“Aye, you will, for there is a passion between us that even you cannot deny, even though you clearly would like to.”
“I say not.”
Quinn smiled slowly and she rose to her feet, aware of him yet again.He strolled closer, his gaze fixed upon her, his smile alluring, his confidence unassailable, then tugged his chemise over his head and cast it aside.“You shall invite me now, my lady,” he murmured and Melissande’s heart fluttered.
He was magnificent.
And he was aroused.
By the sight of her, in her chemise and stockings, her hair tangled about her shoulders.
Melissande caught her breath, astonished yet again by Quinn’s effect upon her.It was a lie to leave him believing that Arnaud held her heart, but if it kept him at a distance, she could not afford to tell him the truth.The man had no lack of confidence in his own persuasive abilities—and his conviction was not without cause.
He reached her side and lifted her hair, letting his spill over his fingers.“You are glorious, my Melissande,” he murmured and her breath caught when he said her name.He kissed the hair on his hand, his gaze rising to hers again.“As splendid as a goddess.”
“I am not dressed,” she protested.“My hair is not braided...”
He bent and grazed her cheek with his lips, then kissed her ear.She tingled at the brush of his whiskers and shivered at the heat emanating from him, thrilled by the power that he held in check.He was a man, such as she had never imagined a man might be.His breath fanned her throat and kindled her desire, and his hand rose to her nape again.
“Glorious,” he whispered then kissed her ear.Her eyes closed in pleasure.When he grazed her earlobe with his teeth, Melissande heard herself moan with need.“With wine or not, you rise to my touch, just as I rise to yours,” Quinn whispered into her ear and she felt the flick of his tongue.His kisses brushed down her throat and she tipped her head, granting him access to whatever he desired of her.“It is a fair promise for our shared future.”
Melissande tugged herself from his embrace and hastened backward.“Aye?”she asked, ensuring her tone was sharp.“Did you not realize that I only pretended to share your pleasure, husband?I thought it a fitting choice for a bride on her nuptial night.”
Quinn shook his head slowly.“You did not.”
“You do not know,” she said, then turned to choose a clean chemise.She kept her tone dismissive, though her heart was thundering.“It is done.And I have your vow.”
“It is not done, my lady,” Quinn said softly.“I will prove it to you, again and again, if necessary.”She saw his hand rise and guessed his intent, knowing he would be proven right if he did touch her.
“Is your word worth so little, then?”she asked.“Does the pledge you have granted me mean naught at all?”
Quinn dropped his hand.She turned to find him glaring at her.“We will journey to Annossy together, and should you not invite me to your chamber, I will slumber outside your door.”
“Like an obedient hound.”
“Like a husband who knows his rightful place.”
“You might find more comfort in the stables.Or at Sayerne.”
“Nay,” Quinn said with resolve.“You will not have the opportunity to forget about me, my lady.”He shook a finger at her.“And rest assured, the next time that I am between your thighs—and I will be soon—I will have beeninvited.”
“I do not share your confidence,” Melissande said, but her husband only smiled that maddening smile, the one that made her catch her breath and...remember.
Their gazes locked and held once more across the chamber, the heat rising between them with an ease that Melissande despised.She wanted to look away but could not.She wanted to halt her own reaction, but she could not.She was powerless when this man simply looked upon her—when he smiled—and that sent terror through her veins.
Quinn took a step closer, his intent clear, and Melissande fought her desire to flee.“Invite me now, my lady,” he murmured.“I will ensure that you begin your day most joyously.”
Melissande knew she would appear more resolute if she held her ground, but if Quinn touched her again...
He had no such chance, for someone rapped upon the door.
“I come for the linens,” Tulley declared from the other side.
Melissande seized a robe and donned it over her chemise, her heart pounding.Quinn tugged on his own chemise and turned to face the door.Was it coincidence that he ensured Melissande was shielded from view?
God in heaven, this man would keep her emotions all a-tangle if she did not find a way to keep him at a distance.
What was she to do?
