CHAPTER TWENTY
Leocaught her as she walked out into the street, and waved down a hackney. Opening the door, he picked her up and placed her inside. Her shriek only made him feel marginally better. After giving the driver her address, he joined her.
“Get out!”
He didn’t. Instead, he sat directly across from her. There was not a great deal of room, so Leo sat on the edge of his seat and trapped her legs between his.
“Leo, what are you doing?”
“Making sure you don’t run away.”
“We’re in a hackney. How do you suggest I would do such a thing?”
One thing he’d come to understand about Elizabeth Whitlow was that she was rarely at a loss for words.
“I have no idea, but if anyone can do it, it will be you. I have come to realize you are an extremely resourceful woman.”
“That is a ridiculous statement, and I wish you would move back, because I do not like you so close.”
Her eyes were red from the tears she had silently shed sitting across from him in the cafe. It had been a brief moment of weakness, a few minutes, no more, and he guessed that was all she allowed herself. The bonnet framed her pale face, and she looked every inch the lady society believed her to be... and yet there was so much more to her, Leo understood that now.
Reaching for her hands, he took them in his.
“Release me at once!”
“No.” He pulled her forward so their faces were inches apart.
“I don’t like seeing you cry.”
“I had something in my eye.”
“No, you didn’t, so don’t try and fob me off. You’re scared, Beth, and I want to know why.”
She looked down at his necktie. “No, I’m not. I never get scared.”
“How very brave of you.”
“Don’t mock me, Lord Vereton.”
He touched her chin, lifting it until their eyes met.
“Don’t—”
He kissed her.Sweet, achingly sweet, Leo thought as he slid his arms around her, bringing her body flush against his, her soft curves pressed to his chest. The feel of her stirred his body to life. The essence of her surrounded him, and her mouth... Lord, her lips were soft and willing beneath his.
“Leo.” She spoke his name on a sigh. He swallowed it, and took the kiss deeper.
Beth was lost to all but Leo within seconds. His mouth had teased a response from her, and when she yielded, he marauded, leaving her reeling. Her breasts tingled, and her body was tense. Heat filled her. She felt no fear, only a need for this man to never let her go.
“So sweet.” He said the words against her neck, making her shiver. His lips brushed the sensitive skin as her chin rose to allow him better access. With Leo she had no choice but to yield, because her body demanded it. Within seconds, she wanted more. His hands roamed her back, and Beth wanted her clothes gone, wanted to feel them on her skin. For so long she’d thought a man’s touch would repulse her, but not Leo’s. Suddenly she wanted more, her body awakening as he stroked and kissed it to life.
He reclaimed her lips and she felt his hands tugging the ties of her bonnet free. Next were the buttons of her coat, she then felt him part it, and shuddered as his hands slid inside.
Better, Beth thought. Closer to her skin. His fingers touched the neckline of her dress, tracing it, making the breath catch in her throat as he teased her skin. Lord, it felt wonderful, sending little darts of heat through her.
Could she touch him too? Did she dare? Beth opened his jacket, but went no further, simply placing a palm on his chest and feeling the hard wall of muscle beneath his clothes.
“We must stop,” he whispered into her ear. His voice was a deep rasp, which told her he was as affected as she by what they were doing. “Now, before I cannot.”
