Thomas took a sip of the drink, “So tell me, Lizzie—no, I’m sorry, duchess, how have you been?”
Annoyance surged in her. Thomas wasn’t acting like himself. Still, she was glad she was here. Taking a deep breath, Lisbeth said, “I’m glad you sent me a note. There is something I must tell you.”
He ignored her words and said, “May I kiss you, duchess?”
She frowned at him. “Please stop calling me that.”
“Isn’t that what you are?”
His fingers stroked one of her arms, and a jolt of desire shot through her. It infuriated her because she was doing her best to tell him the truth. She needed him to know about Alice before he discovered it himself. His hand grasped her chin, and his thumb stroked her lower lip. “Why have you tempted me my entire life?”
His words should have been romantic, but they seemed to be laced more with frustration. Thomas sighed. “I’ve slept with dozens of women to forget you, and you are still the one I dream of.”
She yanked out of his grasp, standing. Lisbeth took a sip of her drink, trying to gather her thoughts and also unsure why he was behaving so strangely. “Thomas—”
He stood and said, “Come here, Lizzie.”
The use of her childhood nickname on his lips soothed some of her annoyance, but she still studied him apprehensively. She started again, “Thomas, I need—”
Thomas shook his head. “Before we discuss anything, kiss me one more time.”
She gave him a pointed look, and he added, “Let me just feel your mouth against mine. I traveled here to see you.”
Lisbeth placed her glass on a table, worried. His eyes flared with desire, and warmth shot through her. Suddenly, she found herself wanting to kiss him before everything was known. There would be so much turmoil afterward. One kiss, and then Lisbeth would reveal it all.
She stepped towards him, her lower region flaring with want. She’d always been attracted to Thomas, but at thirty-two, he had a rugged appeal with his scruffy face, tan skin, and broad shoulders that was so much different from the boy she fell in love with.
The desire in his eyes sparked more, and he ran his tongue over his lower lip. Her core clenched; memories of him tasting her in Syria flashed in her mind. She reached him and placed a hand on his hard chest. His heart pounded underneath her hand.
One of his hands grasped her hip, and she felt herself leaning into him. Lisbeth wanted to feel his body against hers. His head dipped down, and he kissed her gently, but then it deepened.The touching of their mouths became one of dominance and hunger. It should frighten Lisbeth, but instead, her body screamed for more.
She clung to him, and then, in one swift motion, Thomas had her pushed up against the wall with her legs wrapped around his waist. He broke his savage kiss and ran his mouth down her throat. Thomas started to release one of her breasts from her dress when her rational side broke free from the fog of desire that had ignited.
Lisbeth pushed at his chest. “Please put me down.”
He tried to claim her mouth again, but she shook her head. Thomas released her and strode to the other side of the room, facing away from her, taking deep breaths.
“Thomas, I didn’t come for this. There is something I need to tell you.”
He didn’t say anything at first, and she added, “Please turn around. I need to speak with you. I’ve done something—”
Thomas turned, and his eyes glittered with hatred. “I know what you’ve done, duchess. I’ve already decided what will happen next. You will marry me tomorrow.”
Horror filled her face. “No.”
He glared at her, and Lisbeth felt all the animosity she’d expected. Still, they couldn’t marry. Lisbeth shook her head as if somehow, she could make this all disappear but deep down she knew that was impossible.
“You don’t have a choice. I will be in our daughter’s life.”
*
Thomas studied heras the realization that he already knew sank in. The color drained from her face. She grabbed her wine glass and took two large gulps. Finally, she said, “I know you areupset, but marriage tomorrow is an impossibility. We would need a license.”
He grinned bitterly. “Fortunately for us, being famous helps you procure one faster. I’ve already obtained a special license.”
Her eyes widened. Thomas smirked at her. “I explained to the church that we’d fallen madly in love while you visited Syria. They found it rather romantic.”
She bit her lip as if trying to deduce what to say next. His rage crackled within him. He wanted her to beg for his forgiveness or even cry, but instead, she stood staring at him, unblinking.
