“Doesn’t it?” He ran his thumb over her lower lip.
She resisted the urge to twist in his lap. “Imissyou.”
“Me?” He chuckled softly. “Or my cock?”
The warmth flushed down into her body. “I miss your hands. I miss your weight. If you don’t take me to bed, I feel I might expire.” She pinned him with an angry glance. “That’show flustered you make me.”
His gaze softened. “Is that why you sent Mrs. Wheeling home?”
She nodded. “I’ve waited for your notice—”
“Wait,” he interrupted. “Not an hour passes without at least one thought of you. Occasionally naked. Sometimes in stays and a shift. Oftentimes”—his voice lowered—“with your lips wrapped around my cock.”
“Then why haven’t you come to me?”
“I’m trying to protect you.” His lips twisted. “From myself. From my base desires.”
“I don’t want protection.” Her eyes stung with heat. “I want you.Allof you.”
He groaned, low and long. “I’ve neglected you, haven’t I?”
“You have.”
She sat stiff, brittle—half eager, half embarrassed, fully knowing she’d soak in any demonstration of his regard and yet having only the vaguest of ideas how he would proceed.
“I’ve placed all my effort into improvements…while overlooking the only reason I embraced the impossible task.”
She concentrated on his fingers’ slow crawl. “Without this the effort is meaningless.”
“You are kind”—his breath fanned over her ear—“to remind me.”
He flicked his tongue over her earlobe. Her cheeks pinked, her mouth parted, her mind went vacant.
“Do you really believe you are ever far from my thoughts, kitten?” He drew down her bodice and then bit her shoulder. “I know I was wrong to bind you to me, wrong to bring you here.” He nuzzled her neck. “A place devoid of the joy that’s pillowed you for life. Then again…”
She turned toward him, waiting, breathless, for him to finish.
“Another part of me would bind you closer—completely callous to the cost.”
“Whatever the cost, I’ll pay.” She closed her eyes. “I promise I’ll pay.”
“I’ve a wicked mind and a wicked heart.”
Red clouds stormed behind her lids. “Iloveyour wicked mind.”
As for his heart—that wasn’t wicked at all.
“Do you?” He ran his tongue over the edge of her ear. “What else do you love?”
You.“Your wicked mouth.”
His hand swept over her breasts, rousing her nipples.
“Your wicked hands.” Her voice quivered. “Shall we go upstairs?”
“We shall not.” He loosened her dress fastenings. “We shall remain right here.”
Her eyes flew open. “Here?”In the dining hall?
