Cait was falling in love, though she said nothing because she did not know where his heart lie. Julian was one of the Devils of Dalston and each had a wicked reputation. Though she did have to wonder how much of that was true. Claudia had married a Devil and so had her sister, Eve.
Were they really such rogues?
Then again, Julian certainly kissed like a rake. His lips and hands made her desire that which she should not. She was a spinster!
She was a teacher!
She was innocent and respectable, but Julian made her not want to be either of those things.
If only she knew if his heart was engaged as much as hers or if she was simply a distraction until the doctor allowed him to leave.
“Come with me.” Julian tugged on her hand. “The moon is quite majestic if viewed from the gazebo.”
Cait didn’t care if there was a full moon or no moon or if the sky was blanketed with clouds. She would go with Julian whenever he asked.
The two walked silently across the lawn. She liked the fact that they could speak for hours on any subject, often agreeing and sometimes arguing, or they could share a companionable silence just now.
As they stepped into the gazebo, Cait turned to look up at the moon, not full, but it was bright. Julian stopped at her side and slipped his hand about her waist and drew her close. They should not embrace like this, yet they had often these past few days.
It spoke of an intimacy they did not share, yet it felt so right to be like this, and she had no desire to pull away despite the danger to her reputation if anyone came upon them.
Magical!
Oh, if only they could continue as they were.
Julian shifted. “Beautiful!”
“It is,” Cait responded.
“I meant you,” he said quietly.
She turned to find him looking down at her and his eyes darkened as they grew intense. With the moon so bright and reflecting off the water, she could see his expression clearly.
“I have come to care for you, Cait.”
Her heart hitched. She was not a dalliance because he was bored, which had been her biggest fear.
“I care for you as well,” she offered.
Julian caressed her cheek before placing his lips against hers. Cait melted, as she always did, but this time it was different. He had confessed that he cared. Would he also come to love her as she did him?
He shifted, bringing her against his body, his hands skimming down her back and to her bottom. Yes, it was highly improper, but she did not care.
Slowly Julian walked them back until he sat on a bench and then drew her down to sit upon his knee.
Cait wrapped her hands about his shoulders then feathered her fingers through his hair and kissed him as deeply as he was kissing her. Though the night was cool and there was a slight breeze, her body grew hot, especially when his hand slipped up and caressed her breast.
Goodness! Cait gasped and arched, and she was convinced that her breasts swelled beneath his touch for they grew heavy and began to ache.
After he broke the kiss, Julian trailed his lips along her jaw, then down her neck and delicious shivers snaked through her body.
The ache and heat spread through her body, and especially to her nether regions.
As he feathered open-mouth kisses along the edge of her bodice, his hand left her breast and fell to her lap where he began pulling her skirt up.
Cait knew that she should stop Julian in his seduction, but she had no desire to do so. She wanted the ache to be eased. She wanted to know what came from desire.
Then he stopped. His hand stilled and Julian rested his forehead against her shoulder.
