But oh...if it wasn’t...
The brandies appeared promptly, and Lucas raised his in a toast. “To our work today, and to Alastair Pembroke, a man with the patience of a saint.”
Verity chuckled. “To Alastair.”
The snifters rang as their sides met, and Verity smiled at Lucas over the rim as she drank.
“Are you having a good time?” Lucas murmured, leaning against her shoulder, close enough that she could smell the warm scent of brandy on his breath.
“Yes,” she said quietly. “Yes indeed.” The liquor warmed her, and the last of the day’s tensions eased away. “I haven’t enjoyed anything this much in a long time, Lucas. Thank you.”
“It has been my pleasure—and my delight, Verity.”
She wondered if she was about to erupt in flames, the heat of his look and the warmth of his voice fueled the internal inferno she was struggling to control.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, an edge to his voice.
“All right.”
Within moments, he had put his token into the menu box on the table, confirmed the amount, hit the “Pay” button, and whisked her out of the bistro with Verity barely managing to grab her bonnet. She sincerely hoped she hadn’t trodden on too many feet, or if she had, that nobody recognised her.
The night was cool and dark, a refreshing chance to breathe after the heat and noise of the last couple of hours. But Lucas didn’t stop to admire it, he continued to tug Verity along behind him until they reached a dark corner of the street. Then he stopped.
Verity tried to catch her breath. “Good Lord, Lucas. You’re in a hurry. Did I say something? Or do something wrong?”
The answer came hard and fast. “No. But I’m about to.”
Urging her back against the wall, he slid one arm around her, tilted her chin with his other hand, and proceeded to kiss her with passion, determination, and a great deal of astounding skill...
*~~*~~*
For one of the few times he could remember, Lucas completely lost control. He surrendered to the insistent urges that had been gnawing at him from the first moment he’d looked into those mysterious grey eyes. He wanted to taste her, to touch her, to feel the softness of her skin, to strip her clothes away and explore every inch of her.
And then claim what he knew was his.
If he kissed her much longer, he’d do just that, and on a street corner too.
But the thought of releasing her, losing the warmth of her body against his, give up the sweet taste of the brandy on her tongue mixed with that elusive something that saidVerity?
No. Just...no.
It might have been an easier decision if she wasn’t running her hand through the hair at the back of his neck, sending delicious shivers through his body.
She could have moved back, parting their lips. Or kept her tongue where it should be, instead of duelling with his and driving him almost insane.
But she did none of those things, telling him silently that she was as engaged in their embrace as he was.
A message that made his heart beat faster.
He could barely breathe, couldn’t remember his name, and slid his hand down the side of her neck, relishing the feel of her pulse throbbing frantically as he deepened the kiss.
Somebody moaned. It could have been either of them, since he pulled her even closer, fitting himself against her with magical ease. This woman had truly been built with him in mind. Her breasts warmed the skin beneath his shirt, and he felt the bones of her corset, cursing the damn thing for being in his way.
“Lucas...” She tore her mouth free, gasping for breath.
“Verity...I...”
“Sshhh.” She kissed him again, leaning against him now, moving ever so slightly, like a cat asking to be stroked.
