It was just the two of them, and suddenly, he was grateful he’d ignored Malum’s offer and other similar invitations.
“Caroline.” He slid off the desk, spun them around, and lifted her to sit there instead, not allowing more than half an inch between their mouths.
“I like when you kiss me.” Her voice was little more than a whisper but Max loved that she would admit this.
“I like kissing you,” Max murmured back, his mouth grazing the skin above her bodice.
Caroline leaned back, arching and catching herself with her hands. Max turned his face, scraping his whiskers over the fabric of her gown. Her breath fluttered and he could hear her heart pounding.
“How do you suggest we catch him?” Max played along, not wanting to break this spell they’d fallen under.
“Him?”
“Our villain.” Max dragged one hand along her cheek. “You fascinate me, you know?” He drew an imaginary line with his fingertip from her ear to her lips. When he applied gentle pressure to the lower one, she parted them, allowing him inside.
And then the minx sucked on the tip, pulling him inside.
“Caroline.” He did not disapprove, but… Could she feel how hard he was? He watched as her lips closed around a single finger. He felt a tug of suction, and this time, it was his breath that shook.
“We shouldn’t.” His protest was weak.
She released his finger, causing a little popping sound. “It’s just a celebration.” She smiled. So damn brilliant, his breath caught in his throat.
“Everyone should celebrate their victories.” A clock chimed from somewhere on the opposite side of the building, and sounds of a single carriage outside reminded him he was supposed to take her home.
But he wasn’t ready. “Are you tired yet?” His words were muffled because he had his mouth open, sliding along the fabric that hugged her slim figure, her hips, her breasts… Max tilted his head back to see her expression.
“No.” Her eyes were half-closed, but not because she was sleepy. She was as aroused as he was… She deserved to celebrate as much as he did.
Or was he simply rationalizing the situation?
But then she raised her legs, wound them around his waist, and locked her ankles there, effectively trapping him.
He wasn’t really trapped. He was home. The odd thought accompanied her invitation.
He’d take her up on it, but not in the way she might have imagined.
Skimming his hands down her sides, around her hips and over her thighs, Maxwell dropped to his knees.
“What—”
Max cut her off when he tugged her into the perfect position, still seated on the desk but on the very edge. To keep her from falling, he then arranged her skirts so her knees could rest on his shoulders.
His heart raced when he found himself cloaked in darkness, and even though he was anxious to taste her, he wanted to see her.
Gathering the fabric, he arranged it higher, around her hips. She immediately covered herself with one hand, and Max nearly cried in disappointment. But if she wanted him to stop, he would stop.
The sky outside had changed from an inky blue to a soft lavender, leaking a glimpse of orange light. And in that light, Max saw hesitation in her eyes.
“My apologies. I’ll—”
“It’s not that. But, I don’t understand.” She licked her lips. “This isn’t what I thought…” And yet, she hadn’t arranged the gown modestly. She simply stared at him.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
And oh, so very slowly, she drew her hand away, revealing her most intimate place to him.
He’d take that as a ‘yes’.
