Drake nodded. “I know.” He reached up and removed his cap. Tossing it to the desk, he ran a hand through his hair. “It’s an odd sensation to want something you never thought you did.”
Her eyes brightened. “Exactly my thoughts.”
He snorted as he walked over to the sideboard and splashed some brandy into a glass. “Care for one?”
“Actually, yes.”
He hid a smile when she walked over expectantly. Before he released the glass into her care, he warned, “Take it slower this time. Let the burn slide down your throat and warm you from the inside out.”
She nodded and obediently took a small sip. She inhaled sharply but didn’t gasp in alarm as she had previously. “I never considered myself as someone who liked to imbibe but this is rather good.”
“It’s fine French stock,” he noted. “I managed to collect several cases during the war.”
She blinked at him. “You were asmuggler?”
This time he did offer a crooked smile. “Don’t look so stunned. You read about my exploits. Smuggling was one of my many talents.” He allowed his gaze to lengthen on her. “You are familiar with the others.”
He loved the slight tinge of pink that stained her cheeks. He didn’t know if it was due to the brandy starting to take effect or her own awareness. Perhaps a combination of both, but he found the reaction charming and quite appealing.
Glancing away, she finished the rest of her glass and handed it to him. “I should go now,” she whispered.
He grasped her wrist lightly. “Why rush off?”
She closed her eyes as if pained. “We can’t possibly?—”
“A kiss. That is all I ask for.”
She looked at him with those wide green eyes and he found himself lost in their enchanting pull. “One kiss?”
“One kiss.”
The glass was set aside and she moved toward him. He took her arms and placed them around his neck. Allowing his hands to slowly slide up and down her sides, he said, “Kiss me.”
She tilted her head quizzically. “Me kiss you?”
“Yes.”
She pressed her lips together and raised on her tiptoes. As she slowly touched her lips to his, he allowed her the chance to nibble and explore his mouth. When she stepped closer to him, her breasts pressing against his chest, she started to expand the embrace.
Drake had meant for this to be a chaste interlude but his body was starting to stir with unrequited desire.
“Drake…” She moaned his name against his mouth and he pressed her closer to him. It was going to take all of his self-control to end this madness before it got out of hand.
He allowed the torment to continue until their breathing was mixing together in heavy pants. Finally, he lightly set her back from him. “As much as I would like this to continue, we must stop.”
With a regrettable sigh, Fleur nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
He placed a finger beneath her chin. Kissing the tip of her nose, he said, “There will be plenty of time for us to resume our activities when you are feeling up to it.”
She smiled and it was as if the entire room lit up because of it. “Letting me have all the control. Whereisthe fearsome Mr. Porter?”
Drake allowed his jaw to clench. Her statement shouldn’t have bothered him, but it did. It clawed its way through his brain and refused to abate. As much as it pained him to admit that he was losing some of his drive to succeed in the harsh realities of life, perhaps it was time that he reminded himself—and everyone in the East End—who he was.
“That is a very good point.”
She looked at him with mirth still shining in her gaze. “What is?”
He straightened. “I need to remind everyone who Mr. Porter is. I fear he’s been missing of late. Rumors have already started to abound and without him, I won’t have the proper enticement at my disposal.”
