“It is the nature of cold-blooded mercenaries such as myself, I’m afraid.” He issued a mocking bow before turning around. “My back is turned as requested.”
Hearing the sloshing sounds she made, he paused before twisting his head subtly around. To be fair, he hadn’t promised not to sneak a peek. As he admired her shapely legs, which she was trying to hurriedly jam into the wet, uncooperative drawers, she lost her balance. She hopped, one foot caught in the pantalettes, the other losing purchase on the slippery surface. Arms flailing, she let out a squeak as she toppled backward toward the pool.
He moved, catching her in the nick of time. Their gazes locked, and he felt every inch of her wet form plastered against his. Her curves fit perfectly against his edges. One hard edge, in particular, was jutting into the soft cove between her legs…her naked legs.
His blood pounded in his veins. Her tunic had ridden up, and she was straddling his thigh. Bleeding hell, was that the soft, damp heat of her pussy he felt through his trousers? He was tempted to find out…but unfortunately, she seemed to be in a state of shock.
“Are you all right?” he murmured.
She gazed up at him, and he was mesmerized by those fathomless violet pools. Then she let out a breath, and his gaze was drawn to her mouth. It was the color of a rose-flavored Turkish delight and, he recalled, even sweeter. When she parted her lips, heat surged through him, for he knew an invitation when it was offered.
Ravenous for another taste of her, he bent his head and took her mouth. Devil and damn, she was even more delectable than he remembered. With a hungry growl, he deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue inside her dewy cavern?—
A voice rang through the chamber. “Gigi! What in heaven’s name is going on?”
Chapter Five
As the carriage rolled away from the spa, Gigi saw her sister-in-law’s mouth open.
“Please don’t lecture me, Xenia,” Gigi blurted. “I know what you witnessed was highly improper, and I was a ninny for allowing it to happen.”
Smoothing out her muted tartan skirts, Xenia gave her a wry look.
“As I am your senior by a mere year and no paragon of virtue myself, I was hardly going to deliver a sermon.”
Gigi exhaled, grateful that she’d gained both a lovely relation and a friend in Xenia. Sensible and sweet, the petite redhead had once worked as Ethan’s housekeeper. She had resisted the relationship because she felt she did not fit in her employer’s upper-class world. The pair had tried to hide their attraction, but Gigi had sensed their connection and tried to nudge things along.
In marrying for love, Ethan had followed the family tradition. Thinking of love, Gigi squirmed against the velvet squabs. That was certainly not what she felt for the Vik—that is, for Conrad Godwin. Yet she’d allowed him to kiss her…again. Why had she done that?
Because you’re a hussy? her inner voice suggested.
She decided to contemplate that revelation about herself later. Or perhaps never. While she didn’t always adhere to the rules of propriety, she tried not to cause her family worry. They had enough concerns, and she didn’t want to add to their burden.
“As I promised your mama that I would look after you in her absence, I must ask what happened.” Xenia studied her with earnest brown eyes. “Who was that man? Do you know him? Why were you so, ahem, familiar with him?”
“His name is Conrad Godwin, and he just introduced himself to me.” This was not a lie; she had only learned the Viking’s identity. “I was testing out the pool, and he appeared out of nowhere. He was looking for Miss Letty as he wants to buy her spa.”
Gigi gnawed on her lower lip. What if Mr. Godwin convinced Letty to sell? He struck Gigi as a man who was used to getting his way.
“Oh, Xenia, I do wish you had let me stay and support Miss Letty?—”
“You were scantily dressed and in a stranger’s arms. How could I let you stay?” Xenia’s brow pleated. “While I don’t come from your social sphere, Gigi, even I know this situation could cause irreparable damage to your reputation. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I don’t know how I shall tell Ethan. And your parents?—”
“But you don’t have to tell them, do you?” Gigi said beseechingly.
Xenia frowned. “You’re not suggesting that I keep a secret from Ethan?”
“Of course not.” Gigi sighed; she would never wish to be a source of conflict. “But Mr. Godwin and I were alone, and no one else was there?—”
“Do not remind me,” Xenia muttered. “Your mama would have my head if she knew about my lapse in chaperonage.”
“Mama would never blame you. She adores you. We all do.”
Xenia’s tremulous smile spoke volumes about what it meant to her to be welcomed into the Harrington fold. Knowing how Xenia had suffered at the hands of the woman who’d birthed her, Gigi didn’t blame her one bit. Nonetheless, she pressed her advantage.
“My point is that there was no one to witness what transpired between Mr. Godwin and me, which I assure you, appeared much more incriminating than it was. I slipped, you see, and he caught me?—”
“And his mouth accidentally landed on yours?”
