She would look it up later. But for now, she would focus all her attention on Marcus. “He’s a proud and stubborn man.” She didn’t contradict him.
She pulled the silk cravat free and assisted him in removing his jacket. All the while, Marcus stood motionless, allowing her to divest him of his waistcoat and then his shirt.
Emily led him to the couch. Upon sitting, he remained still but not unaffected. As each second passed, his gaze became hooded with that sleepy, sensual knowing she’d come to love. His breaths became shallow.
She dropped to the floor and went to work on his boots.
“Was it the same with her?” Emily held her breath after voicing the question. She needed to know…
“Meggie?” Marcus furrowed his brows.
Please don’t deny it. She didn’t want him to lie to her. “Last night. At the inn.”
With one boot off, she addressed the other. She didn’t want to look up at him. If she did, he’d know how much she cared. How much it had hurt her.
And he didn’t want her to care.
And then his fingers drew her chin up, not allowing her to hide. “Who? The barmaid?”
He would act innocent! “She was in your arms.”
Emily tried to look away, shaking her head, but he gripped her chin tighter. “Emily.” His voice came out choked sounding. “You were watching? But how?” And then. “She fell onto my lap.”
“I saw the look you gave her. You were flirting with her.”
Emily had hit home with this accusation. She could see it in the way he dropped his gaze from hers.
And then he shrugged ruefully. “But for a moment. It meant nothing.” But his green eyes held regret. “I…” He took a deep breath. “I hadn’t planned on any of this. On you. And for an instant… I mourned the loss of my bachelorhood.”
His words brought a stinging sensation to her eyes. She’d known this, of course.
“But in the instant I allowed myself to go back, I knew that I couldn’t. And I didn’t really want to. If you’ll remember correctly, I was at your door shortly thereafter. Only you wouldn’t allow me entry.”
“Likely her bed was warm for you.” Emily couldn’t believe she was saying these words. She wasn’t like this! She wasn’t a jealous and possessive harpy.
Marcus tugged her against him. “The bed I found was lumpy and cold. I’d be a fool to slake my needs anywhere else when I have you. Trust me?” He pressed his lips against her forehead.
She didn’t want to. This would only bring her more pain when he left.
She nodded and pressed her lips to the smooth skin along his shoulder.
“Emily.”
One word. All it took to own her heart was one word.
He kicked off his other boot and then buried his mouth on her shoulder. His teeth tugged at her prim gown, while behind her, his fingers fumbled in search of the buttons.
With one long tearing sound, cool air hit her body and the gown dropped to the floor.
“Emily.”
His lips trailed along her skin, desperately, hungrily.
She knew that he needed her tonight. This was different than before. It wasn’t a promise. It wasn’t for sport. He needed her like a man in the desert needs water.
Impatient, he groped at his falls, releasing hismentulain a matter of seconds, stiff, angry, seeking.
Emily crushed her nakedness against him, relishing in the rough wool of his breeches, the heat of his skin.
