“Thatistrue—and a brilliant idea, actually. If I’m good at anything, it’s spending money.” Brightening, she touched his sleeve. “Thank you. I knew coming to you was the right thing to do.”
“You’re welcome. But you didn’t come here to get advice about Daltry’s money.”
A pulse fluttered above the black lace at her throat. “Of course I did.”
He captured her chin between finger and thumb. “Don’t lie to me or yourself.”
“Why else would I come?” She wetted her lips, her wide gaze fooling him not one bit.
“For this.” He drew her close and sealed his mouth over hers.
Chapter Twenty-One
Botheration.He saw through her ploy.
His advice was helpful, of course, but what she really wanted washim.
Luckily, he didn’t seem to mind.
The slow burn of his kiss set fire to her senses, and she slid her hands into his tawny hair, relishing the rough silk texture between her fingers. She kissed him back with all the passion she felt for him: this man who was worldly and wise and treated her with care. Who didn’t gloat or make her admit that he’d won… which made her want him evenmore.
She parted her lips, inviting him in, but his kiss remained gentle and coaxing, as if she needed to be courted. Didn’t he know how desperately she wanted him?
She broke away, pleading, “Please, Andrew. I want you so much.”
Satisfaction glittered in his eyes. Then he was pushing her back, his muscled length crushing her into the cushions. His mouth was no longer gentle but wild. His tongue thrust boldly between her lips, and she craved the thick glide, the flavor of whiskey and Andrew tingling over her taste buds. She sought out more, and when she tangled her tongue with his, he groaned, their mouths fusing as hunger flared out of control.
Her neck arched as he caught her earlobe between his teeth, licking, nipping. He worked his usual magic on her clothing, buttons and laces no match for his skill. He stripped her layer by layer, and she struggled to help him, to be freed from constriction, to be rid of anything that separated her from him.
When she lay naked before him, however, she felt suddenly shy. Unsure. Was she pleasing enough for him?
His pupils dilated, his nostrils flaring. “By God, you’re a feast for the eyes.”
Blushing yet emboldened, she fumbled with his cravat. “I want to see you too.”
“Let me, love.” He rose, tearing off the starchy linen, shrugging off his jacket and waistcoat. When he dragged his shirt over his head, a breath whooshed from her lips.
He was only the second man she’d seen unclothed, and his beauty wasstunning. Worthy of being immortalized in marble. Taut, golden skin stretched over his wide shoulders, the defined slabs of his chest. She couldn’t see an ounce of fat on his muscular torso, his abdomen rippled as a washboard. Bronze hair sprinkled his upper chest, narrowing into a trail that bisected his lean belly and disappeared into his trousers.
His hands on his waistband, he said, “On or off?”
“Off.” Was thathervoice, so sultry and breathless? “Take them off, please.”
His lazy smile made her heart stutter. He dispensed with his boots, trousers, and all the rest of it. When he stood before her, his raw virility unveiled, a buffle-headed feeling stole over her.
Oh, my.
His mouth faintly curved, he let her look her fill—and, make no mistake, there wasa lotto look at. His lower half was just as statue-worthy as the upper, his narrow hips girdled by a defined vee of muscle. His legs were sinewy and lean, and between them…
Her breath puffed out. Here, he veered from any Greek sculpture she’d seen. She couldn’t help but stare at his manhood: its proportions were rather, well,startling. The big, thick shaft stood straight up from its bronze nest, the fat tip nudging his navel. Raised veins ran along the length, his heavy stones dangling at the base. When he took a step forward, his male equipment swayed like a ship’s mast.
The thought inserted itself into her head:Goodness, is that going tofit?
As she fought to stay calm, he stood there, not arrogant (although he had ample reason to be) but comfortable in his own magnificent skin. Her gaze met his, and the message in his warm brown eyes flowed into her.This desire between us is natural. There’s nothing to be afraid of, nothing to hide.His confidence eased some of her apprehension.
This was Andrew; he would not hurt her.
Before she lost her nerve, she held out her arms. “Come to me,” she whispered.
