Violet (Flower Trilogy) by Lauren Royal Page B

this estate, instead of sinking all my income into research and experiments.’’
    ‘‘They just don’t understand you, then.’’ She could relate to that, Violet thought, since her family rarely understood her.
    ‘‘You’re generous to say so. Especially since I’m beginning to see they’re right. I should have renovated Lakefield a decade ago. I’ve been living with my brother entirely too long.’’ He ran his fingers around her ears, making sure the sidepieces curved to fit. A little thrill rippled through her at the contact. ‘‘Comfortable?’’ he asked, capturing her gaze with his.
    The way he looked at her made her breath catch.
    She swallowed hard and nodded.
    His hands still rested on her face, and warm fingertips danced beneath her jaw. ‘‘Can you see well now?’’
    She nodded again, staring into his eyes, his beautiful eyes, realizing she was close enough to see them even without the lenses. So close she could feel the heat radiating from his skin. ‘‘Thank you,’’ she whispered.
    ‘‘You’ve changed my life.’’
    With all her heart, she meant it. This incredible man had given her the most amazing gift. And now he was looking at her, really looking at her.
    She was the center of his attention.
    Blinking at that thought, she dropped her gaze to his mouth.
    A beautiful mouth, too. Suddenly, inexplicably, she wanted it on hers.
    And suddenly it was.
    His lips were warm and soft, much softer than she’d imagined a man’s lips to be. They brushed hers once, twice, then settled more firmly, caressing her mouth with a skill that sent a shiver of delight coursing through her. His hands were still cupping her face, and they threaded into her hair.
    She knew not what madness had possessed him to kiss her, but she didn’t want him to stop. Instinctively, her arms came up to loop around his neck. He felt hard and strong against her, her body on fire wherever they touched.
    Faith, she wanted to melt right into him.
    The pleasure was so unexpected, a mind-numbing, delicious sensation. A little whimper escaped her throat, and suddenly, thrillingly, his mouth slanted more hungrily over hers. His fingers tightened in her hair, and her pulse raced in response.
    Then he pulled away, a dazed half-smile curving his lips—an expression that looked as stunned as she felt.
    She shook herself, an ineffective attempt to clear her head. Of course he was stunned. A man would have to be daft to kiss a woman like her. Especially when she was wearing spectacles.
    But that didn’t stop her from wishing he’d do it again.
    ‘‘That was . . . amazing,’’ he murmured.
    ‘‘Yes. Well.’’ She looked down at the unvarnished floorboards. Amazing. What had he meant by that?
    Her hands went to the sides of her face, feeling the metal that hugged her ears. ‘‘I must look a fright,’’
    she said.
    ‘‘No, Violet.’’ His voice was a husky rasp. ‘‘You look lovely.’’ When she glanced back up, he appeared as surprised to have said the words as she was to hear them. ‘‘Your eyes shine like bronze beneath the lenses.’’
    She was still feeling dizzy, still wishing she could lean against him and feel his mouth on hers again . . . but she knew it wouldn’t happen. Whatever had possessed him to do such a ludicrous thing—such a ridiculous thing—was unlikely to recur.
    ‘‘My eyes are brown,’’ she said bluntly. She wasn’t lovely, and she didn’t like being lied to. If she’d been average-looking before, now, with the spectacles, she was sure she looked hideous.
    ‘‘Your eyes look bronze to me,’’ he repeated, ‘‘and you look fine. Better than fine, in fact.’’
    Better than he’d thought, Ford realized with a start.
    Enchanted by her delight with the spectacles, the kiss had been impulsive. And enjoyable . . . much more enjoyable than he’d ever have imagined.
    Now, seeing her glow with pleasure, in his gift or his kiss—he wasn’t sure which, but he hoped it was