“Lucas.” After her initial surprise at the similarity in their names, she decided she liked the way it sounded.
His gaze raked over her figure in a slow, leisurely perusal. She knew what he’d see. Her dusky nipples would be visible through the thin fabric of her white chemise. As would the dark triangle of hair between her thighs.
“All of it.” The words were low, barely audible.
His eyes locked on hers, and she hesitated. Was she actually going to do this? She’d only ever been naked in front of her lady’s maid when she was taking her bath, and even then Lucy usually moved quickly. She’d never stood bare in front of anyone and allowed them to examine her body.
But Holbrook had been staring at her for some time now, and her chemise was so thin she might as well be wearing nothing. Besides, she didn’t want the type of romantic relationship she’d already experienced.
She lifted her hands and toyed with the small ribbon between her breasts that held the chemise in place. Holbrook’s eyes were riveted on her hands, and a shiver went through her.
She wanted this as much as he did.
Slowly she pulled on the ribbon and loosened the small bow. The edges of fabric gaped open, showing the tops of her breasts.
With a small wiggle of her shoulders, she allowed the garment to fall to the floor. She was now standing completely naked amid the pile of her clothing.
Holbrook’s—no, Lucas’s—gaze took a leisurely path down her body again.
Her cheeks heated, and she could feel warmth spread throughout her. “Are you going to just stand there and stare at me?”
“If I had any talent, I would paint you like this. A wicked temptress trying to bring about my downfall.”
There was no hint of lightness in his words, and she realized he was speaking the truth.
“I am infinitely thankful that you don’t.”
Finally he closed the space between them and tugged her against his own fully clothed body. Sensations assailed her. Her heated skin touching the fine wool of his coat, her breasts pressed against the cool silk of his waistcoat. And beneath that, his hard body and arms surrounding her.
Never before had she found herself so desperate for a man’s touch.
Her body yearned for the release he’d shown her with just his hands. And it had been far too long since he’d kissed her.
She tilted her chin up, and his mouth came down on hers as though they’d choreographed the movement. He devoured her with his kiss, and she returned it with equal passion.
She let out a small gasp and wrapped her arms around his neck when he tore his mouth away from hers and swept her into his arms. He carried her to the bed and then deposited her on it.
Now it was her turn to watch him disrobe. He shrugged out of his tailcoat and then undid the cravat that hid the column of his throat. Her eyes lingered on the broad width of the shoulders he’d just revealed and then fixed on his fingers as he deftly unbuttoned and removed his waistcoat. Finally he pulled his shirt up over his head.
He stood there, still wearing his trousers but bared to the waist.
Her mouth was dry as she took in his muscles. She’d known he was more muscular than her husband, but his clothing had hidden just how much.
She stretched her arm out to touch the only piece of bare skin within reach from her prone position on the bed. His abdomen.
He hissed out a breath as she ran her fingers over his skin. “You’re so hard.”
He closed his eyes tightly for a moment as though he were in pain. “You have no idea.”
Her gaze moved down, and she saw the clear evidence of his arousal. But instead of freeing himself, he settled onto the bed next to her.
“I think you’re wearing far too much clothing for what we need to do next.”
One corner of his mouth quirked up. “I need to keep them on, temptress, if I’m to keep from ravaging you.”
She frowned. “I hope you haven’t changed your mind. I think I’d like to be ravaged.”
He ran a large hand along her arm. “I want to explore you first. To taste you.”
