Tears filled her eyes, and she cursed herself, for it seemed with him, she was always weeping over something. She tried to stifle her sobs, but they seemed to find a way of their own, forcing themselves through her throat in pitiful little whimpers.
Christian heard her and fury gripped him.
“Christ! What have you to weep over now, woman!”
With a snarl of disgust, he reached out for her, snatching her into his arms, hating his body’s reaction to her even as he did so. She screeched and tried desperately to move away, but he was too strong. Her back to him, he wrapped his arms about her, holding her close, imprisoning her within them. And no sooner was she within his embrace than he felt himself pulse and swell against her luscious little bottom. He closed his eyes, grimacing, trying to ignore the reality of her within his arms... after so long... trying to ignore his raging desire for her.
It had been so bloody long.
He held her tighter, closer, but her wails only increased, and so did his need, for she was squirming without mercy against him. He breathed in deeply, filling his lungs, commanding restraint of himself, but her hair smelled so very sweet... like lilacs and fresh sea air combined; the two shouldn’t have mingled so exquisitely, but they did.
Unable to stop himself, he pressed his lips to the back of her head. He was quickly losing himself, losing his will. He moved to her neck, feeling the strands of her silky hair brush between his heated lips, and he took a deep breath, never releasing it, for he could have sworn she trembled within his arms. It took very little, just that simple gesture to remind him of the passion she’d once shown him. Her sobs ceased at once and she froze, bringing a measure of sanity to his fogged senses.
Perhaps she feared him instead?
He exhaled finally and breathed in deeply the scent of her. Christ, she smelled so devilishly good. He’d consumed an entire bottle of whiskey tonight, straight from the flask like a mindless drunkard, before coming to her in hopes that he would be numbed to her presence beside him. What was it about her that made him buckle to such weaknesses? Maxwell Haukinge had been a bloody sot—his brother Philip as well—and he loathedthem for their condescending arrogance and their flaws, yet here he was, no better than they, in truth.
His breathing quickened and he groaned, holding her closer as he tried to regain his reason. She was no good for him, he argued. He was no good for her. But it was no use, the noble gentleman had fled, probably cowering in some dark corner, terrified of the beast within his soul.
It was about time, he thought grimly.
It felt damned good to have himself back.
His hands unlocked and roamed her body at will, her breasts, her belly, her thighs, and then slid between them, committing the feel of her to his memory.
He wouldn’t be denied, not this time, he swore... not this time...
Christian turned her so that she faced him in the darkness. His hand went to her face and he caressed her lips, her soft cheek, moving down to her chin, slowly, taking his leisure. She let him. Holding her delicate chin between his thumb and forefinger, he stroked it with his thumb as he lifted her shadowed face for his kiss.
She didn’t resist him, and victory, sweet and potent, swept through his veins in that instant—along with it, a hunger more compelling than the physical, a yearning so deep and fierce that his mind went blank of all thought save for that of the woman in his arms. When his lips met hers at last, he found them trembling sweetly for him, and he couldn’t help himself, his fevered tongue thrust within, tasting and taking with a delirium he’d never experienced before.
In that moment, as their tongues met and sparred, he found the sweetest taste of paradise, discovered a glimpse of heaven and beyond... and knew instinctively it was a place he would never see... save through her.
God, he wanted her so much... so bloody much...
And this time, he was not going to stop.
God Himself couldn’t keep him this time.
He’d waited far too long already—honor be damned! Conscience be damned! If he should burn in hell the rest of eternity for this night, then it was a penance he would eagerly pay.
And curse her, for she responded much too wantonly to his every thrust, his every touch, moaning and undulating for him so wildly, in such sweet abandon. Aye... she was fiery heat in his arms, and he reveled in the reality that she desired him, as well.
Christian felt her body shudder at his touch, heard the passionate little whimpers she made, and saw himself suddenly tearing the bodice of her gown in his fierce need to taste her, to suckle the sweet buds, not recognizing himself or his actions anymore.
At the instant, he felt as savage and ruthless as he was reputed to be.
Jessie whimpered, though not from pain or fear, but from a longing so great, she could scarcely comprehend it, much less deny it. Her sanity was swept away, and she could only feel—couldn’t think, only feel...
“Christian… please...” She wanted to plead with him never to stop, but her voice failed her, and she closed her eyes to savor his touch instead. “Please...”
“Nay,” he growled, “I cannot—God curse me, but I cannot! I want to see you, Jessamine... all of you... kiss you everywhere... ah, Christ,” he hissed, leaving her lips and touching his burning mouth to her throat. “I’ve waited so long, Jess...”
Arching for his lips, Jessie moaned. It felt so blessed good to be kissed and loved by him... but then, he didn’t love her, she had to remind herself. And still... if she would be condemned for this weakness all the rest of her lifetime, then let it be so, for she could not deny him—nay, she could not deny herself! When hiswarm lips closed over and suckled at her breast, she thought she would die from the intense pleasure it gave her. “Please...”
“Please what?” His breath was hot against her flesh as he moved lower still, tasting her as he ripped the gown further from her body, reducing it to little more than tattered rags... like her will.
“This, Jessie?” he asked softly, touching his lips to her body in that most private place.
