Then her gaze, as hungry as he was sure his was, traveled down his body.
She took one more half-step so her skirts brushed his bulging breeches, her breasts brushed his waistcoat.
“See something you like? There are plenty of rooms here available.” Her finger ran across her decolletage, then skimmed the buttons of his waistcoat until she fisted his erection through his breeches.
“Hunh.”
“If you are so worried about gossip, why do you attend these parties?” She squeezed, a hardness in her gaze that he’d never seen before.
His eyes drifted shut. Even if he’d been coherent enough to say that Evan dragged him most times, it was clear she was not in a mindset to listen. Whatever small amount of blood that was left in his brain told him her question was rhetorical.
“Unless you’ve changed your mind, mayhap?”
His eyes flew open, gazing at her in alarm.
She squeezed him harder, as she knew he liked.
He bit his tongue to avoid moaning.
“What say you, Robert? We could borrow a room for you to taste my peaches.”
She was baiting him. He knew she was, but he could not help his response. No matter her reason, she was also reinforcing the issue between them. Their location and a possible audience did not bother her. Worse, she did not seem to care that he did mind.
She leaned in, her mouth mere inches below his.
He sucked in her scent, and his knees went weak with desire.
“Robert. No one here judges. I’ve done everything I can to support you. Why can’t you at least try this and see if you like it?”
His cockstand wilted like an unstarched handkerchief.And that is precisely why.
He wrenched out of her hold, gritting his teeth. “Beth, I appreciate your support. In turn, I have tried to support your penchant for risking more than I am comfortable. I cannot do this.”
“Will not, you mean.” She stomped her foot again.
“Temper, temper.” He chided, but his tone was mild.
“Do not condescend to me!”
What?He was bewildered.
“I am allowed to be mad. You are judging me for my unwillingness to succumb to the Ton’s stupid rules. My desire to live my life the way I choose, out in the open.”
“No, I—”
“Yes, you are. Or you wouldn’t care what people think. You’d try this.”
He’d never seen her this mad. He wasn’t sure she would listen to any defense he offered. Reaching to cup her arm, he lowered his voice. “Beth, please. Let’s discuss this later. Or tomorrow. I—”
“No. Either be with me here, tonight, to watch or be watched, or I shall find someone else to play with tonight. I am tired of sneaking around in the dark. Of thinking ‘what would Robert say?’”
His eyebrows shot up at that. He hadn’t known she’d ever thought that. He caught a flash of fear in her eyes before she continued. Distracted for a moment, he wondered if she worried she’d have to act on her ultimatum.
“Of picturing you fitting someone else with designs I helped create.” She folded her arms. “Choose.”
Huh. No wonder she didn’t like my options. Neither of those are palatable choices. Can I get a third?He looked at her arms crossed under her breasts and was momentarily distracted by the sight before taking in her tight jaw and furrowed brow.Likely not.
His throat tight, all he could manage was, “Please don’t do this.”
