her mouth harder against his. Without realizing her voluntary response, her lips pressed with greater force against his, her tongue freely venturing. She heard a groan emerge from John which sent her racing thoughts into a dizzying state. Astounded by the distinct feelings of arousal she was experiencing, in an instant her hands nudged against his chest to stop him.
With reluctance he ended the kiss that was meant as a warning, a kiss that had been impulsive, and blooming hell one that had turned into a pleasurable initiation. His lips stayed close to hers. Their foreheads touched as the heaviness of their breathing intermingled. His voice, velvet and husky, spoke against her trembling lips, “Lord, you taste sweet,” he whispered. Just as he had suspected she would.
Confused and frustrated, Melissa pushed against his chest, harder this time, causing John to balance himself as she spit back, “Is this one of your spontaneous notions?” And not waiting for an answer, she headed back for the carriage.
John sighed in deep conflict, deciding to wait before returning back to the carriage for his current predicament was quite visibly evident. He sat on the rock again, pondering about the kiss. What had just taken place? That kiss wasn’t supposed to happen. Puzzled by his lustful mind and by her method of producing these reckless reactions from him, he was grateful for the next couple of days away from her. At least by Monday things should be back to normal. By then he would have a clear mind and be able to treat their relationship with proper authority. It was just one kiss, after all, and it didn’t mean anything.
On the journey back, John and Melissa stayed silent toward each other, letting Miss Beckett do all the talking, which she joyfully did.
Chapter Seven
Monday morning finally arrived and so did Lord Blackburn. Melissa caught a glimpse of him through the barn doorway as she readied her gelding. He looked magnificent atop a thoroughbred, masculine sleekness and naturally at ease. His expression remained neutral. She had expected a scowl of some sort after Friday’s incident, but when she led her gelding outside the barn he appeared calm and even gave her a smile as he rode up to her. She returned his smile, feeling relieved from the nervous tension she’d dealt with the past couple of days. Not only was this her first lesson in racing, it was also starting under awkward circumstances all because of that burning kiss.
“Good morning,” John said, sliding off his mare.
“Good morning,” Melissa replied, wondering what he was searching for amid the saddle on his mare. “What are you looking for?”
“Ah, here it is. I was afraid I had left my timepiece at home.” In his hand, lay a miniature clock nestled within a thin rope of gold chain. He turned toward her, showing her the item. “We wouldn’t get far without this today. Shall we get started?”
Melissa gazed at the beautiful timepiece and then toward him. He hadn’t made any mention of Friday’s episode. Did she worry herself to death over the last two days for nothing? She nodded in agreement and watched him while he went over each characteristic of her gelding. “Is everything all