His gaze jumped around the room, stopping on another door. “Come,” he said, pulling her with him.
Lyndsey didn’t dare argue, but she was very interested to know who was following him, and especially, why he wanted to hide. She had to admit it was rather intriguing, which was why she ignored the voice in the back of her mind telling her to stop him and demand answers.
The door opened easily enough, but as they entered, she could see right away it was the pantry. And it wasn’t very large.
He closed the door behind him. Her back was pressed against some shelves, and he stood so very close in front of her. So close, in fact, that when she breathed deeply, the front of her gown brushed against his chest. Oh, this was not good at all. She couldn’t see his face, but she could smell champagne on his breath.
“Mr. Dorsey,” she said softly, “can you kindly tell me what we’re doing here?”
“Shhh...” He placed a finger to her lips.
Her heartbeat accelerated. If they were caught... She shook the thought from her head. No, she couldn’t get caught with him. For certain her reputation would be ruined.
“This is improper and you know it,” she muttered against his finger.
By the way his breaths were blowing against her face, she could tell his breathing had increased, too. Tenderly, he traced his finger along her mouth. The rustle of clothing was the only thing she heard as he shifted, and suddenly, his other hand slid around her waist, pulling her fully against him.
“Actually, Miss Benson,” he whispered, “thisis what’s improper.”
Before she had time to stop him, his mouth covered hers. She gasped and placed her hands on his shoulders to push him away, but the gentleness of his lips rubbing across hers, stopped her. Tingles erupted in her chest and spread throughout her body. The longer his mouth was fused with hers, the more her body relaxed, until she couldn’t feel the shelves holding her up. Instead, it was his arms and his body that kept her from melting to the floor.
On their own, her hands wandered up to his neck and she drew her fingers through his hair. A small moan rattled from his chest as he tightened his arms around her. Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss.
Explosions erupted through her as warmth merged with the tingles running crazily through her body.Oh, Heavens!What was happening to her? And why did she like it so much that she didn’t want to stop?
His kiss was so tender, so soft, and yet so exciting, that her mind spun out of control and made her feel as though she walked on air. What were the chances that he also felt this way? But she was just an innocent woman, and him... a scoundrel. Why else would he take such liberties with a woman he barely knew?
Finally, Adrian pulled away slightly, but left his forehead resting against hers. Both of them were breathing heavily, but at least her mind had started to clear. She should be angry at him, and yet, she wasn’t. She should have stopped him the moment he took her into the kitchen, but her curiosity had clouded any thoughts of leaving.
“Mr. Dorsey—”
“I beg you... call me Adrian.”
Her heart flipped. His voice was so deep and almost didn’t sound like the man she’d been talking to earlier.
“Adrian,” she sighed.
He moaned again and kissed down the side of her face. “I like how you say my name.”
Excitement danced in her chest, but she couldn’t let things get out of control again. “Adrian, will you please explain to me what just happened?”
His body shook with a silent laugh. “The earth moved. Could you not feel it, my sweet?”
He was trying to charm her, but she couldn’t allow him to sway her thoughts. He was also still trying to seduce her because his mouth touched her throat. As he continued to kiss the crook of her neck, a delightful shiver shook through her. She clutched his arms, but mainly to hold herself upright.
“No, that’s not... what I meant.” She clenched her teeth, trying to hold back the sigh of pleasure threatening to spring forth. “What are we doing in here?”
“My dear Miss Benson.” His arms tightened around her waist. “Have you never been kissed before?” He lifted his head and brushed his mouth against her lips again. “Because I’m quite happy to volunteer as your instructor.”
“Adrian...” She couldn’t believe she sighed heavily again. “Please...”
“Please?” He kissed her on the mouth again, briefly. “Please... what? Are you asking me to teach you? I’m most certain you’ll be a very responsive pupil.”
A squeak escaped her as she imagined all that he could teach her. But no, she must stay strong, or at least figure out how to become strong. At this very moment, she felt like a boulder sinking lower and lower into the dark abyss of the ocean. “Please tell me why we are... hiding.”
“Well, I suppose,” he continued leaving light kisses on her lips, “we could do this in public, but I fear,” his kisses lingered slightly longer, “if we did that, we’d make quite a spectacle and people might start to gossip.”
Was he not understanding her on purpose? Or was he teasing her so he could continue kissing her? Although, kissing him really wasn’t horrid at all. It was the complete opposite.
