The Sweetest Kiss (Brothers of Worthington Series) by Marie Higgins

fingers into his and let him pull her to her feet.
    Judith watched his face, especially his dark blue eyes. Closely, they stood in front of each other content to stare. He kept her hand in his, stroking a thumb over her fingers. When his attention dropped to her mouth, she held her breath. Would he kiss her? Half of her wanted him to, and the other half argued how wrong it was. This was Trey Worthington, she reminded herself, a man not to be trusted.
    Stepping away from her toward the water, a smile stretched his lips. He tugged on her arm and she obeyed his silent command and walked into the water with him. Once the cool liquid covered her feet, she gasped, then laughed. He dropped her hand and joined the merriment. The spell was broken, and she breathed easier. Trey turned away from her and cautiously moved down the watery path.
    “When I was a boy,” he said, “I would come out here by myself to reflect on my life. Being the youngest, I didn’t appreciate the way I was treated compared to my brother, Trevor.”
    She lifted her dress just enough not to get the bottom wet. “Why? You knew Trevor would eventually inherit the title.”
    “Yes, but it was as if my parents looked down on me. For years, they tried to compare me to my brother, bringing out my faults and telling me what I should be doing to be more like him.”
    “How dreadful. I think that would be a hard life.”
    “Extremely.” He shrugged. “Perhaps that’s why I became a mischievous boy.”
    “To get attention.”
    He glanced over his shoulder at her and nodded. “Exactly.”
    “Being the only child, I did not have to worry about such things.”
    “True. At times during my life I wondered what it would have been like to be the only child. Then I realized I would have been bored to tears.”
    “Why? Nobody to tease?” She giggled.
    He swung around and planted his hands on his hips as he stared at her. His grin let her know not to take him seriously.
    “You think you know me well, do you?”
    “Am I correct?”
    He dropped his arms to his side and winked. “I shall never tell.”
    Trey turned back around and proceeded down the stream. She took cautious steps, enjoying listening to him talk about his life. It comforted her to know he would say such things. It softened her heart as well.
    Suddenly, he stopped and raised his hand to keep her from going any further.
    “What is it?” she asked.
    “There’s a hole somewhere around in this area. I need to find it to keep you from stepping there. I would hate for you to soil your lovely gown.”
    She hitched a breath, and placed her hand on her chest for fear her heart would jump out. He’d actually remembered the hole. Did he remember leading her to it when they were children? Certainly he didn’t act as if he did.
    “Ah, there it is.” He turned to her and held out his arms. “Allow me, fair maiden, to play the gallant warrior and carry you through the trepid waters.”
    A laugh bubbled from her throat. “Are you jesting?”
    “No.” He pointed to the water. “There’s a hole, and if you step in it, you will sink to your waist, I’m sure. If I carry you across, you will not be harmed.”
    He couldn’t be serious. Yet his warm gaze told her he was. Apparently, he didn’t remember the time when they were small. Now the question was—could she trust him? Would he indeed carry her to safety or would he turn back into the person she’d known him to be? She hesitated, arguing with her mind once again.
    Confusion crossed his features and he tilted his head. “Don’t you trust me?”
    Once again, his words caused her to laugh, which made him grin. “Oh, Trey. I believe you know that answer all ready.”
    He nodded. “I wish you would learn to trust me. We are becoming friends, are we not?”
    She shrugged. “I would like to think so.”
    “I promise not to let you fall. Please believe me.”
    Why was her heart softening, and why was she giving him her hand? He pulled her closer then