Her lovely blue eyes opened wide while she considered his words.
“My apologies,” he said quickly, “for the vulgar image. I assure you our joining would not be like rutting farm animals.”
Although, if Jasper’s lust grew any greater, it was quite possible he would take her like a randy dog. At least the first time. And then the second time would be accomplished with his usual skill.
“What you say is correct,” she agreed, “but the sooner I go home and with my virtue intact, the easier it will be to look my sister in the eye should she ask anything.”
Her sister could take a long walk off the end of a short dock as far as he was concerned.
And the strangest thing was this refreshing woman seated beside him, not even asking Jasper to declare himself, to propose marriage, nor even hint at a future for them. She’d honestly disclosed her own desire for him, and then was willing to sacrifice it to keep her sister’s reputation safe.
She was the most intriguing female he’d ever encountered. And for that reason, he was persistent.
Setting his glass down again, he said, “I am unwilling to give up on what I know will be a stupendous coupling.”
With that, he leaned toward her until she had to lie back against the arm of the sofa.
“Why don’t we spend a little time and see where we end up?” he suggested.
She giggled beneath him. “I am quite certain where we’ll end up.”
But she let him kiss her again anyway, and since he was atop her, he could grind his rock-hard staff into the soft cradle of her skirts, directly between her thighs.
It was beyond vexing for both of them, as she arched and writhed, finally thrusting her breasts against him until he broke free of the kiss to nuzzle the dark valley she offered. She was a bewitching siren — and also a trusting innocent!
He jumped off her.
“Gah!”Jasper exclaimed, his hands going toward his hair before he realized he truly was going to tug at it in abject frustration. His valet, Blumsey, would be most dissatisfied. Fisting them at his sides instead, he stared at her, rumpled and pink-cheeked and panting.
“I had best take you home.”
Her expression saddened.
“I suppose after this, I will never see you again,” she said, sitting up and beginning to straighten her clothing.
“Nonsense. You shall see me again. However, I tell you plainly that my fervent wish remains to strip you bare. Thus, each time we are in one another’s company, I cannot pretend I will not try to entice and coerce you.”
“Might we still kiss occasionally?” she asked, sipping her wine again, not looking the least daunted by his proclamation.
Looking heavenward, he saw only his white-painted ceiling high above.
“Miss Sudbury, if I kiss you and we are discovered, then you will be in exactly the position Lady Daphne warned you about. You cannot pretend to believe a kiss will leave you any less in ruins than if we were discovered tupping. Well, maybe a little, but not much. The incident would be exaggerated beyond all measure.”
“You are correct,” she said, rising to her feet. “I had best be getting home. I’m not such a horsewoman that my sister will believe I could enjoy riding this long.”
“I could ride you forever,” he muttered, and her gaze flew to his.
Jasper hadn’t realized he’d spoken out loud. Shrugging, he offered her what he knew was a charmingly wicked grin, raising an eyebrow and making light of his words. He must stop saying things to lead her on, even if they felt true when he said them.
Miss Julia Sudbury —his, forever!
“Perhaps I should sneak out with only your Mrs. Crowley and a footman. And since it wouldn’t do to be driven home in your carriage, I would prefer to walk. It’s not far.”
“A fifteen-minute stroll,” he agreed, still feeling off-kilter by the attraction and, dare he think it, the tender affection he felt for this woman. “A very convenient distance between our two homes.”
And yet, whether fifteen minutes or a handspan between them, until he had her in his arms again, she would be too far away!
Thus, Jasper couldn’t resist drawing her to him, taking one of her nether cheeks firmly in each of his hands, squeezing them in spite of the thick riding fabric, and drawing her hips close against his.
