Page 85 of Dark Princess: Shadows
When he pulled back, Gertrude studied him with an unreadable expression, and he prepared to apologize for misreading the situation. But then she carefully placed both their cups in the tray on the side table next to their sandwiches, and the next thing he knew, her lips were on his again.
It was no gentle peck, though. This kiss was fire and sweetness and need all rolled into one. Her hands came up to frame his face as she deepened the kiss, and Rob saw stars behind his closed eyelids.
When they finally broke apart, they were both breathing heavily, and Gertrude's eyes were darker than usual, her lips slightly swollen. She looked even more beautiful than before, if that was possible.
"I've wanted to do that since I saw you training in the gym," she admitted.
That was a big surprise.
"Really? Even when I was pretending to know how to box?"
She laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Especially then. You were so earnest about it, even though we both knew I was holding back."
"I knew it!" He grinned. "I kept wondering how an immortal could punch so weakly."
"I didn't want to bruise your ego." She traced a finger along his jaw. "Or the punching bag, although the thing is probably specially designed for immortals, so I shouldn't have worried about it."
The casual reminder of her strength sent a shiver through him that had nothing to do with fear. "I appreciate your valiant effort to save my ego, but I assure you I have no problem with a female kicking my butt, as long as it's by besting me in something and not by cheating on me with her ex."
He didn't know why he had blurted it out, but now it was too late to take it back.
"I would never do that to you." She cupped his cheek. "I mean about the cheating. I abhor dishonesty in all forms, and that's what cheating is."
Rob swallowed hard. "Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"
She smiled. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
"Yes, I am."
"I'd like that." She leaned in again, her breath ghosting across his lips. "But right now, I need more of this."
The second kiss was even better than the first, and Rob lost himself in it. The softness of her lips, the strength of her hands, and the perfect rightness of holding her.
He'd kissed plenty of women before, but none of them had made him feel like this—like he was falling and flying at the same time.
A door opened somewhere in the clinic, and they jumped apart. They were both trying to look innocent as footsteps approached. But it was just one of the Odus going about his cleaning routine.
"Good afternoon, Mistress Gertrude, Master Rob. May I clean the doctor's office?"
"Yes, please," Gertrude said.
He bowed, collected his cleaning tools, and walked into the office.
"I forgot about Onidu," Gertrude whispered. "He always comes to clean the clinic on Wednesdays, which was probably why Bridget left to work in the office building." She lifted her sandwich and coffee cup. "We should finish our lunch."
"Probably wise," Rob agreed, though his appetite had shifted to something food couldn't satisfy. "I hope we can continue our discussion later."
Her smile was humorous and playful wickedness mashed into one sexy-as-hell look. "I'm counting on it."
54
GERTRUDE
Damn. What had she been thinking, letting herself get carried away like that?
Getting involved with someone who lived in the village was a recipe for disaster. Gertrude should have learned that lesson with Negal, and he and Margo weren't even living in the village yet. Just seeing them in the keep while taking care of the twins had been an ordeal.
If Hildegard hadn't been taking that continuing education course, Gertrude would have asked to trade places with her, but it would have been a silly move just to avoid some awkwardness.