“But you still want me.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Your lips say one thing, your nipples another.”
Even as her jaw slackened at his uncouth assertion, she became aware that her bosom was surging violently…against his chest. Beneath her bodice, the tips of her breasts were stiff and throbbing. Even so, with the layers of clothing between them, he couldn’t possibly ascertain the state of her anatomy.
“You can’t possibly…” She failed to find a genteel way to argue her point.
“Feel your nipples? No, I can’t, and more’s the pity. But I’m right, aren’t I?” he said in a low voice. “They’re full and aching, ripe as berries.”
He leaned into her, the friction of his hard chest turning the tingles into dangerous sparks. She couldn’t break her gaze from his, which was no longer smoldering with antagonism but with something hotter and hungrier. Deliberately, he slid his chest against her breasts, back and forth, and a helpless sound broke from her lips.
He bent his head, his breath warm against her ear. “That feels nice, doesn’t it, duchess?”
Pleasure swirled over her skin.
“No, it doesn’t,” she lied.
“Almost as nice as the last time you rubbed yourself against me.” His voice was low and hypnotic. “Christ, that felt good. I can’t stop thinking about how wet and sleek you were, little nymph. Truth be told, I’ve done more than think about it.”
Although she didn’t understand his admission entirely, his tone left no doubt that what he’d done was wicked. Recalling her own naughty fantasies, she shivered.
“You’re so sweet when you submit to me,” he said.
She stiffened. “Submit? I’m not submitting to anything?—”
“If you are wise, you will. Get out of my way, Gigi. Before we do something we both regret.”
Duffy’s voice came from the other side of the curtain. “Er, is everything all right back there?”
Coming to her senses, Gigi yanked her hands from Godwin’s grip, and this time he let her go. Scooting away from him, she hastily put herself to rights. He took undue care adjusting the front of his coat.
“All is well,” she called out.
Duffy poked his head through the curtains, his gaze bouncing between her and Godwin. “I have patrons rattling the door to come in, but if you need more time?—”
“We’re done,” Godwin said. “I hope you’ll take my advice, Miss Harrington. Good day to you both.”
With a smart bow, he strode to the back door and let himself out.
She debated the wisdom of chasing after him and kicking him in the shin.
“By Jove.” Duffy fanned himself with his hand. “Is it just me, dear, or has the temperature suddenly risen?”
Chapter Eight
“Where are you taking me, my sweet Rose?” he asked.
“Somewhere safe,” she said. “A place where the world cannot reach us.”
She knew her actions would be judged as wrong and wicked, but she didn’t care. With Thomas, she felt safe for the first time—safe to be who she was. That feeling of security awakened her dormant recklessness. Because of her family, the villagers believed she was wild by nature, but she wasn’t. At heart, she was shy and quiet. She preferred the woods over the village, plants over people. She’d been innocent in the ways of men…until she wasn’t.
But she wouldn’t think of him now. She wouldn’t desecrate the few precious moments she had with Thomas. With him, she had only one thing on her mind: love.
She took his hand, which bore the calluses of the life he’d led before he’d retreated to the world of the scholar. They were alike in their craving for solitude. Nonetheless, destiny had given them something better, something she hadn’t known to wish for until he came along.
A soulmate. The other half of herself. Although they came from different worlds, with him she could be her true self. As she led him down, down into the deepening darkness, she shivered despite the growing heat. While he made her whole, was she tearing his existence apart? She brought danger to his life—burdens he shouldn’t have to carry. He deserved peace, and she was anything but.
