“Not the drink. Truth.” His eyes closed, he mumbled, “You’re a…bloody goddess. My Sól. Can’t stop thinking…about you…”
Stunned, she asked, “Then why did you insult me?”
“Didn’t mean to.” He lifted his lashes, gazing blearily at her. “Doesn’t matter. Bad idea…you and me…”
Fi wrapped the bandages around his large hands, trying to fathom his startling words. Hewasinterested in her? Thought she was a goddess? Hissoul? What on earth did that mean?
Hawksmoor’s snore broke her reverie.
Torn between amusement and exasperation, she said loudly in his ear, “Get up, my lord. We have to get you home and into bed.”
He popped open one eye. “Are you joining me?”
She chuckled at his drunkenly hopeful tone. “Who knew you were such an outrageous flirt?”
“Don’t know how to flirt,” he said solemnly.
Amused, she asked, “Do you know how to stand up?”
“Think so.” Furrows deepened on his forehead. “Maybe not. Legs aren’t working.”
“Here, lean on me, and I’ll help you.”
Placing his arm over her shoulder, she managed to get them both to their feet. He leaned heavily on her, what felt like fourteen stone of pure muscle. By the time they got to the mouth of the alley, she was panting.
“We’ll wait here for your ride,” she said.
“You’re not coming with me?” He gave her a crestfallen look.
“All proprieties are lost on you at the moment, aren’t they?” Shaking her head, she said with a rueful smile, “I rather like you this way.”
“You like me?”
Her belly flip-flopped at Hawksmoor’s hungry intensity. The male longing that flooded his gaze with sudden lucidity. Her lips parted in surprise as he pressed her against the wall; Hawksmoor loomed over her, his palms planting on either side of her head. His chiseled features taut, he stared at her as if she were the only thing he cared to see.
“I like you, too,” he said thickly. “My bold, bloody-minded little minx.”
Her pulse fluttered wildly as he bent his head. She could have stopped him, but she didn’t want to. From the moment they met, a part of her had been curious about his kiss.
Hawksmoor’s lips were firm, molding to hers with masterful precision. Her head whirled as he deepened the pressure, coaxing her lips open with sensual sweeps of his tongue. She quivered at the taste of him, hot and male and tinged with spirits. The memory of her other passionate encounter wisped through her head.
Like the thief, Hawksmoor doesn’t make love like a gentleman.
Hawksmoor continued the hot onslaught on her senses. When his tongue stroked hers, she moaned and wound her arms around his neck. Liquid heat poured through her veins, vaporizing her inhibitions. This was what she wanted, what she craved. This feeling of excitement, of being passionatelyalive. Only one man had affected her this way before.
The fire inside her grew as he devoured her mouth. She burned with desires she couldn’t hold back. Flames licked over her skin as he pressed her harder into the wall. Trapped against his muscular chest, her breasts heaved, their tips stiff and tingling. Needing more, she speared her fingers in his hair, tugging him closer.
He growled in approval and thrust his tongue nearly down her throat. At the same time, he clamped his hands on her bottom and wedged his thigh between her legs. Shocking pleasure blazed through her. The thin skirts of her disguise offered little protection against his sinewy masculinity, the firm ridges rubbing against her most private place. She ignited with bliss and need and utter desperation. She was hot everywhere: her swollen lips, her throbbing nipples, and her woman’s place where wetness suddenly gushed. She squirmed against his muscular thigh, wanting more of the sensations. More of him.
“Christ, yes,” he groaned against her lips. “Ride me, you wicked chit.”
He called her “wicked” as if it were a good thing. His praise was tinder to her fire. She rubbed herself against him, faster and faster, their kiss raging out of control…
“Ahem.”
Livy’s voice pierced Fi’s fog of desire. She opened her eyes; with a gasp, she shoved Hawksmoor away. He stumbled, catching himself against the opposite wall.
“What in blazes?” he muttered.
