Ever so slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers. “Just a taste,” he murmured.
At first, she compressed her lips — a feeble protest — while he used his own to coax and persuade.
But then… ah, yes.
Giving in with a sweet sigh, her mouth softened beneath his.
Dev took full advantage of her acquiescence and slid his tongue along the relaxed seam.
Honeyed lips opened for him.
“So sweet…” He growled into her mouth before delving deeper into the pink, moist flesh. He was vaguely aware of the rattling of chains as they were attached to the wagon, and then voices, a brief argument, and some sort of agreement.
Undeterred, he had time yet. He explored behind her lips and along the line of her teeth and then sucked, ever so lightly at her tongue. He would miss this. The excitement of experiencing a woman’s arousal for the first time. The delight of hearing her breath quicken.
She liked it, he could tell, although he also presumed her to be shocked at his audacity. But she’d lifted her face up, closer to his. She must be on her toes.
Dev dug his fingers into the flesh of her derriere and the tremor that shook her body convinced him that, given the opportunity, she would enjoy more intimate play.
But Miss Sophia Babineaux was a lady.
He would have to be satisfied with but a kiss.
Except… He had been considering earlier… Finding some sweet thing…
“Here she goes! You ready in there, sir?”
Dev pulled away and smiled into the passion-clouded eyes of Miss Sophia Babineaux. “Carry on!” he shouted without removing his gaze.
And then she narrowed her eyes. The debutante had returned!
“You ought not to take advantage, Captain.”
“Why ever not, Miss Babineaux?” he asked. “Don’t I deserve a boon for coming to your rescue?” He bent down and pressed his open mouth against the side of her neck.
She shivered and, contradicting her own words, tilted her head to give him better access.
Dev knew when a woman was willing.
And, in this moment anyhow, this woman was willing.
Whew!
Sophia had heard of Captain Devlin Brookes.
Despite efforts to hide the nature of Lord Kensington’s injury, the Nottinghams had been unable to keep secret the details of the infamous duel. It was simply too delicious for any self-respecting member of thetonto keep to oneself. The servants at Nottinghouse, anyhow, had been unable to do so. And everyone knew that the juiciest morsels of gossip were fueled by one’s retainers.
This man, with his arms around her, Captain Devlin Brookes, had acted as second to the challenger, Colonel Harris. Sophia considered Harris something of a hero. He’d avenged his daughter’s honor most efficiently.
And, well, the Earl of Kensington had deserved it! He’d betrayed one of her dearest of friends.
Although Brookes had only been the second in the duel, the nature of his association gave him stature in Sophia’s esteem.
And now, he’d come along to rescue not only herself, but Peaches, too.
The captain stood so tall that she needed to tilt her head all the way back to assess his features. She ought to be shocked by his behavior, but here she stood, one hand tucked into the material of his jacket, cradling Peaches between them, and the other around his neck.
He was in need of a haircut, she pondered idly as her fingers combed through a few tendrils. She considered withdrawing but she had nowhere to go! And so…
