Forbidden by Lauren Smith Page B

woman aside from my cousin Celia or my mother? Not until you. What you’ve told me…it is brave to open yourself to someone else, and I don’t mean physically, although that’s certainly brave, too.” He chuckled.
    “You really think I’m brave?” She wanted so badly to hear him say yes.
    “I do. You’re incredible, Kat. You’re real in a way so many other women aren’t. I want to know you better. So yes, I’m staying the night.” He leaned his head down, and she waited eagerly for a kiss, but he nuzzled her cheek, and his hands settled on her shoulders, squeezing slightly.
    When Kat rocked up on her toes, trying to kiss him, he pulled his face away, a dark cloud flashing across his eyes.
    “If you kiss me, I’ll lose control, darling. I’ve promised to be on my best behavior, but if you do that again, all bets are off.”
    The thought of him losing control always sent her heartbeat leaping. She was so nervous about having sex for the first time, but part of her trusted that Tristan might be the man to show her how wonderful it could be, if she was ready. Not tonight, but soon…
    “I guess I should change…” She glanced down at her clothes then up at him.
    “Of course.” His voice was low, slightly husky as he backed away from her and headed for the bathroom.
    She waited for him to shut the door, but when he gazed at her a moment too long, she waved a hand at him.
    “Go,” she said, rolling her eyes, “I’m not changing in front of you.”
    With a wry chuckle, he shook his head. “I thought it might be worth a try.” Tristan winked and disappeared into her small restroom.
    Kat scrambled out of her clothes and into the pj’s, not knowing how much time she had to change. But he took his time, and after she was dressed, she used the opportunity to study the gift he’d left on her desk. She picked up the box, weighing it in her hands. Was it The Mysterious Island ? The box was the right size, and the weight seemed like it was possible. Kat gave it a little shake but whatever was inside didn’t shift or make any sound.
    Drat! She set it back down on the desk and folded her arms over her chest.
    When he came back out, still in his jeans and sweater, he smirked at the sight of her sitting on the edge of the bed.
    “Did you peek?” He nodded toward the blue wrapped package.
    “No.” She raised her chin, pretending to be offended. It had been tempting. Really tempting .
    “You wanted to, though, didn’t you?” he teased.
    She laughed and shrugged. “I did, and you knew I would want to.” She couldn’t help but smile.
    “Go on, open it.” He waited for her to move.
    Kat rose from the bed and approached the box. Her hands hesitated inches from the black bow.
    “If I open this, there are no strings attached, right?” She didn’t want to be a woman who took gifts from a man in exchange for…well…sex. Even if she might desperately want to have sex with him, she didn’t want it to be out of obligation.
    “No strings. I wanted to get this for you, from one collector to another.” He seemed sincere, but it was impossible not to notice when Tristan picked up the ribbon and wrapped it around one fist, tugging it tight against his skin as though he were testing it as a way to bind something or someone…like her. But he didn’t. He played with the ribbon, spooling it around his fingers, the silk whispering against his skin.
    When he cleared his throat, she came back to herself with a little shake and unwrapped the box. As she lifted the lid, she gasped and stepped back.
    Dropped from the Clouds was nestled in the tissue paper, the gilded balloon on the cover gleaming in the dim light from the desk lamp.
    “Oh my God,” Kat whispered, then her eyes flew to his. “This is the one from G. David’s bookshop, isn’t it?” She’d known he’d bought it, but she still hadn’t been prepared for him to actually give it to her.
    “How did you know?” One dark brow arched up.
    With a quick