“For how you’ve suffered.”
“You know nothing of my suffering.”
“As you know nothing of mine.”
His eyes ran over her face and settled on her mouth.
“How did you suffer?”
“How did you suffer?” she parroted back to him.
“They are my demons, and I don’t share.” He closed the last few inches between them and kissed her.
Unlike the last one, this was harder. It demanded a response from Iris. Her husband had never kissed her; he’d told her what to do in the bedroom but wanted nothing from her but an heir. She was simply a vessel to carry a babe for him.
Theo’s hand went to her head and angled it to take the kiss deeper.
So, this was need.
One of his hands slid to her spine and urged her closer. Even the cool of his clothes did nothing to stop her. She wanted this, to be held close by Theo. His mouth asked her to respond, and she did, arching into him. Everything ceased to exist in that moment but Theo.
“Iris.” The words were a plea against her lips.
“Yes,” she answered, not understanding what she’d agreed to but knowing she wanted it.
His hand moved, and his large fingers were splayed so close to her breast now. It ached to feel his touch. The sound that came from her lips had the hand moving, and then he was touching the full flesh. Cupping her. Desire spiked through Iris.
The sound of the door shutting had them springing apart. Breathless, they stared at each other. Iris moved first. Turning, she ran for the door. Wrenching it open, she saw Nathan Deville there.
“Good day,” Iris said, cheeks flaming.
“Good day, Iris,” he said gently.
Had he closed the door? Had he seen Theo and Iris kissing? The thought had the color in her face deepening. Lowering her head, she walked away and did not look back.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
They arrived like they always did, just after darkness had fallen and through the rear of his town house. The Devilles walked in arguing. He could hear them from the floor above.
“And our peace is over,” Monty said. His butler smiled, happy to have company.
“Haven!” Zach yelled. “What gastronomic delights await us tonight?”
“Send them up. They will simply storm the place otherwise,” Monty said.
He heard voices, and then there they were. All the Devilles and Mary. Monty avoided Nathan’s eyes, as the last time they’d spoken he’d been standing outside the door while inside Monty had been kissing Iris again and touching her lovely breast.
That woman was playing hell with his life. The kisses had been bad enough, but now he knew exactly what other parts of her body felt like. For the first time in many years, he was struggling to sleep.
Damn, and here he was thinking of her again.
“Almond pastries and chocolate plum cake.” Zach closed his eyes and made a humming sound. “It almost makes it worthwhile seeing you.” He nodded to Monty, who had yet to rise and greet them.
“No jacket or waistcoat again?” Gabe tutted. “If only society could see the flamboyant Lord Plunge.”
“Yes, imagine how upset that makes me,” Monty drawled. “Sit, I have things to tell you. Haven will bring seven trays of food to appease you heathens. All except you of course, sweet Mary.”
“I should hope so.” She bent to kiss his cheek. Monty got out of his chair and poured glasses of whiskey. After everyone was seated, he paced the floor before them, sorting through his thoughts before he spoke.
