“I’ve been wanting to do that since I helped you into my carriage with your ridiculous excuse for a chaperone.”
She’d been wanting him to do that and more, not that she would tell him so.
“I hope I can bring you out of your melancholy,” Jasper added and took her mouth under his.
They were being terribly risky. In his company mere minutes, she was already letting herself be compromised in a deserted drawing room. And willingly.
As he deepened the kiss, she moaned, hearing him growl in response. With her pulse beating at the apex of her thighs, she was floating, light-headed, tethered only by his arms around her. When he finally drew back and looked into her eyes, his own were dark, his pupils dilated. He looked almost surprised by the passion flowing between them.
“God, I have missed you,” he confessed.
Again, she had to bite her tongue from saying the same. It was all right for a confirmed rogue to speak such words to a woman for whom he’d not declared himself or made any promises. But it would not be wise to give him any more power over her.
“Mrs. Zebodar will be concerned. I had best return to the ballroom.”
“True, you should. She looked positively thunderstruck when you walked away. I told her not to worry, that I would find you.”
“Did you?” Julia couldn’t see how Jasper, with his reputation, telling her chaperone he was going to find her would put Mrs. Zebodar’s fears at rest.
“In that case, I shall run. Poor lady, she—”
Her words were cut off by his mouth claiming hers again, causing her stomach to flip delightfully. Her hands grabbed him, practically of their own accord, clutching his lapel and holding him close.
He slanted his mouth atop hers, and then his wicked tongue stole between her lips.
“Mm,”she murmured, her knees weakening as his tongue stroked hers.
Suddenly, his large palms clutched her bottom, bringing her up against him.
Gracious!That kiss moved quickly enough to steal her breath and fuel her desire to the boiling point.
“Do you think she would notice if we were gone another ten minutes?” Jasper asked.
With her heart thumping like a trapped rabbit, Julia pushed at him, and he released her.
“No, th-thank you,” she stammered, then wished she hadn’t said anything so silly.Pudding-head, indeed! Thanking the man for suggesting a tryst!
Before she’d taken more than a step, he said, “Promise me you won’t snavel anything tonight.”
She froze. “I am here only to dance.”
With that, she smoothed her gown and started back the way she’d come. Hearing his footsteps, Julia held up her hand, and he halted.
“I think you should let me return to the ballroom on my own. Or have you forgotten who and what you are?” She turned away just as she saw the tightening of his mouth, evidence of his displeasure.
Continuing along the hall, she was surprised by Jasper’s irritation. If he didn’t want to be called out as a rake, then he should behave better.
