His expression darkened. “Today?”
“This afternoon.”
“And you turned him down.”
“Tris—”
He kissed her again. “And you turned him down,” he repeated, again making it a statement rather than a question. “Tell me.”
He’d told her about Amelia, and she had to be equally honest. “He didn’t want an answer. He wanted me to think about it.”
“And will you?”
Georgiana swallowed. “I have a few other things to worry over, at the moment.”
He smiled a little grimly. “You’re right, of course. I still don’t like it.”
“And yet no threats of violence. You almost sound like a proper gentleman.”
Tristan chuckled. “We’ll have to remedy that.” He pushed her knees apart and stepped in close against her. Everyone was just two doors down the hall, but as he slid her long skirt up past her knees, there was no mistaking his intentions.
“Someone will hear,” she said, gasping as his warm hands caressed the insides of her thighs.
“Not if we’re quiet.” He grinned. “And quick. The door’s locked. See how cautious I am now?”
“This is not caution. This is—”
“A very good idea.”
She wasn’t so certain of that and would have protested again, mostly because she didn’t want to have to hurry. As she opened her mouth, though, his knowing fingers dipped between her thighs and inside her. She arched her back, her protest becoming a barely stifled moan.
“You want me,” he murmured, his voice shaking a little.
“I can’t help myself.”
She hadn’t meant to say that, it seemed like such an admission of weakness. Tristan only chuckled, reaching around her shoulders to unbutton the top fastenings of her gown.
“I don’t know if it’s the sex, or just touching you,” he said, tugging the front of her dress forward so he could slide his left hand into her bodice and fondle her breast. “You’ll be the death of me, Georgiana Elizabeth.”
She couldn’t breathe any longer. “Hurry,” she gasped, unbuttoning his breeches.
Kissing her openmouthed, Tristan freed himself, drew her forward again, and entered her. She threw her head back, the sensation of him filling her so extraordinarily satisfying that it stole her breath away. Flinging her arms back behind her to keep her balance, she sent billiards balls rolling across the table.
“Ah, yes,” she moaned, wrapping her ankles behind his hips. “Oh, Tristan.”
“Shh,” he said, holding her thighs as he pumped his hips strongly into her. “Oh, God.” His eyes caught and held hers as she spiraled into release.
He followed with a deep groan, and bowed his head against her shoulder. Shaking, Georgiana sat up straighter again. “Good heavens,” she sighed, twining her fingers through his hair.
“I told you we could be quick,” he said against her shoulder, his voice deep and rich with amusement. “And you play a fair game of billiards, as well.”
“Quick is nice,” she agreed. “But we have been gone from the others for quite a while.”
“Not that long.” He cupped his fingers around her breasts again.
“We can’t,” she said regretfully. It was difficult to be firm when all she could think of was how good he felt.
“Right.” He pulled away from her, rebuttoning her gown and slipping her skirt back down. “We’ll tell them we’ve been arguing.”
