It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness outside as she tried to separate the shadows attempting to play tricks on her from those of true shapes. It helped that the moon was large this evening—a harvest moon—as it helped to guide her way and make out the larger shape of the hired hackney sitting a short distance away.
Her heart immediately began to pick up speed as she drew closer and the door opened. A hand extended from inside and she grasped it without hesitation. As she was pulled into the dim interior, the door shut behind her and the vehicle set into motion as she was clasped in a pair of strong, warm arms.
As Dominic’s mouth descended on hers, she met him hungrily, desperate for this meeting to become more than he claimed it would be. She wanted nothing more than to cling tohim forever, but he slowly released her. However, she noticed that a seductive gleam remained in those captivating dark eyes. “You are entirely too tempting for my good sense,” he murmured as he gently slid her off his lap to sit on the seat next to him.
She scrunched up her nose. “I don’t think you would appreciate a proper lady.”
He appeared to consider this for a moment, and then he gave a mock wince. “No doubt you are correct about that. To my everlasting damnation.”
She laughed and then sobered when he didn’t join in her merriment. “Oh, dear. Is what you have to say that terrible?”
There was a pause before he said, “It’s regarding Lord Lindley. He’s dangerous. I overheard him speaking about you at a popular gaming hell last night. He seems quite obsessed with you.”
“I might have guessed that on my own,” she murmured dryly. When he glanced sharply at her, she held up her hands in supplication. “He has not done anything unseemly, but the way he continues to pursue me is very disconcerting, as well as my aunt’s continual desire to see us together.”
His eyes narrowed, and she couldn’t help but think how dangerous he appeared in that moment. But rather than being afraid, she wanted to throw herself into his arms again. It was all she could do to refrain and keep her focus on the matter at hand. “Have you ever asked yourself why that is?”
She shrugged. “Not really. As far as I am aware they had not known each other before I introduced them.”
He didn’t appear convinced. “My instinct is telling me that there is a deeper connection there, but I cannot fathom what it might be. Perhaps she was good friends with his father and feels some sort of responsibility to see him settled after the former earl’s death.”
“But why me?” Lexie wondered aloud. “He might have his pick of any other debutante in society.”
“You are readily accessible,” he returned. “And perhaps there is a reason for the haste.” He leaned back against the seat and added, “I will hire a private investigator to look into the matter at length first thing in the morning.”
She nodded. “I would certainly like some distance from Lord Lindley. You cannot imagine how grateful I was for your intervention this afternoon.”
He reached out and lightly set a finger under her chin. “I will always watch out for you.”
She leaned into his embrace. “But who will watch out foryou?”
He smiled and then retracted his hand. “Right now, your safety is my priority. I cannot confirm that I was the intended target of the assailant until he is found and questioned thoroughly by the Blue Boys.”
“Don’t you mean tortured?” She gave a shudder.
He didn’t deny nor confirm the accusation. “He attempted murder. That sort of slight cannot be ignored. Especially by Avalon.”
She swallowed hard over the lump that had suddenly clogged her throat. “I understand. I know what sort of reputation he must portray.”
“Not for much longer,” he noted softly. “Once this mess is behind me, I fully intend to retire Avalon and allow Amos full rein.”
“You couldn’t have chosen a more respected successor. I’m not sure if that is the character you wanted to portray, but Amos seems like a good man.”
“He is. He has been loyal to more men than me and never broken anyone’s trust.” He sighed. “I think he needs the Blue Boys as much as they need his steady guidance.”
Feeling as though most of the important things had been said, she moved closer to him. Laying a hand on his forearm, she lifted her gaze in a sultry manner and slowly moved her fingers up hisarm. “I am sure we have a bit more time together if you wanted to make use of it.”
He reached out and pulled her to him almost roughly. She gasped, the blood running hot in her veins. “You don’t have to tell me twice. It was all I could do to restrain myself until now.”
CHAPTER 14
Dominic knew he was playing with fire, but he kept telling himself that he intended to marry Lexie, so what was a bit of enjoyment before the vows were spoken? They were just words, right? In his heart he already knew this was the only woman for him even if he was too anxious to actually put a name to what he felt.
Smothering her with kisses until she was moving restlessly beneath him, Dominic slid his mouth to the side of her neck where he sucked gently, but not too hard where it would leave a mark. While he wanted nothing more than to show the world that she was taken, especially for Lord Lindley’s benefit, he also didn’t want to give her aunt any reason to bar her in her room.
Instead, he tugged down her bodice where he chose to offer little love bites along the tops of her breasts. As one rosy nipple popped free, and then the other, he could feel his cock swell to engorged proportions. She was so beautiful, and the way she clung to him so shamelessly proved this was a union that would never become tiresome. She was passionate and responsive to his every touch. He didn’t have to ask what she liked, because she was eager to explore it all.
He sucked each one of those tantalizing pert tips until they became hard points. Then he used his thumbs to toy with them while he tasted the line of her collarbone and the delicate shell of her ear. He found nothing lacking on her, and when he dared to reach down and lift her skirts to slide a hand up her smooth thigh to the center of her desire, he groaned when he discovered that she was hot and wet, almost pulsing for him.
