“It made us open up to each other. Nicholas explained that he didn’t know how to show emotion and didn’t want his children to grow up the same way. We made a pact—to focus on raising them in a loving environment,” she said, and then gulped. “When he passed, I was adrift for quite some time. It was very sudden. I made sure the children were happy, but when I was alone, I missed him terribly.”
“I’m sorry,” Thomas said, hating the loss she endured and surprisingly finding himself no longer able to hate the duke he’d spent much of his life loathing.
Lisbeth took a deep breath. “The Historical Society for Female Curators eased some of my loneliness.”
They sat in silence and, unsure if he was overstaying his welcome, stood. She followed him as he walked to the door. Thomas turned to her. “I guess this is goodbye for the second time in our lives.”
Her eyes watered, and her lips trembled. “I only wish you the best, Thomas. I’m so proud of all that you have accomplished.”
He wanted to tell her he’d done all of it for her, but suspected it would cause more harm than good. Thomas huskily said, “I wish you only the best in London.”
She nodded, and they stared at each other silently. Finally, he turned and opened the door, but instead of walking out, he paused and closed it, still inside. Then, he made a very unwise choice. Thomas turned around and swept Lisbeth into his arms. If this were the last time he would ever see her, he needed to kiss her. Their lips mashed together hungrily. His hands slid over her back as her arms wrapped around him. They moaned as their mouths continued to press against one another.
Since their kiss in the cave, he’d hungered to do it again. His mouth broke away from hers, and he kissed her jaw, throat, and then the sensitive skin at her collarbone. Lisbeth moaned but then stumbled backward. They studied each other ravenously. Quietly, he said, “One night, Lisbeth. It is all I’ve dreamed of for the past ten years.”
Chapter Eleven
Lisbeth stared atThomas, her heart still pounding from their kiss. She’d dreamed about being in this man’s arms one more time since she’d left him in Tuscany. Rationally, Lisbeth should say no, but every part of her being prevented her from doing so.
“Only one night,” she reiterated.
His eyes glowed with desire, and he brushed his lips across hers. “One moment to say goodbye, and then you can go back to being a duchess, and I can continue with my life as is.”
The words were both a blow and a tempting offer. Deep down, Lisbeth had no desire to say goodbye to this man, but knew she had to. His hand trailed down her shoulder, arm, and then along the curve of her lower back. He leaned closer, and his lips brushed against her ear. “Let me love you tonight, Lizzie.”
She nodded, unable to deny his request. He was her Serious Thomas, and she was his Lizzie—at least while they were in this room.
His mouth made its way back to hers, making the desire spike within her. She wanted this man desperately. Thomas’s tongue dipped into her mouth and sparred with her tongue, tempting and enticing her. Lisbeth folded her body into his, needing to feel his warmth against her. Her core clenched as his shaft pressed against her belly.
He untied her wrap, and it fell to the ground. He palmed one of her breasts through the thin fabric of her nightgown. Thomas groaned, “You are so responsive to my touch.”
Thomas pinched and teased the tip as she whimpered, arching into him. The front of the gown contained dozens of buttons, and too impatient, he grasped the fabric and pulled. Buttons flew everywhere. One side of her gown fell off her shoulder, revealing her from the waist up.
Her gaze returned to Thomas’s face, and she studied him as his eyes hungrily perused her form. An amorous sigh escaped him as he dipped his head down, bringing one of her nipples between his lips. Thomas walked them backward towards the bed, stopping only to allow the nightgown to fall completely off her.
She flushed, finding herself suddenly shy to be naked in front of him. Her bottom bumped the edge of the bed, and any reservations about being bare before him quickly disappeared. His face was filled with such a deep longing that it made her tremble. She felt emboldened that he desired her so much.
He stepped back and removed his jacket and shoes. His eyes didn’t leave her. “Christ, Lisbeth, how are you still so beautiful?”
She flushed. “Older, still.”
He pulled his shirt from his head and stepped towards her. “Only more beautiful with time.”
His lips sprinkled kisses along her shoulder and down her arm until he reached her fingertips. Lisbeth clenched her legs together, wanting much more from him. Gently, he placed his hand on her chest and pushed her back onto the bed. She looked up at him, and he ran a thumb across her lips. “You tempt me like no one else ever has.”
The words were too much for one night, but she didn’t care. Lisbeth wanted them to feel everything in this moment—not to hold anything back. His fingers ran down her breasts and stomach, causing her to whimper. He stepped back and removed the rest of his clothes, then returned to staring down at her.
His broad chest and taut stomach had been bronzed by the sun. Absurdly, she wondered where he spent so much time shirtless outdoors. Her body ached for him. His hand palmed one of her breasts again before trailing down her stomach, stopping right before he reached her quim.
Her legs fell open, and she rocked her hips. Thomas ran his tongue along his lower lip. The fingers on her stomach moved further down and dipped into her most feminine place. She groaned and closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of Thomas’s touch.
“Open your eyes,” he said gruffly.
They fluttered open. She looked at him through a haze of desire. His mouth turned up at the corners. “You have no idea how beautiful you look. This right here will be seared to my memory for the rest of my life.”
A flash of pain passed between them, and Lisbeth didn’t want to feel it. She murmured, “Thomas, kiss me.”
His slight smile turned to a cocky smirk. He pressed a finger to her mouth and then her quim. “Where do you want my mouth?”
