Ways to be Wicked
1.Kiss a man until you are breathless.
2.Arrange for an assignation. Perhaps with Lord Q? your husband? Strike that,bijou.Definitelywith your husband.
3.Get caught in the rain with a gentleman. (This will necessitate the removal of wet garments. Choose said gentleman wisely.)
4.Sneak into a gentleman’s bedchamber in the midst of the night.
5.Go to a gentleman’s private apartments.
6.Spend a night in a gentleman’s bed.
7.Make love in the outdoors.
8.Ask your husband to help you disrobe.
Jo crossed off number two on her list while she waited for Decker to come to her in his chamber. Then she filled in the rest of number eight. She hoped she would be able to strike through that number as well before the afternoon was done.
Satisfied with her progress, she waited for him, heart bursting with love.
At long last, the door opened, and her husband came prowling into his chamber, closing the door at his back with more force than necessary. The action was rather reminiscent of that first day when she had gone to his offices in search of her list and Macfie had slammed the door when he had left.
Jo gave Decker a teasing smile. “It would seem you do not know your own strength.”
He paused just short of her, his sky-blue gaze searing hers. “There is a hell of a lot I do not know,bijou. Principal amongst them, how to tell my wife I am in love with her.”
It required all Jo’s restraint to keep from throwing herself into his arms. “Have you tried using your lips and tongue?”
Her cheeks went hot as she realized the implications of her words.
He flashed her a sinner’s unrepentant grin. “I have indeed used my lips and tongue upon her many times. Though I fear not nearly enough.”
Jo’s smile grew at Decker’s teasing. After so much heaviness, grief, and pain, it felt good to embrace some lightness. “You know very well I was referring to using your lips and tongue to speak.”
“I do,” he agreed. “But when your cheeks turn pink, you are even more impossible to resist than you ordinarily are.”
They stared at each other for a moment, nothing but silence and two steps between them. She wanted to be brave, to be the one to say the words first. She also needed to hear his confession. She wanted him to tell her everything.
“Did you get my note from Rhees?” she asked, a foolish question, for of course he had.
Why else would he be in his chamber, just as she had requested?
“I did,” he said. “I am here, happy to offer you my assistance in the completion of the second objective on your list.”
Her heart beat faster, and though an ache blossomed into life between her thighs, she also knew a pang of disappointment. Perhaps she was asking too much of him, too quickly. Mayhap he was not ready yet.
“But I am also here,” he continued, moving closer to her at last, “to tell you I love you.”
She swallowed down a lump rising in her throat. It was time for honesty from the both of them. “Decker, I saw you in the salon earlier today with Lady Tinley. I know about the letter you received from her before your mother’s death. Her name was on the envelope you left behind. Callie told me about your past with her.”
His jaw hardened. “I want nothing to do with her, and I told her as much. I am sorry I did not tell you sooner, or that I did not write to her myself making it clear she was not welcome in my life. But she will never again call upon me, I can assure you of it.”
“I know,” Jo told him, “because I overheard some of your conversation with her. I am ashamed to admit I was eavesdropping. I did not intend to, but I was afraid, Decker.”
“Afraid?” He frowned now, his gaze searching hers. “Of what,bijou?”
“I was afraid you were still in love with her,” she admitted.
