And he felt like he didn't want to let go of her.
Ever.
They stood for long moments. As her breast rose, his fell. Against the chill of the room, the warmth of her body was a welcome respite. His cock stirred, far too aware of the press of flesh against him, but Lucien forced himself to think of other things. This comfort that she gave him was just as precious as a tumble into bed. For the first time in months, he felt some sense of peace steal through him. This was only pretend, but it was... something he hadn't realized he'd been searching for.
"Well," Ianthe said, letting out a breath and easing away from him. Those fingers fussed with his lapels. "Aren't we a pair?"
Too soon. He was tempted to drag her back, but that was madness, wasn't it?
Instead, he brushed his fingertips over that full, luscious mouth, feeling his own tingle with suppressed need. He wanted to kiss her, but could not. And perhaps that was the problem? Denied by his own pride, his desire only swelled at the thought of what he could not have. Could not touch. Or taste.
And she knew it.
Ianthe's breath hitched. Her fingers tugged his tie from where it was tucked within his waistcoat. She looked up, a sultry glance from beneath her lashes. Apparently he was not the only one thinking lustful thoughts. "Why not create some new memories? For the both of us?"
"It's not night."
"True." Those fingers slid down his waistcoat, flexing against the fabric, as if she enjoyed the sensation beneath her fingertips. She turned her hand, brushing lower against his erection.
Violet eyes lifted to meet his.
"To disapproving fathers," she murmured, a faint smile playing about her lips as she went to the floor in front of him, her skirts spilling about her. A supplicant on her knees, but it was not forgiveness she asked.
"Christ." Lucien's breath exploded out of him, but he certainly wasn't protesting. "You don't have to do this."
"I don't do anything unless I wish to do so."
"Really?" He captured her chin, lifting her face so that he could see everything it revealed. "Then you wanted to be in my bed?"
Ianthe hesitated, and a pretty rose flush spread through her cheeks. That was not what caught his interest, however. Colors danced over her skin, a wash of yellowy-green guilt, and something... blue. A blue so bright and vibrant that it reminded him of a summer sky with not a cloud in it. He hesitated before making his guess. Longing? Yet there was nothing sexual about the flash of color. It was pure, chased away by the dark indigo of doubt.
Lucien froze. He couldn't quite decipher what that look had been about...
They stayed like that until Ianthe's dark lashes slowly lowered, shuttering her pretty eyes. Her gaze fell, her hands sliding up his thighs. "I wanted you in my bed," she admitted in a soft voice. "I wanted you under my hands, under my mouth... I wanted permission, in a way, to take what I wanted. Permission to surrender to your needs, and in doing so, to exploit my own."
"Nobody was stopping you," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair off her face.
"Only myself."
He understood that in a way. She'd been raised in a strict environment, and though she had rebelled, echoes of society's restraint still lingered within her. By demanding her nights, he had, in effect, given her guilt-free permission to accept his deal and explore her budding sensuality.
"It was easy to give into your demands, Lucien, for then I could pretend I had no choice in the matter."
Lucien stroked his thumb across her cheek. "And then you could enjoy this without feeling the shame."
Those dark lashes lowered. "Yes."
"Look at me, darling." As she slowly complied, he felt a nervous flutter along his skin, knowing how important this moment was. "There will never be shame, not between us. No, this is but desire, Ianthe, and it is pure and clean and whole. I don't care which of your father's lies you still hear, no matter how much you claim otherwise; he is wrong. I don't care what society will say about us; they know nothing. You and I, we are all that matter here, now, between us. All you need know is this: do as you please."
"We're in the middle of an important investigation," she whispered, and he saw the guilt in her eyes. "It's easier at night, when there's nothing else I should be doing."
"Is not giving in to desire going to help us find Morgana faster?"
"No."
"Is this going to strengthen the both of us, considering the sexual aspect of our power?"
"Yes."
