“You are revealing me.”
Every word out of her mouth tonight was a message of temptation, and he chuckled, shifting slightly in his seat. Her hazel eyes appeared amber tonight, and her soft lips were begging him to be kissed.
Jasper removed the pins from her hair, murmuring, “Tonight, you are not Lady Natalie Reeves, but—”
She placed a finger against his lips. “I know who I am tonight.” She said that with such confidence that he blinked at her. He had wanted to say that she was the Masked Rogue’s lady, but looking at her at this very moment, he was glad she stopped him. He wanted to claim her as Jasper and not his alter ego.
“Very well.” He continued removing the pins, sending her red curls tumbling down seductively. “Let your locks frame your face and add to the disguise.”
“I will wear my mask,” she insisted, and he laughed.
“You will wear your mask,” he reassured her, reaching for the cloak.
“You do not want to see this now, Jasper,” she warned, holding the edges tighter.
“What are you hiding?” He was more intrigued than ever.
“I cannot show you now.”
“Why?” He held her slight shoulders. “I implore you, Natalie. Whatever it is, I think you should show me.”
“You will not send me back to my house to change. Promise me that.”
Now Jasper was certain she was dressed in something she was not supposed to, and it heated his blood. “You have my word.”
Slowly, she parted the cloak and let it fall from her shoulders. Jasper stopped breathing. The ivory dress she had on was the most enticing thing he had ever seen a woman wear. “Holy God, Natalie!” he swore.
The neckline was very low, enough to reveal the lovely mounds of her breasts, and there were barely any sleeves on the dress, only a trim of lace. The bodice clung to her tiny waist and flared at her hips. As his eyes moved down, his erection grew painful. Not only was the skirt not full, but it also had a long slit that stopped at her thigh, showing the black stockings she wore. This woman was seduction personified, and Jasper had already lost any game she played before it started.
He had made her a promise too early because now he did not want any other man to see her thus. Jasper wanted her all to himself. He pulled the cloak over her shoulders. “I am not covering you because I am displeased. I am doing so to preserve myself from your charm.”
She giggled, and he raised his eyes to hers. Unable to stop himself, he removed his mask and took her face between his palms, claiming her lips. Her little sigh undid him, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him, her breasts pressing softly against his chest.
Why did she have to be a Goddess? And why am I only meeting her now, when I am at the end of my journey?This thought pained him so much that he found the will to let her go.
"If your intention is to disarm me with desire tonight, Natalie. I must say that you have succeeded."
"Wearing this dress is another item on my list,” she revealed, and he cocked his head, fascinated. At the same time, he was aching inside and tempted to have the carriage turned so he could take her back to his manor instead. “I did not wear it for you.” She might as well have because she had won almost every part of him over.
Jasper felt his lips curl in a sly smile. Her retorts were as delightful as she was. Natalie covered herself and regarded him defiantly.
“Where are we going?” she asked. “The Masked Rogue scarcely visits gentlemen’s clubs.”
“There is one I have in mind tonight. It is obscure, and your identity would be safer there.” Jasper returned to the rear-facing seat, willing his body to behave. She had the power to turn him mindless with lust, and he did not want to kiss her again before they reached their destination.
The remainder of the trip was spent in savory banter, and Jasper found himself almost wishing that they would never arrive. It was a sweet torture, with his senses yearning and his mind enjoying her witty response to every comment he made.
They arrived at last, and Jasper found himself oddly reluctant to leave the carriage. He reached into the box on the seat beside him and removed the mask he had fashioned for her. “Wear this. It will conceal your face better.”
Her eyes enlarged at the sight of the mask. The gold edges matched the trimmings of her dress, and the ivory satin was made just for her. “This is beautiful, Jasper.”
“It can never compare to you,” he whispered without thinking, and only when she looked at him, did he realize what he had said. The delightful color on her cheeks told him that she was pleased. Natalie wore the mask and fluffed her lustrous hair, then he wore his mask and alighted the carriage before helping her down.
The night could now begin, and only the heavens knew how it would end.
Chapter 16
Sinful rakes and witless dandies. We have their escapades to report since we are being starved by the Masked Rogue. Our search beyond London is as fruitless as the Marquess of Kinsdale’s marriage, and we are losing confidence.
