“You were putting me through hell. I saw what could be, but I never acted on it for obvious reasons.” Mainly I was in love with him. Shameful but true. It had torn me up inside. Yet I dared not risk the repercussions of admitting to a desire that might not be returned.
“Hence why you were so very adept the other night.” Lord Kendrick cocked one strong brow and pulled me into his chest. Although we were of a similar height, he’d a much broader frame. Gentle hands held me in a warm embrace. He was confident in his passions. I wish I could emulate him.
Every night I dreamed of the opportunity to seduce him. Lady Lillian had given me that chance. “Yes, although I daresay I am not as skilled as you.”
“Lillian said you were a writer. Yet another secret you were keeping from me. Why didn’t you tell me about your inheritance? You are a rich man.” His cheek came to rest against mine. Melancholy underlined his words, along with acceptance. He was slow to judge others and quick to lend a helping hand. It made it all the harder to disappoint him with my news.
He pulled back until our lips were a mere breath apart. My heart raced in anticipation of his kiss. It wasn’t wise to allow this to continue, but I stood rooted in my spot.
“It is too new to brag about,” I said with an embarrassed laugh.
His generous mouth touched mine and skipped across my lips before he spoke in a husky rasp. “Yet you took Lillian into your confidence.”
The subtle chastisement sent a rush of shame into my cheeks. “Lady Lillian is very persuasive.” The earthy scent of clay would forever be imprinted in my memory. I lowered my lashes, eagerness heightening my senses. My head screamed to back away from the danger he presented. “Hence why she has convinced you to elope to Gretna Green.”
“Please don’t change the subject. If it wasn’t for Lillian, I would be ignorant of who you were in here.” He flattened his hand on my chest, long fingers splayed. The hurt I was putting him through was more evident in his downcast mouth.
“You needn’t hide from me anymore,” he said.
“I know.” I looped my arm around him, sweeping my lips across his full ones. Speaking might reveal more than I bargained for. I was cautious by nature, and I couldn’t change overnight.
My lips danced across his, and I moaned at the sultry sweep of his tongue. I gripped his neck and slipped my forearm around his broad shoulders. With a low growl, he ground his hips against mine, his semi-aroused state tempting me.
Our one night in the library had been an awakening. We were alone, and I could express my desire for him. It was one benefit of his unusual household.
Lord Kendrick pushed his hand down my belly and palmed my cock through the fabric of my trousers. I arched into him, heat ricocheting throughout my groin. He’d a way of breaching my defenses. Today, I would gladly surrender.
A sharprapat the door tore us apart. He hopped back; his face flushed. I cursed the interruption and tried to catch my breath. The kiss was explosive. I bit back the need to yell at the intruder to go away.
“Perhaps it is Lady Lillian?” I said with a hopeful smile. If it was, we could have a repeat of our last endeavor. She’d been eager to participate and even hinted several times she wouldwelcome another encounter. I had been jealous of his past lovers, but Lillian was different. She’d been the catalyst to bring me out of my shell and into Lord Kendrick’s embrace.
He ran a shaky hand through his hair and exhaled. “She is at her brother’s house.”
“I see.” Bloody hell! My cock was throbbing with need, and I cursed the intruder with every step I took. It wouldn’t do to be seen in such an aroused state. I moved behind my desk and sat down.
“Come in.” Lord Kendrick turned his back to the door. He strode to the fireplace and angled his hips to hide his tented trousers.
“Kendrick, I wasn’t expecting to see you,” Lady Helen said, holding a pair of pale blue kid gloves. The color matched her fashionable ensemble.
“Nor I, you.” By the grimness around his jaw, he was furious with his mother. He’d made a bid for freedom, and she refused to honor it. I would have left the room if my body was in a more forgiving state.
“Next time, I would appreciate it if you sent a note around. Colt and I are discussing some important business,” he said, clearly cross.
She placed a hand on her chest, the light in her eyes dimming. I was torn between being the peacekeeper and maintaining my neutrality. It was a constant battle between mother and son.
“I have an appointment with Colt to discuss the guest list,” Lady Helen said, lifting her chin. She stared down her regal nose at Lord Kendrick.
My stomach dropped, and I rubbed my hand against my forehead. Lord Kendrick’s kiss had wiped every other thought from my mind. My one consolation was that she’d knocked. I bitback a bark of hysterical laughter and cleared my throat. “I’m sorry, Lady Helen, I completely forgot.”
The harshness in Lord Kendrick’s stare dissipated, and he hissed out a sigh. “My apologies, Mother, and thank you for following my wishes.”
“Again, it was my fault,” I said, pleased my voice was calm. Inside, I was falling deeper in love with him.
Her smile brightened, and the tension left her slender frame. “If you and Kendrick need to finish your discussion, I’ll wait in the library.”
“No, I would like you to stay. I have something to tell you, which I’m sure will not thrill you to hear,” Lord Kendrick said. His back still to his mother, he moved to the window, drawing back the drapes. Either he did so because, like me, he was still aroused, or he couldn’t bring himself to look his mother in the eye.
I had a shrinking feeling I knew what he was about to disclose. Trouble was brewing. I gripped the arms of my chair and waited for the inevitable clash.
