Walking
through the door of the boarding house, Brett raised his hand
in greeting to the man at the counter and escorted Jenna upstairs.
He pushed open the door and stood aside for Jenna to enter ahead
of him. She spied the hot bath as soon as they entered, as well
as her satchel, which had already been moved into the room.
"Enjoy
the bath, Jenna."
"Thank
you, Mr. Parker." She stood there a moment, chewing lightly on
her lower lip, unaware of how the simple gesture affected the
man standing in front of her. "Um, well, good night."
She
felt his gaze on her lips, the intensity making her feel like
he'd actually kissed her. She resisted running her fingers over
them, instead turning towards the door. "Oh, Mr. Parker, Brett?"
"Yes?"
suspicion creeping into his voice.
"The
photographer, did you stop him from taking that picture?"
"Want
to tell me why it was so important?"
"I
did; I don't like having my photograph taken. Did you stop him?"
"Yeah,
I did."
"Thank
you. Thank you." She reached out towards his arm, catching herself
just before she put her hand on it.
Taking
note of her movement, Brett drew into himself, "I'll fetch you
in the morning for breakfast. And Jenna?"
She
looked up at him.
"Don't
even think about trying to run off tonight...I'll find you and
bring you back."
She
nodded, resigned to marrying this man and then hoping soon he'd
seek an annulment. As she turned to close the door, his arms came
around her and she tilted her head up to question his intent.
Before she could utter a word, his lips descended to hers. His
lips nibbled on hers, plying little kisses along the upper and
lower while his hands massaged her back. Pressed firmly against
his chest she felt her nipples begin to harden and without volition
her lips parted to welcome his tongue into her mouth. Without
thought, Jenna gave herself to the sensations this man evoked
in her. She couldn't stop herself if she wanted to...I do want
to, I want to stop him, I want to, I want to...the
moan that escaped her lips seemed to startle them both into awareness.
"I'll be by around eight to take you to breakfast. Sleep well,
Jenna."