“It would seem I do not,” he muttered, taking a deep breath. “I’d like to, but I cannot offer you any more than a few stolen moments of pleasure, and I will not disrespect my friendship with your brother-in-law by treating you thus.”
“That is truly a pity,” she replied, and with her courage beginning to fade, she took a step back, gave an entirely proper curtsey, and turned to leave the room. She had almost reached the door when a warm hand gripped her shoulder.
She didn’t turn, but did halt her progress. She’d been far braver than he this evening; it was his turn to take a risk, however small.
His breathing seemed loud in the otherwise silent room, and she fancied she could hear her heartbeat as well. “Wait,” he whispered, the word spoken close, just a breath away, and her body trembled in response, in heady anticipation.
“You would be better off forgetting everything I said yesterday,” he murmured, his actions in direct contrast with his words as his hand caressed her shoulder to her hand, where he delicately took her fingers with his.
“Why is that?” she asked, closing her eyes as she gave herself over to the sensation.
“Because I am not a gentleman,” he answered succinctly, his hand tugging hers, encouraging her to turn and face him.
She opened her eyes and did his bidding, immediately losing herself in the warmth of his gaze. “How so?” The words were a mere whisper on her lips.
His gaze shot to her lips, and he leaned forward just an inch, his hand releasing hers and trailing ever so lightly up her arm before resting on the crook between her neck and shoulder, the warmth radiating from him, erotically delicious.
“I’m far more heartless than I seem. A flirtatious smile, a wicked grin can do much to cover a black heart. I am no saint, Miss Miranda. And more than anything, I’d love to encourage your bravery on the subject at hand, but for my own pleasure, my own purpose would I do it. In that, I’m an utterly selfish creature, and you’d be better off to remember that, and stay far away,” he murmured softly, every word caressing with his rich tone. It was impossible to take him at his word when the tone and inflection were a direct contrast to everything he was stating.
“For being as wicked as you claim, you have quite a sense of morality in warning me against your charms,” she replied, surprised at her own ability to form words when being so utterly distracted by his.
He gave a slight shake of his head, then traced his fingers up her neck and slid a finger across her lower lip.
Her lips parted without a thought, and before she could comprehend what was about to happen, he leaned down and kissed her. It wasn’t a kiss that was gentle and leading; it was a kiss of passion, of warning.
But she was quite certain it held the opposite effect of its application. As his lips ravaged hers, nipping, teasing, and devouring, she wasn’t the least bit warned, nor did she sense the danger in it. Her body rejoiced, her lips responded in kind. He pressed into her, her body catching flame as he did so, and she stepped back to hold firm against the pressure he gave. She felt his lips bend into a grin in between kisses, and when she stepped back again, she had the suspicion it was planned. But she was too lost to his attentions to care, and before she knew it, the click of a door penetrated her thoughts as the cool wall pressed up against her back. Leaning against it, she was flooded with a thousand sensations as his body deliciously aligned with hers. Her arms wound around his shoulders, pulling him in tighter, and when he groaned in pleasure, she had the greatest sensation of delight overcome her.
It was one thing to accept pleasure, but to give it? That was powerful. She tugged on his hair as her fingers threaded through it, and he responded with an urgent press into her soft form. Just when she was quite certain her own morality had flown away, he broke from the kiss and stepped back.
“You tempt me in ways I cannot withstand.” He swore the words, as if they were an oath, completely in contrast with the heady sensation overwhelming her.
She caught her breath and regarded him with some confusion. “And that is not something you like?”
“It is something I cannot entertain,” he replied, raking his hand through his hair. “There will be no more of . . . this.” His darkened gaze flickered to her, then to her lips, then back to her wide eyes.
“You mentioned that.”
“This time I’m resolute,” he remarked with more feeling.
“Because you don’t wish to go behind your friend’s back when you gave your word.”
He nodded. “And I will not do a lady such as yourself justice. I will not come up to scratch, no matter how tempting you may be, Miss Miranda. Marriage and I are old enemies, and I’d not wish that fate on anyone, especially you.” With that, he made a small bow, opened the door, and left.
Miranda took a steadying breath.
And wondered if perhaps his resolution would falter.
She hoped so, more than she dared admit.
Because while he was making resolutions to keep away from her, she was making resolutions to have him.
It was that way for several days. Life continued in a somewhat normal routine, but in the evenings, when Iris was in her rooms, Miranda would allow herself to be found, if,ifthe viscount wished. And, apparently, wish he did. Because for four nights, he would find her, and they would converse. At first, she was certain he had no designs on her and was going to be stalwart in his resolution to keep from her.
But just before he’d say good night, he would kiss her.
She had no expectation that tonight would be any different, except when he walked into the library, his countenance was stormy indeed. He appeared cross, but not with her. It was curious, and she inquired. But all her inquiries were met with monosyllabic answers. She resumed her reading, and she had no sooner turned the page when he addressed her.
“I will fail if I continue to allow myself the pleasure of your affection, Miss Miranda. And when I say fail, please understand it will be entirely, and you will be left without anything to show for it. I’m a brute for taking advantage of your willing nature for far too long, and so I must, I will keep myself from harming you with my weakness.” He gave a nod.
