“Haddon,” she whispered, looking into his beautiful face. “You bloody idiot.”
He stood before her, bowing in the rain, before holding out her very ruined hat. When she reached for the brim, he jerked the hat back, making her fall against him.
And then he kissed her.
10
Trent hadn’t meant to kiss her.
I couldn’t help myself.
Marissa was so beautiful, waiting for him with raindrops caught on her lashes and in the dark curls of her hair. He’d just made himself promise to tread lightly with her. Allow her to set the pace to their courtship.
Of course, she had no idea hewascourting her. Marissa was far too busy being annoyed over Lady Christina Sykes. As if he would ever prefer any other woman toher.
She shivered at the light touch of his mouth on hers but didn’t pull away. On the contrary, a growl of pleasure escaped Marissa, a wholly feminine sound of desire which only hardened the length of his cock now clearly outlined in his wet trousers. Her lips tasted of tea and lemon. A hint of ginger. Delicious and warm.
He’d never wantedanyoneoranythingquite so badly in his entire life.
Only their mouths touched, the hat crushed and ruined between them. When he pulled away, Marissa’s eyes fluttered open. The pools of sapphire shimmered in the rain like the depths of the deepest lake in the Peak District. There were tiny creases at the corners of her eyes which only made her more precious to him. Trent had the urge to press his lips to each groove but thought better of it.
“I fear your hat is ruined, my lady.”
She blinked, moisture dripping from her lashes, looking at Trent as if seeing him for the first time.
“We should get out of the rain, Marissa.”
“Yes. Yes, of course. Good Lord, what am I thinking?”
He took her hand and ran with her across the slick grass to the carriage. Her skirts curled around his legs as he helped her inside before sliding in across from her.
The carriage lurched forward as the rain began to increase, hammering the poor driver as well as the horses. The vehicle rocked as it fought with the wind outside.
“My house is fairly close,” she said, her eyes fixed on the hollow of his throat. “Just on the other side of the park.”
It was true. Trent’s own house lay a good distance away. “Yes, it is.”
“You can’t,” Marissa hesitated, wiping a wet curl from her cheek, “return home soaked to the bone, Haddon.” Her voice held an undercurrent of something wicked. “You’ll catch a chill.”
“No. I don’t suppose I can.” His trousers, already tight, became increasingly uncomfortable. Marissa’s dress, as wet as it was, left little to the imagination.Christ, he could see the points of her nipples. Unfortunately, her home wassoclose he’d not have enough time to ravish her in the coach. Which was what he wanted to do. Trent’s fingers drummed lightly on one knee. Truthfully, he was the furthest thing from being chilled.
“The least I can do for the rescue of my hat is to offer you tea. You can warm yourself before the fire while your clothing dries.”
“I think I’d prefer whisky.”And you naked beneath me.
A blush rose up her cheeks despite the cold air. Trent found the way she flushed adorable. “I, too, prefer a good whisky. Much more than ratafia.”
His cock twitched against his leg.
They sat in silence on the short ride to Marissa’s town house, neither willing to interrupt the fragile acceptance of what was going to happen. Trent was afraid if he spoke, Marissa would change her mind, something the deep ache between his legs wanted to avoid at all costs.
Once the carriage slowed, Trent ran up the steps, Marissa’s hand clutched firmly in his, not caring which one of her neighbors spied them out their parlor windows. Once inside, Marissa’s ruffled butler greeted them, nose pointed high in the air at the water dripping all over the floor.
“Greenhouse, send word to Lord Haddon’s daughter we’ve arrived safely. He will be home after his clothes are no longer dripping wet, and he’s been warmed.”
The wet trousers pulled tighter though he didn’t think she’d meant the words as an innuendo. Trent turned, pretending to observe the large vase of greenery and purple flowers to his left. Marissa still had his coat around her shoulders.
“Have tea and something to eat brought to my parlor.”
