Well, he and his partner would deal with the matter if it became a problem.
After a few more minutes of discussion, his friends left to retire to their own quarters.
Bonham remained behind. “I’m going to return to Duchess Square once I’ve finished checking on our other clubs. But I’ll have their accounts sent over here for you to review. You are far better at numbers than I am. Do you mind?”
“Not at all,” Gideon replied. “That’s fine.” It would keep him close to Berry and still enable him to attend to business matters while she rested.
Bonham closed the door behind him, a highly improper thing to do. But Berry did not seem concerned.
Gideon took her hands in his once more. They were cool to the touch, but felt far warmer than before.
“I’ve been holding down food for the last few hours,” she said, looking quite cozy in his bed and casting him a kittenish smile.
He grinned. “Is this your way of asking me to kiss you? Even though I smell like a mountain troll, if Horace is to be believed.”
“Horace is prone to exaggeration, isn’t he?” She laughed softly. “And I must look as hideous as the Minotaur with all my lumps and bruises.”
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice husky with the ache of wanting her. “Are you ready for your kiss?”
She looked up at him with her big eyes and a big smile just for him. “I have been ready foryousince the day I was born.”
“All right, kitten.” He resumed his seat beside her on the bed and placed an arm on either side of her as she lay propped against her pile of pillows.
He brought his mouth close to hers.
Berry’s lips were just the right amount of plump and soft, and had the perfect amount of give against his own. Her breath was sweet and held a trace of mint and the marrow broth she had just eaten.
He gently pressed the weight of his body against hers, only lightly because she was bruised and he did not want to hurt her.
“Close your eyes, love.” His voice was still husky because he was as eager for their firstrealkiss as she was. “This one is from me, straight from my heart.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “I am already melting.”
He smothered a smile. Whatever little heat she was feeling was nothing. He was going to make her burn for him.
“I love you, Berry,” he whispered, and captured her mouth in a kiss that was meant to ignite that sweet body of hers.
Yes, the kiss was meant to devour her, conquer her, but also be exquisitely deep and gentle.
But gentle did not mean tepid. He wanted her to feel the scorching intensity of it.
After all, he had a reputation to uphold. A bad reputation. He knew how to seduce women.
Berry was clutching his shoulders and surrendering with delight.
What he had not expected washisreaction to her innocent response. She had him burning, too.
A sharp knock at his door brought their kiss to an abrupt end.
Gideon drew off her just as Horace burst in. “Make yourselves decent,” he whispered urgently. “And this door must stay open.”
“Why?” Gideon rose to stride across the room and toss Horace out. The lad could be quite irritating at times, especially right now. Gideon had just started kissing Berry and did not appreciate the interruption.
“Lord Berwick is fretting and insists on getting out of bed to speak to Lady Berry.”
“Whatever for?” Berry asked.
Horace shook his head. “I don’t know. Just make yourselves presentable. I stalled him by telling him I would find a robe for him to wear.”
