“Yes. What of it?” Damned, he couldn’t keep from smiling. Her eyes had widened, and she licked her lips nervously. She knew what being a rake actually meant…and not just to her reputation.
“I can’t be seen with you out here. Notalone.” Alex retreated, but Ambrose was too fascinated to let her escape. He was not a villain and would never force a woman to do anything she didn’t wish, but damned if he wouldn’t stay her long enough to steal a kiss.
When she’d assumed he was just another gentleman, she’d let him touch her lips, lean in close enough for a kiss, but now she was fleeing all because of one little word…rake. He couldn’t resist the chase now that it had begun.
“Alex, love, where do you think you’re going?” He caged her between his arms and the wall. She bumped into the bricks behind her, and her chin lifted as she met him with a defiant stare.
“Let me go back inside.” There was steel beneath that sensual tone, and he couldn’t help but admire her for that. Not such a wilting wallflower then.
“What has you so frightened? One minute we were having a polite conversation, and the next you’re fleeing simply because I told you my name.”
She arched a brow. “We were having a polite conversation until I learned that you were the sort of man who could ruin me by the simple act of being alone with you. Now if you’ll kindly let me pass…”
Ambrose smiled, pinning her with the weight of his seductive snare. “’Tis a pity you fear passion.”
Alex scoffed, completely unimpressed by a look he’d used to break many hearts and quite a few beds.
“Did you think that would work? Challenge me to stay and let you compromise me in the name of conquering my fears? I’m not some country peahen.” She shoved hard at his chest, her determination making her even more alluring.
Ambrose slid an arm around her waist, pulling her against him. “I would never say you were a peahen. You remind me more of a doe. Deep, expressive eyes, sleek limbs. All you need is a proper buck, one to mount you and claim you as his with deep, powerful thrusts.” He painted the verbal picture and punctuated it with a slow roll of his pelvis against hers.
A flush of red stained her cheeks, her lips parting in shock. He’d probably gone too far, but he took a strange delight in provoking this woman.
“Would you like that, Alex? Do you want a man topossessyou, take you hard until you scream?” His provocative words had the desired effect.
She blinked at him, desire battling outrage in her eyes. Alex was a woman who craved passion but knew wanting it was dangerous. Smart girl.
“You know what I want?” she demanded breathlessly.
“Yes?” He pressed fully against her, his body ready to take hers. It would be so easy to lift her skirts, wrap her lovely legs around his hips, and take her here. He could silence her cries with his lips. God, he wanted that more than he’d wanted anything in a long damned time.
“I want you to get out of my way.” He sensed the movement too late to stop her, and he felt the agonizing pain slice through him as her knee jutted up, a slither of silks and satins, and rammed into him, crushing his bollocks and crippling him. His throat closed with panic, and he clutched his crotch, his ability to breathe escaping him as stars danced before his eyes.
“Christ!” he hissed.
In his agony he barely noticed her leaving, a whisper of her dress as she pushed past him and back into the ballroom, leaving him broken and alone, holding on to the aching cock he had a moment before been pressing against her. He rested one palm against the brick wall, gasping and trying to control the surge of shooting pain from his balls up to his chest.
Bloody hell, the woman had one hell of a leg.
When the pain at last subsided, he started laughing. Alex was one hell of a woman, and he couldn’t wait to get her in his bed. He would worry about the Earl of Rockford’s daughter tomorrow. Tonight he would play buck to Alex’s doe.
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Chapter 2
“Heavens, I can’t believe I did that.” Alexandra covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. She hid at the back of the assembly room with her best friend, Perdita Darby. Her heart was pounding, and her body was trembling. Thankfully, the music drowned out the sound of their laughter. The moment she’d rushed inside she’d sought out her friend, and they’d ducked behind a wall of impressive matrons who were watching the dancing with critical eyes to see which young men might suit their daughters.
“You truly kicked a man between his legs?” Perdita seemed torn between laughing and gasping in scandalized shock. This was why she loved her friend. They were both a bit of outcasts in Lothbrook because neither one of them was inclined to marry, and the thought of kneeing a man’s bollocks made them both laugh.
Lord, we are doomed to be spinsters, but at least we shall be together,Alex thought, laughing still.
“I did! I don’t know what came over me, but there he was, talking about…possessing me, and I just…kicked!” Alex blushed and covered her face in her hands for a minute to collect herself. If anyone found out she’d behaved like such a hoyden, she’d be in real trouble. She was relieved her mother had given up on marrying her off and had gone to London on her own for the season. If she’d been here and seen what Alex had been up to…
I’d never hear the end of it.
“If he was trying to kiss you, it was only fitting that you put a stop to his forward behavior. You can’t afford to be compromised by a man like Ambrose Worthing, even if he is thefinestman ever to be seen. Although, one kiss might have been worth it…” Perdita replied in all seriousness, but her lips twitched as she mentioned a kiss.
“Perdita!” Alex gasped in a hushed whisper. “You wouldn’t actually kiss a rake like him, would you?” Perdita’s statement shocked her. Was her friend actually considering going about kissing rakes? Surely not sensible, sweet Perdita. Between the two of them, Perdita was far more adept at navigating social situations, but that probably had something to do with her mother constantly throwing parties, balls, and picnics in an attempt to entice gentlemen to court Perdita. Alex was more of a hoyden than anything else—she’d readily admit to that. It was far better to be racing about the country on her horse than to be stuck inside like most other ladies her age.
